Free SAFE BY HIS SIDE (MANHUNT) by Rita Herron

details about what happened to me,” Lenora said. “Even if he doesn’t kill her, I don’t know if she’ll survive emotionally.”
    Micah squeezed her hand. “Maybe we’ll find her before he hurts her.”
    Lenora’s face grew strained as if she wanted to latch onto the hope he offered, but she couldn’t. She wasn’t a naïve young girl. Simpleton had robbed any innocence from her and shown her the darkest side of mankind.
    And Simpleton had already traumatized Nan by kidnapping her.
    Micah turned down the drive to Nan’s place, noting the neatly kept lawns and expensive cars in the drive.
    “Have you been to Nan’s house?” Micah asked.
    Lenora shook her head. “She used to live in an apartment. It looks like she’s done well for herself.”
    “What does she do for a living?”
    “She’s a financial planner, always planning for the future.” Her voice cracked. “A future she might not have now because of me.”
    “Not because of you,” Micah said firmly. “Because a sick, twisted murderer escaped from prison.”
    “I appreciate that you’re trying to make me feel better, Micah, but we both know the truth.”
    He reached the end of the street and turned into the drive. A black BMW sat in front, then his gaze fell to the purse lying on the ground and a scarf that must have belonged to Nan.
    This was where Simpleton had abducted her.
    The crime unit would arrive any minute. He wanted every bit of evidence possible to make sure the man paid for his crimes.

Chapter Eight

     
     
    Lenora tamped down her emotions as she slid from the car. Nan’s purse and scarf were on the ground. One of her black heels was lying in the grass as if it had been kicked aside.
    Probably when she’d tried to fight Simpleton.
    God.
    “Don’t touch anything, Lenora. A crime unit is on the way,” Micah said.
    “We know who did it.”
    “But we need forensics to back up the case.”
    She whirled on Micah. “You mean in case she’s dead and he doesn’t confess?”
    Tension stretched between them for a full second.
    “Trust me, Lenora. This time he’ll get death row.”
    She regretted taking her frustration out on him. Micah was trying to help, doing his best to take care of her and find Simpleton.
    “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m just on edge.”
    “No apology needed.” Micah offered her a smile. “I know this is difficult.”
    “All the more reason to do everything we can to find Nan.” She glanced inside the car, but nothing looked amiss. He must have been watching Nan, jumped her when she came out to her car.
    The front door stood ajar, and she slowly walked toward it, but Micah caught her arm. “Let me search the house first.”
    Fear shot through her, and she glanced around the driveway for blood or a body, but didn’t see any. “You think Nan might be inside? Or that he might be?”
    Micah’s shoulders lifted in a slight shrug. “I don’t know, but we can’t take any chances.”
    Her pulse pounded as he pulled his weapon and inched inside the house.  She wished she’d brought her own gun.
    The house was a small one-story with an open layout, a large den connecting to the kitchen. Nice wood flooring, expensive cream-colored couches, an office to the right visible from the living area.
    “Everything looks in order in here,” Micah said.
    Every muscle in Lenora’s body tensed as she followed him down the hallway past the office. What if Nan’s body was here?
    What if he’d raped and tortured her in her own home knowing she and Micah would search the house?
    Plush white carpet covered the floor of the master bedroom, a queen bed dominated the room, and the closet was open, revealing an array of suits and designer outfits.
    Thankfully Nan wasn’t inside the room.
    The sound of water trickling echoed from the bathroom and Lenora’s breath caught. God, no…
    Simpleton had enjoyed shoving his victims below the icy water in the bath, forcing them under for so long they would be chilled inside,