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Gabriel walked out with Chief Sampson.

“You can’t blame yourself for this, Dakota.” Max shook his head. “Salyer did this, and we both know it.”

I didn’t answer, because I couldn’t explain to Max the helplessness I felt getting bits and pieces of a puzzle I couldn’t put together as I watched the body count rise.

“They’ve got their work cut out for them.” Sampson ran a hand through his hair. “We found the entrance he was using, the wood chipper in the barn, and several mounds behind the barn that I suspect contain bodies or parts of bodies. It may take months to sort out all the DNA evidence. You guys plan on hanging around here or coming back to Savannah?”

“The four of us have some things to discuss. We’ll let you know after that.” Gabriel reached for a cigarette. “Any way to start an investigation on Wagner?”

“Funny you asked. I was thinking the same thing.” Sampson slapped him on the back. “Keep me informed on the investigation. I’m setting up a special task force to watch for missing persons fitting the pattern. Wherever Salyer goes, we’ll find him.” Sampson walked to his vehicle and waved before taking off.

“You’re lucky.” I stared after Sampson. “Wagner never believed a word I said about Salyer.”

“That’s something I plan on addressing with him before I leave Beaufort.” Max’s jaw tightened as he rolled to the van. “You called for backup. I want to know why you didn’t get any.”

33

The news crew in the van hesitated, not sure whether to follow me or wait for information on the crime scene.

“Looks like they’re disappointed I didn’t come out in chains.”

“We rushed out of the bed-and-breakfast so fast that I didn’t get a chance to warn you that Wagner planned on arresting you. Thank god Don followed through on that report,” Gabriel said.

“It won’t make a difference. They’ll twist it now to say I buried the bones to throw everyone off the truth.” I stared out the side window. “We need to go back to the plantation. I need to find out what happened to my mother twenty-five years ago.”

“Hasn’t Father Thurston been your dad’s preacher or whatever since he and your mother married?” Max asked. “If I remember correctly, your dad deeded the land the church is on to them and helped build it.”

“I doubt he’ll tell us anything, but I guess it’s worth trying.”

Max turned the van in the direction of the church. “If he refuses to talk, I’ll threaten to file a lawsuit breaking the will and cutting off that huge donation he gets every month. To be honest, I’ve been wondering why the donation went to him and not the church.”

Max had been handling my finances, and I’d never really thought about why my father might be giving money to Father Thurston. “I think we might have to ask him about that too.”

“So if there are secrets concerning what happened to Sierra Dale, he’d know them.” Gabriel checked his gun. “And so would Salyer. I think you’d better drive a little faster, Max.”

Max picked up speed, and we arrived at the church a few minutes later. “There’s an extra gun in the glove compartment. Give it to Karen.”

Gabriel retrieved the gun and passed it over the seat. “You know how to use it, right?”

“I’m staying behind the rest of you and hoping I don’t have to.”

“There’s a light on in the church.” Max lowered his wheelchair as the rest of us climbed out. “We’ll check there first.”

“If you two want to stand guard, Dakota and I can go in and check.” Gabriel unhooked his holster and took out his gun. “It’ll be quicker that way.”

“We go in together. There’s a handicap ramp, so I can keep up.” Max wheeled toward the church, frustration riddling his voice.

Gabriel beat all of us to the entrance and turned the handle of the massive front door. A foul stench flowed outward.

Karen gagged. “What is that smell?”

“Burnt hair and flesh.” I stepped through the doorway and holstered my gun. The charred remains of Father Thurston were hanging above the altar. “Max, you’d better call it in.”

Dark clouds were forming overhead by the time we were finally allowed to leave the scene.

“Wagner didn’t even bother showing up. Think he’s avoiding you?” Gabriel asked.

“People like Christian control people through money and fear. I never thought Wagner could be bought, but he does have a mother in a nursing home.” Questions were rolling through my mind like small tornadoes. “Max, if my grandmother died and had no surviving relatives, wouldn’t the property have come to me?”

“Damn good question. When we get back to the plantation, I’ll run a deed search. Do you know when she died?”

I shook my head. “I don’t even know my mother’s maiden name. After Father told me that Mother had died, neither she nor her family was ever mentioned again.”

“We should be able to find that in old records. If nothing else, your parents’ marriage license would list her maiden name.” Karen peered at the sky. “Looks like we’re in for a real light show.”

We finished the trip in silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. The house came into view, yellow crime scene tape blowing in the wind. “It looks lonely,” I whispered.

“Were the Dicksons the only staff you had?” Gabriel asked.

“Only live-in. Mrs. Dickson had a cleaning crew that came in every two weeks to help her. Mr. Dickson had a local firm to keep the fields mowed and things taken care of around the house. He liked to do the gardening himself.” The urge to cry hit me hard.

“Gabriel, why don’t you and Max check out the house and start a fresh pot of coffee?” Karen unclipped her seat belt. “I’d like to talk to Dakota for a minute.”

Gabriel glanced at the sky. “Looks like those clouds are regrouping for another light show. Don’t stay out here too long.”

I watched as Gabriel and Max entered the front door then turned in the seat to face Karen. “I know you’re all worried, but I really am fine.”

She smiled. “I never doubted it. Your mother is the key to this, Dakota. You know that. Do you have any idea where to look for her?”

“Dad told me she died when I was five.” I frowned. “I know that isn’t true now. She took me to my grandmother’s house. She was angry and said he didn’t love her anymore and that he only loved me.”

I turned to stare at the hill where I’d buried my father. “My father lied to me all these years. All he would ever say was she was ill and she died.” I turned and studied Karen. “What are your intentions toward Max?”

A delicate pink tinge flushed her cheeks. “I like him.” She shrugged and laughed. “Actually, I like him a lot. I just have to get him past that in-a-wheelchair pity party he has. He doesn’t think he has anything to offer a woman anymore.”

“He’s agreed to raise Emma for me. Would that be a problem for you?”

“No.” Karen’s eyes misted, and she sniffled. “I’d protect her with my life.” She laughed shakily. “I’ll even buy her stilettos if she turns out short like me.”

I continued to stare at the hill. “I loved him and trusted him. How could he lie to me all these years?”

“Maybe he thought he was protecting you. Sometimes when my clients are looking for answers they can’t find and it’s tearing them up inside, I tell them to find a quiet spot and scream it out. You’d be surprised how therapeutic it can be.”