The gravel crunched beneath his tires as Max pulled back into the drive at the place he’d called home for the past two years. He lived in an apartment over the garage.
Richard’s truck was gone. Earlier, he’d mentioned running into town. He seemed obsessed with this chicken house today. He was an architect, and he’d designed it himself.
As per usual, Max knocked before stepping into the house and called, “Sarah?”
She’d insisted he call her Sarah, but around Richard, Max always used the name Mrs. Harding. Again, he didn’t want the man to get the wrong idea.
No answer came.
Max stepped farther inside, and his gaze swept the room.
Something near the base of the stairs caught his eye.
His breath caught.
Sarah lay crumpled at the bottom of the staircase. One arm was bent awkwardly beneath her, and her body was angled in an unnatural way.
“Sarah . . .” He crossed the room quickly and dropped to his knees beside her. “Hey, can you hear me?”
She didn’t respond.
His heart pounded as he reached for her and pressed his finger against her neck.
She still had a pulse but barely.
He grabbed his cell phone and dialed 911.
Once he knew an ambulance was on the way, he turned back to Sarah. Her face was so pale, her expression so lifeless.
“Stay with me,” he murmured. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”
She still didn’t move.
What had happened?
Max looked to the staircase, searching for an answer—then back to Sarah, panic rising in his throat.
She’d fallen.
Right?
Ithadto be a fall.
But something about that scenario didn’t sit right.
Sarah was always so careful, and all her actions seemed measured and purposeful . . .
Still, accidents could happen to anyone.
Max slowly exhaled and forced himself to focus.
But he couldn’t. Too many thoughts punched him in the gut as they begged for his attention.
Richard had insisted Max leave before going into the house that morning. He’d told Max not to bother Sarah. Then at some point while Max was gone Richard himself had left.
Realization washed over Max.
He really had been sent away on purpose. Richard hadn’t wanted Max here for a reason.
