“I appreciate that he trusted me with you. Kaylie, did Doug ever say how he knew me? Why he would come to me to investigate his murder?”
“You’re a very wise woman. The papers said so. Doug knew you were trustworthy. He knew you lost your pods, that you’d understand why it was so important to help us.”
A chill went down Sam’s spine. The idea that someone had been watching her from afar, paying attention to her private life, upset her. And that Doug Matcliff had chosen her by reputation alone was even worse. She didn’t want to be known. She wanted to work behind the scenes.
She changed the subject.
“Kaylie, do you know Henry Matcliff?”
She smiled, a sweet, gentle look, completely at odds with the situation. “Of course. That’s me.”
“Excuse me?”
“It was the only way to keep me safe. Doug raised me as a boy. We knew they’d be looking for a man and a girl, a daughter. Me being a son made more sense. I didn’t start growing my hair until last year, when I left.”
“Left? To go where?”
She just shook her head, eyes downcast. Her lips tightened into a thin line. Sam got the sense she’d said more than she wanted.
Kaylie had shared all she was willing to. For now.
Chapter
40
SAM WENT INTO the kitchen with her cell phone and called Baldwin. He answered on the first ring.
“Kaylie Rousch is here in my house.”
“I know. Xander called me. I’m already here, waiting outside. Think she’s up for company? Xander said she’s a little leery of men.”
“Yes, but you’re going to have to be careful, she’s very reticent. In my professional opinion, the girl’s suffering from severe PTSD, and God knows what else. She was repeatedly raped, forced into all sorts of things at a very young age. She assured me there was nothing physical between her and Doug Matcliff, but I’m not sure I believe her. And she’s mentioned a man named Adrian who seems to be the sledgehammer, for lack of a better term, and this Curtis woman, the cult leader, was—is—clearly mad. Kaylie suggested Adrian is responsible for the current spate of attacks, so there’s a partial name ID for you.”
“Got it. Did you get anything that might give a clue where Eden is now?”
“Not yet. I didn’t want to push her too hard until you were here to guide things.”
“Okay. I’m coming to the door now.”
“Before you come in, just a heads-up. She’s a bizarre mix of child and adult, sane and insane. Her language vacillates between complete frankness and paranoid obfuscation, and she’s not all there, if you catch my drift. She’s very, very intelligent, though. But the things she’s telling me—Baldwin, we have to find this cult and stop them. Now. If they have Rachel Stevens, if they’re the ones who have been kidnapping these girls all these years, the poor things are undergoing some horrible treatment. I can’t even imagine how Kaylie stayed even partially together. Doug Matcliff must have really helped her.”
“I hear you. Ring-a-ding,” he said, and her doorbell rang.
She heard Kaylie’s high-pitched voice react from the living room, then Xander’s deeper voice telling her this was their FBI friend and not to worry.
Sam hoped they were telling Kaylie the truth. There was more going on here, currents running through the house that unsettled her.
She opened the door and Baldwin came in. He’d changed into jeans and a white button-down—the tie gone, the collar open, the sleeves rolled up. He looked casual and friendly, not at all like a cop, and she nodded her approval. Their best approach with Kaylie was going to be the relaxed one. Letting her set the tone, the pace and the rules.
With any luck, after an hour with Baldwin, they’d have every detail they’d need to find Rachel Stevens, and then lock up these horrible people for good.
Sam bolted the front door, then went to the back to double-check it was also secure. Thor was curled up on his plush dog bed, watching her actions with curiosity. Even with her precautions, she wanted him keeping an eye out, so she knelt by him, scratched his ears and said softly, “Thor, achtung.” Pay attention.
She could have sworn he nodded. She dropped a quick kiss on his snout and went to the living room, satisfied they were covered for the time being.
Baldwin was waiting for her in the hallway. She smiled and gestured for him to let her go first.
Kaylie was staring into the fireplace with a distant look on her face when Sam returned. But she focused and brightened immediately. A friendly face was welcome, clearly.
“Kaylie, this is my friend John Baldwin. I promise you can trust him. He and my very best friend in the world are going to be married. I wouldn’t let her near him if I didn’t think he was awesome. All right?”
Kaylie looked at Baldwin with open curiosity. Sam wondered what she was thinking. Baldwin was very handsome, which opened many doors, and closed a few, as well. But he radiated intelligence and compassion, and Kaylie visibly relaxed.