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Gavin looked at the woman. “You stay here with her. I’m sorry, what is your name again?”
“I’m Becky Groves. Malachi’s mother.” Probably not something Malachi wanted these strangers to know, but what did it matter. They’d find out eventually if she stuck around long.
“Sam, stay with Becky in case we need someone to go online or call in backup. Phones get wonky in the Pennsylvania Wilds.”
The woman laughed and rolled her eyes then turned to Becky. “I’m a park ranger. You’d think my hubby would realize I didn’t need a reminder about spotty cell service.” At least that explained what the woman was doing here. She was the missing girl’s sister-in-law.
Becky smiled, but sincerely wished that Samantha would tag along with her husband and leave her alone to continue her search. Now that she’d uncovered the photo of Reece, she wanted to find out why Malachi had it.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
There was no comfort for Malachi in the fact that Cate’s brothers were as concerned about her disappearance as he was. He’d been hoping this was something she did, and that they’d tell him there was nothing to worry about. Of course, Cate had warned him they were beyond protective, so that might explain Grayson showing up in record time.
Leaving Becky alone in his house didn’t sit right. But what choice did he have? Cate could be in danger. Everything was likely fine.
The air was cold and crisp and the overcast sky provided little light as they trudged through the forest using only their headlamps to illuminate the path before them.
They had hiked a mile or so through the pitch blackness when Grayson stopped. “This is the spot.”
Malachi pulled out his night vision binoculars and used them to search the area. “Over there.” He squatted near the rectangular shape. It took a few seconds to register what he was looking at. “It’s a truck cap. The bear made her den beneath it. Put your hand here.” He gestured to the opening.
“Wow. You can feel her heat. That’s cool.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
“How did that decrepit piece of junk find its way here?”
“There are abandoned logging roads everywhere in these woods. Someone must’ve driven it back here at some point. Looks like it’s been here for years though.”
“I didn’t see any roads.”
“Most of them aren’t usable. There are trees growing through the middle of all of them, but a few can still be traversed if you’re determined enough. But I don’t see Cate anywhere. The good news is there are no signs of a struggle either.”
“Ah.” Gray looked around again. “You’re right.”
“It’s hard to tell in the dark. Maybe we can find some evidence she’s been here.” He shone his flashlight near the cap. “Footprints. Small enough to be female. Likely hers.”
“Do you think we can follow her trail?”
An owl made its presence known with a series of hoots. One of many creatures that hunted these woods at night. “I doubt it. It’s too dark. Maybe at first light.”
“Then I suppose we should get comfortable. You have a tent in that pack?”
“I do.”
“Knew you were a boy scout.”
He left that alone. He’d never been a boy scout, but a park ranger should never be in the wilderness without emergency supplies. Especially when they’re expecting trouble. Once he had the tent assembled, he looked at himself and then over at Cate’s brother. It was going to be a tight squeeze for two grown men, but they’d make it work.
Cate tried to stretch her back. Her captor had reclined her seat for her, so she could get some rest, but sleep was evasive. Not unexpected considering her circumstances. Her wrists were rubbed raw from attempting to remove the ropes binding them, and every muscle in her body ached. The past twelve hours brought her back into a nightmare she’d rather not relive. Yet, here she was. Abducted again. It was almost unfathomable.
She closed her eyes and lifted a prayer. That’s what Malachi would do. It’s also what her landlady had encouraged. And right now, God was her only hope. If He didn’t somehow make sure for her, she’d be in trouble. And so would Malachi. Who knew what their plans were for him when he arrived at work in the morning? They were parked in the lot outside of the park office, and the sun would rise shortly. Time wasn’t on her side.
A loud snore came from the seat beside her, and she tried once more to find something in the vehicle to cut her ropes with before he awakened. He might speak kinder than the man who dragged her from the tent, but she didn’t trust him. If he was on her side, she’d already be free.
Reece had planned to be gone before daybreak, but before he could go, he needed to take care of a few loose ends. He watched Dorcas sleep. Such a sweet girl. No guile. She truly believed that some useless piece of jade had mystical powers and could call out to the gods. It was ridiculous, but it did come in handy when he needed to control the mass of followers in the community. They’d believed he could communicate with the gods through a stone even though he didn’t have the stupid gem in his possession. Truth was, the original stone they followed disappeared around the time Ezekiel James went to prison. His best guess was that the feds confiscated it as evidence of his crimes, but nobody seemed to know for sure. Probably nothing more than a cheap bit of chert. Certainly didn’t hold the value these crazies believed it did.
If God was out there somewhere, He would put a stop to all the idol worship, wouldn’t He? His grandmother had tried to teach him about a one true God, but his father would have none of it.
