Her small flashlight was enough for them to see by and she felt Dani clinging to her back as they stepped into the garage. It was eerily quiet, so quiet she could hear each rapid beat of her heart as she flashed the light around. The garage was empty, as it had been yesterday when she’d parked there. No boxes, no clutter. No place for anyone to hide. She shined the light inside the car, hearing Dani gasp behind her. In the backseat was a doll, dressed in a police uniform. There was a knife stuck in the chest.

“Son of a bitch,” she muttered. “He was in here. How the hell did he get in here?”

“Harper…let’s get out of here,” Dani said urgently beside her.

They ignored the doll as they tossed their bags in the back. She jerked open the overhead garage door, expecting to find someone outside waiting for her, but the driveway was empty. She paused, looking around. The street was dark, quiet. Then a lone dog barked a few houses down, breaking the silence.

She hurried around to the car, getting in and slamming the door. She took off with a squeal of her tires, busting down the dark street at breakneck speed.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“I know it’s three in the morning!” she said loudly into the phone. “I’m telling you, there was no unit there. Freeman and Ford were not out front. They were supposed to stay the night. He got into the house. He left a freakin’ balloon for us. And now I’ve got a goddamn doll dressed in a police uniform—with a knife stuck in its chest—riding with us in the car!”

“Calm down, Detective.”

“I am trying to be calm,” she said as she turned the corner, seeing headlights behind them. “He’s like a damn ghost. The house had deadbolts, Lieutenant. How the hell did he get inside? And who the hell pulled Freeman and Ford?”

Dani tugged at her arm. “I think someone’s following us.”

“I know.” She turned again, taking the corner too fast and missing the curb by inches.

“What?” he asked.

“Someone’s tailing us.”

“Then go to the station. He won’t follow you there.”

“We’re too far away. And I’m telling you, there’s a leak. Someone is feeding him information.”

“And I’m telling you that’s ridiculous.”

She glanced in the mirror, seeing the car behind her slowing. She sped up, then turned again. A few more blocks and she’d hit the freeway.

“Let me call you back,” she said.

“Did you lose him?”

“More like he lost us,” she said.

“Go to the station, Harper. I’ll get there when I can.”

“Yeah,” she said as she disconnected. “But…no, thanks.”

“What is it?” Dani asked.