Exactly as it happened.
Ben wrote carefully.
When he finished, Rachel asked, “Any forced entry?”
“Back window.”
“Cameras?”
“Doorbell camera disconnected at 7:14.”
“Before the meeting?”
“Yeah.”
Rachel crossed her arms.
“Professional?”
Ben shook his head.
“Too early.”
He looked toward Cedar Ridge.
“But somebody knew what they wanted.”
Friday night, I locked the machine barn.
Then I locked the farmhouse.
Then I did something I hadn’t done in years.
I took my father’s old Winchester from the safe.
Unloaded.
Cleaned.
Checked.
Loaded.
I wasn’t expecting trouble.
I also wasn’t pretending trouble couldn’t come.
At 10:43 p.m., my motion lights came on.
I looked through the kitchen window.
A vehicle was parked by the gate.
Dark SUV.
No headlights.
I called Ben.
Then I stepped onto the porch.
The SUV remained still.
I didn’t approach.
After maybe thirty seconds, the engine started.
It backed away.
