Read The Hunted for Free Online Page A

said, it was dark.”
    “Why do you think it was following you?”
    “Because I made a lot of turns, and it turned with me, always staying about two blocks back.”
    Vork regarded her for a second. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but have you ever had that feeling before, that someone’s following you?”
    “I’m not paranoid.”
    “If you don’t mind me saying”—Vork crossed his arms over his chest— "maybe your concern over your husband has put you on edge. Being a little paranoid would be a normal reaction, wouldn’t you think?”
    “Look, Deputy, I’m the psychologist here. Don’t try—”
    “I didn’t say that to make you uncomfortable. But we do get some training in psychology. Helps us to understand the criminal mind and such.”
    “Your point?”
    “From what I remember, and correct me if I’m wrong since you’re the expert, but isn’t paranoia kind of a reaction to a situation that poses no real threat, or some such thing like that?”
    Lauren nodded, her gaze finding the ground.
    Vork let that thought hang in the air a long second.
    “Well, then,” he finally said, “I’m no doctor, but is it possible that this feeling of being followed is just, I don’t know, an offshoot of the fact that your husband’s missing?”
    “No, Deputy, it’s not.” Lauren knew that it was possible, but she didn’t want to admit it out of fear that it could taint everything she had just told him about Michael’s disappearance.
    “Is that a professional opinion, Dr. Chambers, or did it come from the heart? Which hat are you wearing right this second?”
    Lauren didn’t answer.
    The door swung open and the young man who had intruded earlier poked his head in again. “I don’t know if you heard the page, but—”
    “Thank you,” Vork said. “I heard it. I’ll be right there.”
    The door closed and Vork stood. “Sorry I couldn’t be of more assistance. If you find that note he left, or the name of that college or fraternity, we can take a more aggressive approach. In the meantime, I’ll get all the info out to every officer in California through our CLETS system, just in case.”
    Lauren, her eyes still focused on the ground, nodded. “Thanks for your help,” she mumbled. A second later, the door clicked shut.
    After Lauren had walked down the hallway and made her way through the front doors, she heard someone call her name. She turned slowly and saw Carla Mae hurrying after her into the parking lot. Lauren stopped, then squinted against the gray brightness and waited until Carla caught up to her.
    “Was Deputy Vork helpful?”
    “Not really.”
    “He means well, he really does, Dr. Chambers.”
    “I’m sure he does. Thanks for your help.” Lauren turned and continued on toward her car.
    “It’s this murder investigation, it’s got everyone all stressed out,” Carla called after her. “We don’t get many killings here, and being shorthanded and all, it’s made it hard to deal with other important things, like your problem.”
    Lauren stopped and turned to face Carla. She did not feel like speaking with anyone at the moment. She wanted to go to her office, rummage through her desk again, and see if she could locate Michael’s information. “Don’t worry about it.” Lauren forced a smile. “I’ll be fine.”
    “I’m sure you will be, missy. But we’re going to make sure of it.”
    “How’s that?”
    “I need a photo of your husband, the sooner the better.” Carla held out a hand and wiggled her thick fingers.
    Lauren saw the impatience in Carla’s mannerisms and realized that the woman was serious. Lauren opened her purse and pulled out a wallet-size photo they had taken last year at Dean Porter studios. “Will this do?”
    “That’s perfect. We can crop you out. No offense, missy.”
    “What are you going to do with it?”
    “I’m going to make up a flyer that we’ll post all over town. And as soon as I get back to the office, I’m going to get our phone