Seth had no choice but to exit the cabin. As he did, he studied the other buildings, hoping the prairie woman he saw earlier would reappear. She didn’t. Instead, he was forced to follow David through the back entrance of the funeral home, through a maze of hallways until they entered the back of the parlor. His clothes were dripping and his shoes squished when he walked. David paid him no more attention than to point to an empty chair in the back of the room.
Brother Earl was praying.
He searched for Kate. She was nowhere in sight.
CHAPTER 45
The Trainer stood in the pouring rain. Digging exhausted him. He needed to find a better way to remove the candidates when they let him down. He had considered burning the bodies but didn’t want the smoke to alert anyone. He could also bury them without a box but that wasn’t civilized.
He could also cut them into pieces.
Like he did to his mother.
He let the muddy shovel drop to his feet.
His mother never understood him. If only she would have loved him the way other mothers loved his friends. They baked cookies. Arranged sleepovers. Became Den mothers. His mother sought the inside of the bottle.
He blamed his father. He married his mother, after all. He saw what he was getting when he did. The Trainer would never make that same mistake. If he had time left to choose a wife she would be disciplined in all the homemaking skills she needed. She would breed and raise his children the way he taught her.
His thoughts turned to the woman called Red. He knew her real name but he preferred the term the reporter used in his notes. More fitting with her flaming red hair. His breathing surged.
And her eyes. He couldn’t wait to see those green gems submit to him.
He licked his bottom lip.
Time was running out. He needed to train his next candidate before the final day.
CHAPTER 46
Kate used the excuse that she needed to find the bathroom. Brother Earl pointed and then resumed his sermon. He didn’t look too happy with her. Well, she wasn’t any happier with him. If she hadn’t gotten out of there she might have thrown up. Poor Amy. To be buried with a eulogy like that one. Someone needed to stop that man.
She hoped Seth wasn’t the person. His extended disappearance concerned her. She passed the bathroom, an office, and two rooms filled with coffins to find an exit. It led out to a porch that overlooked an open space.
It also led to David and Seth.
She ducked behind a chaise lounge.
What was David doing with Seth? Seth couldn’t stand him. He’d told her so on many occasions. She peered around the furniture and tried to overhear their conversation.
Nothing.
Instead, they headed her way. Kate bit down on her lip. Held her breath. If David found her like this...
They mounted the porch, passed by her and entered the same door she came out.
She exhaled. Now to get back inside without anyone noticing.
Her bad leg ached from being in the crouched position. She’d regret this adventure tomorrow. Standing, she took a long look at the area behind the house. The swing sat in one corner. A gate similar to the one surrounding the house blocked the path into the woods.
Tiny log cabins showed through.
Seth had been right. It looked like more than one.
She stepped from the porch, and quickly closed the gap between her and the gate. She poked her head near the bars. Looked up at the key pad.
Maybe.
She studied the number pad longer.
Punched it three times.
The gate creaked—swung open.
Her hunch had been right. 666.
###
If she didn’t hurry, the service would be over and Seth would come after her. They would both be in trouble for trespassing. Kate ducked behind a tree, surveying the scene in front of her. Several women dressed in traditional Bend garb left the cabins and gathered around an old-fashioned pump. Two young children tugged at their skirts. One held a dirty doll. A woman pumped water into the buckets, saying little to the others. Another woman, older than the rest, traipsed up beside them, pulling up her skirts as she stepped over the puddles. Her one striking feature—blonde hair.
Kate froze. Her mouth fell open.
Debbie?
She narrowed her eyes for a better look but the woman turned away.
She could be Debbie’s twin.
Kate edged closer debating the risk of marching up to the woman. A great reporter would. Seth certainly wouldn’t hesitate. She took a deep breath.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
Kate spun around to come face-to-face with Earl’s wife, Adriana.
“If someone discovers you, there could be serious repercussions. Follow me.”
Follow her? Kate nearly toppled in the mud as she forced her unsteady legs to work. She glanced one more time over her shoulder toward the woman she had been certain was Debbie. No one remained near the pump.
They passed through the gates as she kept a close pace with Adriana. The petite woman moved swiftly like a bird. “Wait. Those women. What are they doing here?”
Adriana stopped her trek to the house. “It isn’t your business. Don’t make it yours.”
“But one woman. I think I know her. I’ve been worried.”
“It will all work out in the end. Trust Earl’s word. He has heard from the High One.”
“The High One? Do you mean God?”
Adriana’s face paled. “Call Him what you want. But His word is final.”
“But those women. . . do they believe as you do?”
“They will.” She mounted the steps and opened the door. Kate had no choice but to follow. There was no use pushing Adriana or she might call her husband, dear Earl, who thinks he’s God.
At least she had her story. A cult right here in the Bend. Her mind flashed on memories but she buried them twice as fast. This could be her chance to right a wrong.
CHAPTER 47
Seth grabbed Kate by the hand. “Where have you been?” He led her out of the funeral home toward his Jeep like he might a child, especially after seeing her appearance. She looked worse than he felt. Her lips were almost white and she was soaked like him. “You didn’t leave to find the bathroom, did you?”
