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Luke’s heart thudded with the panicked swiping of the wipers, his patrol car’s siren howling, as he headed to Carrie’s location.

Cutting across the county, his brain churning, Luke berated himself for not confronting what had befallen them.

Today’s story was gasoline on the burning fire of their lives.

As the storm roiled, Luke felt all of their tragic events were converging. Siren wailing, he was moving fast, making good time along US 59. He then covered a couple miles of state highway before getting onto the narrow stretch that twisted through the countryside. He rolled through the mix of rural properties and forests, nearing the new Fawn Ridge subdivision. Rain blurred the billboards that promised a dream community for families.

Something blazed on the road across Luke’s path.

Tensing, he braked.

Gusts had driven a broken branch tumbling into the ditch. Luke took a breath and resumed making his way along a gentle curve on River Road. That was when he saw it.

A single vehicle.

Carrie’s Ford Escape.

On the opposite side. Parked on the shoulder, the rain making it difficult to see the interior from his angle.

Okay, take it easy.

Luke slowed. His lights strobing, he made a U-turn, pulling up on the shoulder, stopping behind his wife’s SUV. He radioed dispatch with his position and status.

Getting out and walking to the car, relief washed over him as he spotted Emily in the back, strapped into her seat, her crying insulated by the car and the storm.

But with the next few steps, Luke’s stomach dropped as if the ground under his feet had given way.

The front seats were empty.

He opened the passenger door to Emily’s crying, the hint of Carrie’s perfume. Her purse on the passenger seat.

He stood there in the rain, surveying the empty area, his pulse hammering a spike of fear deep into his gut.