“He’ll hear us,” Delaney said.
“Not if it’s only one of us. And not if there’s a distraction in the front yard,” she said. Glancing into the room she saw a plain wood-paneled door to the outside.
“Agent O’Dell.” Cunningham’s voice stopped her. “This is your first time in the field – sorry, but you’re not going to be the one opening that storm cellar.”
He didn’t wait for an argument. Instead, he waved for Delaney to move around Maggie to get to the back door.
“The clothesline is between here and the cellar,” she told Delaney.
He stared at her, waiting for an explanation.
“Bed sheets,” she said as though that should be enough. When she saw that he still didn’t understand, she added, “They were whipping around in the breeze. Should provide some cover.”
Delaney nodded.
“The bedroom at the end looks out that direction,” Turner said.
“Good idea,” Cunningham told him and Turner started down the hall to take up his post. “Give us a chance to get in position,” Cunningham reminded them.
Sheriff Geller’s cruiser was the closest. Cunningham started telling the sheriff and his deputy about what they’d found inside the trailer. She knew her boss’s reasoning for not immediately telling the two law enforcement officers about the cellar. He didn’t want their surprise blowing his plan. Instead he manipulated the conversation and the men so they followed him around to the trunk of the vehicle, lessening the risk if the killer was armed.
When he was certain they were out of earshot of the storm cellar Cunningham explained the situation.
“Son of a bitch,” Geller mumbled. “Didn’t even think…”
By now Delaney had made his way across the backyard. The storm cellar looked like a mound of dirt with a wooden door on this side of the mound. Someone inside would never be able to see Delaney sneaking around the back. Once he was able to position himself on the hinged side of the door, the intruder still wouldn’t be able to see him. Now in position, he stood silently in place waiting for Cunningham’s signal.
When Delaney heaved the door open there was a flash of movement. Too quick. Someone retreated down the hole.
Cunningham led the way, his weapon gripped firmly in both hands. Maggie followed, matching his movements, her heart pounding. They joined Delaney, keeping to the side but close enough now that Maggie could see the concrete steps that disappeared into darkness.
Sheriff Geller and his deputy had been instructed to stay back but both had their weapons drawn, too.
“FBI. We’ve got you surrounded,” Cunningham yelled. “You just as well come out. Or we’ll start throwing down tear-gas.”
They waited.
Maggie didn’t dare look away. Not even for a second. Sweat trickled down her back even though the breeze was chilly. The heat of the trailer had dampened her hair. Strands stuck to her forehead but she resisted the urge to wipe at them.
Suddenly there was movement.
Maggie could feel it as both men tensed beside her.
Then slowly out of the darkness a young girl peered up at them.
“Please don’t shoot me.”
Chapter 6
He watched from his hiding place. He’d found a new one. This one closer. With the aid of binoculars he could see the surprise in the investigators gestures. And he had to admit, he was as surprised to the see the girl as they were.
He pressed the binoculars against his eyes, squinted and adjusted the focus.
Still too far away.
He wanted to see their faces but to get any closer would be too risky. He could see the girl’s pale white skin and her long tangled blond hair. She looked like a ghost. Maybe she was. That would explain how he had missed her.
Where the hell had she been?
He had gone in and out lickety-split. He simply wanted to see what Loner had done. Thirty minutes out of his sight and the asshole had managed much more than Stucky had ever expected. And yet, he couldn’t say he was surprised. After all, he had seen something in Loner’s eyes during their brief encounter. Not only seen it but recognized it. That was the only reason he had allowed the asshole to live. Because he knew what the guy was capable of doing and he wanted to see it for himself.
Yet for as much as they had in common, Loner was an amateur. That’s why Stucky needed to leave a little something extra in that mess of his. But Stucky had been careful. Always careful. So how the hell did he miss seeing this girl?
Had she been inside the trailer? Hiding? Was that possible?
Could she have seen what happened? Watched it from some hiding place?