People think they can get away with a lot when there aren’t many people around to watch.”
“But you’re watching,” he said. “What crimes do you think Daniel Metwater and his bunch are committing?”
“Why should I tell you? I don’t know anything about you.”
“You know my name. You know I’m a veteran.”
“What have you been doing since you were discharged from the Army?” she asked.
“I’ve been looking for my mother and my sister. And I just want to protect them. If you know something about Daniel Metwater that bears on that, please tell me.”
The man was either an Emmy-worthy actor, or he was being straight with her. He had already had the chance to blow her cover and hadn’t done so, and his concern for his mother and sister was genuine. Maybe he could even help her in some way, if she gave him a little more information.
“He hasn’t done anything that we can link directly to him,” she said. “But he attracts the kind of people who bring trouble. A couple of weeks ago, we arrested a serial killer who was one of his hangers-on. Not a follower, exactly, but someone who visited the camp often and was close to Metwater. There have been other incidents around the camp.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t even be talking about this. I’m on really thin legal ground here. The local DA has asked us to back off. Metwater’s lawyers have accused us of targeting the group and harassing Metwater and his followers.”
“But you’re federal, right? You don’t have to comply with the DA’s orders?”
“Right. But we’re trying to keep things low-key. I’m here to compile a census of the group and to make sure everything is above-board.” Not exactly a dangerous undercover mission.
“And he was really harboring a serial killer?” He shook his head. “All the more reason to get Sophie and my mother out of here.”
They had reached the turquoise and white vintage travel trailer Sophie shared with her mother. “I don’t think your mother and sister are in any danger,” Carmen said.
“You saw the way Metwater held Sophie. The guy’s a creep.”
“Yes. It was...unsettling. But as free as he is with the women in camp, I’ve never seen him make any kind of unhealthy gesture toward the children. And that includes Sophie. He refers to all the children as his own. And I’m watching him very closely.”
Jake looked over the trailer. “So this is where they live?”
“It’s really very comfortable inside,” Carmen said. “I’m sure Sophie will be happy you came after her.”
She started to turn away, but he touched her arm. “Will you come with me?”
The request surprised her. “I would have thought you wanted to see your sister alone.”
He grimaced. “Until a few moments ago, we hadn’t seen each other in four years. The last time I saw her she was just a little kid. Now...” He shrugged. “I’m not sure I know what to say to her. It might be less awkward with you along.”
This was the first chink in his armor he had shown, and it touched her. “All right.” Maybe hearing what he had to say to his sister would help her figure him out.
Jake knocked on the door, but there was no answer. “Sophie, it’s me, Jake,” he called. “Can I come in?”
The door opened, and Sophie peered out at them, her expression wary. “What do you want?” she asked.
“I just want to see you,” he said. “It’s been a long time.”
She looked past him to Carmen. “All right,” she said and held the door open wider.
The little trailer was crowded but neat, despite Sophie’s schoolbooks scattered across the dinette table and the kitchen counter covered with jars of dried herbs, a bowl of the wild raspberries they had picked that morning and a tin can filled with purple and yellow wildflowers. “Are you okay?” Jake sat on a small sofa next to his sister.
“Sure.” She shrugged. “I’m just worried about Mom.”
“Has she fainted like this before?” Carmen asked.
“A couple of times—” Sophie worried her lower lip between her teeth “—that I know about. And she’s been tired a lot lately.”
“When was the last time she saw a doctor?” Carmen asked.
“She doesn’t believe in doctors,” Sophie said.
“I’ll talk to her and see what I can find out,” Carmen said.
Sophie brightened. “That would be great. She won’t say anything to me ’cause, you know, I’m just a kid.”
“Did that guy, Metwater, upset you?” Jake asked.
Her expression clouded once more. “You upset me. Going all caveman and arguing over me like I was, I don’t know, a dog or something. It was embarrassing.”
Jake looked at Carmen, desperation in his eyes. “I wasn’t trying to embarrass you,” he said. “I didn’t like the way he was holding you. I didn’t think you liked it, either.”
“I don’t like him because he keeps saying he’s my father now and stuff like that.”
“He hasn’t ever, like, touched you, um, inappropriately, has he?” The tips of Jake’s ears were red, but he marshaled on. “You know what I’m talking about, right?”
“Yes, I know.” Sophie looked miserable. “And he hasn’t done anything like that. I’d call him on it if he did. I’m not afraid of him like some of the people around here.”
“Why are they afraid of him?” Carmen asked.
“Well, maybe afraid isn’t the right word. Mom is just in awe of him and thinks he really is this holy man. And he has those bodyguards he orders around to enforce his rules, so I guess that makes some people nervous.”
“What kind of rules?” Jake asked.
“Oh, just stuff like you’re not supposed to have guns in camp, and we don’t eat meat on Mondays and Fridays—stuff like that. It’s no big deal.”
“What did Mom mean when she said Metwater had saved her life?” Jake asked.
“He got her off heroin. I thought you knew that.”
“I wasn’t sure she was off,” Jake said.
“She is.” Sophie looked around. “I mean, where is she going to score drugs out here? Anyway, the Prophet got her to quit, and he gave her her new name.” She looked at Carmen. “She was Anna before. Now she’s Phoenix. You know, that mythical bird that rose from the ashes. Mom loves that kind of thing.”
“I take it Grandma and Grandpa don’t know where you are,” Jake said.
Sophie’s eyes widened. “No, and you can’t tell them.”
“Why not?”
“Because the court awarded them custody of me, back when Mom was still doing drugs—right after you left to join the military.”
Jake scowled. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?”
“I don’t know. I guess because you and Mom argued before you went away, and she figured you would side with Grandma and Grandpa against her.”
“She was probably right,” he said. “If you were with Grandma and Grandpa now, you’d be living in a real house and going to school and having friends your own age.”
“And where would Mom be? If you make me go live with Grandma and Grandpa, she’ll be all alone.”
“Sophie, it isn’t your job to look after Mom,”