Thornton looked like he was going to object until his partner stared him down, then he nodded a grudging assent. He watched intently as Dave unlocked the front door and led them inside.

"Nice house," Johnson noted. "Looks like it could use some work, though."

"We just moved in." Dave helped Anissa out of her coat and ushered her into a chair, motioned the deputies to take seats at the kitchen table. "I bought the place while we were waiting for the paperwork to come ...