Free Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman Page A

unmowed grass. She drove on until she reached the dented mailbox near the road, which bore the name LANCASTER.
    In the driveway near the house was a dirty black Volkswagen panel van.
    “That’s the truck I was in,” Purdue said.
    “You’re sure?”
    “Yes, that’s it. It was black, just like that. I remember now, the back door was open, so I snuck inside. There was a blanket bunched up in the back, and I hid under it. Then somebody came and slammed the door, and the truck drove away. This is where I got out. Right here.”
    Lisa studied the farm field, and she could see trees marking the horizon line under the dark clouds a couple of miles away. There were no roads between here and there. She knew what you would find if you took off across the field and kept going through the trees.
    Her house.
    “Stay here,” she told Purdue.
    The farm felt deserted, almost abandoned. She turned into the driveway and parked behind the van, and when she got out of the pickup, a fierce wind pushed at her back. A few stray drops of rain landed on her face. She walked toward the house and realized that the quietness of the property was an illusion. Getting closer, she heard wind chimes, and she smelled fresh bread. A dog barked, and then a white Lab bounded across the overgrown grass to greet her. She bent down, letting it get to know her, and the two of them climbed up the porch steps together.
    Lisa rapped her knuckles on the frame. A few seconds later, a middle-aged woman pushed open the screen door, letting the dog inside. She stepped outside onto the porch with Lisa. She had graying hair and a pleasant face, and she wore a cream-colored dress with a bright white apron tied around her waist. With the door open, the smell of baking bread got stronger.
    The woman smiled. “Can I help you?”
    “Are you Mrs. Lancaster?” Lisa asked, remembering the name on the mailbox.
    “Yes.”
    “My name’s Lisa—” she began, but the woman stopped her before she could say anything more.
    “Oh, I know who you are, Ms. Power. I was actually at a talk you did at the library a couple of years ago. I have to tell you, I just love your books. It’s so exciting to see places I know in a bestseller. Especially when we live out here in the middle of nowhere.”
    “Well, thank you. That’s very kind.”
    “What can I do for you? Are you working on something new? If you need a crime scene, feel free to use our house. Kill anyone you want.”
    Lisa laughed. “I appreciate the offer. Actually, this may sound like a strange question, but it’s about your truck outside. Do you know if it was out on the roads yesterday evening?”
    “Oh, yes, my husband does deliveries all around the area. He didn’t get back until pretty late.”
    “Do you know where he was last night?”
    “I’m pretty sure his last stop was at the hospital in Thief River Falls.”
    “The hospital?”
    “That’s right. Why, is there a problem?”
    “No, no problem.” Lisa struggled for a lie to explain herself, and then she realized that the only thing that made sense was the truth. “Actually, it’s possible your husband had a little stowaway in his truck without realizing it. A child. A boy showed up at my house last night, and I think he may have hidden in the back of your van. Then he headed off across the fields.”
    “Oh, my goodness! Is he okay?”
    “I think so, but I’m trying to figure out where he belongs.”
    “Is he a runaway?”
    “Something like that.”
    “Well, I wish I could help, but I’m sure Eldred didn’t have a clue that the boy was in his truck. He didn’t say anything about it. I can’t believe the child came all this way and then just wandered off. How terrible. He could have been seriously hurt. I’m so glad he found you.”
    “Did your husband mention anything unusual going on at the hospital when he made his delivery?” Lisa asked.
    “Unusual? I don’t think so. Did the boy run away from there? Was he a patient?”
    “I’m