Chapter 45

Christina tilted her head. “God, everywhere. The track at the high school, the park, so the dogs can run. Sometimes he goes down by the creek…” The sickening image of a twisted, broken body face first in a swirling pool of river water made Dustin feel faint.

“He wouldn’t today,” ‘Suko interrupted. “Too many mosquitoes when it’s just rained.” He smiled at Dustin and motioned for him to sit. “Trust me. Nico doesn’t like skeeters. And the high school has a soccer tournament this weekend. He wouldn’t bring the dogs there.”

“What about the pier down by the lake?” Christina suggested. “No mosquitoes by the lake.”

‘Suko nodded. “True. But he’s been avoiding the pier because the rocks were too slippery.” ‘Suko winced when he realized what he’d said and flicked a quick glance at Dustin.

Dustin rested his forehead in his palm and gripped both temples. “Okay,” he said. “One of us should check the park; the other can check the pier. Someone else should stay back and see if he shows up.”