Miller's View: A Look into the Darkness**

 

Miller heads for Elyse’s place; convincing Cora to tell him Ilysa’s whereabouts is his mission, but the face of the gentleman at headquarters continues to flash in his mind. He arrives at the cottage by late morning, but the smell of breakfast is still strong in the air. The screened porch and front doors are open. Miller approaches slowly because the steps are in no better shape than last the time he was here. The wood on the porch creaks with every step. No one could possibly sneak up on these people. Miller knocks on the splintered wood frame of the door. There is no answer. He knocks again and announces himself. Again there is no answer. Miller pulls his weapon from his shoulder holster and proceeds inside. He carefully checks each room and finds nothing out of place. He turns to leave when he hears footsteps coming from the room overhead. He’d forgotten about the staircase at the side of the porch that lead upstairs. When he stops at the front door, Cora is at the bottom of the staircase.