Page 74

SEVENTY-THREE

Cord intended to make it his mission to keep an eye on Modelle. He’d been watching the bastard’s house when Ellie texted.

“What are we looking for?” he asked.

“This house belongs to Claire and Joel Woodston,” Ellie explained. “We believe the twins, Taylor and Heidi, lived with them, but there’s no sign of either of them inside. It’s possible the man who killed the twins also murdered the parents. Could have happened during the abduction.”

Cord clenched his teeth. “If they’re on the property we’ll find them.”

“I did a preliminary sweep of the exterior of the house when we arrived,” Derrick said. “But I’ll look again and take the south side nearest the road.”

“Copy that,” Cord agreed. He and Milo formed a plan to cover more territory. With Benji at Cord’s side, he and the men divided up and launched into the search. The woods were thick, some trees so close together they almost created a wall. Using his flashlight and following Benji, he hiked through the terrain, listening for the sound of the river to guide him.

Cord kept his eyes trained on the ground, looking for footprints or evidence someone had been in the area. Snow drifts dotted the landscape and the fresh snowfall made it difficult to track.

A quarter-mile in, Benji’s ears perked up and he paused to sniff a section of weeds, then he sprinted toward the river. Cord shined his light on the patch of ground where Benji was and paused when he saw what had sparked the dog’s interest.

Blood.

Cord noted the spot to pass onto forensics then raced after Benji. Briars and weeds clawed at his jean-clad legs as he followed Benji’s trail. Benji had reached the edge of the river where a small wooden dock jutted a few feet in, and he was digging at the edge with his paws.

Cord hurried to him and shined his light over the ground, beneath the edge of the dock.

Benji raised his head and barked, signaling he’d found something. Cord leaned closer and saw a hand in the water at the edge of the river, the rest of the body partially obscured by weeds and rotting wood.