Stranger in Town - By Cheryl Bradshaw Page 0,49

head in disbelief.

“Do you really think the Kents paid someone to replace their children?”

“I do.”

CHAPTER 32

If the girls had been kidnapped to be raised by someone else, odds were they might still be alive. Getting kidnapped for any other reason besides a marital spat between divorcees meant the girls were most likely dead, and I had to believe they were still out there somewhere, alive and waiting for someone to find them.

Although it was getting late, Cade and I hadn’t left the house yet. Both of us reasoned that if we picked the Kents house apart a little longer, maybe we’d come up with some evidence that would lead us to Mr. and Mrs. Kent. But the house was clean. I was about to suggest we leave when I noticed headlights beaming through the window in the front of the house. Since we had already trespassed, and the vehicle had come to a stop and turned its lights off, we decided to face whoever it was rather than try and make a quick getaway.

A person exited the vehicle and I heard the sound of a rifle being prepped for use. Cade tried to push me behind the wall of the hallway with one hand, but I grabbed hold of him first, pulling him with me. We both drew our weapons.

“How long you been packin’ that around?” Cade whispered.

“Don’t act like you haven’t seen it,” I said. “You pat people down for a living.”

“Haven’t frisked you yet.”

Even though he had his back to me, I knew he was smiling. I could tell by the sarcasm in his voice.

The front door opened, heavy footsteps followed, stomping their way across the floor.

“Who’s there?” a male voice said.

Neither of us spoke.

“You’re on private property,” the voice said.

He sounded young, like he’d passed puberty, but not with an A.

“Where’s the sign?” I said.

“What?” the boy said.

“I didn’t see a sign stating this is private property.”

“Well, it is,” the boy said.

“How do I know you’re the one who isn’t trespassing then?”

There was a pause, like he couldn’t come up with a logical answer.

“I’m armed,” he said.

“That makes two of us,” I said.

“Three,” Cade said.

“Wait—there are two of you?” he said.

The boy could count, and he was nervous, which was good—as long as we could get him to put the rifle down. We were finally getting somewhere, just a lot slower than I’d imagined.

“I’m going to save you some time,” I said. “We’ll tell you who we are, and then you’re going to tell us who you are.”

“How will I know you’re not lying?” he said.

“Oh, for goodness sake,” I said to Cade. “Show the kid your badge before he does something stupid.”

“I’m going to show you my badge now,” Cade yelled loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear. “Don’t shoot my hand off or anything you’ll live to regret.” Cade took out his badge, edging his hand around the corner of the wall. “My name is Cade McCoy, and my partner here is Sloane Monroe.”

Partner?

“We’re detectives,” Cade said. “Your turn.”

He hesitated and then said, “My name is Henry.”

“You have a last name Henry?” Cade said.

“Kent.”

“How are you related to the owners of this house?” Cade said.

“Brad is my uncle.”

“Bradley Kent?” Cade said.

“Yes.”

“Henry, I want you to put down the rifle and slide it across the floor,” Cade said.

“Right now?”

“Yes, now. Do you want me to count it out for you?” Cade said.

I heard the sound of a rifle being placed on the floor. Once it slid across, Cade walked around the corner and then signaled for me to do the same. The kid had his hands up and a look on his face like he wasn’t sure what to expect next.

“Relax,” I said.

“Am I in trouble?”

I shook my head.

“We’re here because of the break in,” I said.

“The what?”

I pointed at the window. The kid turned around and looked at it and then back at me, looking both convinced and relieved.

“Why are you here?” I said.

“I take care of my uncle’s horses.”

“Isn’t it a little late in the day?” I said.

Cade looked at me like I had no idea what I was talking about.

“There are lights in the barn,” the kid said. “I’m not here this late every night. I had a date.”

“Where’s your uncle?” I said.

“I don’t know.”

“You expect me to believe you tend his horses, and probably get paid for it too, but you don’t know where he is?”

“He asked me if I could take care of them while he was gone.”

“Gone where?” I