Page 36 of Forgotten Girls

“They’d be here on agistment.” Styles stared at the sky for a second. “Ah, I forget you’re a city girl. The cattle are turned out here to fend for themselves. There is water in the river and plenty of food and shelter. They don’t need daily tending. The owners would ride by to check on them or move them from pasture to pasture over the course of the year. I’d say they’re owned by a neighboring ranch and they likely pay for the privilege. I have no idea.”

Beth frowned. “You mentioned transport?” She turned to stare at him. “Supplies?”

“We have supplies enough for a week.” Styles dragged bags out of the back of the chopper with Carter. “The vehicles are always ready. This is an FBI safe house, so all the essentials are here. We just brought fresh food because we know you’d prefer fresh milk on your cereal rather than powdered and fresh fruit and vegetables, is all.”

Beth headed inside, trailing her suitcases behind her, wheels rumbling across the polished wooden floors. The house smelled of stale air, as if it had been locked up for a long time. She walked along the passageway and peered into each bedroom and picked one with a dressing table and mirror. She would need a decent mirror with lighting to complete her disguise before she went to the adoption agency with Carter. After the attempted murder in the park, she’d taken everything she’d need to disguise him as well. If they were recognized by anyone from the pedophile ring, their chances of discovering the identity of the doctor would be over. She’d created their identities, used deepfakes to create the photo IDs and everything they needed to convince anyone who looked that they were legitimate.

The bedroom had two beds, which made life easier for her as she didn’t bother unpacking, rather just laying the clothes she needed across the bed and setting up her disguises on the dressing table. Once she was done, she walked into the kitchen to meet the others. “This is a good setup, with plenty of room, and each bedroom has its own bathroom, which makes life a lot easier.”

“Yeah, and the refrigerator runs all year round.” Carter was packing the shelves with food from a cooler. He handed Styles a bottle of beer with a smile. “Well stocked with beer and wine as well. I wasn’t expecting that luxury from the FBI.”

“I’ve stayed here before.” Styles filled the coffee pot and ground beans from a packet he’d purchased in town. “We have about an hour before you need to leave.” He looked at Beth. “How long do you need to fix your disguises?”

Beth stacked cans into a cabinet. “Not long.”

“You should get ready now.” Jo took the can from her hand. “You don’t know what the roads are like between here and Helena. “You don’t want to miss your appointment. We can finish up here.” She gave her a long look as if reading her mind. “Have you gotten your story straight? I’ve been questioning Carter all the way here.”

Having played so many parts in her lifetime, Beth had confidence she could convince a horse to drink sand, but Jo might be another matter. The feeling Jo knew something wasn’t quite right about her always shimmered on the surface and it made her wary. In times like this, she usually had her psychopath charm to fall back on, but with Jo it might be a red flag. She just shrugged. “Of course I’m a little nervous. I wouldn’t be normal if I weren’t and that might be a good thing. I believe couples would be nervous going to an adoption agency.” She smiled. “Don’t worry about me, I spent a good part of my early years with the FBI being an undercover agent. This will be a walk in a park in comparison to some of the roles I’ve had to play in the past.”

“She’s good.” Styles dropped another box of food on the counter. “In San Francisco she had to dress as an underage sex worker. She knocked on my door at the hotel and I didn’t recognize her and sent her away.”

“I’d like to have seen that.” Carter shut the refrigerator door and grinned at her. “Did he run a mile?”

Beth chuckled. “Something like that. He wouldn’t be seen with me in the hotel.” She sniggered. “He has his reputation to uphold.”

“Why don’t the two of you get ready to leave. Time is a-wasting.” Styles waved them away. “And we’ll leave the dogs behind. They’re a dead giveaway.”

“Copy that.” Carter headed along the hallway with Zorro at his heels.

FORTY-ONE

Excitement thrummed through Beth as Carter pulled the white SUV to the curb outside the discreet entrance to the Big Hearts Adoption Agency. She glanced over at him. The blond hair had remained but she’d added a mustache and long sideburns. She’d given him brown contacts to cover his distinctive emerald-green eyes. He looked natural, with the black Stetson, a collared shirt, well-tailored black jeans, a sports jacket, and black boots polished to a high shine. She stuck to the new boots she’d purchased recently, her best jeans, a brand-name shirt, and a fitted leather jacket with a belt. She wore a dark brown short-hair wig, brown contacts, and had enhanced her features with makeup. She’d placed her mother’s plain wedding band on her finger, but had added an expensive gold bracelet and earrings.

“Ready?” Carter took a wedding band from his inside pocket and slipped it onto his finger. He shook his head slowly. “This belongs to Styles. I gather he told you about his ex-wife. I’m wondering why he kept it. I’d have tossed it down a drain.”

Beth recalled the hurt in Styles’ eyes when he told her about his wife. “Maybe deep down he still cares for her?”

“I very much doubt that.” Carter turned in his seat to look at her. “I know you don’t like people touching you, but if we’re going to convince these people we’re a loving couple, I’ll need to hold your hand. Maybe even hug you.” He raised one blond eyebrow. “You’re not gonna freak out if I do, are you?”

Wondering what Styles had said about her, Beth shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine. I’m not sure what Styles has told you about me.”

“Nothing, only that you don’t appreciate being touched.” Carter held up both hands. “He doesn’t gossip about anyone. He’s not like that and neither am I.”

Gathering her courage, Beth met his gaze. “My father is a serial killer. I guess you already know that, but what you don’t know is that I was abused constantly in foster care. This is why I so want to bust this pedophile ring wide open. Personally, I’d like to see all of them dead, but jail will suit me fine.”

“Oh, Lord.” Carter whistled and shook his head. “I’m so sorry.” He gave her a long look. “We’ll get them.” He thought for a beat. “You know, Jo was a great help to me. I was off the grid suffering from PTSD. I’d lost touch with people and she dragged me back and set me to work. If you ever need to talk to someone, she’s great.”

A shiver went down Beth’s spine at the thought. “No, I’m good. Wolfe has offered to chat with me and I have Nate as well. Both are covered by patient-doctor privilege, so anything I want to say won’t get back to the director.”

“Trust me.” Carter chuckled. “There’s nothing you could ever say to me that would get back to the director. Man, I’ve flown so close to the fire myself I’m surprised I’m still working.” He glanced at his watch. “Time to go. We don’t want to be tardy.”

The Big Hearts Adoption Agency was a clean, almost hospital-like building. After stopping at the front counter, they were escorted to an office. Inside, they were introduced to Marybeth Hadley.

“Betty and Tim Carson.” Ms. Hadley waved them to a seat in front of her desk. “It’s good to meet you.” She tapped away on her computer. “The initial funds have arrived, thank you, and you’ll be happy to know your credentials check out.”

They went through a grilling and handled it with ease. Carter was as smooth as silk and was winning over Ms. Hadley.

“That’s all we need. You are the perfect fit for our babies.” She smiled, showing a line of expensive porcelain veneers. “We can’t be too careful when young lives are at stake.” She looked from one to the other. “I can see you’re a special case. We have provisions in place for people like you.”

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