Page 56 of Still Afraid

The dog was running in circles. Chloe’s scent was no doubt all over the place. All of her belongings—the house that smelled like her was scattered everywhere, whirled in the air by spinning winds.

Josh’s phone rang. Hope tempted him for a moment until he saw it was Lance. Josh answered.

“Please tell me Chloe wasn’t home.”

“She was, as far as we can tell. The house is gone. We found her car though.”

“Poirot?”

“He was with me. We’re searching now.”

“I’ll be there in five minutes. I’m already on my way.”

“Thank you.”

They hung up, and Josh had to sweep his gaze across the area before he spotted Poirot.

He stood still, sniffing near the where the oak tree had been uprooted. He stared between the tree and the foundation of the house.

“Poirot, what is it?”

The dog turned his head and barked at Josh.

Josh ran the twenty feet to Poirot, who backed up and walked forward again over and over.

But he couldn’t get any closer since the tree was smashed up against the foundation. He ran around the giant root system that had been ripped from the soil like it was a tiny weed.

Josh followed.

On the other side of the tree, Poirot paced back and forth in quick succession.

“What is it?”

He jumped up on the tree and nosed down on the other side.

Was Chloe there? Trapped between the house and the tree?

Josh’s stomach churned and threatened to come out of his body. He leaned forward and rested his hand on the tree. He didn’t want to look.

Poirot nudged his shoulder and barked.

Chloe lifted her head at the sound of Poirot’s bark. He was here! Which meant Josh was here!

“Josh! Poirot! I’m in the crawlspace.”

More barking. Poirot had heard her.

She crawled to the blocked opening, pressed her hands against the tree, and directed her voice out. “I’m in the crawlspace.”

“Chloe?”

“Josh!” She could cry with relief.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. What about you? Poirot?”

Poirot barked.