And Then She Was Gone(78)

“You came in here to tell me that?”

Chandler grinned. “Yeah. I know you. You’re getting all wound up. Let it go. Go to sleep.”

“I will.”

Chandler walked back to the door. “I almost forgot. Happy birthday.” He grinned.

Jack didn’t. “It’s not until tomorrow.”

“It already is tomorrow.” He pointed at the clock; it was after midnight. “Think about it. Eleven years ago, you got to meet me. Best birthday present ever, huh?”

Jack chuckled. “Go to bed, Mr. Humble.”

Chandler yawned. “’Night.”

Jack picked up his pen, turned back to his notebook, and sketched out the crime scene. When he couldn’t remember a detail, he closed his eyes until he could picture it. He was thinking, tapping the pen against the page, when somewhere inside the house he heard a girl scream.

Jack raced to the bedroom door. Another scream came, and this one was definitely close by; the terrorized shriek echoed down the hall. He ripped open the door just as the scream trailed off.

In the bedroom directly across from Jack’s, a girl cried out, “GET OFF ME!”

Jack grabbed the door handle, but it was locked. He lowered his shoulder and slammed into the door. Wood splintered, and broken pieces flew as the door smashed open.

Replacement lay in her bed. Jack ran over to her. Her green eyes were filled with terror, and her whole body was rigid. “GET OFF ME!” she shrieked again.

Jack looked frantically around the room for her attacker, but there was no one. He gently touched Replacement’s arm. “Are you okay?”

Behind him, Chandler and Michelle charged into the room. Michelle immediately raced over to Replacement and wrapped her arms around her. Replacement’s eyes were open, but by now Jack didn’t think she was actually awake.

Aunt Haddie appeared in the doorway. She and Michelle exchanged a knowing look.

“Shh,” Michelle whispered as she held and rocked Replacement. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”

Replacement shook her head and blinked rapidly. She looked at Michelle as if she’d never seen her before. Then she burst into tears and buried her face in Michelle’s shoulder.

Jack looked down at the frightened girl. He didn’t know what to do for her.

“Come on, boys.” Aunt Haddie ushered Jack and Chandler out of the room. She pulled the door closed, then frowned when she saw the broken lock.

“Sorry.” Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “I heard the scream, and it was locked.”

“That’s okay.” Aunt Haddie patted his cheek. “Always the white knight. I’m sure you and Chandler can fix it.”

“Me?” Chandler pointed at Jack. “Just because he doesn’t know how to turn a doorknob, I…” Chandler trailed off when Aunt Haddie’s eyebrow rose. “I mean, yes, ma’am.”

Jack tipped his head toward Replacement’s bedroom. “What’s wrong with her?”

They could hear muffled sobbing now.

Aunt Haddie shook her head. “Night terrors. Poor little angel. She’s been through hell.” Aunt Haddie’s eyes teared up. “She’ll be okay. The good Lord willing, she’ll be okay. You boys go to bed now.” She kissed them both and then went downstairs.

Chandler walked back to his room.

“Sorry about the door,” Jack called after him.

Chandler stopped. “I shouldn’t have said that. It wasn’t you I was mad at.” His muscles tensed and his eyes smoldered. “She’s such a good kid. Who’d hurt someone like that? Some people are just evil.” He went into his bedroom and closed the door.

Jack did the same. When he turned off the desk lamp, the darkness seemed even deeper now than it had before. He lay down on the bed. Still unable to fall asleep, he began making plans.

I need to find out more about Stacy Shaw. Who she was.

He interlaced his fingers behind his head and thought about a woman he’d never met. Stacy was someone’s daughter. Someone’s wife. And Jack knew he wasn’t just trying to prove Jay was innocent. He was doing something more. He was trying to catch the person who’d killed a young mother whose life had just begun and the baby that never had a chance.

Jack closed his eyes. His lids felt so heavy he knew he wouldn’t open them again until morning.

The killer waited for her. He rushed her in the dark. Then he dragged her into the woods.

Jack heard his heart thump loudly.

Chandler’s words made his stomach tighten. Some people are evil.

Just before he slipped into sleep, he realized: I’m hunting a monster.





23





Spirit Day





As Jack and Chandler walked out the back door of Aunt Haddie’s the next morning, they found Replacement sitting on the steps with her head in her hands. The samurai-style ponytail on top of her head sagged along with her shoulders.