“Where does that road lead?” Baxter asked, pointing to his right down the dark gravel road.

“More farms, woods, and back out to the highway,” the deputy replied.

Baxter considered it for a second. As he stared at the metal gate, it hit him. He pulled out the key he’d taken from Jenkins during the pat down.

“Worth a shot,” Baxter said as he walked back to his car.

The two drove up to the metal gate. Baxter got out and used his flashlight to look around. The metal gate gave way to a grassy path that was freshly laid down. Someone had driven over it recently. Baxter decided to try the key. As he twisted it, the padlock clicked open and he pulled the iron chain away from the metal gate.

“Winner,” Baxter said as he pushed the gate open. Baxter and the deputy walked down the path, their flashlights darting about as they looked for clues. They stopped in their tracks as they heard a rustle. Both men drew their weapons, only to realize it was a cow. There were three of them grazing right by the fence line. The path they were on ran parallel to the northern fence line of the field. The cow! They were on the right track.

Baxter and the deputy followed the vehicle tracks. The full moon nearly turned night into day, lighting up the small pond and cabin in the distance. As Baxter and the deputy approached, they looked for signs of life, but it was completely vacant.

“Now what?” the deputy asked as they reached the edge of the pond.

“We go in,” Baxter said as he held up the key. “Probable cause.”

The two cautiously approached the cabin. It was small and it looked like it had been there for decades. The wood appeared to be rotting. Baxter tried the door handle. It was unlocked. He pushed the door open carefully, crossing his gun and over his flashlight as he swept the room.

There was a bed in the corner and a small stove, but otherwise it was barren. As Baxter swept the room with the flashlight, he could see streaks of blood on the floor and sheets. The two moved forward, toward the back door.

“Jesus,” the deputy said. “You think this is where he did...whatever it is he did?”

“I don’t know,” Baxter said as he approached the back door. “Better call it in.”

The deputy radioed to dispatch as Baxter opened the back door. The door opened up to another side of the pond. There was a large pine tree surrounded by dirt. Baxter turned to his right and noticed a shovel leaning against side of the cabin. He picked it up. It still had dirt around the edges. He picked off a piece of dried dirt with his fingers.

“Red dirt,” he said to himself as he examined the dirt. He remembered the trunk. There had been red dirt everywhere. Baxter frantically shined his flashlight around the small pond as he approached the lone tree.