Page 72 of Guess Again

Rome, Wisconsin Monday, August 4, 2025

THEY EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND FOLLOWED THE GPS ALONG A FRONTAGE road, eventually fishtailing into a small residential lakeside community whose homes butted up against the lake.

“Two eight six,”

Ethan read from the card as Maddie turned onto Summerset Lane.

Maddie slowed as they looked at the address numbers, which were stenciled onto red plaques mounted in the front yard of each home.

“There,”

she said, pointing up ahead.

She pulled to a stop outside a home that had been clearly abandoned.

There was no driveway, and the yard was a mess of overgrown grass and weeds.

The vinyl siding had warped from years of summer heat, and paint was peeling around the windows and shutters.

They both looked at each other and nodded before they exited the vehicle.

Maddie placed her palm on the handle of her service weapon.

Ethan was less cautious and simply pulled his Beretta from his waistband as they approached the front door.

They peeked in the windows.

Dirty curtains blocked their view.

The inside of the house was dark and quiet. Maddie pounded on the front door.

“Police! Open up.”

When there was no answer she pounded again.

Nothing.

She tried the handle, but it was locked, although the door rattled with frailty.

“There’s nothing to this door,”

Ethan said.

“I could be through it with one kick.”

Maddie seemed to think a moment.

“We don’t have a warrant.”

“We’re not looking for evidence.

We’re looking for a missing girl, and she’s been gone a while.”

Maddie nodded and backed away.

Ethan lifted his leg and kicked the door, his foot striking close to the door handle.

It splintered open and they both charged in, pointing their weapons at whatever waited for them.