Chapter 16
Canada, Twenty-Eight Years Ago
Noshi and the boy crawled back into the cave. Chepi, curled into a tight ball holding herself, keened until drained of tears, then cried no more. The boy squeezed between his mother and father to keep warm. No one slept that night…
Northern California, Present Time
“We didn’t call you,” Maggie said as she and Jake approached the agents, “Why the hell are you here?” She knew, of course, this would become a federal case, but the timing couldn’t be worse, and she was in no frame of mind to put up with feds right now.
“I’m Agent Marley, and this is Agent Thompson.” Marley talked to the sheriff, and ignored Maggie. He gestured to the man with him. Both agents held out their badges for Jake’s inspection.
“Sheriff Lubbock, are you aware there are un
