Page 83 of See How They Hide

“How did Thalia get past the cameras?” Kara asked. “You said there were cameras, right?”

“Only on the gate and the office—that’s a separate building on the edge of the road on the north side of the valley. There were other ways out of the valley if you know where they are. Some are dangerous with steep drops, most impassable when there’s snow.”

“Why didn’t Thalia turn Havenwood over to the authorities?” Kara asked. “Even though marijuana has been legal in Colorado for years, it’s heavily regulated. Thalia could have turned them in, we could get a search warrant and find bodies. Get them not just for growing pot without a license, but for murder.”

Dean winced at Kara’s bluntness. “Kara, Thalia was raised at Havenwood. It’s hard enough to walk away, and almost impossible for her to share with anyone, even the authorities, what was going on there.”

“She believed that her mother was murdered,” Kara said. She turned to Riley. “Correct? Thalia thought someone—Calliope or someone else with Calliope’s blessing—killed your grandmother.”

Riley didn’t like the tension between Kara and Dean. She wanted to make them happy, to give them what they wanted, because they were going to find Havenwood.

Then Riley could finish what Thalia had started.

“We believed that the authorities would burn down Havenwood with us in it,” Riley said quietly. “My mother and Daddy Anton told us so many stories of police violence. I know what happened at Waco. I know what happened at Ruby Ridge. Innocent people died and the police don’t care.”

“Which is why you ran from me the other day,” Kara said.

“I knew you were trying to find out who killed Jane. I didn’t even think about running, I just did it.”

“It’s understandable,” Dean said, conciliatory. “I’ve researched and investigated many cults and organizations like Havenwood, and it’s rare to find someone who grew up in one and willingly walked away.”

“I didn’t walk away,” Riley said. “I escaped. And my job was to help others escape. I was never supposed to leave, but I was so lost and alone. I’ve always been a good swimmer, so started building endurance because the water is so cold. It took me weeks, but I was able to hold my breath for six minutes while swimming under water.”

Riley told them how she faked her own death, how terrified but free she felt when her mother believed she was dead.

“I had hidden supplies weeks before,” Riley said. “I hid for two days to make sure everyone believed I had drowned. The only person who knew the truth was Jane.”

“That was quite a feat,” Dean said.

“When you want something bad enough, you can do anything,” Riley said.

“Why then?” Kara asked.

“Because Jane was next.” Riley turned the page in the sketchbook. Stared at it, at the pencil and shading because it was easier to talk if she didn’t have to look at Kara and Dean. “Cal was gone—I’d already helped him escape. And Timmy had died—he was attacked by a mountain lion. That left Jane and me in our group, and if Jane left I would truly be alone. I couldn’t do it.”

“No one should be alone,” Dean said.

Riley nodded. Now it didn’t matter. She still ended up alone.

“Jane met me and I took her to the meeting place on the far northern end of the valley. There’s an old rotted-out cabin at the end of a steep trail. I don’t know if it’s on our property or not, but it’s where I brought people for Thalia to get out of the mountains. I never went beyond it. So I went with Jane, and the next night Thalia was there. She was so angry with me, ordered me to go back, but I told her my mother thought I was dead and I would never return.”

Riley stared at the pencil in her hand. “What if,” she said quietly, “they didn’t believe I drowned? What if they found my supplies and knew I faked it? What if that’s why they went after everyone else, looking for me? All this is my fault.”

“Nothing is your fault,” Dean said. “You did what you needed to do to survive.”

“Thalia warned me over and over if I walked away Calliope would search to the ends of the earth for me. That’s why she didn’t take me when I was little, that’s why she didn’t take me when I was eighteen, like she promised. That’s when I came up with the idea of faking my death. I thought it had worked. And now Jane is dead, along with Chris, Robert, Donovan, and Jesse, and I know in my heart that Thalia must be dead because she didn’t warn anyone.”

Her voice cracked and she fought tears.

“Listen to me,” Kara said, her voice so sharp that Riley jerked her head to look at her. “I don’t care what you think, the people responsible for these murders are the ones who lured them out and slit their throats. Not you.”

“Okay,” Riley said in a whisper. But she didn’t fully believe it. She looked down at the sketch pad, made a few tweaks, then pushed the pad over to Kara. “You can have it,” she said. “If you like it.”

Kara stared at the paper. “It’s really good,” she said. “Dean is right, you have a lot of talent.” She carefully tore the page out and placed it in front of her, then slid the pad back to Riley. “Keep it. If you’re moved to draw anything else, do it. No pressure.”

Dean said, “You know more about where Havenwood is than you realize. Think about landmarks. Unusual rock outcroppings. The types of trees. Any roads or signs you saw when you left with Jane and Thalia. Just draw what you remember. It doesn’t have to make sense, but it will help us narrow down the location.”

“Can we take a break?” she asked.

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