Lock, Stock and McCullen. Rita Herron

running to get away.”

      Senses alert, Maddox slowed the car and parked, his gaze fixed on the cabin and dark woods surrounding it. “Did Thoreau say how he found this place?”

      “No.” Rose rubbed at her arms again as if cold. “I didn’t ask. I...I trusted him.”

      Maddox studied the area for tire marks. With his headlights shining on the ground, he spotted one set that had made indentations into the dirt. Obviously Rose’s tire prints as she’d backed away and sped from the cabin.

      He cut the engine and his lights, that coyote still howling like it was hunting for prey, and he removed his holster and checked his Colt.

      He reached for the door handle. “Wait here and let me check out the house.”

      “What if the other man is out here?” Rose asked in a strained voice.

      “There’s no sign of a car here,” he pointed out.

      Rose touched his hand. “Let me go with you. I...don’t want to stay here alone.”

      Maddox sighed, hating the fear in her voice. But he understood it. She’d been through hell and back tonight.

      “All right, but stay behind me.”

      She nodded, and he grabbed a flashlight, climbed out and shut his door gently, his boots crunching grass and twigs as he walked around to the passenger side. She opened her door and slid out, and he gestured for her to stay close as they walked up to the porch.

      The flashlight illuminated the ground, and Maddox scanned it for evidence, also darting suspicious looks around the perimeter of the property and front of the cabin.

      “I don’t understand,” Rose whispered. “He chased me out here and collapsed at the bottom of the porch.”

      Maddox narrowed his eyes and shone the flashlight across the porch. Rose sounded so sure of what she was saying, so frightened.

      But there was no body. No blood.

      No sign of Rose’s fiancé anywhere.

       Chapter Four

      Rose stared at the empty porch in shock. “I don’t understand. He fell...and he was bleeding.” She pointed to the bottom step, where she’d seen Thad collapse, blood oozing from his wound. “I...didn’t see him get up.”

      “But you were trying to escape?”

      “Yes.” She looked at the drive. “His sedan was under that tree.”

      “Where did you say he was hit with the bullet?”

      Rose lifted her gaze, the images of her struggle with her fiancé flashing back. “The chest...at least I thought that was where the bullet went in, but it happened so fast.”

      Maddox shined his flashlight all along the boards of the porch floor. “Either he got up on his own or someone helped him.” He kneeled and examined the slats. “I don’t see blood, either.”

      “But he was bleeding,” Rose said, confused. She started inside the house, but Maddox caught her arm.

      “Wait and let me search the place first.” His dark eyes flickered with worry. “He could be hiding, Rose, nursing his wound.”

      Maddox held his gun at the ready and gestured for her to stay back. Rose clutched her hands together, trembling as he inched inside the cabin.

       Had Thad survived?

      If he had...he might come back for her.

      * * *

      MADDOX EASED INTO the entryway, his senses alert as he glanced left and right. He strained to hear sounds from inside—footsteps, breathing—but he heard only the floor creaking and the eerie sound of a faucet dripping in the silence.

      He scanned the living area but other than a faded couch and chair, the room was empty. No signs of blood or bullet casings either.

      He crept to the adjoining kitchen and looked around. Hadn’t Rose mentioned that Thad was planning a picnic?

      There was no evidence of food or drink, or that anyone had been here. The sink was empty, even clean, and he opened the cabinets to see dishes and glasses neatly organized.

      The dripping water pinged again, and he headed toward the sound and found the leak in the tub. The scent of cleaning chemicals and bleach assaulted him.

       Had Thad cleaned up?

      He still didn’t see blood, but he’d get his kit from his car and spray with luminol. That might turn up something. Although it was possible the bullet had only grazed Thad.

      Veering to the left of the bathroom, he found the bedroom. An iron bed draped in a quilt sat against the wall with the window, while an antique dresser and full-length mirror were also in the room.

      No sign of anyone. No flyer of a missing girl on a milk carton. And no luggage...

      If Rose and Thad were traveling, where were their things? Hadn’t she brought a suitcase?

      If she’d been running for her life, she wouldn’t have stopped to get it.

      He checked the closet next but found it empty as well.

      Either Rose was confused or lying or...her fiancé had survived and escaped and cleaned up any evidence he’d ever been in the cabin.

      Another scenario surfaced though—Thad’s accomplice could have gotten rid of Thad’s body, then cleaned up to cover his own tracks.

      She had received a threatening call though. He needed to check her phone to verify that a call had actually come through. Because...he didn’t believe her?

      No, checking her phone records would be standard procedure. And if he could trace the number of the caller, it might lead to the person who wanted to kill her.

      * * *

      ROSE STARTLED AT the sound of the wind rustling leaves, and pivoted to look into the woods. A coyote’s howl unnerved her. She’d heard that coyotes had been attacking other animals, killing cats and dogs, and that they carried rabies.

       Was the animal close by?

      Questions swirled in her brain, making her head throb. Was Thad? Could he have survived that gunshot wound?

      She backed against the wall and studied the floor again, wondering how anyone could have cleaned up that blood so quickly.

       If Thad was alive, where was he?

      Maybe the caller—Thad’s partner—had been near the cabin and Thad had phoned him after she’d left.

      Footsteps pounded then, and Maddox appeared in the doorway. “The house is clear. No indication of Thad or anyone else.”

      Rose bit down on her lip. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

      “Rose, did you bring a suitcase here?”

      Rose nodded. “Yes, and my wedding gown. I was taking a bath right before I heard Thad on the phone.”

      His eyes darkened as he studied her. “You didn’t take any of your things with you?”

      “No, I told you that I ran from the house. He knocked me down and we struggled. A lamp broke...”

      She elbowed past him and surveyed the living room. No broken lamp. Everything was in its place.

      She pointed to the small pine table. “Thad brought a picnic basket filled with goodies—cheese and crackers and fruit and wine. We were going to have a midnight picnic after my bath.”

      “There’s no food or picnic basket here,” Maddox pointed out.

      Frantic,