With a tug, she pulled her hand from his. “Neither did you. We need to talk.”
He’d done enough talking with David to last a life time. No more needed. “At the office.”
“No. I have a better place.” She pointed for him to turn left when they pulled through the gates.
The clearer skies made him blink after being cooped inside that funeral home. “This better be good.”
She picked at her fingers, occasionally giving him directions. “Stop here.”
He pulled next to a stream and a picnic table. “Who owns this place?”
She didn’t answer him immediately. Instead she got out and limped toward the table. Her limp seemed more pronounced than before. Did she hurt herself at Earl’s? If he was considerate enough to ask, which he wasn’t, she’d bust his chops and tell him to mind his own business. He joined her at the table.
“I might have uncovered the biggest story the Bend has ever seen. The country for that matter.” Her green eyes sparked flames. “Brother Earl started a cult. I spoke with his wife. I saw women in the cabins out back. I think I saw Debbie. We have to bust this wide open before others get sucked in.”
He swallowed hard. His story and she found it.
Now what? Let her run with it? His story? The one he has been working on since arriving in the Bend? The one that would make or break his career?
Or should he convince her she was crazy?
Her face turned scarlet as she gasped to finish her tale. “Earl is ruining the town. He thinks he’s God.”
He chose the crazy route.
“Slow down. How do you know all this? Did you see the cabins?”
She leaned forward. “I got into the
compound myself.”
Okay. Now she hooked him. “You got inside that gate? What did you do, climb over it?” No bloody hands. No bruises that he could see. She wasn’t an athlete. With that bum leg, it’s a miracle she made it across the open area in all that rain.
She rolled her eyes. “I punched in the code.”
“Like you knew it. What are you, a mind reader?” He rolled his eyes.
“Are you finished?” She struggled to her feet and headed toward the car. When she reached it, she turned back to him. “I’m done by the way. No more talking.”
He’d pushed her too far. “I have something to show you but since we are no longer colleagues sharing our leads...” He paused. Waited for it.
She traipsed back to the bench. “It better be good. I just shared everything with you.”
“Not how you knew the code. Did David whisper it into your ear on your date?” Her nostrils flared. Would he ever learn to keep his big mouth shut?
“666. The Mark of the Beast. It made sense that Earl would see himself as rooting out evil. Satan’s evil in the Bend.”
He gave her credit. Why didn’t he think of it?
“What do you have?” She tapped his arm.
Seth reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a folded paper. He flattened it in front of them. “The next rally is in three weeks. Brother Earl is promising a huge surprise.”
CHAPTER 48
The Trainer rarely made mistakes. He shoved his hands into his pockets, watching the crew of men by the river’s edge. They were wasting their time. Whoever sent them on this fruitless chase deserved nothing less than his wrath. Missing women? He spat. He was surprised anyone cared that much in the Bend.
Did the simple-minded folks think they could outsmart him? The Trainer? The one who had been overcoming the evil through his huge purification act? No one could stop him. He had been practicing for years. He might not have time to finish but look at the difference he’d made already.
He returned to his truck with sweat building on his upper lip. He wiped it with the back of his hand. They were all idiots. He was the one with all the power. No one else.
He turned the ignition key and pulled away from the area where he’d been hidden. He needed a diversion. A new candidate perhaps. Someone to take his mind off the one he was preparing. Someone who he could practice with until the final moment.
He headed toward the fairgrounds.
A horse show.
Plenty of likely candidates hung around horses. Tight jeans. Wide hips. Healthy cowgirls. The thought made him thirsty. He pulled the cap off a bottle of water and brought it to his lips. He sucked down the cool liquid until he emptied it.
He set the container to the floor next to his supplies. What do they say? Never leave home without them.
CHAPTER 49
The flyer showed a picture of the church. The same church where Kate took a photo. The church that showed the aura. Her stomach rose to her throat. She gagged and covered her mouth. Was this what Earl planned to do? Was this his big surprise? Kill everyone who came to the rally?
“Are you okay? You look sick. Listen, I don’t do sick women, so if you’re going to barf, find a tree.”
Ever-so-special Seth. She shot him a glare. “Try listening to yourself. Really.”
She turned her attention back to the flyer. There had to be a mistake. But toward the bottom, it clearly apprised the visitors of a planned surprise. “We must stop this.”
Seth grabbed the paper and stuffed it into his soggy suit jacket. “Anyone ever tell you you’re delusional? We can’t stop anything in the Bend. My job is to write stories. Your job is to take pictures. If we can by some stroke of luck make a difference, then we get an added bonus. Besides, Tim will never go for your story. If we write it, we need to take it elsewhere.”
“We write it? It’s my story. I’m the one who figured out what he’s up to.” Of course. That was why Seth never liked her. He had been afraid of her uncovering his story.
He marched to the Jeep.
“Are you coming? Looks like another storm. We can hash this out later. I need dry clothes.”
