The interior of the house was spotless and so bare one could see straight to the back wall. It was impossible for anyone to hide

there; even the space under the bed had been checked. Empty.

Abner raised an eyebrow and let out a chuckle. "Whoever's hiding is a quick one," he mused.

The locals, who had been keeping watch outside, weren't pleased to see him cout empty-handed.

"Abner, what's the big idea?" one of them grumbled. "Queena saved your life, for crying out loud."

"Yeah, you were a goner with those injuries. If it wasn't for her remedies, you'd be six feet under by now. And here you are, biting

the hand that fed you," another added bitterly.

The crowd was seething, ready to tear into Abner.

But the eight burly men flanking Abner were not to be trifled with; they stood firm and imposing.

If things got rough, it was anyone's guess who would cout worse for wear.

Amidst the standoff, the county sheriff's deputies arrived, responding to reports of a fugitive murderer in the area.

Seeing the lawmen, several villagers immediately pointed fingers at Abner.

"It's him," they accused. "Jackson's disappearance has got to be tied to him, and now he's after our only doctor."

The deputies didn't know Abner, but his bearing suggested he was no ordinary man.

"Would you mind coming with us, sir?" one deputy asked.

didn't budge. Tobias stepped forward in

Jackson, he's really gone, and I

still welling in Tobias' swollen

for Jackson all night to no avail. With not

had met with

the wooden doorframe, Abner's mind began to

detective, after all. And now, with Jackson missing and the person who

stashed them away in no time. Given a

task at hand was to

and shortly after, the deputies received instructions from higher

he held the new device indifferently in his

a call

You okay?" Beck's concern was

significant

projects.

hearing about Abner's cargo ship vanishing, Beck

"I'll live."

but paused to ask, "Have they

of lan deflated

"Not yet."

not even bring up lan around Maja

had only asked in passing; he didn't suspect that the man missing from

away.

as he was about to hang up,

you in trouble over

a case that needs experienced detectives," Abner

covert operations, solving a mystery like this was better

Fitch and relayed Abner's situation. To everyone's surprise, Fitch

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