“Do you think that worked?” Ty asked.
Cassidy shook her head. “I wish I could say. But I have no idea. It was worth a shot.”
“That woman … she didn’t strike me as the type to betray people she has up on a pedestal.”
“Me either. But maybe if it means getting a message to her parents, she’ll see it differently. As a one-time thing. I don’t know. But I’m at a loss here as to how to find out more information.”
“I agree that it was worth a try.”
Cassidy cranked the engine and started down the road.
As warmth spread through the vehicle, Ty relished the heat. Even with his jacket on, it had been cold out in those woods. He couldn’t imagine how cold Moriah must have been wearing only a tunic. He wasn’t sure what the rationale might be for not dressing for the weather.
Then again, he wasn’t sure what the rationale might be for joining a cult either.
However, in his three decades on this earth, he’d seen a lot. Ty had seen seemingly normal people join terrorist organizations. He’d seen the boy next door transform from a baseball-loving honor student to a suicide bomber.
People’s ideals, when mixed with their emotions and feelings of helplessness, could lead to devastation.
“Where do you want to go?” Cassidy asked, pulling him from his thoughts. “I know you have stuff to do, and I’m probably just going back to the office for now.”
As much as Ty would like to stick with Cassidy for the rest of the evening, he knew that wouldn’t cut it. The last thing he wanted was to be overbearing or to get in the way of Cassidy’s job. He would let her have her space, but he’d also remain on guard.
“If you could drop me back at the cottage, that would be great,” he finally said. “I have some paperwork that I need to fill out.”
“No problem.”
When Cassidy parked in their driveway, Ty pulled Cassidy close until their lips met.
“What was that for?” Cassidy asked, her voice soft as she stared up at him.
Ty brushed a stray hair from her face. “Because I love you.”
She smiled. “I love you too.”
“I need for you to be careful.” His throat burned as he said the words.
“I always am.”
“I know, but …” He pressed his lips together, not wanting to sound like a broken record.
Cassidy squeezed his hand. “This whole thing has really shaken you, hasn’t it?”
He nodded, unable to deny it. He wasn’t someone who was easily shaken, but when the woman he loved was in danger, that was a different story. “Yeah, it has.”
“I’ll be careful. I promise.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his in another kiss. “I’ll be home later, okay?”
“I look forward to it.” Begrudgingly, he told her goodbye and went inside.
As soon as he got to his computer, he sent a photo of Anthony Gilead to some of his military contacts. Maybe someone would recognize him. Because he couldn’t drop this.
No, he wouldn’t drop this.
There was too much on the line.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Moriah couldn’t stop thinking about the woman she’d seen in the woods yesterday.
She knew she shouldn’t have gone over there. But something about those woods reminded her of her West Virginia home. She used to wander to the edge of her property in the early morning and watch the deer in the fields. She’d listen to the squirrels rustling and even seen the occasional fox or bear.
She’d always loved animals, and each of those glimpses was a treasured memory for her.
It wasn’t that she didn’t like the water. She did. There was something so serene about it.
But she was more of a mountain type of girl.
“Moriah?” someone said.
She snapped her attention back to the present. She waited in line to be served her breakfast. She moved forward and a glob of oatmeal plopped off a scooper and onto her plate, followed by a syrupy scoop of canned peaches. Her stomach growled. She’d always liked protein in the morning. It helped to keep her blood sugar level balanced.
But she would make sacrifices for the cause.
And she still had that bread in her trailer. She’d had to nibble on it more than once. Having it was a godsend.
Whatever she did, she wouldn’t betray Gilead. She wouldn’t ask about Al Hartman. She wouldn’t believe that anyone here could have hurt him.
No, she’d meant it when she said this was a place of peace. She’d sensed that ever since she arrived.
But her parents … she hated to think that they were worried about her. What if her dad had a heart attack from his anxiety?
The tray clamored in her hands as her arms began to shake.
“Moriah, we need a word with you,” Dietrich said.
Moriah had gathered that Dietrich was one of Gilead’s right-hand men. But it was curious. She’d seen him get into a boat and leave the compound in the evenings. Was he not staying here? And, if not, why?
The only other person she’d ever seen leaving the compound was Barnabas. She’d overheard someone saying that he left every Saturday and Wednesday to get gas at the station down the road. Though their goal here was to go off-grid, until that happened they still needed gas for their propane tanks. For heaters.
“Yes, sir,” Moriah said.
“Go upstairs and wait outside the door. Gilead will let you in when he’s ready.”
“Yes, sir.” She abandoned her breakfast tray, and her stomach groaned. Though she hadn’t been looking forward to eating it, she’d needed something to satisfy her hunger.
But she’d sacrifice for the cause.
A rush of nerves swept over her as she climbed up the dark, wooden steps. The sounds from the cafeteria below became more muted.
Voices drifted from the other side of the closed door. She tried not to listen. But how could she not?
Yet, she could hardly make out anything being said. All she heard was “secret project” and “select few,” “very important,” and “no one must find out.”
