Page 32 of Twilight Tactics

“Out checking a fence behind the north pasture. Another one’s been cut.”

“Ugh, I’m sorry.”

Silence. Then a sigh. “It is what it is right now, but thanks.”

“Are Piper and Ollie with you?”

“No. Why? What’s going on? You sound tense.”

Elena filled her in, ending with, “Something’s going on, but we couldn’t risk getting closer to hear everything. It could be they were talking about the girl we saw here or...”

“Or Ollie.”

“Maybe. I really don’t know how they could know she’s here unless they know who the agents protecting her are and connected you and Sully as relatives.”

“That’s possible.” Maya went quiet once again. “Okay, I’ll let Gideon and David know what’s going on. We’ll beef up security and patrols around the perimeter. We’ll also need to warn residents to be on their guard.” A frustrated sound slipped from her.

“I’m sorry, Maya, this may have been my fault.”

“How do you figure that?”

“You know I was a part of the prepper group on the mountain. You also know part of the reason I agreed to come stay here was so I could be close to them.”

“To search for your sister and father.”

“Everywhere I’ve turned, every person I’ve asked has said they’re not here. I was convinced and almost quit looking. Until last week.”

“When you thought you saw your sister in town.”

“I called her name and she didn’t respond. But she sure disappeared fast.” She ran a hand over her face. “Why wouldn’t she want to see me? Why would she actively avoid me?”

“Maybe it wasn’t her. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen her.”

“I know. But...” She bit her lower lip. It had been Iris. There really wasn’t any doubt that the woman had been her. And Iris had run from her. What if one of the preppers had someone watching her sister and she would have gotten in trouble for talking to Elena? Once someone left the group, they would be “reeducated” if found. If they came back voluntarily,it was a toss-up as to whether they’d be welcomed with a lot less reeducation. Or simply given the cold shoulder. She had no idea what they’d do to her, but she’d already decided to risk finding out. At some point.

“But nothing,” Maya said. “You’re right when you say we need to focus on making sure the ranch is secure and the residents are safe. We’ve worked too hard for this to go sideways.” A pause. “But the ranch’s reputation isn’t the priority. The residents are.”

“Absolutely.” Elena closed her eyes. “Do you want me to leave? I probably should.”

“No. We won’t jump to conclusions. This might not be about you. Or even Ollie. Let’s tighten up on security and see how this plays out. You said yourself what you witnessed could be interpreted a couple of ways. We can’t panic based on a possibility.”

“But—”

“We’ll take precautions, but we won’t panic.”

Elena blew out a low breath. “Right. We won’t panic.”

Her mind spun back to the past, to a moment with her sister when life was fun and carefree.

Eleanor had chased Iris up the trail, leaves crunching under her boots while she dodged branches and swatted at gnats. They were supposed to be cataloging supplies in the root cellar, but one look from Iris—mischief flashing in her brown eyes—had sent them sprinting for the woods instead.

“You’re getting slow, old lady!” Eleanor called, scrambling up a rocky incline.

“Old?” Iris spun around, grinning. “I’m sixteen, not fifty.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” Eleanor teased, panting but proud she was keeping up.

They reached their secret spot—a flat patch of moss beneath a crooked pine, where the ground dipped just enough tohide them from sight. Iris flopped down and patted the space beside her. Eleanor dropped beside her, laughing.