Whitaker?” a clear, even voice asked through the small speaker.

“Yes, this is Diane Whitaker,” I said, holding the phone closer to my mouth.

“This is Officer Daniel Hale with the township police department,” he said.

“I’m standing outside the property at four fourteen Linden Court.”

Rachel let off the gas and pulled the sedan onto the wide shoulder near a highway rest stop, the tires crunching over loose gravel before coming to a stop.

“Is someone inside my house, officer?” I asked.