Although she had driven down there several times over the last week, it was still a jolt to see nothing where her life had once stood. The construction was scheduled to start any day, as soon as the work permits cleared the courthouse but, until then, it was just an empty lot. She let out a frustrated groan when Chase’s cell phone rang again; pulling it out of her bag, she turned off the ringer. She dropped it back in her bag and pulled her own out to check for messages. When she saw Travis’s truck pull up behind her, she got out to meet him with a smile. “Hey, Travis. How are you?” she asked. “I’m doing wonderfully. How about you?” They made small talk as they walked between their vehicles toward the sidewalk. Annie stopped when Travis put his hand on her arm. When she felt a sharp prick just below her shoulder blade, she jerked, staring down at his hand in astonishment and confusion. “What are you doing?” The world suddenly tilted, and she watched as he dropped an empty syringe on the ground.
