Ruth Ann Simmons got Hattie Mae Jackson sitting up and sipping water, and the old seamstress, ninety-one and sharp as a needle, grabbed her wrist and said it. She is …

Precious Lord Read More

The door gave way against the hamper, and Kayla was at Rachels side in a heartbeat. Pulse, she said. She has a pulse. Rachel had fainted and struck her head …

The Gold Watch Read More

Grant Tolliver had Walter out on the pavement with cold water at his neck when the woman with the cart full of electronics turned and tried to walk away. A …

The Hot Car Read More

Jim Talley kept his light on the two men until both shovels were on the ground and both sets of hands were in the air. The one who had been …

By the Old Well Read More

Kyle Brennan kept his flashlight on the boy behind the chimney, but he did not raise his weapon any higher. The kid was sixteen, maybe seventeen, swallowed up in a …

The Footsteps Upstairs Read More

Luis Ortega lifted Mateo out of that trunk and did not put him down until the boy stopped shaking. Hi, Mateo whispered. Are you a real policeman. Yeah, buddy, Luis …

The Boy in the Trunk Read More

Darnell watched Ricks hand slide toward his jacket pocket and told him, very clearly, to take it out slow and empty. Rick did. It was a folding knife and a …

Nailed Shut Read More

Rhonda crouched down at the opening in the wall. Mrs. Mercer, she said softly, are you being kept in here? Claire Mercer climbed out on her own, stiff and pale …

Behind the Closet Wall Read More

The young woman on the cot grabbed Kellys arm and said it again. He is not keeping me here. Please. You do not understand. Behind them, old Harold Graves stood …

The Girl in the Garage Read More

Brian lowered his weapon slowly. The thin young man in the Carhartt jacket was not a threat. He was crying, looking up the stairs at the boy in the hockey …

The Man in the Basement Read More