They rode in silence for another minute or so. As they neared Max’s house, Hannah cut her lights and drove the rest of the way by moonlight.

“He must be gone. There aren’t any lights,” Andrea whispered as Hannah pulled up in front of Max’s garage and shut off the engine. “I told you Max wouldn’t be home.”

“I didn’t really expect him to be, but I’m going to ring the doorbell, just in case.”

“What if someone answers?” Andrea sounded scared.

“Who?”

Andrea shivered. “I don’t know. Just someone.”

“Then I’ll think of something to say.” Hannah got out of her Suburban and marched up to the doorbell, wishing she were as confident as she’d sounded. If Max answered the door, she’d have some tall explaining to do. But Max didn’t answer and Hannah walked back with a smile on her face. “Nobody’s there. Come on, Andrea. Let’s check out his garage. We can peek through the windows.”

“How?” Andrea got out of the Suburban to stare up at the high narrow windows that ran in a strip across the top of the garage door. “They’re too high for us to see in.”

“No problem.” Hannah climbed up on the hood of her Suburban and motioned for Andrea to hand her a flashlight. She directed the powerful beam through the narrow strip of windows and what she saw made her gasp in surprise.

“What is it?” Andrea whispered. “What’s in there, Hannah?”

Hannah climbed down, trying not to look as shocked as she felt. “Max’s car is still there.”

“If his car is there, he’s got to be home!” Andrea was so astonished, she forgot to whisper. “Let’s get out of here, Hannah!”

Hannah’s instinct to flee was every bit as powerful as her sister’s, but her sense of duty took over. “We can’t just leave. If Max is inside, he could be sick, or injured, or…even worse.”

Andrea gasped, and Hannah knew she’d understood the reference to “even worse.”

“Don’t be a fool, Hannah. Let’s go get Bill.”

“You go. The keys are in the ignition. I’m going in to check on Max.”

“B-But…” Andrea started to stammer, and Hannah knew she was scared spitless. “I can’t leave you here alone, Hannah. What if Max is dead and his killer is inside?”

“If Max is dead, his killer is long gone. Be reasonable, Andrea. If you killed someone, would you stay in the house with him for two whole days?”

“No,” Andrea admitted. “But I just can’t help feeling that something really bad is going to happen. Remember Charlie Manson?”

“That was California. Just stay here and be a lookout for me. If you see any headlights coming down the driveway, ring Max’s doorbell.”

“No way, Hannah. I don’t want to say here alone.”

“Then come with me.” Hannah knew they were wasting precious time. “Make up your mind, Andrea. I’m going in.”

“I’ll come with you. It’s better than staying out here by myself. How are we going to get in?”