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.

Tobias stepped forward in his

sir. My dad, Jackson, he's really gone, and I

were still welling

Jackson all night to no avail. With not even a phone call answered,

Jackson had

wooden doorframe, Abner's mind began to

missing and

in no time. Given a bit more time,

the task at hand was to

the deputies received instructions from higher up to assist

and he held the

wasn't long before a call

I heard you went missing. You okay?"

recently, and had contributed significant manpower to

projects.

ship vanishing,

"I'll live."

the call but paused to ask, "Have they found

lan deflated

"Not yet."

even bring up lan around Maja

only asked in passing; he didn't suspect that the man missing from the house could be lan. After all,

away.

to hang up,

you in trouble over

case that needs experienced

solving a mystery like this was better left

and relayed

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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