Page 75 of Forever Dead

The hallway remained dark.

Then came another footstep deeper inside.

Selena backed off the porch.

Luckily, her phone was in her jacket pocket. She pulled it out and called the sheriff's office.

Cheryl answered.

"Harlan County Sheriff's Office."

"It's Selena."

There was a pause. "What now? You really riled up the sheriff."

"I'm at the Marsh farmhouse."

"What the hell are you doing out there?"

"Cheryl, listen to me. The front door's been forced. It wasn't like that in the report, and I can hear someone moving inside."

Another pause, shorter this time.

“Are you inside?”

“No. I’m outside.”

“Good. Stay clear of the doorway. I’ve got a unit moving.”

Selena’s attention moved to the open entrance. “Tell them to hurry. I’m unarmed and somebody’s in there.”

“They’re on their way.”

Selena ended the call.

Wind moved across the yard.

At first, it came as a low rush through the trees. Then a stronger gust hit the farmhouse and rattled something along the side wall. One of the shutters banged once.

Selena stepped off the porch and stood near her car.

Another gust followed.

Branches moved overhead. Leaves chased one another across the gravel. The loose barn door groaned on its track.

Then Selena heard a voice.

She turned toward the house.

A woman's voice.

Soft. Drawn out. Too indistinct to make out words. Selena held still. The wind dropped.

Silence returned.

Her skin prickled beneath her jacket.

"Come on."