Chapter 8: Nobody Goes Alone

Rhys was the one who broke the silence.

He stood up out of the armchair and he was a captain again, with a steady voice and a plan.

"Here's what we do," he said. "We assume every word she said is true."

"If it's wrong, we lose a few weeks. If it's right, we lose everything by waiting."

"Agreed," Jethro said, with his mouth full of pasta.

"Joel, you're on medical. Inventory what she's got in that space of hers."

"Jethro, perimeter. Walk the whole property and tell me where the wall goes."

"Yes, sir."

"Emmett."

"Sir."

"That email. I want to know where it came from, who read it, and what they plan to do on Friday."

Emmett was already taking a small laptop out of his bag. "Give me an hour."

Rhys turned to Jessa. "And you."

She straightened. "Yes?"

"Nobody goes anywhere alone from now on. Not to the store, not to the barn. You least of all."

"Rhys..."

"Not a request." His voice cracked on the last word, and he put his hand on her shoulder.

"I lost you once, apparently. I'm not doing it twice."

She covered his hand with hers.

Then she walked out of the living room to look for the man who had walked out on her.

She found him on the back porch.

Corin sat on the top step with his elbows on his knees, looking at the dark line of the hills.

He did not turn when she came out.

"Rule one is nobody alone," she said. "You're breaking it."

"I can see the whole yard from here."

"That's a technicality."

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