Page 23 of Grave Consequences

“He told me he’d been born into a cult. It’s not uncommon for them not to visit hospitals and get all the proper paperwork when children are born.”

“Where did you learn so much about cults?”

“I watched some documentaries and took a class in school.”

“Before or after your run-in with the Continental Alliance.”

“After.”

He nodded. “Yeah. I wouldn’t necessarily call them a cult, but a secret society with religious underpinnings is close enough to one. I can see why you would want to learn more to protect yourself in the future.”

“I think it was more about being able to identify that kind of manipulation if I ever saw it again. If something like what happened with Emmaline and Brittany ever arose again, I hope I would be able to recognize it and prevent it.” And she wouldn’t be fooled into trusting a man simply because he was her father’s friend. These days, she looked deeper before putting her faith in someone.

“I’m not sure it would be that easy to keep anyone else safe. People are going to do what they want even if their loved ones warn them about the dangers.”

“You may be right.” She drew in a steadying breath and made eye contact. “There is a subject I’d like to broach with you. I don’t want you and Gavin checking out guys for me unless I specifically request that you do.”

Jenna smiled and nodded. “You tell him.”

Gray gave his wife a stern look, and she held up her hands in surrender.

“That is a request I’m not certain I’m willing to honor.”

“I need you to let me make my own mistakes.”

“After what happened to you the last time you decided to keep us in the dark, you should want to keep us informed.”

“And if I need your help, I’ll tell you.”

“I’m taking a job in Williamsport, so I’ll only be an hour away if you need me.”

“I won’t need you.” As the words passed her lips, she hoped she wouldn’t regret them.

Chapter Fourteen

Friday morning, Malachi trudged along beside Cate and her team on the wide snow-covered path leading to the Alvira Bunkers. They passed the ruins from an old church on the right just before reaching a cemetery. You could just make out the federal prison in the distance. He slowed his steps as he neared an enormous tree, its branches glittering with ice. Its beauty undeniable, strangely contrasted with the history of the place. So many people had been displaced when the government took their land, claiming eminent domain.

He veered off the path and approached a memorial to a union soldier, brushed the wintry mix off the cold metal, and traced the inscription. He’d researched the site before making the trip. The town of Alvira had been purchased during World War II for their munitions factory, or so the story went. Now it was part of State Game Lands 252.

A short time later, they arrived at the bunker a black bear sow was using as a den site. The echo of her mewling cubs confirmed they were in the right place. It was a safe, dry place to spend the winter, but he wondered what would happen when the weather turned warmer. Hopefully, curious explorers would stay away until the space was once again empty.

The game warden, Jack Carter, positioned himself in the doorway and shot the sow with a tranquilizer gun. After a few minutes to be sure she was out, the team moved inside and got to work.

Malachi glanced around at the graffiti covering the interior of the bunker and shook his head. Human hands could do so much. They’d built this place, and now they desecrated it. He blew out a breath and stood to the side, watching the group work.

They checked the sow’s radio collar and replaced the flexible part of it. When they were done weighing the mother and checking her teeth, they got to work on the cubs. As they tagged the ear of the first cub, its scream rent the air. He knew the acoustics inside the space made it sound worse than it was, but he cringed. “Is he hurt?”

Cate made eye contact. “Just a little pinch, like a human getting their ear pierced. He’ll be fine.”

Cate looked at a young man with glasses. “Do you have the Vicks, Joey?”

Joey pulled out a jar of Vicks Vapor Rub and handed it to her.

Malachi quirked an eyebrow.

“We’ll cover the cubs with it,” Cate said.

“It keeps her from smelling the other sow?” Malachi cocked his head.

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