Harley nodded thoughtfully, though she was not sure this really helped. She was confident Roth was involved, so why should she back off?

Thanks for talking with me, she said, rising.

Then it hit her. Even if Roth was guilty, there was another way to get at him than barging into his compound. Harley had a witnessif she could find her.

Candy, she murmured. Then she glanced up sharply at Emerson. If she brought the victims to the ranch procured them for Roth then shes a material witness, assuming she had nothing to do with the murders herself.

Emerson watched her, a faint smile on his face.

If Candy testifies to bringing the girls to Roths property, she continued, her mind humming along this new track, that would be enough for a search warrant, and theres no telling what secrets we might unearth on a property that size.

Especially behind those locked doors, she thought.

Thank you, she said, feeling a flush of gratitude as she shook Emersons hand. I cant tell you how much this has helped me see the case more clearly.

Very welcome, Emerson answered, smiling. And thank you for reminding me the old clock hasnt stopped ticking. He rapped the side of his head with his knuckles.

Harley felt energized for the first time in days as she got in the car and left the property, heading to the airport to meet up with Callaway. Along the way, she called Sheriff Santiago.

What can I do for you, Agent Cole? the sheriff said.

We need to put out an APB on Candace Whitmore. I think she may be involved in those homicides I was telling you about.

Ill get on that right away. If shes still in the state of New Mexico, well find her.

Harley thanked him and hung up, smiling grimly to herself.

You can run, she thought, but you sure as hell cant hide.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Waking or sleeping, the young woman trapped in the darkness thought of nothing but water.

Waterfalls, watermelons, water bottles, water fountains. Beads of water running down a soda can. A faucet gushing with clean, cool, stomach-filling

You have to stop thinking about it, she told herself wearily. Youll go crazy.

But she couldnt seem to control her thoughts. She fantasized about a torrent of water gushing through the mine and carrying her up to the surface. She imagined a torrential rain that would slowly fill the cave until she could swim upward to safety.

But when she woke from these daydreams, all she tasted was dust. The dust coated her tongue, filled the cracks in her lips, gathered in the corners of her eyes where the tears had run.

Im going to die down here, she thought, and for the first time, she really believed it. The thirst would kill herit was only a matter of time.