‘Hello?’
Kassie’s voice echoed round the interior of the house, but there was no reply. Adam joined her, stepping carefully over the broken glass. She half expected him to grab her and drag her out again but, shooting an irritated look at her, he strode past her and shouted:
‘Rochelle?’
Silence filled the house.
‘Rochelle, it’s me, Adam Brandt. There’s no reason to be afraid, but if you are here, perhaps you could come down?’
There was no response, but a slight creak upstairs made their ears prick up.
‘Rochelle?’
Still nothing. Kassie stepped cautiously into the living area. It was gloomy, empty, so she moved forward into the hall. Immediately her eyes fell on Rochelle’s shoulder bag and the cell phone and keys on the table. She reached out to pick them up, but Adam put his hand on hers to stop her.
‘Don’t get yourself in any deeper than you already have.’
For once Kassie did as she was asked. Adam passed her now, poking his nose into the small kitchen. But there was nothing of any interest there, so, turning, they mounted the stairs to the second floor. The third step creaked loudly and, wincing, Adam changed his route, keeping close to the edge of the boards. Kassie followed suit and they soon found themselves on the upstairs landing.
Only two doors led off it, both to small bedrooms. Kassie stepped cautiously into the first one, but, flicking on the light, she found an ordinary guest bedroom. The bed was neatly made, freshly laundered clothes were hanging on a rack nearby and as Kassie ran her finger along the chest of drawers next to her, she discovered that a thin film of dust coated the surface.
Turning, she joined Adam in the master bedroom. There were framed photos here, a full linen bin and one of the closet doors was ajar, but otherwise the room was neat and tidy. Adam teased open the closet and again Kassie held her breath – foolishly, she knew, as she didn’t really expect anyone to be in there – before turning away to investigate the linen bin. She wasn’t surprised to find the dress that Rochelle had been wearing earlier stuffed in it at the top, alongside a bra, panties and a pair of tights.
The sight of these made Kassie feel inexplicably tense. Had she changed and gone somewhere? Or had she been attacked while naked and vulnerable? Marching forward, she pushed open the bathroom door. It was warmer than the bedroom, a little humid too, but, as with the other rooms, everything seemed to be in order. There was no sign of disruption, or a struggle … or Rochelle.
‘So?’
Adam had joined her. Kassie studied the bathroom, saying nothing.
‘She’s not here, Kassie. And nothing’s out of place.’
‘She obviously came home, went for a shower …’
‘Like normal people do.’
‘Something’s not right. Why would she go out without her purse, her phone?’
‘Perhaps she forgot them. Or popped out to visit a neighbour.’
‘Look around you, Kassie. There’s no sign of the bogeyman.’
Kassie gave Adam a dirty look – didn’t like his tone – and moved away. She knew he was here on sufferance, but she wasn’t prepared to be mocked.
She scanned the sink, the mirror, the shower. The screen was still wet and kneeling down she ran her fingers over the surface of the shower mat. It was wet – no, it was saturated.
Immediately Kassie’s mind began to turn. Why was it so wet? Was it possible that Rochelle had been attacked while showering? That her attacker had used the mat to mop up the spilled water? Or was it possible she had got it all wrong? That the scene in front of her was entirely innocent? Whatever the reason, she wouldn’t get the chance to speculate further, because she now felt Adam’s hand on her arm.
‘That’s enough now, Kassie. It’s time to go.’