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“My uncle didn’t know me.” I ignored him for a second, heading toward the back of the house and looking out the set of doors. Where the fuck was she?

“I think you have my card. If you decide to sell, give me a call.”

I suddenly had a terrible feeling that something was very wrong.

“In case you’re interested, the property is adjacent to this one. Just next door.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, Mr. Schaffer, but get out. I have something I need to do.” Next door. Where the sound had come from? Maybe.

“Oh. Okay. Sure. Call me with any questions.”

The door was slammed in my fury and concern. I rushed into the kitchen, grabbing a flashlight before throwing open the back door and stepping outside.

She was nowhere to be seen.

“Juliette!” I called.

Five seconds passed. Ten.

Fifteen.

No response.

“Tank. Come. Search and rescue, buddy.”

If something had happened to her, I would never forgive myself. And I’d hunt and kill the people responsible.

But if she was playing with me, so help me God, I’d chain her to my bed.

CHAPTER 27

Juliette

Fire-eating dragon.

Gargantuan hairy beast.

Man with an assault rifle.

I shuddered as soon as I thought of the last one, yet my legs were still responding to my curiosity and not any level of common sense.

Noises.

I had particularly keen hearing and had since I was a small child. Because of that, every little noise I’d heard including typical house sounds had turned into a big bad monster. It had driven my mother insane since she’d been the one to check every corner of my room, under my bed, and in the closet at least once a night.

That’s why the noise from earlier continued to drive me crazy. There was something out there in the woods and it certainly wasn’t just the rustling of trees.

To me it sounded as if there was a wounded animal maybe caught in a trap.

Maybe it was foolish, but I needed to find out. With the camera still strapped around my neck, I headed into the woods. There was still plenty of light to see where I was going and to make my way back.

The trees were thick, but I did my best to keep track of where I was headed, now certain I was right. Whatever the noise, there was at least one animal involved.

If only Tank was with me. He’d locate the source in a heartbeat.

I kept going, determined to find out what it was myself.

More trees.