She unloaded her clothes and started the washer before going back into the den. “What are we doing for dinner tonight?”
“I was thinking about grilling steaks. Would you like that?”
“Yes, steaks would be great. Thank you. I’ll heat up some vegetables and potatoes.”
“That would be good. We can go for a walk after dinner.”
“Sure. I’d like that.”
After eating, she checked her email, which was weird for her, and found a short note from Jasna, telling her that someone at her school had brought a goat to the campus and let it loose inside the administration office. That she and one other guy had to get it out. The email made Flora laugh. Then she saw a note from the social services woman, stating that the police had a lead on the compound where she’d grown up. They were going to check it out in the morning.
Q stepped behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. “Everything okay?”
“The police believe they found the compound where I grew up. They are going in tomorrow.”
“Are you okay with that?”
She didn’t know. “Maybe. I don’t know. I fear my father will come for me.”
“They won’t tell him where you are. You’ll be okay.”
“Maybe, but I’m still afraid he will come after me.”
He pulled her up and wrapped his arms around her. It was funny how his arms around her body made her feel better. She could accomplish anything with him in her life. Being at The Refuge had shown her that Q was a good man and she needed him.
The next morning, she kept checking her email, wondering if she would hear back about her family and what happened. No emails came through, but Q called close to two that afternoon. She answered, happy to hear from him.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Have you seen the news?” Q asked.
“No, I haven’t. What happened?”
“I’m fairly certain the raid happened. There’s something on the news about a raid, and two FBI agents were shot.”
“Oh no. Is that because of me?”
“No, honey. You’re not at fault. The person who shot them is at fault.”
“Let me see if I can get it on.” She moved to the couch and clicked the remote, turning the TV on. She found the news station and waited for a commercial to end. Then it was on the screen. She gasped.
“What is it?” Q asked.
“It’s them. I know those buildings. I recognize those women. That’s where I grew up. Oh God, that’s Jessica and Amy. I know them, and they look miserable.”
“Hey, I’ll be home soon, and you can tell me everything. Don’t answer your phone unless it’s one of us, okay? Just let it go to voicemail.”
“Okay. You don’t think they know where I am?”
“No, they don’t. There is no way. They were just raided, and they won’t know what any of this is about.”
She squeezed her hands as fear spread. “I’m scared.”
“I know, but it will all be okay. I promise. I’ve got a friend looking in on what the police know.”
“Who?”
“His name is Thario. I should have taken you to meet him before. He’s great with computers and tracking people. He will call both of us if there is any indication someone from the cult is headed your way.”
