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“You know how to drive a stick?” he asked. Dad had never let anyone else drive this car as far as I knew. It broke my heart a little, but we were running out of time.

I turned the key. The 351 V8 engine roared to life. I put the car in reverse, having to push with what felt like all my weight to get the clutch to engage. But once I got going, the gear shift felt smooth.

Not familiar with the size of the car, I hit the curb as I made the turn onto Main Street. Dad gritted his teeth and braced himself against the dashboard.

As I barreled toward Geneva’s house, I could appreciate what Dad loved about this hunk of steel. It felt like it needed to really be driven. No power brakes. No power steering.

It took both my hands to make the last turn. The steep hill heading up to the Bell house nearly did me in. But somehow, I miraculously managed not to stall out.

I parked on the road right in front of the house. Landon’s car was still in the driveway. So was Geneva’s, parked in the same place as it was earlier in the day. I couldn’t tell if Kevin’s was here as he kept it in the garage.

“I should go knock on the door,” I said.

“You should not,” Dad said. “Sit tight. Let me call Mac again.”

He did. Straight to voicemail.

I ducked down, trying to see through the front bay window into Geneva’s living room. It looked dark inside. It was almost seven with gray skies threatening to rain. I should have seen some lights on. My heart sank. What if Kevin was already gone?

“I’m knocking on the door,” I said.

“Mercy!”

But I was already out of the car. Dad swore behind me. I heard him slam the door as he got out to follow me.

I peered into the front window. I saw no movement inside. Kevin’s wheelchair was parked at the entrance to the basement, right where I’d last seen him. But he was nowhere.

“What happened after I left?” I whispered. Had Landon finally called his father’s bluff? Is that why the wheelchair was sitting there empty like that?

I felt a stab of fear. Had they gotten into an argument? Could Kevin have tried to hurt Landon?

“I think we need to get inside,” I said.

“And what? Perform a citizen’s arrest? We can’t do anything but wait. I sent a text to Mac. I’m gonna call Faith at dispatch. Tell her to send whatever crew she’s got out here.”

I gave him a hard look. “You think Faith’s gonna do your bidding? She’s just gonna tell you to wait for Mac to pick up.”

“She’s got a radio,” Dad said. “She can light a fire under the sheriff all by herself.”

“Do it.”

I knocked on the door.

“Mercy!” Dad let out a harsh whisper.

“There’s still daylight,” I said. “We’re both standing here. Four different law enforcement agencies know we’re out here. What do you think’s going to happen?”

“You don’t want me to answer that,” Dad said.

He pulled out his phone, ready to call Faith at Central Dispatch. I heard the phone ring on the other end. Then I heard the sound that would haunt me for the rest of my life.

To the left of me, a bloodcurdling scream rent the air. It was distant. Not coming from the house. Without thinking, I ran toward the side of the house.

“Mercy, wait!” Dad yelled.

Another scream.

I scanned the backyard. There was nothing else back here. But at the next-door neighbor’s, I saw the large pole barn. I saw a light on inside. The sound was coming from that direction.