“They wore ski masks, Dan. A positive ID is iffy. And if the Gingeriches refuse to testify or if they make up some story about a workshop accident, you’ll get nothing and Schrock gets off scot-free.”

Suggs utters a curse. “I know where this is going and I don’t fucking like it.”

“If we want Schrock, we’re going to have to wait this out. Leave me in place until I can get something better.”

“So let me get this straight, Chief. If our friendly neighborhood bishop decides a member of the church district has broken the rules or crossed him, he sics his goons Yoder and Smucker on them and cuts off their goddamn fingers?”

“Unfortunately, I think that’s the gist of it.”

“And now you’re on his radar.”

I’m not sure how to respond to that, so I move on. “No one suspects me of anything. I’m an outsider. I’ve asked a few too many questions.”

“You pissed off Schrock when you turned him down.”

I scramble for a rebuff, but there’s nothing there. He’s right. “The situation here is a lot worse than we imagined. We’re talking physical assault on a regular basis. Probably sexual assault. Maybe even murder.”

He makes a sound of disgust. “Kate, I want you out.”

“If we walk away now, we end up with nothing,” I snap.

“Shit.” Suggs sighs heavily. “Proof of something would be nice.”

“I can get it. I just need more time.”

“Kate, I know you can handle yourself. You proven it and then some. But I don’t like the idea of you being out there all alone with these crazy shits running around chopping off people’s fingers and doing God only knows what else.”

“I’m being careful,” I tell him. “Especially after what’s happened. I know what I’m up against. I’ve secured the trailer. I’m armed.”

“How much longer?”

“A couple more days. Give me some time to poke around the rat hole. Sooner or later, something’s going to run out.”

“Hopefully, it won’t be your luck.”

“This isn’t about me. It’s about the death of a fifteen-year-old girl and a religious sect run amok. If we don’t stop them, more people will be hurt. Maybe even killed.”

He’s thoughtful for a moment and then asks, “Knowing what you do now, what do you think happened to the Esh girl?”

“She saw or heard something or maybe she simply knew too much. Or maybe it’s worse than that. Maybe Schrock was supplying her with drugs. Maybe he was having sex with her. She got pregnant. She wanted out. He was afraid she’d go to the police so he murdered her.”

“Powerful motive,” he says.