What in the world could Gilead be talking about? Whatever it was, it must be important. She felt certain that when the time was right, he’d share the project with everyone.
The door opened, and she lowered her gaze, reminding herself that it was a sign of respect.
Barnabas and a man named Kaleb walked past her. And then she heard Gilead say her name. Her pulse spiked upon hearing his deep tone, upon hearing his voice.
“Yes, Gilead?”
“Come inside,” he instructed. “And shut the door.”
She did as she was asked. To her surprise, Gilead didn’t take his seat on the other side of the desk. Instead, he stood in front of her.
“Moriah, you can look at me.”
Her pulse continued to race. She sucked in a deep breath and lifted her head.
Gilead, with his magnetic gaze, stared at her with a gentle, almost mysterious smile on his face.
“I’ve been watching you since you arrived,” he said.
“Have you?” A sudden flutter of nerves came over her.
Had he seen her steal the bread? Had he seen her speaking with that woman in the woods? Would this be the moment when she was kicked out of the Cove?
“I’ve been very impressed,” he said.
What? Had Moriah heard him correctly? She wanted to release her breath but couldn’t.
“I’m … I’m glad to hear that.”
He stepped closer—close enough that she could feel the body heat coming from him. That she could smell his earthy aftershave—a scent that reminded her of pine trees and leather.
“God has been speaking to me, Moriah.”
She waited for him to continue, her heart stuttering out of control.
“I’ve been praying that He would send me a helpmate. For years, I’ve muttered the same prayers, and God always told me to wait. Then, just this week, I felt Him urging my heart in a new di
rection. Toward you.”
Her cheeks heated. “I don’t know what to say. I’m … I’m honored.”
He stooped down closer. “Moriah, I believe that God has destined us to be together. As one. Overseeing this ministry.”
Her? No one had ever said that about Moriah before. She’d always been the laughingstock. The one society discarded. No one had ever seen potential in her before Gilead.
An overwhelming sweep of emotions came over her.
Gilead reached for her, his hands gently caressing her cheek. His touch sent off a million fireworks in her head, and even her skin seemed to come alive.
“I want you to be mine.” He gently touched her face with his thumb, rubbing her cheek with tenderness. “But we can’t rush this. We can’t tell others. Nothing can happen until you go through the initiation process.”
“The initiation … when is that?” Moriah asked.
“Now, now. We can’t rush it. And no one can know what happens until they are there themselves. It’s part of the process.” He pulled his hand away, and she instantly missed his touch—craved it.
“So, you don’t know how long?” Moriah had always liked timelines. And plans.
“I don’t. It will happen when you’re ready. Until then, I’d like to continue getting to know you here in my office. What do you think of that idea?”
She could hardly find her voice. “I’d … I’d like that. Very much.”
A warm grin spread across his face, and Moriah’s pulse surged with delight.
Gilead. Would be hers. She would be his. Together.
Gilead would be everything that Vince wasn’t. Together, they could have a happy life.
All of this seemed like a dream come true.
Gilead leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
“I’m so glad we’re on the same page,” he murmured. “I think our union will be a good thing. God has plans for us, Moriah.”
She tried to hold back her giddy smile. “Yes, He does.”
As she walked away, resolution formed in her mind.
Nothing could ruin this opportunity for her.
Especially not that lady in the woods.
She’d meet her again today and tell her to pester Barnabas. Barnabas who went to get gas in town. The revelation would get the woman away from Moriah. It would mean a message would be given to her parents.
And Moriah could live out her happy-ever-after here.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Cassidy glanced at her watch. It was almost seven now, the sun had already come up, and Moriah still hadn’t appeared.
She wasn’t coming, was she?
Cassidy had known it was a long shot, but she’d hoped for the best. She certainly needed some kind of good news.
“If you don’t find answers this way, you’ll find it another way.” Ty squeezed her knee.
“I’m going to give it a little more time, just in case.”
Cassidy waited until eight thirty and then she stood, figuring the window for Moriah to appear had passed.
Right then, movement in the distance caught her eye.
She sucked in a breath. Could that be Moriah?
Cautiously, Cassidy crept through the woods and peered out from behind a tree. Her pulse spiked.
It was Moriah. And she peered through the fence as if looking for something—for Cassidy.
Cassidy stepped out. “You came.”
“Only this once.” Moriah had a new tone to her voice this morning. Some of her insecurity had slipped away, and something sounding close to defiance replaced it. Was this a trap? Why the change?
“Did you hear anything about Al?”
She shook her head. “No, I didn’t. No one will talk to me. But I have other information. If I share it, will you get a message to my parents? And will you leave me alone? I don’t want trouble. I have a good life here.”
Cassidy bit down a moment. What she really wanted was to get the poor girl out of this situation. But that involved more than this short conversation could contain.
“If that’s what you want, Moriah, then I’ll leave you alone.” For now.
“Yes, it’s what I want. I can’t mess things up. Please, don’t ask me to do that.”
“What information do you have for me?”
Moriah looked back and forth before leaning closer. “You need to talk to Barnabas.”
