Free The Green Children: A Sycamore Moon Novel (Sycamore Moon Series Book 3) by Domino Finn Page B

No offense, but that's one hot mom." Jason flinched away from Diego's glare and cleared his throat. "But I woke up at dawn Monday morning, took off before anyone was up and about. Didn't really see anyone."
    "Who did you see?" asked Diego.
    The man shrugged. "No one, I guess. There was a couple walking a dog. And Charlie, the office manager."
    Maxim pulled out his phone and casually referenced some notes. "No one else?"
    "No."
    "No one or nothing that looked strange? Out of place?"
    Jason swallowed. "It was just morning, man. There was nothing."
    Maxim sucked his teeth and nodded, scrolling through some documents. "Mmm hmm. What kind of dog?"
    "Huh?"
    "The couple walking the dog—what kind of dog was it?"
    The man shook his head dismissively. "It was like a German Shepherd I think."
    The detective nodded again but remained silent. Diego didn't want to stomp all over Maxim's interview strategy, but his friend was missing the point.
    "Why'd you leave Quiet Pines so early?" demanded the biker.
    Jason practically jumped at the question. Maybe he didn't feel safe around Diego, even with a police detective in the room. Something about that satisfied the biker.
    "I just woke up early," said Jason.
    "Horseshit. You left suddenly and prematurely. Charlie said you put down a deposit on another night." Maxim lifted an eyebrow at the news. Diego smirked. "You're not the only one who can ask questions." The detective acknowledged the statement with a tilt of his head and turned to Jason expectantly.
    The man's gaze fluttered around the room. He took a step back.
    "Hey," said Maxim, snapping his fingers in Jason's face a few times. "It's not a good idea to lie to me. You assaulted a man with a deadly weapon today. I want the truth."
    The man's indecision paralyzed him. Diego took a step forward and Jason threw his hands up. "Okay! Okay!" He backed up a few steps and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not really into camping, you know? I mean, I like the woods and hiking and all that, but sleeping in a tent isn't my idea of a good time. You know the woods around here. Shit gets creepy at night."
    What the man said was true, but that wasn't enough for Diego. "You're trying to tell us you bailed first thing in the morning because you're scared of the dark?"
    "I know it sounds stupid," Jason countered, "but listen. I know this area. I know there are dangerous things out there. Animals. Outlaws. Hermits. It's not exactly normal, but it's never been like last night."
    "What did you see?" asked Maxim.
    "I... It's hard to say. I don't know what I saw or heard. You guys are gonna think I'm crazy."
    Maxim clenched his teeth. "What did you see?"
    Jason's gaze shifted between both men. He was nervous. If it was an act, it was a good one. But he let out a deep breath and decided to trust them.
    "I heard crying," he said. "Like a little kid crying."
    "A girl?" asked Diego.
    "I don't know. It was hard to tell. It was far away. But this was all the night before. I was jonesing for a smoke so I got off my ass and went for a walk."
    Maxim and Diego listened quietly. Jason paused his story and went for a pack of cigarettes on the coffee table, as if the mention of smoking required him to feed his habit. As he lit up, Diego thought about doing the same, but he didn't like the idea of being a slave to it.
    "I heard soft crying," he continued after a drag. "But it wasn't coming from the other campsites. It was further into the forest. I went out, just a little mind you, but someone was crying. It probably wasn't my business, but I figured I would at least check." Jason put his cigarette to his lips and puffed.
    Diego couldn't breathe. "And?"
    "I don't know. I heard them and—"
    "Them?" asked Maxim.
    Jason shrugged. "I guess. There was talking. Whispering. Singing. It was fucking weird."
    Maxim stopped him again. "You think a few rebellious teenagers could have done this?"
    "These weren't teenagers, man. They were little kids. At least that's how they