Dear Ex-wife, Marry Me novel Chapter 1678

The interior of the house was spotless and so bare one could see straight to the back wall. It was impossible for anyone to hide there; even the space under the bed had been checked. Empty.

Abner raised an eyebrow and let out a chuckle. "Whoever's hiding is a quick one," he mused.

The locals, who had been keeping watch outside, weren't pleased to see him come out empty-handed.

"Abner, what's the big idea?" one of them grumbled. "Queena saved your life, for crying out loud."

"Yeah, you were a goner with those injuries. If it wasn't for her remedies, you'd be six feet under by now. And here you are, biting the hand that fed you," another added bitterly.

The crowd was seething, ready to tear into Abner.

But the eight burly men flanking Abner were not to be trifled with; they stood firm and imposing.

If things got rough, it was anyone's guess who would come out worse for wear.

Amidst the standoff, the county sheriff's deputies arrived, responding to reports of a fugitive murderer in the area.

Seeing the lawmen, several villagers immediately pointed fingers at Abner.

"It's him," they accused. "Jackson's disappearance has got to be tied to him, and now he's after our only doctor."

The deputies didn't know Abner, but his bearing suggested he was no ordinary man.

"Would you mind coming with us, sir?" one deputy asked.

Abner didn't budge. Tobias stepped forward in his defense.

"It wasn't Abner, sir. My dad, Jackson, he's really gone, and I don't know what to do."

Tears were still welling in Tobias' swollen eyes.

The whole village had been searching for Jackson all night to no avail. With not even a phone call answered, it seemed increasingly likely that Jackson had met with foul play.

Leaning against the wooden doorframe, Abner's mind began to race.

He wasn't a detective, after all. And now, with Jackson missing and the person who had been hiding gone too, if it indeed was Queena, she must have stashed them away in no time. Given a bit more time, she could've covered her tracks even better.

Now, the task at hand was to keep Queena within his sight.

He made a call, and shortly after, the deputies received instructions from higher up to assist in the investigation to find Jackson.