CHAPTER 45
Micah exhaled slowlyas Naomi’s plea played on repeat in his mind.
She was desperate, and he understood that. But this situation had a lot that he needed to seriously consider.
Finally, he cleared his throat and said, “If I do this, you follow my rules. Exactly. No arguments.”
“Okay.”
“You stay in the SUV. Doors locked. If I tell you to drive away, you drive away. You don’t wait for me. You don’t hesitate. You go. Understood?”
Relief spread through her gaze, and she nodded. “Understood.”
Micah held Naomi’s gaze, making sure she meant the word. He saw nothing but gratitude and sincerity there.
He put his SUV in gear and pulled back onto the road. They drove the short distance to 412 Maple Ridge Road in silence.
As the gravel driveway came into view, Micah slowed before carefully pulling in.
He stopped the SUV twenty yards from the house and put it in Park. He left the engine running, just in case Naomi needed to make a quick getaway.
“There was a truck here earlier,” Naomi said, her voice cracking with realization. “It’s gone.”
Micah’s stomach dropped. He hoped the men hadn’t left and taken the dog with them.
“Stay here,” he said, his voice flat.
Naomi nodded, her eyes fixed on the house. “Rescue Good Boy. Please.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Then Micah stepped out, his weapon drawn, and moved toward the building.
The porch steps creaked under his weight as he approached the front door.
He knocked and called, “Sheriff’s Department. Open the door.”
Nothing.
He knocked again. “This is Sheriff Sutherland. I need to speak with the residents of this property.”
Silence.
Micah moved to the window and peered inside. He saw no one—and no movement.
He walked to the side of the house, scanning for any sign of the men who’d been here.
Nothing. No one. Not yet.
Then the backyard came into view.
His chest tightened.
A metal stake had been driven into the ground, and a rope was tied around it.
But his fears were confirmed.
Good Boy was gone.
