Chapter 4
FOUR
Trent entered the plate into the onboard computer. “It belongs to Christine Lane.”
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 definitely wrong 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 patio doors.
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.”