“Barnabas, the man who handles the front gate?”
Moriah nodded. “He’s the one. He knows what goes on here. Not me.”
“He’s not going to talk to me, Moriah. I’ve already tried.”
Her gaze skittered for a moment. “He goes into town every Wednesday and Saturday to buy gas and a few supplies. You can catch him then, and he might be more willing to talk.”
Cassidy let that information wash over her. “Good to know. When does he come into town?”
“He’s going tonight. Usually around seven, after it’s dark. That’s all I can tell you. He’s your best bet.”
Cassidy nodded. “Thank you, Moriah.”
“Now you need to tell my parents I’m okay. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I met someone new and wonderful who loves me. And I need you to tell them not to worry about me and that they should go back home.”
Cassidy stared through the fence, trying to read her body language. “They want to see you.”
“That’s not possible right now.”
“They’re going to have a hard time understanding.”
“They don’t need to understand it. They just need to do it. It’s important to me. Tell them. Tell them I’ve found a wonderful new life, but it requires privacy for now.”
“Gilead won’t let you leave. Is that what you’re saying?”
Her eyes widened. “Gilead? Gilead is the most selfless person I know. He knows that the world beyond this fence is evil and hurtful, and he’s trying to protect us from it.”
Cassidy tried to choose her words wisely. “You don’t think he’s trying to control you?”
A flash of doubt hit Moriah’s eyes before quickly disappearing. “Don’t be ridiculous. He only wants what’s best for us. Now stop feeding me these lies. I’ve said enough.”
She turned to walk away.
“Moriah, there’s something you need to know. Vince was found dead. Murdered.”
The woman froze, her back to Cassidy. Slowly, she turned around, her lips parted with grief. “What?”
“It’s true. I talked to the detective in West Virginia.”
At once, Moriah’s sorrow disappeared and the defiant look reappeared. “He’s not a part of my life anymore. I hate to hear that anyone suffered, but he made my life miserable.”
“What if someone associated with Gilead killed him?”
Her eyes widened again. “Why would someone in Gilead kill him? We’re not the mafia. We’re peaceful and promote love.”
“To protect you.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “You’re talking crazy. You’re trying to fill my mind with lies. Just like Vince did. He’s probably not even dead, is he? You’re just trying to shake me up. I’m done talking to you. Don’t come back or I’ll call security. Do you understand?”
And, just like that, Moriah was gone.
Cassidy sat at her desk, biding her time until this evening when they could hopefully corner Barnabas—if Moriah was telling the truth. Cassidy’s gut told her she was, but Cassidy still had to be careful here.
She knew that Barnabas might not talk, so they were going to need a good reason for bringing him into the station.
Cassidy had a mental list. Expired license plates. Out-of-date inspection stickers. Headlights that didn’t work properly. Speeding. Credit card issues.
She’d spent the better part of the last hour sending in Ranger’s certification and training papers in order to have him added to the department’s insurance. If Cassidy was going to do this, she wanted to do it the right way. The boxer would be the department’s first
police dog. And, tonight, they might need him.
Someone knocked at her office door.
“I bring cake,” Lisa said, raising something in her hands.
“I always have time for cake—and friends. And especially friends who are bearing cake.”
Lisa grinned and set the plate in front of Cassidy. “I thought you might need a little pick-me-up. I can tell this investigation has you busy and distracted.”
“You can say that again.” Cassidy paused and stared at the “cake” again. The object on the plate certainly didn’t look like any cake Cassidy had seen before.
“You’re wondering what kind of cake this is?” Lisa’s voice lifted with creative satisfaction and a touch of amusement.
“Or if you’re playing a terrible trick on me, and this is actually a moon jellyfish disguised as a cake.” The blob in front of her was round and clear with smooth edges. If it wasn’t a moon jelly, it could pass for a breast implant.
Lisa laughed. “You’re so funny. Of course, I wouldn’t do that to you. But it does kind of look like a moon jelly, doesn’t it? I’m thinking about playing up that feature this summer. Maybe using a grapefruit slice on the bottom to look like the underside of a jelly fish.”
Cassidy wasn’t sure how appetizing some people would find that. Then again, there would be some people who might try it just out of fascination and for bragging rights. “So, pray tell. What is this?”
“It’s actually a Japanese raindrop cake. In Japanese it’s called mizu shingen mochi. Anyway, it’s a jelly-like dessert made from mineral water and agar powder. You have to be careful and make sure it coagulates correctly in order to get the proper shape.”
“Coagulates, huh? Sounds appetizing.”
Lisa swiped a hair behind her ear, seemingly unaffected by Cassidy’s skepticism. “Isn’t it fun? Try it. I mean, if you don’t, it will disintegrate after a while. I’ve still got to work through some of the logistics like that.”
Cassidy raised her fork, hesitated only a moment, and then dipped her utensil into the wobbly, oversized raindrop dessert. The first bite melted in her mouth, the most satisfying gelatin dessert she’d ever tried. “This is really good, Lisa.”
On the Lookout Page 14
