Edge figured maybe the man had been ordered to search for Molly Lockhart and failed to find her. If so, Henson was bound to be in a temper.

Edge and Sheriff Akins climbed back into the SUV, and Akins drove through the gate toward town.

“I guess the reverend wasn’t too pleased to see you,” Edge said as the vehicle rolled over the bumpy dirt road.

“I have a job to do, same as he does. I’m sure he understands.”

“Or maybe he doesn’t. Maybe he’ll pull his support the next time you run for office.”

Akins frowned as if the thought had never occurred to him. Maybe he wasn’t on Henson’s payroll after all. If so, perhaps once the sheriff got his head out of his ass and saw what was happening in the compound, he’d be willing to do his job.

So far, Edge hadn’t mentioned the murder Molly had witnessed. Until he had some kind of proof, it would only make matters worse. For now, getting Callie Delaney out of the compound and away from Henson was his top priority. He needed more information in order to make that happen.

Edge couldn’t wait for Skye to get back with the drone.

CHAPTER EIGHT

“THERE’S SOMETHING I HAVEN’T TOLD YOU.”

As the Nissan rolled toward Denver, Skye looked across the center console to the young woman in the passenger seat. Molly Lockhart was her maiden name, she’d revealed. She would no longer answer to Mrs. Harley Purcell.

From Molly’s description of the man, Skye didn’t blame her. Six-foot-three, barrel-chested, with dark brown hair and a long scraggly, pointed beard, he had a tat of a snake on the back of his hand and a coiled snake on his shoulder.

He’s mean and he’s tough. Those were Molly’s words. At least he’d be easy to recognize.

Skye cast her a sideways glance. “What haven’t you told me?”

Molly bit her lip, then took a deep breath. “Before Reverend Henson marries us to the man he has chosen, he . . . umm . . .” Molly made a sound in her throat. “He initiates us into the sisterhood.”

Unease slipped through her. “What do mean initiates? What does he do?”

Molly gripped her hands together in her lap, her nervousness clear. “The first week a new disciple is there, Daniel is very solicitous. He has private meetings with the woman. He talks to her about the wonderful life she can have as a sister in the church. He invites her for dinner at his home.”

“Dinner? That’s how he initiates a new member?”

Molly glanced over. “Daniel can be extremely charming. Most of the woman come to the church because of him. He flatters them, makes promises to them, and then he . . . he seduces them.”

Skye’s stomach clenched.

“Daniel explains that joining with him is the only way for them to feel a kinship with the other women, part of a sisterhood. They’re all Daniel’s wives in the eyes of God. In a few weeks, sometimes a month or a little longer, they’ll go to the man who will take Daniel’s place as their earthly husband.”