She glanced upward. A dark cloud rode the sky. Was rain all it did in the Bend? It was downright depressing. A sudden weariness overcame her. Maybe she wasn’t cut out for this sleuthing around. Seth was right. What could she do?
He dropped her off at her house with little fanfare. She flipped on her kitchen light and tried to put her mind to the task of making dinner. Instead, she couldn’t stop worrying about the church and the upcoming rally. Maybe she was wrong.
She snorted. When was she ever wrong about her auras?
Until Trevor. She reached for her phone and punched in her friend’s number. It had been a few weeks since they last spoke. Jackie answered on the first ring. “It’s me, Kate. I’ve been thinking about you and Trevor. How is he doing?”
“Kate? I wanted to call . . . but I couldn’t.” She sniffed.
Kate’s hand gripped her phone tighter. She dropped to the couch. “What’s the matter? Is it Trevor?”
“I wish you were here. I wish . . .”
“Tell me what’s going on. Please.” A shiver snaked down her back.
“The doctor performed more tests. Trevor won’t make it. Months,” she said, choking on a sob. “All I have is months.”
CHAPTER 50
The sounds of the rodeo penetrated his head. Hooting and hollering. Applause. The thump of hoofs on the packed earth. The Trainer chose a seat close to the bottom row. He munched on a bag of popcorn as he surveyed the fans around him. Horses had never been his thing. Dirty animals. Nothing like the lions at the circus. Nothing like his women.
“Mind if I sit here? Doesn’t look like there are any other seats this close.” A young woman slid her tightly jean-clad legs onto the bench next to him, gripping a can of soda in one hand and her cell in the other. “My best friend is barrel racing tonight. I don’t want to miss her.”
The Trainer smiled. “Wouldn’t want you to miss your friend’s performance. Be my guest.” He shifted over six inches. “You like rodeos?”
“First time here. I’m visiting from New York. You like them?” Her red lips flirted with him. Teased his brain. Another outsider. His hand trembled.
“Not particularly. Actually, I know a better place for a good time.” He raised his brows. “Great music. Chicken like your mamma makes.”
She returned his smile. Oh, she was so easy. Already he envisioned the fun he would have with her. Maybe this time, he would perfect his act. Then he could move on to the woman he desired most.
“Sounds like a plan. Is it far?”
“Not far at all. My truck is right over there.” He tipped his head and waited.
She sucked on her bottom lip. Glanced back at the arena. “I don’t know. I promised my friend . . .”
“These events go on all night. We could take a run, get some chicken and be back before you’re missed.”
The deafening roar of the crowd surrounded them. A rush of fear that she wouldn’t give in rose but he shook it off. No one ever said no to him. No one. He pumped up his charm, touched her hand. “What do you think?”
Her resolve melted away like the bloody flesh from his last candidate. “Sure. Sounds like fun. I’m actually kind of bored.” She tucked her hand inside his as they left.
CHAPTER 51
Unbelievable. Seth played the day’s events through his head. The funeral. David catching him. The cabins. And then Kate said she’s going to write the story he’d been working on for over a year. He opened his refrigerator and took out the leftover pizza.
His cat meowed at his feet. “You don’t like it either, do you?” He threw Daisy a piece of pepperoni.
The Bend was in more trouble than he first suspected. Kate said Earl was running a cult. People joined thinking they would find the answer to their problems. Actually the cults expanded their problems. He tried to remember what Kate said at the picnic table. He had
n’t been in the best state of mind to listen but now he ran her comments through his brain.
He took a bite of the cold pizza.
Did she say she saw Debbie?
As he reached for his soda, a knock sounded on his back door. With a quick glance out the side window, he grabbed a nearby knife and made his way through the laundry room. Another knock. Lighter.
“Who is it?” Seth called. No one visited him. Only the mailman.
“It’s me. Can I come in?”
“Red?” He yanked the door open. She stood in front of him trembling. Her eyes reddened and her arms hugging her sides. Seth stepped back. “How did you find this place?”
“I’m a reporter, remember?” She stepped past him and bent down to pet his cat.
“Great cat. Totally not you.”
“Daisy. Her name is Daisy.”
“Like the flower. Cause she’s got yellow eyes. I get it.” She stood back up and faced him. “I need to talk to you.”
Now wasn’t the time to play twenty questions. He nodded and led her into his kitchen. “Pizza?”
She took the one other seat at the table and reached into the box. She pulled the biggest piece to her mouth and bit. “It’s cold.”
Shrugging, he joined her at the table. “I prefer it that way.”
He watched her look around his place, take in his bare walls and sparse furnishings. “I don’t decorate either.”
“I get that.” She chewed again. By now the swelling around her eyes had toned down.
“So did you want to talk about what happened today again? You mentioned Debbie. Did you see her?” He waited for her to swallow. The woman ate like a bird.
She shook her head no. “Yes, I think it was her—but no that’s not what I want to talk about. Something else.” She set the remaining crust on the table. Seth eyed it.
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