Maggy said goodbye to her coworkers and left Anne’s at five o’clock. The rest of the shift told her to leave before cleanup. Anne herself showed up at four-thirty to tell Maggy she should be home with the children during the trying times her father would face in the coming weeks. Someone should be home with Joe; there was no telling when Chief would return. Maggy crossed Main Street and climbed the steps to the front door. She tried the door.She pulled the key from her sweater pocket, grateful Joe had the presence of mind to keep the door locked and let herself inside the house.

“Joey!” Outside the sun was low on the horizon, filling the house with shadows. There were no lamps lit. She searched the ground floor for Joe, but he was nowhere to be seen. She made her way upstairs all the while calling her brother’s name.

The fact that her brother was missing registered the same time she realized she couldn’t get in touch with her father. There was only one thing to do, Maggy darted across the street to Elly’s. She burst in and searched the premises for its patron and found Elly in the back office reading over business financials.

“Maggy?” Elly said as the office door burst open, “what’s the matter?”

“Miss Elly, I can’t find Joe. He went to play at a friend’s this morning. The boy doesn’t have a phone. May I borrow your car?”

Miss Elly regarded the girl. She was on the verge of hysteria. “Of course, Maggy, but I’m driving.”

Maggy agreed and the women left together.

Elly drove along the north service road and cut down Miller drive when she reached the outskirts. When they eventually arrived at Benny’s house, Maggy didn’t wait for Elly to put the stick shift into park before she was out the door and running for the Johnson’s front porch. Once there, she banged wildly on the front door.

Benny’s father looked startled when he opened the door. “Maggy Broden? What brings you out here?“

“I need to talk to Benny, Mr. Johnson. Is he home?”

“This time of night, he better be. Come on in,” he said moving away from the door. He invited her and Miss Elly in to wait while he called his son.

Benny entered the room dressed in his nightshirt.

“Miss Broden would like to talk to ya, son,” said Mr. Johnson, before he turned the boy over to Maggy.

“Benny,” Maggy said as the boy turned to her. “Did Joe say where he was going after he left you?”

“Left us? Heck no. He never showed up. Hol said he called him and told him not to expect him.”

“Hol?”

“Hollis Forbes.”

“Where do the Forbes’ live?”

*  *  *  *  *

Coach closed the door of Billy’s room and joined his son in the den. He had finally managed to get Kelly to sleep after her second outburst from a nightmare. The day taking care of the child was full of stress for Coach. It started out fine: he, Kelly and his son, played three-man baseball, giving Kelly early coaching for the coming season. She was a strong player, incredible in speed and accuracy. She outran everybody on the team, possessed the best batting average, and thoroughly enjoyed the game for the purest reasons. It was hard for Coach to imagine that anyone would want to harm this child. It was three o’clock before she showed the first signs of fatigue.

They had finished with their baseball practice and Kelly was busy playing a game of checkers with Billy on the back porch. Coach kept them in full view while he went about his chores– a loaded rifle within reach at all times. Kelly was losing hopelessly at the game due to wavering concentration. Halfway through the third match she passed out on the board. Coach came running, worried it was something more serious. When he realized the child had just simply fallen asleep, he carried her to Billy’s room and set her under the covers to nap. He returned to his chores, which he completed within the hour. He was just about to break for a cup of tea when a scream ripped his nerves out by their roots.

Coach wasted no time covering the distance between the kitchen and bedroom. When he opened the door to his son’s room, he saw Kelly, small and helpless in the clutches of unyielding terror. Her face was knotted up in agony, tears streamed her cheeks and the blanket had been knocked to the floor from violent thrashing. Through it all, she slept.

“It sees you!” she screamed. “Run, Joe! Run!” she repeated over and over.

Coach approached the bed with caution. He sat next to the child and attempted gently waking her. Behind him he heard his son shuffling along the wooden floorboards.

“Kelly,” Coach said, his arms holding the child down to prevent further thrashing.

“Let go! Don’t touch!”

Coach softly shook the girl. “Kelly, listen to me....”

“Joe’s in the Dead Place! It sees him. The tiger sees him!” 

“Kelly, hear me,” Coach said patiently, as he gently shook the child awake.

Kelly’s eyes snapped open. She stopped thrashing and focused on Coach. “Where am I?”

“You’re in Billy’s room,” Coach answered calmly. “You were having a bad dream.”

“I gotta find Joe, Coach. It sees him.”

She attempted to free herself from Coach and Billy’s bed, but Coach held her fast.

“It was a dream, Kelly,” he said in a low direct voice.

“No!” she screamed back. “It saw him. It’s gonna kill him! I messed up, Coach. I said it was okay, but it wasn’t- it sees Joe. Joe got in the Dead Place, now the Tiger knows him. Don’t you see?" 

