We were directed to a place away from the cabin while officers approached and assessed the situation.

The marked and unmarked vehicles involved did not exist to give my confrontation an audience.

They existed to keep the response under control.

When I first saw the silver sedan near the property, I recognized it.

Mark’s car.

I gripped the edge of the seat.

We did not yet know exactly when he had left home or what he had told Rachel.

He had time to reach the cabin while the authorities verified the information and we traveled.