Page 9 of Grave Consequences

“Who does he plan to sell them to?”

“I’m not sure, but he’s meeting them at dusk tonight in the Loyalsock State Forest.”

“Do you have an exact location?”

“No.”

He frowned, reminding her of his father, Zeke, and a pang pierced her chest. His life was normal. Lonely, maybe, but a good one. He would make any parent proud, but here she was interfering with his well-ordered world. She should turn around and leave him alone. It was the right thing to do. Yet, she was incapable of doing that. Her own life depended on what happened here.

“If he’s caught, will you arrest him?”

“It’s more than likely he’ll be fined.”

“But not arrested?”

“He’s unlikely to be arrested unless we can get him for something more.” His sigh filled the small space. “I wish there were additional actions we could take against these offenders. We need stronger laws to protect the wildlife from people like him.”

The problem arose from the possibility that without Reece’s arrest, her plan would be unsuccessful. And once they caught him with the bear cubs, they’d be forced to leave the park. Even if the park rangers didn’t evict them from their rental, there was no way Reece would stay after the authorities became aware of his presence. “The cubs are right here in the park.”

“What did you say?”

“They’re at the cabin where we’re staying.” She bit her bottom lip and rubbed her hands on her skirt. If he found out she’d told, he’d punish her. “Please don’t tell him I’m the one who told you.”

“How did this Reece manage to come across the bear’s den? It wasn’t on a marked trail, and it was well hidden.”

“I’m not sure. I think I overheard something about a wildlife photographer leading him there.”

“No name?”

“Sorry. He doesn’t share much with me.”

She tasted blood. Must’ve bitten her lip too hard. Nerves did that to her. There had to be a way to make sure Reece got locked up for his crimes. While the park rangers occupied him, she’d take the opportunity to search his stuff and see what she could dig up. The number of laws he’d broken over the years were too many to list. She might not have all the details, but people disappeared when Reece was around. All she required was some form of evidence. Then she could get him locked up and out of the way. She wasn’t a fan of law-enforcement, but park rangers weren’t so bad. If her son took custody of Reece, she wouldn’t have to deal with the state police or the FBI. Even the thought of those agencies made her skin crawl.

The trouble would be getting into Reece’s stuff without anyone noticing. But over the years she’d perfected the art of being invisible. She planned to put that skill to good use.

Reece leaned against the van, shaving wood off the block he held in his hand and watching as Byron tinkered with the engine on their VW bus. He did not have a knack for mechanics. He much preferred working with wood. Turning nothing into something. Creating fine things. Probably should’ve been a carpenter. He ran his thumb over the rough texture of the wood. A little sandpaper would smooth that right out. He’d fashioned after a bluebird. So delicate and sweet. His hands were capable of crafting beauty, even if destruction suited him better.

Choosing to work with wood wouldn’t have been as financially rewarding as the career path he’d chosen, but it was a respectable means of earning a living. One without shame.

The clanging sound of the wrench ceased, and his friend pushed himself to his feet.

“You seen Becky around?” Reece asked.

“I’ve been kind of busy, but no.” Byron’s forehead creased as he wiped grease from his hands. He darted his gaze around and the nervous gesture did not go unnoticed. “Not in a couple of hours.”

“Keep an eye out for her, will you?” He frowned. “Her demeanor has been different since we arrived in Pennsylvania. I want to know what changed.”

“Sure thing.” Byron threw down the rag and grabbed a bottle of water. “I’ll watch her.”

Chapter Six

Malachi’s eyes widened when Becky pushed her shirt sleeves up.

“What happened?”

“Reece gave us bottles of milk and told us to feed the cubs.”

The raised marks were scabbed over. He grimaced. “Those marks are from the cubs?”

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