I handed him a steaming mug.
“Kathryn was supposed to go with Espinoza and some other guy, but she talked him into staying put.”
“Where’s the other guy?”
“Espinoza turns into igneous rock on that topic.”
“Where did everyone go?” My throat felt tight. I already knew the answer.
“I think they’re here.”
I said nothing.
“Kathryn isn’t sure where they were heading, but she knows it involved a border crossing. They’re traveling in twos and threes and they’ve got directions for roads that aren’t patrolled.”
“Where?”
“She thinks she heard talk of Vermont. The highway patrol and INS have been alerted, but it’s probably too late. They’ve had almost three days and Canada isn’t exactly Libya when it comes to border security.”
Ryan sipped his coffee.
“Kathryn claims she didn’t pay much attention because she never thought they’d really go. But she is clear on one thing. When they find this guardian angel, everyone will die.”
I began wiping the counter, though it was already clean.
For a long time neither of us spoke. Then,
“Any word from your sister?”
My stomach constricted anew. “No.”
When he spoke again his voice had softened.
“Baker’s boys found something in the Saint Helena compound.”
“What?” Fear shot through me.
“A letter to Owens. In it someone named Daniel is discussing Inner Life Empowerment.” I felt a hand on my shoulder. “It looks like the organization was a front, or else Owens’ followers infiltrated the courses. That part’s not clear, but what is clear is that they used ILE to recruit.”
“Oh, my God.”
“The letter’s dated about two months ago, but there’s nothing to indicate where it came from. The wording’s vague, but it sounds like there was some sort of quota to be met, and this Daniel is promising he’ll deliver.”
“How?” I could hardly speak.
“He doesn’t say. There’s nothing else that makes reference to ILE. Just that one letter.”
The dream slammed back in vivid detail and I felt ice slide through my veins.
“They’ve got Harry!” I said with trembling lips. “I have to find her!”
“We will.”
I told him about Kit’s call.
“Shit.”
“How can these people remain invisible for years, then we turn over their rock and they slither away and vanish?” My voice was quavery.
Ryan set down his mug and turned me around with both hands. I was squeezing the sponge so hard it made small hissing sounds.
“There’s no trail because these people have a tremendous source of clandestine income. They deal exclusively in cash but don’t seem to be involved in anything illegal.”
“Except murder!” I wanted to pace but Ryan held me firmly.
“What I’m saying is these assholes can’t be tied to drugs or theft or credit card scams. There’s no money trail and no evidence of crime, and that’s usually where the break comes.” His eyes were hard. “But they’ve fucked up badly by coming into my backyard and I’m going to nail the rabid little pricks.”
I ripped free of his grasp and threw the sponge across the kitchen.
“What did Jeannotte say?”
“I tried her office, then staked her pad. No-show at either place. Don’t forget I’m working this alone, Brennan. This storm has shut down the province.”
“What did you find out about Jennifer Cannon and Amalie Provencher?”
“The university is pulling the usual student-privacy crap. They won’t release a thing without a court order.”
That did it. I pushed past him and went to the bedroom. I was pulling on wool socks when he appeared in the doorway.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m going to get some answers from Anna Goyette, then I’m going to find my sister.”
“Whoa, scout. There’s a blanket of polar ice out there.”
