Out on the porch, heavy footsteps echoed on the wet wood, and the front door swung open.

Austin stepped into the cabin, followed closely by an elderly man with thick silver hair and a deeply lined face whom I recognized as retired Detective Miller.

Both men looked completely exhausted, their faces pale in the dim light.

Leonard walked over to the wooden staircase, crouched down near the bottom step, and pressed hard on the corner of a floorboard.

The board popped up with a quiet creak.