Bred in the Bone by Elliot Kendra

Author:Elliot, Kendra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 2019-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

6

“Where is the commander?” Cate asked, struggling to keep her voice nonchalant.

Mickey said nothing.

The deputies stepped out of the house, giving the others a signal that it was clear. They headed directly for one of the other outbuildings.

“Do you need some lunch, Mickey?” asked Tessa. “Let’s go inside and find something for you to eat.”

The boy ignored her, watching the deputies as they reached the large shed. “They shouldn’t go in there.” His hands twitched, and he wiped one across his mouth.

“Is there something dangerous in there?” Cate asked quickly, another explosion coming to mind.

“No. They just shouldn’t. I’ll get in trouble.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot, and the dog pressed against Mickey’s leg, sensing his anxiety.

“Trouble from the commander?”

The boy nodded, his gaze locked on the outbuilding.

“Well, he’s not here, is he?” Cate asked. “He won’t know, and obviously you’re not going in the shed.”

“He’ll know. He always knows.”

“We’ll talk to him and let him know you said for us not to do that. Where can I find him?” asked Tessa.

“Dunno.”

The deputies left the shed and headed for the last outbuilding as Cate watched. Whatever Mickey had been worried about in the shed hadn’t concerned them.

“They need to stop.” Mickey’s voice shook. “I’ll be punished.” He tried to leave, pulling Bishy’s rope, but Henry firmly held the dog’s collar.

“It’s okay, Mickey,” Henry said calmly. “We won’t let you be punished. We’re here to protect you.”

Cate’s heart broke at the terror in the boy’s voice. He was petrified of the commander.

Is Travis the commander?

“No! You’re strangers! I’m not supposed to talk to strangers!” He tugged harder on the dog’s rope, his gaze bouncing between the deputies entering the shed and Henry.

“Mickey, is your commander’s name Travis?” asked Cate.

Confusion scrunched up the little face. “What?”

Maybe not.

“Hey! Doc!” Gunderson shouted from the door of the last building. “We need you over here!”

“No!” cried Mickey. “You can’t go in there! He’ll hurt me.”

Tessa replaced Henry’s grip on Bishy’s collar. After exchanging a quick glance, he and Cate jogged to the outbuilding, and Mickey wailed behind them.

“What is going on?” mumbled Cate. “Why isn’t there an adult here with Mickey?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. All I know is that kid needs a lot of calories and balanced nutrition.”

“And to lose the fear of his ‘commander.’”

“Damn right.”

They followed Gunderson into the shed. The smell made Cate slap a hand over her nose and mouth.

What in the hell?

Light from two barred windows showed a room with a twin bed, worn rugs, a chair, and stacks and stacks of books.

A woman cowered on the bed, trying to get as far away as possible from the intruders, a long chain leading from her ankle to a bolt in the concrete floor. The room was barely warmer than the outdoors, and she was wrapped in several quilts. Her face was painfully thin, and she held up a hand to stop them from coming closer.

“Get out,” came her loud whisper. “Go away!”

Cate stared, and her knees weakened.

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