Page 92 of Ultimate Justice

Marlie stopped, narrowing her eyes. “How do you know my name?”

“It is you. Oh, thank goodness.” The woman clapped a hand over her heart. “Noah is here, and he’s hurt. He fell down an embankment. He’s been calling your name.”

“What? How badly is he hurt?” Had they pushed him down an embankment? Marlie clenched her hands, tamping down the urge to launch at the woman. If these people were responsible for hurting Noah, she’d annihilate them.

“Please,” the woman said with a sense of urgency in her voice. She pushed the gate open wider. “We think he’ll be okay, but he might need a doctor. We’ll take you to him. Follow us.”

Into the lion’s den.

Marlie swallowed, sweeping her gaze from the woman to the man who still stood by the truck and hadn’t uttered a word. Common sense dictated she wait for backup before going anywhere with these people.

This could very well be a trap.

Aiden’s face as he’d looked up at her for the last time flashed before her eyes. She didn’t automatically believe this woman, but if Noah really was hurt and she didn’t go to him, she would never be able to live with herself.

Pulling on that courage she sorely hoped was inside her, she gave the woman a curt nod, then got back into the Prius. After driving through the gate, she stopped behind the truck, which still blocked the road. Behind her, the woman closed the gate and reengaged the lock before returning to the truck.

As Marlie started to follow, the suspicion that had been gradually drilling holes in her decision to go with these people spun faster, and she gripped the wheel tighter.

Hurt or no, if Noah was really here, there was no way they’d let him go again. And they wouldn’t want her to have communication with anyone outside. It stood to reason that, eventually, they’d take her phone away whether she resisted or not. She pulled it from her pocket. No messages and no returned calls.

This might be the smartest thing she ever did or the absolute stupidest. She cued up the recent calls and tapped Evan’s name. The moment the call went through, she dropped the phone out the window into the tall grass bordering the road. He might not be able to prove she or Noah were inside the camp, but he could track her phone. It stood to reason that if her phone was on the property, so was she.

Marlie continued following the truck, and as the gate got smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror, she sent out a silent prayer. Evan, please find us.

For now, she was on her own.

A hundred yards or so later, the terrain dipped, and they descended into a valley that hadn’t been visible from the gate. Tall conifers rose on either side of the road, like guarding centurions. A minute later, a dozen simple houses—all the same size and shape, and all painted white—came into view.

Every house had a small porch with rocking chairs and a swing. Some had large flower pots flanking the stairs. None had driveways or garages. Considering the number of houses, there were only a few vehicles—pickup trucks, some as old as hers, only not in as good shape. The houses were laid out in a rough semicircle, in the middle of which was a much larger building with cream-colored tile instead of wood or aluminum siding. The overall effect was that of a church. Or a mausoleum. The presence of a small cemetery with wood crosses made her go with church.

One would never know this little enclave was here. It was like Brigadoon, that mythological Scottish town that came to life every two hundred years. The perfect location for a nefarious operation.

A curtain moved at one of the windows on the nearest house, then dropped quickly back into place. They passed another house, this one significantly larger than the others. In comparison, it was a virtual mansion, with at least three levels, fluted columns, and a large wraparound porch.

What she didn’t see anywhere were toys. Bicycles, balls, Frisbees. Although these days, it seemed like all kids wanted to play with were video games on their phones, tablets, or laptops. Still, one would expect to see some evidence of children. If they were really here.

When the truck finally stopped, the couple got out and waved to her to do the same. As she got out of the car, the first thing that struck her was the smell. The air had a certain pungency to it. Marijuana. Not smoke, but the same thick earthy smell that wafted out the door of the marijuana dispensaries that had popped up all over Colorado. Located in a valley, the smell had concentrated well below the surrounding terrain. Another geographical benefit for an illegal pot farm. Not only out of sight but out of smell.

“Before we continue,” the woman said, “do you have a phone? We’re pretty old school here. We don’t allow electronic devices beyond this point.”

“No,” she answered truthfully. Good thing she’d followed her gut. This scenario was starting to reek more and more like a trap. Still, she had to know for certain if Noah was okay. She’d come this far, and it was too late to turn back now. One thing was for sure…Noah was here.

Somewhere.

“You don’t mind if I check, do you?” The man approached, still sporting a bland expression, yet something about all that blandness made the hairs on her neck prickle like a cactus.

She took a step back. If he tried touching her in any way…

He pulled a device from his pocket. Not the typical farm equipment. Without touching her, he ran it over her legs and arms, then her torso. “She’s clean.”

“Come.” The woman indicated Marlie should follow. “We’ll walk the rest of the way. You can leave your car here.”

The man had taken up a position behind Marlie. Like he’s guarding me.

A small pen housed sheep that rushed to the fence as they walked past. Agricultural fields came into view, most covered with white tarps. A large school bus that had been painted gray was parked next to one of the fields. “What are you growing?”

“Sugar beets, mostly.”