“It could even be a warning that we’ll be in danger if we stay,” he said. “We were definitely treated differently than everyone else, and I got the impression it isn’t just because we’re showing interest in their religion.”
Although the sun was barely up, its heat already seemed to be baking Rachel’s skin. “You don’t think…they’ve cracked the code on your computer?”
“It’s possible—if they have it.”
“It’s also possible that Martha’s opened her mouth about us.”
“That’s true.”
Did Ethan know they were undercover? Was he playing them as much as they were trying to play him? She wished they could make faster progress. “I think we need to…head back to Willcox and…talk to Martha again. See what she has…to say about…Joshua and…the others we’ve met so far.”
“What did Sarah tell you?”
“She’s pretty defensive—” puff, puff “—of the religion and—” puff “—the whole way of life.”
“Did you ask her about Martha?”
“She claimed…the stoning never occurred. She—” Rachel squirted water from the bottle she carried in a pouch at her waist into her mouth to buy some time before finishing her statement. “I could never get…her to say whether or not…she knew Martha. She got spooked…and excused herself right before…Bart approached.”
“Bart, the enforcer.”
“He’s a…a very dominant figure.”
Nate finally seemed to realize that her breathing was more labored than his. “Do you want to slow down?”
Sweat rolled from Rachel’s hairline, down her back, everywhere. “No. I’m…fine,” she lied, and he didn’t question it. He was too engrossed in the conversation.
“Do you think Bart’s more dominant than Ethan?” he asked. “Maybe he’s the one who’s really pulling the strings. It could be that Ethan’s merely a figurehead.”
“Bart’s…smarter than Ethan…but Ethan’s…the spoiled brat. The pretty…boy. He gets…his…way.”
“If Bart’s smarter, why doesn’t he take over?”
“He can’t.” Her burning lungs begged her to stop and rest. They’d been running hard for three miles, but she had to win this battle. She wasn’t sure why it was so important to her. It just was. “He doesn’t have…the looks or…the charisma.”
“And Ethan doesn’t have the caution or the intellect. They need each other.”
“Together…they might be…unstoppable.”
He squinted against the bright sunlight. “Everyone slips up. We have to play our parts and remain watchful.”
The stitch in her side grew worse, but she kept up the pace. “I didn’t have…a—a chance to ask…Sarah about Courtney.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Did you ever…find Todd?”
“No.”
“It’s weird…that Ethan didn’t follow through…with his promise…to introduce you.”
“Ethan’s weird.”
“Should we…contact the local…police? See what…they’re doing to find…Courtney? Maybe let them know…we’re here?” God, how much longer before they reached the trailer? Her lungs were on fire. But they still had quite a distance to go. They’d turned around to head for home only a few minutes ago.
“I’m afraid to do that. The way word gets around in a small town I think it’s better to work independently of anyone who actually lives here.”
She agreed. When a leak could endanger their lives, she’d rather be cautious—and safe. “It doesn’t feel…as if they’re doing…enough.”
Suddenly he scowled at her. “Are you okay? Your face is beet-red.”
“It’s…hot…out.”
“Not that hot. Maybe we should slow down.”
“I’m fine,” she insisted, but when she increased her pace, he grabbed her arm and forced her to stop running.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” he demanded, glaring down at her.
She was slightly mollified to see that he was sweating, too. “I don’t know—” she struggled for enough breath to speak “—what you’re talking…about.”
“You don’t have to compete with me!”
Her chest heaved. “I’m not…competing with you.”
“So what are you doing? Trying to kill yourself?” There was an edge to his voice that proved he was really upset.
“I was just overdoing it…a little, that’s all.” Bracing her hands on her knees, she bent forward, praying she wouldn’t throw up in front of him.
He stood, watching her. “Every time I think it’s possible to get past what happened, I discover it’s not.”
She assumed he was talking about that night in January, so she forced herself to straighten despite the nausea. “Why not? It couldn’t have been…that bad…for you. It was an easy lay, one I’m taking full responsibility for.”
“You don’t know anything,” he snapped.
“You’re upset because…I’ve been running too fast?”
She was confused, but he didn’t explain. He took off at such a quick pace she knew she didn’t have a prayer of catching him even if she wanted to. And she didn’t. In her current state, she wasn’t even sure she could finish the run.
“Show-off,” she grumbled, and sat down on the warm earth. This assignment was a disaster, and the worst part was that she couldn’t blame it on anyone else. She was the problem. She couldn’t regulate her emotions, stay on an even keel.
Frustrated, she pulled her knees to her chest and leaned her head against them.
When she figured Nate was gone, she took a deep breath, leaned back and stared up at the widest expanse of cloudless sky she’d ever seen. “Why can’t I stop loving him?” she whispered.
“I know who helped her.” Bart stood in the bathroom while Ethan showered.
Letting the water pound his back and neck muscles, Ethan yawned. They’d been up late, but it’d been one of the best nights of his life. He was excited that Bart had returned. He’d hated waking to find him gone. He wasn’t sure whether to believe last night was for real. “Who helped who?” he yelled above the water.