Coach shook his head slowly from side to side.

“Let me go!” Kelly shouted, her patience had evaporated. Her brother was in trouble and it was all her fault. She was going to find him.

“I’ll let you go when you calm down.” Coach’s voice was again calm, a complete contrast of Kelly’s.

Kelly stared at him. It was a long moment before she said, “I’m calm.”

Coach freed her and moved back giving her space. “Now. What’s this all about?”

“Joe is in the Dead Place,” answered Kelly, her over-all tone subdued.

“What is the Dead Place?”

“It’s where the tiger hunts from, Coach. It moves and people die. Now it’s got Joe and the tiger is hunting him.”

Coach nodded and regarded the girl. He took a moment to digest what the child was saying. “Where is this Dead Place now?”

“I don’t know.”

“Kelly, first of all, you only had a dream. It wasn’t real. I’m sure Joe is fine,” at her attempts to protest, Coach continued. “Second, you don’t know where this is happening. All I know is that you are the one in danger, that’s why your father entrusted me with your safety. If you run out into those woods after Joe, not only would you be lost, but you’d be a target… along with your brother. How do you propose to stop this tiger?”

“I don’t know Coach. But it sees Joe–”

“In your dream, it sees him, young-un. There’s nothing you can do. Your father is in the woods with dogs, tracking the tiger. He’ll be there for Joe. But you need to stay here, where you are safe, for him. Do you understand?”

Kelly’s manner and expression turned to one of total dejection. “Yes, sir,” she whispered.

“Why don’t you come into the kitchen and have some tea with Billy and me.”

“All right,” Kelly whispered again. The look on her face nearly broke Coach’s heart.

After they drank the tea it was plain that the child wanted to be by herself. Coach suggested she finish her nap and she agreed. She moved in slow motion back to Billy’s room, cautiously shutting the door. Coach left the kitchen to sit in the leather chair in the back room. He sat facing the big bay window that looked out over his kennels and sipped a second cup of tea.

Kelly’s second outburst occurred around six-forty. Again she screamed for her brother to run. Coach was out of his chair and at the child’s side again. But unlike the last time, she had awoken from her own screaming. She sat upright in bed staring at the opposing wall.

“Are you okay, young-un?” Coach asked.

She didn’t turn to face him before she answered. “It’s stalking him. But Joe knows. I told him.”

Coach merely looked on. Then he tried reason again, “Kelly, it was just another nightmare. I know it seemed real. But that’s all it was. And nightmares can’t hurt us.”

“It wasn’t...” was all she allowed herself to say.

“It’s just as well that you’re up now. There’s some stew on the stove for you. It’s past suppertime, but I didn’t want to wake you. I can see you need the sleep.”

Kelly turned to face him and shook her head. “No, thank you, Coach. I’m not especially hungry. Just tired. Besides, it’s the only way I can be with Joe. It’s just scary and all.”

Coach tucked the child in once more and left the room. He gently closed the door and retreated to the back room. Billy was already eating his second helping on the floor next to the fireplace, listening to the radio. Bouser and Hoover were nestled at his side.

* *  *  *  *

It was eight-thirty when the search party broke free of the trees by the side of the north service road. Chief noticed his truck parked ten yards away, behind it was a Springdale patrol car. Upon seeing them emerge, Mark Grant pushed open the door of the patrol car. He met Chief midway and handed him the keys to the truck. He noticed Chief Broden’s glance at the Springdale car.

“Thought it would be a good idea to call one of my men and have him meet me here. That way you won’t have to drive me and Moss back to Springdale.”

“I appreciate that,” said Chief.

“There was a second reason,” continued Grant. “I didn’t like the idea of meeting up with that psycho out here by myself...” Grant paused for effect. “I guess you might say I’m not taking anything for granted.”

Chief smiled, but there was no amusement in his eyes.

“Thanks again,” he told Mark. He glanced at his keys, shaking them in his hand he walked to his truck. Joe had already jumped in the back and was helping Mike tie down the hounds. Moss held off retreating to the patrol car. He caught the look in Chief’s eyes through the translucent green-yellow light of a full moon.

“If you need that drink,” he said.

“I don’t think so, tonight, Mort.”

“I still don’t see how you put it all together,” he said, indicating Joe.

“It wasn’t that hard. I just pictured the worst scenario possible. The way my life’s been going lately...Well, how could I be that off?”

“I see,” said Mort. “I take it you’ll be tracking again tomorrow?’

Chief nodded. “And every day until I catch that bastard. What else can I do, Mort?”

“Give me a call tomorrow. I’d like to help. It’ll free up the deputy to watch that kid–what’s his name? Huey?”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll definitely take you up on that. Where can I reach you?”

“State Police, Glenview post. Good night,” Mort said and made his way to the car.

