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“Were they sexually abused?”
Tears streamed down her face, but she didn’t answer verbally.
“What happened to them was not your fault. Only those who harmed them are responsible for what occurred.”
“Thanks for saying that.”
He wiped away her tears. “I’m not just spouting words. They’re true. Have you prayed about this? Given it to God?”
She twisted her hands in her lap. “I don’t deserve to be free of the guilt, and God is good, so if I ask Him to take, I know He will.”
“Sweetheart, you must ask Him. None of us deserve His gifts, but He gives them to us freely, and I can’t imagine living with the weight of my sin. What happened up there wasn’t even your fault, so you deserve to be free of it.” He pulled her into his chest, and she soaked up his strength as she considered his words.
The next morning as they dined on biscuits and sausage gravy at the Simply Sweet Cafe, Malachi locked eyes with Cate. She squirmed in her seat before pointing her fork at him. “You never did tell me why we’re here.”
“I told you about growing up in a cult?”
“You did.”
“It was located around here. I need to do the kind of research that can only be done in person by talking to actual people in the area.”
“Canvassing, like they do on all the crime television shows?”
He grinned. “Something like that. But our first stop may be a bit unconventional. Get ready to meet my dear old dad.”
“Your father led the cult?”
“Yes.” He reached across the table for her hands. “He’s out of prison and living not too far from here, so I thought I’d start by showing up at his house.”
“Unannounced? You’re as bad as my brother.”
“Best way to catch him off-guard. That’s the best way to get suspects to open up. When they’re prepared for you, they clam up.”
“What exactly is he a suspect in?”
“Well, you know about the poaching and the wildlife trafficking, but what you don’t know yet is that the guy we suspected of that is the current leader of my father’s cult known as Jade.”
“Wow. That’s a huge coincidence.”
“I don’t think it is. I believe my mother somehow must’ve orchestrated their arrival at Worlds End.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. Remember I told you about the woman who came in to tell me about the bear cubs?”
“I do.”
“She’s my biological mother.”
“Why didn’t you mention that when we were doing surveillance?”
“At the time, I wasn’t certain. I suspected, but felt foolish saying it out loud.”
“When did you discover the truth?”
“The day I searched the cabin.”
“It’s strange it hasn’t come up since then. You wanted me to open up to you, but you’ve kept this quiet.”
