The Rutherford house loomed before them, its dark windows staring like empty eyes, watching as they approached. Elise felt a chill crawl up her spine as they crossed the threshold. The silence inside was almost oppressive. No sounds of life, no signs of movement. Just the heavy air of abandonment.
Elise walked into the living room, the floor creaking beneath her feet. She glanced around, trying to ignore the unease creeping under her skin. Every step she took felt like it was leading her deeper into something she couldn't control.
Greg had already started going through the papers on the old oak desk, his movements methodical. Elise knew better than to ask what he was searching for. Greg didn't operate on impulse. When he made a move, it was calculated. But she could sense that even he was on edge today.
After a few minutes, Greg spoke. "I've been looking into the Rutherford family—more specifically, Mia's father, Alan Rutherford. There's something off about him. He wasn't just a grieving father. He had connections to some unsavory people."
Elise frowned, stepping closer to the desk. "What kind of people?"
Greg met her gaze. "The kind of people who disappear when you ask the wrong questions."
Elise felt her stomach churn. Her instincts were right. The truth was closer, but it wasn't going to come easy. They were wading through something far darker than they had anticipated. Alan Rutherford's past was a labyrinth, and the deeper they went, the more they found themselves tangled in its threads.
"Do you think he's involved?" Elise asked, her voice low, barely a whisper.
"I don't know," Greg replied, shaking his head. "But I've got a gut feeling. The moment Mia disappeared, it wasn't just a tragic case of a missing girl. It was a message."
Elise's pulse quickened. "A message?"
Greg nodded. "Someone wants to tell us something. But we need to be careful, Elise. There's more going on here than just one missing person."
Her mind was spinning, and the weight of his words hit her like a ton of bricks. This wasn't just a case. This wasn't just about finding Mia. This was about uncovering something so much bigger.
"Look," Greg continued, "I know this sounds insane, but there are rumors about a group—people who deal with things... that regular people don't even know exist. I think Mia stumbled onto something she shouldn't have."
Elise's heart sank. She wasn't sure what was worse—the idea that someone was targeting Mia for something unknown, or the possibility that her own investigation had put her squarely in their sights.
She looked at Greg, but his expression was unreadable. He wasn't just her colleague anymore. He had become a companion in this madness. And now, she wasn't sure who could be trusted.