IT TOOK LESS THAN five minutes for first responders to appear on the scene and secure the building after Annie called 9-1-1 from Chrissy’s house next door. Officers searched the Lincoln house thoroughly before they declared it clear. The would-be murderer had fled. Jake had returned home while the search was underway and Hank arrived shortly thereafter. Annie looked at her husband, sitting on the edge of the couch, his face still showing the horror he felt at the sudden discovery of his home surrounded by cops. “I had no idea what was going on,” he said. “Naturally, I feared the worst.” He turned to Hank, standing in the doorway. “I went to fill up with gas, and when I got back …” “I think you should get a better lock for the back door, Jake,” Hank said. “It looks like the guy was a pro.” Annie tried to control her trembling body. When she had first seen the killer in the mirror, she reacted almost without thought. Her first instinct was to get out of the house.
