The old woman smiled again. She waved the women forward, and they placed the baskets on the floor in front of the nurse. “You’ll find food and water in there. Some empty jugs so you can relieve yourselves, and a few moist towelettes to clean up.” She turned to Wab. “But no weapons, I’m afraid.”

Wab gave her a fake smile in return.

The woman turned and spoke only to Rania. “Veronica will bring what you’ve requested. It would be a shame to lose one, but we have so many, so…” She shrugged, and Isaac threw all his weight in her direction.

“We’ll be back later to check in and begin. Right now we have an important meeting, with one of your own, actually—a nurse on the inside, as you would say.” She savored the look on Rania’s face. “Yes, that’s right, we aren’t some hillbilly crew of hooligans. We have a mole, and she has been quite useful, as you can tell from your current predicament.”

“Who is it?” Rania fought to keep her voice even.

“Oh, don’t you worry about that, dear. You just tend to the herd as best you can and keep them fresh for us.” The blond came back in with a canvas tote bag and placed it beside the baskets. “There, now you have everything you need. Behave while we are gone, and maybe I’ll give you another hint. For now, be a dear and take care of these.” She waved a hand around the room.

She clapped, and the women all stopped whispering. “Okay, ladies, let’s see what the big update is, shall we?” She paused. “Oh, I am putting an armed guard outside for all of our sakes. And Veronica?” The blond woman snapped her attention back from Wab. She’d been having a hard time looking away since she’d gotten back with the medicine and water. “You’re to remain here at the house in case someone is needed.”

The woman lowered her gaze in deference, taking one last peek at the caged mother-to-be.

“There will be no more unplanned procedures. From now on, everything will be followed to the letter like it’s supposed to be. And I will personally deal with Kelsey and Shirley-Rachel. The fools.”

She turned on a low heel and walked out, her flock falling in behind her. The door slammed shut, and the sound of chains and locks echoed inside.

“Stay here,” the old woman barked to the sentry outside. “And for god’s sake, don’t move for anyone. We could be a while. After the mole, I have another appointment. Recruiters are crossing the border now and are requesting a meeting as soon as possible. Someone from within the organization saw fit to inform our Canadian friends about our guests, and now I have to deal with them. Do let me know if you hear who might have broken confidence, will you?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the sentry replied.

Footsteps retreated up the path to the house, and then the small pop of a sliding door pulled closed.