Chapter 4
The backyard sloped gently down toward a weathered wooden shed that was overgrown with thick ivy and wild blackberry bushes. The afternoon sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long, twisting shadows across the manicured lawn. Mark walked side by side with Deputy Miller, their footsteps heavy on the damp grass. Louis and the baby stayed safely inside with the neighbor, Mrs. Gable, who had rushed over upon seeing the police cruiser in the driveway.
"She hasn't used this shed in years," Mark said, brushing a stray branch away from his plaid shirt. The cool evening air carried the scent of pine and damp earth. "We talked about tearing it down last spring, but we never got around to it."
Deputy Miller shined a heavy-duty flashlight toward the base of the shed, cutting through the encroaching gloom. The beam of light illuminated the rotting wooden panels, the rusty padlock that hung loosely from the rusted hasp, and finally, a small object resting on the muddy ground near the door.
Mark stepped forward, his breath catching in his throat. Lying half-buried in the damp soil was a small silver locket—the very same piece of jewelry Sarah’s grandmother had given her on her wedding day. Sarah always wore it. The delicate chain was snapped cleanly in half, suggesting a struggle or a frantic, hurried escape.
Deputy Miller knelt down, using a gloved hand to pick up the silver locket without disturbing any potential footprints in the mud. He opened the small hinge. Inside was a faded photograph of Sarah as a young girl, standing beside an older woman who bore a striking resemblance to her.
"Is this hers?" Deputy Miller asked quietly, standing back up and holding the locket toward Mark in the palm of his gloved hand.
"Yes," Mark breathed, the reality of the situation sinking deeper into his chest. "She never took it off. Never. For her to leave this behind... something terrible happened here, Deputy. Someone was waiting for her."
The deputy scanned the surrounding woodline, his flashlight beam sweeping across the dense thicket of trees that bordered the back of their property. "We need to widen the search perimeter. If she fled on foot, she might have headed toward the old railway trail."
Mark clenched his fists, a surge of protective anger replacing his initial shock. He couldn't just stand by and wait for search parties to organize. He knew these woods like the back of his hand. He knew every trail, every clearing, and every hidden danger.
May you like
"I'm coming with you," Mark stated firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Deputy Miller looked at Mark for a long moment, seeing the fierce determination etched into his bearded face. The deputy gave a slow, solemn nod. "Stay close behind me, Mark. We don't know who we're dealing with."
