Page 3 of Forgotten Girls

Pulling her woolen cap over her ears against a blast of freezing wind, Beth considered the consequences of opening up a can of worms of this magnitude. Moving into a high-stakes world of darkness and danger would take careful planning. With so much money involved, and children used as a commodity, they would risk being murdered at every turn. It would be like negotiating a tripwire of crisscrossing laser beams, but if they destroyed the biggest pedophile ring in the country, it would be worth it. Now all she had to do was convince Styles it was the right thing to do.

She walked into Tommy Joe’s and went to the counter. TJ gave her a warm smile and she returned it. She liked TJ, an ex-military man who’d retired and opened up a superb bar and grill in Rattlesnake Creek five years previously. He always had a smile, was a good listener and was prepared to help in a crisis, but right now she needed some takeout for their trip to Louan. She’d learned over the past year that men needed to eat all the time. She got by on little food but had found Styles became like a bear with a sore head if he missed meals. “We’re heading out on a case. Can you make me a survival pack for Styles? I’m happy with an egg salad sandwich.”

“You want a couple of flasks of coffee as well?” TJ made a few notes on a pad and looked up at her.

Beth nodded. “Yeah, that would be good. He’ll need to eat and fly, so nothing complicated.”

“Wez made some savory turnovers.” TJ smiled. “He usually makes fruit ones but decided to experiment with a few different flavors. I’ll toss them in. They’re easy to eat. Leave it with me.” He handed the note to Wez, the chef, and then turned back to her and poured a cup of coffee. “Do you mind if I ask for your opinion on something?”

Slipping onto a stool, Beth nodded. “Sure.”

“Wez has a feel-good, cold-weather, savory warm-up menu at the moment.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “He made quiche. Can you try it and tell me what the heck it is? I’m a barbecue and steak guy. This fancy food is foreign to me.”

Laughing, Beth nodded. “Sure, but you know it’s just fancy scrambled eggs in pastry?”

When TJ came out from the back carrying a plate as if it would explode, she inhaled. “That smells delicious.” She took the fork he offered her and ate a mouthful. Her tastebuds salivated at the delicious creamy cheese and bacon flavor dancing across her tongue. She closed her eyes and moaned. “This is wonderful. You need to try it.” She pushed the plate toward him.

“So it’s for breakfast?” TJ picked up a fork and took a small piece. He placed it on his tongue and blinked. “That does taste good.”

“Told you so.” Wez came out of the kitchen with a paper sack in one hand and juggling two Thermoses. “The savory turnovers are good hot or cold. I’ve added your sandwiches and a mess of donuts. That should keep him going for a time.”

Beth finished the quiche and smiled. “Thanks. Put it on our tab. We might be out of town for a couple of days, if Cash is looking for us.”

“In this weather, the sheriff only comes out of his office if someone calls 911.” TJ indicated toward the kitchen. “Unless we have a special on ribs, then Ryder is first at the door ordering dinner.”

Beth collected the takeout and smiled. “I’ll see you in a couple of days.” She headed back out into the cold. If we survive.

THREE

Louan

Beth loved traveling in the chopper and seeing all that Montana had to offer. The landscapes were diverse, from lowlands to mountains and vast areas of forests. She expected the towns to be all the same, but they were not, each having their own little peculiarities. Scattered across the state, old and new mining towns, industrial areas, cattle and horse ranches, and then the Native American reservations appeared to her. Most of all, she loved the forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers. The views from the air were spectacular. It gave her a peculiar jolt, as if she’d been thrown back in time, when she watched herds of bison moving across the open plains. The variety of wildlife was breathtaking and seeing eagles circling in wondrous freedom made her heart sing.

She understood that her appreciation of animals and nature was unusual for a psychopath. Of late, her friendships with Styles, TJ, Wez, Dr. Nate Mace, and Sheriff Cash Ryder had surprised her. She’d never been able to form a close relationship with anyone, and becoming part of a group of friends astonished her. It made her heart sink at the thought of them discovering that the Tarot Killer lurked inside her. If she could stop killing, she would in an instant, but there was no cure apart from incarceration. Being physically restrained from killing was the only thing that worked, but then a psychopath would be like a tripwire on a bomb. Give them the chance and they’d kill everyone in sight. Not many people understood that the need to kill grew like a festering wound. She would follow her rules, and if she died in the process, she died. The thought of being locked up and drugged for the rest of her life wasn’t an option.

“We’re coming into Louan now.” Styles flicked her a glance. “The firehouse has a helipad, so we’re looking for a red X on top of a redbrick in town.” He glanced at the instrument panel. “It’s close by.”

Beth searched all around and found it. “There on the left, about halfway down Main.” She turned to him. “Do they know we’re coming?”

“Yeah.” Styles chuckled. “I called them earlier. I don’t figure anyone would be happy to have the FBI land on their roof without notice.”

The chopper dropped onto the helipad and Beth looked all around. “I hope the sheriff’s office isn’t too far. I called them to tell them we’d be dropping by and to ask where we could hire a truck. They’re giving us one of their vehicles. We’ll be staying at the local motel. It’s on the outskirts of town and I’m afraid more of a truck stop. I’m not expecting anything nice, but it does have a greasy spoon right next door.”

“As long as the beds are clean, it will be fine.” Styles shut down the chopper and stretched. “Sheriff’s office first and then we’ll drop by the motel to check in.” He finished his cup of coffee and pushed the cup back onto the top of the Thermos. “I’ll grab our bags.”

Beth hurried from the chopper and went to his side as Bear jumped down and ran around sniffing the ground. “The small bag has my laptop, spare phones, satellite sleeves, and spare weapons and ammo.” She grasped it as Styles lowered the chopper to the ground. “I packed a first aid kit as well.”

“We’re going to see if Rene Shoebridge is my sister.” Styles gave her a long look. “Do you have some reason to expect trouble?”

Rolling her eyes, Beth took her suitcase from him and pulled up the handle. “You’re assuming that the man who is her husband is legitimate. At this time, we don’t know if he is the man who abducted her in the first place.”

“If he is, give me five minutes alone with him before we take him in. I’m owed that at least.” Styles lips flattened.

Not believing Styles would risk his job for revenge, Beth touched his arm. Under her palm, Styles shook with emotion. “Hey, we don’t know for sure it’s her yet. I know you’re angry?—”

“Angry doesn’t come close to how I feel about this man. He ruined Ginny’s life and destroyed my family. He deserves to pay and I’ll make sure he spends a long time in prison.” He lifted down his suitcase. “I’ve been tossing around a few options. Not knowing is driving me insane. Maybe she got away from him years ago. I’m clinging to the hope a family took her in and she’s been living a pretty normal life.” He snorted. “I can’t even imagine why she’d want to live with the man who abused her.”

Concerned, Beth moved into his line of vision. “Look Styles, if she’s with him willingly, it might not be her fault. Have you ever heard of Stockholm syndrome?”

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