Page 60 of Operation: Discovery

While it might seem odd, that tactic might save her if anything would. If she became even somewhat known for never opening her mouth, that could get back to the people who controlled whether she lived or not. Silence was probably golden to a woman who wouldn’t see the sunrise if Viceroy decided she shouldn’t.

“I understand why she would keep quiet, but I’m hoping I can get something from this visit. I don’t even know yet what I want to ask. What’s she like?”

Otto shrugged. “I’ve never met her. I talked to some of the guys who work in there. They say she’s evil. They’ve seen some pretty bad dudes, but this woman gives them the creeps.”

Which was exactly why he didn’t want to go. “Pretty hard to live by ‘innocent until proven guilty’ when your very soul convicts you.”

Otto nodded. “That is the honest truth. There are some people you see and you’re just not sure if they committed a crime or not. You really don’t know. This woman … I think she did everything they’ve accused her of and then some. I think, if she had to have heart surgery, they’d find nothing but a black hole there. That sounds melodramatic, I know, but there are some people in this world who just embrace the dark. She’s one of them.”

Evil was sexless, but imagining a woman who was that evil was actually difficult. He could see men scheming for power or whatever made them feel powerful, but women were thought of differently. They were supposed to be more nurturing. Even as household and family roles were turned on their heads, women were still thought of largely as more kind.

“Does she have family?”

Otto took a deep breath, then scratched his head. “Her fingerprints weren’t in any database before her arrest. We don’t have any way of knowing if Evie Carvel is even her real name. I’ve been told that her lawyer has tried to get her to give up information for a plea bargain. She will put in a guilty plea with the information, and they’ll put her in witness protection.”

Brendon bit his tongue to keep from having an angry outburst. Evie didn’t deserve leniency. Jacob didn’t get leniency. He got drained of his blood and put in a box that wouldn’t have ever been found if Dee hadn’t asked him to step outside his comfort zone and look for other clues that would lead to these people. Without Dee, there wouldn’t be a case against these people.

Did they know that? He gripped the armrest on the door. “Excuse me.” He dug in his shirt pocket for his phone, then dialed Lacy.

“Brendon? What’s up?”

He couldn’t shake the fear that something was very wrong with Dee. He’d been sure God would give him wisdom for what to say to Evie, but instead, God had given him thoughts of Dee. “I need you to check on Dee. I’m worried about her since I’m not there.”

“Sure. She’s right across the hall with Rebecca.” He heard her walking in her boots across the wood floor, theclicka familiar sound. He heard her knock and the door open. He could hear Lacy talking quietly to Rebecca. “Hey, I was wondering if Dee was with you? I know she usually comes in to help you in the morning.”

Rebecca’s answer was muffled but clear enough to hear. “She never came. I’ve been waiting for an hour and just figured she overslept. She’s not answering her phone either.”

It took everything in him not to tell Otto to turn the car around.

* * *

Dee ran behind the barn,avoiding the dog kennel. When she’d first arrived, she hadn’t realized what the building with the narrow windows was and when the dogs all barked at her, she’d been so scared she’d had to cut her run short. At least her heart had gotten a good workout.

When she turned to come around the side, she noticed one of the riding trails and a slight movement in the trees. Were there deer back there? Would she have time to explore one of those before she had to be back to help Rebecca? A quick glance at her watch confirmed she had thirty minutes before she had to be in the shower, so she didn’t stink while at work.

About one hundred yards into the trail, the brush came closer to the trail, making her feel closed in and she didn’t see any more movement. She shook off the impression and pushed on forward, feeling the burn in her legs. Brendon had said the horse trails were within the Wayside fences, so they were secure. She could get in a good run, do some thinking, and get back in time.

The uneven terrain slightly rose as she went, making her muscles quiver with the exertion. She was about to stop and turn around, regretting that she’d missed the deer, when the path opened up and a river wound close to the trail.

The bank was steep as she approached the edge to look down. Her foot slipped on the crumbling façade of the sandy drop, and she backed away from the edge. There wasn’t time to go down and see the water up close, but she added it mentally to her list of things she wanted to do at Wayside when she could. There were so many interesting things to see and do on a ranch, especially one where she wasn’t expected to do the work.

After all the stress of the last few weeks, she wanted nothing more than to find a solid spot, sit on the ledge, dangle her feet above the sandy drop off, and take a few minutes enjoying creation. Her soul desperately needed a reset and some time alone, but now was not the time.

As she took in a deep lungful of air, her past came rushing back. There were times in her life when she felt this way. Every time she looked back wishing she had taken the few minutes she needed. There was always an excuse, though. People needed her. People paid her to be where she was supposed to be, so she couldn’t let them down.

“Hold on, Rebecca, I’m on my way.” A quick glance at her watch said she had to hurry now.

Turning back to the path, the way seemed even darker now after being out in the sunlight. She could commiserate with horses who spooked over practically nothing because she was spooking over trees. “I can do this. I’m as solid as a tree.” She laughed at her own affirmation.

A few steps back onto the path and she increased her pace to a jog. Running would be difficult with the dim light from the trees and the uneven ground. Just as she’d found her pace, someone grabbed her from behind.

She screamed for barely an instant before they covered her mouth with something sticky and she couldn’t breathe through anything but her nose. She fought against the strong arms but within seconds they’d tied her hands behind her back.

He said nothing while he felt up and down her body. She cringed and tried to dodge away from his roving hands, but he just became more forceful. He found the small pocket in her leggings where she kept her phone, dug it out of her pocket, and hauled her back toward the river.

With her mouth covered, she made hardly any noise, but she tried to scream as he tossed her phone into the river. Her heart sank along with the phone. It would quickly die, and no one would be able to ping her location from it. They might be able to see her last location, but that wouldn’t help at all.

He shoved her off the path and through the trees. Her heart raced so fast she thought she might pass out. If she did, what would happen to her? That thought wasn’t worth considering if she wanted to keep focused. She had to remain alert and ready. If there was any opportunity to run, she’d take it.

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