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lady who can see in the dark go first, Sparky? You just show me which direction we need to head, and I’ll take point.”
    He frowned but said nothing.
    “What? You don’t like the idea of the girl going first?”
    “Actually, I don’t.”
    “Keep in mind I’ll be able to see the bad guys way before they can see me.”
    “I still haven’t had my demonstration of how well you can see.”
    She glanced around in the trees, seeing every stick, every leaf. “Follow me.” She led him unerringly around the trees, calling out logs and low spots quietly over her shoulder. They topped the ridge that rose behind Zimmer’s house in a few minutes. She paused at the edge of a clearing and looked out over the town.
    “Want me to start reading license plates in the driveways down there?” she murmured. “You can write them down and check them when we head back through Spruce Hollow.”
    “What do you see over toward Luke’s place?”
    She looked where he pointed and made out a darkened cabin through the trees. “No movement through the windows. Dirty dishes in the sink, though. I see muddy footprints on the porch, leading to the door and away from it.”
    Gray stared at her. “You see footprints?”
    “Shall we move in close so the blind, normal guy can verify it?”
    “No. I’ll take your word for it.”
    She studied the cabin for a moment. “If we move off to our right a bit, I ought to be able to see if anyone’s in bed. The curtains are open in the bedroom.”
    “By all means,” Gray muttered. “All I see is a dark blob where the cabin is.”
    She moved off confidently through the trees. It took her a minute to find a vantage point through the forest to see the cabin again, but she spotted it and reported, “No one’s in bed. Looks like Luke’s not home.”
    Gray murmured, “He’s got a big dog. Any sign of him?”
    “Nope. There’s no movement at all, and I can’t imagine any dog leaving the food on the kitchen table undisturbed like that. Luke took Fido with him. Want to move in closer?”
    “Sure.”
    “Too bad we can’t plant a few bugs while we’re inside.”
    “I didn’t say we’d go inside!” he exclaimed under his breath.
    “What’s the point of getting close if we don’t?” she retorted. “And I saw that eye roll, mister.” She grinned at the startled chagrin that crossed his features. It was good to be able to see in the dark.
    She led the way down the hill to the cabin, approaching it using tree cover all the way. Gray touched her arm as they drew near and whispered, “We should check the garage. Make sure his truck’s gone.”
    “I see recent tracks in the dirt. It’s gone.”
    “Ohh-kay, then.”
    “C’mon. The rain barrel on the porch has been moved recently—the ring of dust at its base is disturbed. I bet that’s where the spare key is hidden.” Sure enough, she was right. In short order, she let them into the cabin while Gray muttered his misgivings under his breath. She paused in the doorway and scanned the room.
    “What are you doing?” Gray asked. “We know he’s not home.”
    “Checking for booby traps, Mr. Impatient.”
    Gray subsided behind her.
    “All clear.”
    He pulled out a flashlight and she slammed her hand over it fast before he could flip it on. “No lights. My eyes are fully dilated right now and you’d injure my retinas. You’ll have to make do in the dark as best you can. Downside of hanging out with me.”
    He nodded his understanding and stowed the light. “What do you see, then?”
    She frowned. “Actually, I see what could be signs of a struggle. That chair’s at an odd angle from the table. The hand towel lying on the floor was probably pulled off the stove handle and wasn’t hung back up. Fork’s lying halfway across the table from the unfinished plate of food.”
    “Those footprints on the back porch. Could those be an intruder coming and going?” Gray asked grimly.
    “Find me a pair of Luke’s shoes and I’ll compare