"Hey, officer! Over here!" Eli called out softly, clicking on his flashlight and sweeping the beam across the muddy driveway. The bright light illuminated two tall figures standing near the exact spot Raymond had been digging earlier. But as the beam hit their faces, Eli’s blood ran cold.
They weren't wearing police uniforms. Both men wore dark tactical jackets and heavy ski masks covering their features. Before Eli could react or turn to run, one of the men lunged forward, grabbing Eli by the jacket collar and slamming him hard against the rough trunk of an old oak tree.
"Not another sound out of you, kid, if you want to keep breathing," the larger man growled, his voice thick and menacing in the darkness. Eli gasped for air, his flashlight dropping into the mud. "Who... who are you?" he stammered, terror gripping his throat. "Shut up and listen," the second man snapped, stepping closer. "Where are the bones?"