After being so hot a moment prior, a cold sweat now pooled at the base of Amanda’s back. “Well, let’s see if she answers the door.” Amanda got out of the car, her steps leaden. Every bit of her instinct was screaming at her. Something was definitelywrong here.
Amanda pressed the doorbell, and a beautiful rendition of some classical song chimed inside the home. After repeating the process two more times with no luck, Amanda tried the handle and found it locked.
She shook her head at Trent. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
“You’re not alone. How about we go around back and take a look?”
“Let’s do it.”
They walked along the side of the house under the shade of some trees. But it did little to diffuse the heat of the day’s sun. The backyard was fenced, and there was a gate, which was unlocked.
Trent pulled the lever and pried it open.
“What are you doing?” a neighbor from next door called out, stopping their steps.
“Police, ma’am. It’s just a welfare check,” Trent told her, not clarifying it wasn’t on the homeowner.
The woman’s brow tightened. “Far as I know, Ms. Sharp is away on business. Ain’t nothing wrong with her.”
Intel was where a small community with nosy neighbors could be an advantage. People paid attention to those around them. “Thank you,” Amanda told her.
Trent carried on through the gate with Amanda following.
The backyard was more spacious than Amanda expected from the front. Majestic white oak trees lined the back edge of the property along with a fence, and a large pond added serenity.
The house itself was less luxurious from back here though. No red brick, rather white siding in desperate need of power washing, and the charm of the shutters in the front didn’t follow through either. But there was a Trex composite deck with a large awning. She headed toward there and a set of sliding patiodoors. Once there, she realized one panel was cracked open about two inches.
Trent gloved up and slid it back the rest of the way, and they both put booties over their shoes.
Amanda pulled her gun and entered the home. “Prince William County PD! Christine Lane? Call out if you’re in here.”
The door fed into the kitchen, but the main level was open concept. From this vantage point, it looked like every light in the house was on. Still, nothing greeted them but silence. This made the large house feel larger still, as did the lack of any visible personal touches. Even the counters were mostly bare.
Trent came in behind Amanda, and they walked through the kitchen toward the stairs. Upon catching a faint chemical smell, she turned around to face her partner. “We need to call this in before we go any further.”
FIVE
Amanda explained the situation to Malone, and he was sending backup ASAP but cleared them to proceed. Maybe the chemical smell was nothing more than the home being deep cleaned for the showing. She wished she could believe that, but every nerve ending in her body was saying they were too late.
Several pieces of abstract artwork lined the wall along the staircase going up to the second level. “There’s not one distinctive touch. It’s like no one is even living here.”
“Staging. It’s about eliminating clutter and personal mementos, including photographs. It’s supposed to help potential buyers see themselves in the home.”
She could understand the logic. “Someone’s in the know. And how did you come to possess this knowledge? You selling your house?”
“Nope. Kelsey loves watching thosehome shows. The makeovers, the flips, the buy ’em and sell ’em. Or I should say, she’sobsessedwith them.”
“I see.” She rarely had five minutes to watch TV, and whenever she dropped onto the couch, she was quickly noddingoff. Sitting still didn’t happen often. Maybe this week, she didn’t need to cram every minute with something.
They went up the stairs, and the chemical smell became stronger. But there was a strange sound that Amanda couldn’t place. She looked at Trent, who must have heard it too.
“Prince William County PD,” Trent called out.
No response.
Amanda hurried her steps as she followed the direction of the sound.
She entered the primary bedroom, a magnificent setting for rest and rejuvenation from the trayed ceilings to the soothing paint colors on the walls, the furniture, and the bedding. There was a sitting area next to a window overlooking the yard. One door led to an en suite bathroom, and Amanda glanced in on her way by. A jacuzzi tub and marble everywhere.
