Page 86 of Still Afraid

“Neither of us deserved for Jesus to die in our place, but He did.”

“Don’t bring Jesus into this, Chloe.”

Raising her eyebrows, she gave her brother a pointed look. “You know I’m going to. He’s the only one getting us out of this. If you’re going to be all fatalistic on me, I’m going to preach the gospel to you. Jesus loves you, Aaron, and you need to come face to face with that before it’s too late.”

He stared at the floor. “Save your breath.”

Her heart hurt for her brother. He knew the truth, but while he’d never outright rejected Jesus, Aaron’s heart was hard. Chloe couldn’t understand why. Jesus, soften his heart and draw him to Yours. Please bring him to salvation. Give me the words to point him to You.

“It’s not a waste of breath to tell you how much Jesus loves you.”

“Why would He love me at this point? I put my own sister at risk of dying. You realize that’s what we’re facing here, right? Richard’s going to kill both of us in the end.”

“I have faith that God’s going to see us through somehow.”

“We’re not some characters in one of your books, Chloe. Everything isn’t going to work out in the end with us getting out unscathed. We’re gonna die.”

“If that’s your view of this, wouldn’t you want to be right with God before we face the bullets?”

“You’re insufferable.”

“You know I’m right.”

Aaron huffed and shifted beneath the ropes. She’d made him uncomfortable. Good. Lord, do a work. Both in Aaron’s heart and in getting us out of here. Please.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Josh got out of Gabe’s patrol car and released Poirot from the back and held his leash tight. How was he going to help Poirot with a search? This was Chloe’s job. Josh didn’t even have treats or Poirot’s Kong for when he found her … because he would find her, wouldn’t he?

The sun was dipping lower but still had a couple of hours before it set on this summer night. Ominous clouds gathering overhead, though, made it feel later and darker. The little parking lot was full of squad cars, all with their lights flashing blue and red in complete lack of synchronization.

Officers scattered down the trails and into the bit of woods surrounding the lot.

Josh and Poirot walked toward the truck.

“Josh!” Lance came running up behind them. “I’m here to help.”

Josh embraced his friend. “Thank you.”

“I brought a bag of treats.”

Josh took the small package from Lance and put it in his back pocket.

The three of them proceeded to the truck and spoke with the officer in charge of the scene, who had already been briefed by Gabe as to who they were.

Despite the reluctance Josh felt, he unclipped Poirot’s leash. The last thing he wanted to do was lose Chloe’s dog. Furthermore, he’d need the dog as much as Poirot would need him if they couldn’t find her. “Poirot, find Chloe.”

Josh didn’t have a scent item for him, but Poirot didn’t need it when it came to his handler.

Poirot sniffed around for a moment before he found her scent. He jumped in the cab of the truck and sniffed around exuberantly. He let out a little bark and then popped his head out of the truck, standing on the bench seat.

He had something in his mouth.

Josh approached and held out his hand. “What is it, buddy?”

Poirot dropped a now soggy hair tie into his hand. The colorful pattern was exactly like the one Chloe had on her wrist earlier this evening.

With his free hand, he petted Poirot. “Good boy. Search.”