“Good night. See you in the morning.”

Joe and Mike had finished with the dogs and were waiting for Chief in the cab of the truck. 

Chief slid in beside his son and started the engine. The engine revved and Chief popped the clutch. They rode in silence.

Dobbs heard Chief’s engine as the truck pulled into his drive. He removed himself from his chair and the radio program he and Billy had been listening to, and met Chief on the front porch. He had just finished speaking his “hellos” when the phone rang. Dobbs excused himself, leaving the door open for Chief to enter.

“Kelly’s in Billy’s room,” Dobbs said over his shoulder as he went to save the phone another ring.

Chief crossed the kitchen floor to the back hall. Stopping at the first door on the right, he gently pushed Billy’s door open, careful to be quiet. Kelly was fast asleep, face turned towards the wall.

Chief crossed the room, his boot heels clicking softly on the wooden floor. He sat at the edge of the bed and wiped the hair from his child’s face. She stirred at her father’s touch.

“Kelly,” Chief whispered, keeping his voice low. “Time to leave, baby.”

Kelly stirred further, then rolled over to face him. Her eyes blinked in the bright moonlight that filtered through the half-opened window. They caught the light and flashed a bright tranquil blue, appearing to glow.

“Chief?” she whispered, her hair creating a halo effect around her head. Strands drifted free in a tussle all their own. “Chief... Joe–” she broke off, her eyes searching her father’s. He detected the tears that would have their way in mere seconds.

“What about Joe?” Chief asked quietly.

“It’s my fault,” she whispered.

“What is?”

“The tiger sees him. It’s after him.” The tears broke free and made their way down the sides of her face. “I saw it.”

“What did you see, pumpkin?”

Before the child could answer, there was a brisk knock on the door.

Chief stared at his daughter’s face before turning to the door and inviting the knocker inside.

“Bob,” Dobbs said, his attention was split between Chief and Kelly. “Maggy’s on the phone. She’s real upset.” Then he turned to face Chief directly. “She says Joe is missing.”

Dobbs was surprised by Chief’s lack of concern, but Kelly’s eyes flashed. “The tiger, Chief. I saw!”

Chief turned his attention to his daughter. His eyes held her solidly until she mastered her sudden panic. “Joe’s all right. I found him.”

Kelly’s eyes brightened. She wiped her tears away and replaced them with a smile. Then she hugged her father. The minute Chief left for the phone, Kelly was out of the bed and out of the cabin.

Chief picked up the receiver in the kitchen.

“Maggy?” he asked.

“Chief! Joe's missing. Miss Elly and I have gone to every one of his friends’ houses. He called one of them and told them he wasn’t meeting them this afternoon. Chief, he hasn’t come home yet- I just called there!” Maggy’s narration flowed from her mouth in a wave of hysteria.

“Relax, Magg–”

“Relax? How can you say that?”

“He’s with me,” Chief answered. He glanced out the kitchen window in time to catch sight of his youngest tearing across Dobbs's lawn. She ran full out catching up with her brother, who was busy putting up the hounds. When her distance was met, she plowed into Joe, knocking him to the ground.

“Chief!” Maggy said for the third time. “You still there?”

“Yes,” Chief answered. “Sorry. What did you say?”

“How’d he get with you?”

“I ran into him in the woods–”

“What! Just wait until I get my hands on–”

“Maggy,” Chief interrupted her in a deep commanding voice, laced with exhaustion. “I will handle it.”

“But Chief, do you know what I’ve been through? Do you have any idea? I’ve been worried sick. Miss Elly too.”

“Yes I do know, Maggy. Believe me. But I will handle it.”

“But–”

“Do you understand?”

“Chief–”

“Do you understand?” Chief repeated more deliberately.

“Yes, sir,” Maggy conceded.

“We’ll be home in about an hour.”

“I’ll go home and fix sandwiches.”

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Dobbs said when Chief returned to the front porch. “She knew, Bob. But how?”

Chief shrugged. “I wish I knew,” he finally answered. “It’s why he wants her, Frank. She’s tuned in to him somehow. I think these dreams of hers are the key to the whole mess.”

“How do you mean?”

“Kelly’s a very observant girl. I think she saw more at the murder. Sensed more of what was really happening. She picks up on people real well. I think the dreams are just her impressions played back from her subconscious.”

“I don’t see how that would include Joe’s move.”

“She probably sensed something in his mood this morning– something that passed her conscious mind, but not her subconscious.

“I see,” Dobbs answered, but he really didn’t see at all.

He glanced behind Chief and noticed Mike was attempting to get Chief’s attention. Chief noticed Dobbs’s gaze and followed it.

“We’re ready, boss,” Mike said from the truck.

Chief nodded and said good-bye to Dobbs.

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