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She perched on the edge of the seat. “Why did you wish to see me?”

“Straight to the point, I see. Good. I’ll do you the courtesy of returning the favor. You have an opportunity to fulfill your divine calling, and I want to help you find fulfill it.”

“A calling?”

“Yes. You can serve God and his people by gathering some information for us.”

“How do I accomplish that?”

“You grew up in close proximity to the Swishers. Is that right?”

“I know them. Our parents are close friends, so we grew up together.”

“I want you to go visit Victoria Mae. Get her to leave you alone long enough to give you a chance to go through her father’s desk. There is a book there that we need. It is a matter of some urgency.”

“I’m not going to go snooping through Judge Swisher’s desk. That’d be unethical.”

“Ethics. They can pose such a dilemma. Here is your dilemma Ms. Garrison. Judge Swisher’s daughter, Emmaline, has been chosen by one of our members. He thinks she’ll make a delightful bride, and I couldn’t agree more. We’re preparing her for the occasion, and we’ll be finalizing their union officially with a formal wedding and reception soon. Then she’ll fly to France on his private jet and live out her life as a faithful wife in blissful matrimony.

“What do you mean by chosen? Did she accept the man’s proposal?”

“Her marriage was arranged. It is not up to her to decide such things. The elders handle providing an assortment of eligible brides for our members to choose from. The only way that Emmaline will return to school and finish her degree is if you, sweet Cate, finish the mission she failed to accomplish. If you do, we’ll bring her back. If not, well, maybe you’d like to find a good home with one of our members. Do you understand?”

He leaned back and waited to see how Cate would react to the news. “Emmaline has no choice?”

“Choices are a luxury. Emmaline was given options, same as you. She failed to choose correctly, and though her life may turn out differently than she’d planned, she’ll be cherished by the man we chose for her. As long as she remains obedient to him, I’m almost certain her husband will be kind and faithful.”

‘And what if she disobeys him?”

“No need to worry yourself with that unpleasantness. Can we count on your cooperation?”

Her yes met his, and for a moment, he thought she would defy him, but she lowered her gaze to her hands and nodded her head in acquiescence. She would make an excellent partner from this point forward. Anything to avoid an arranged marriage to an unknown man. If she was smarter, she’d jump at the chance to get hitched to one of their fine members, but the fear served its purpose in helping to ensure cooperation.

He stood and gently secured her blindfold, then motioned for Vanessa to take her away.

Chapter Twelve

ApersistentringingpulledGavin from sleep. “This had better be important.”

“I can’t find Cate.”

He sat up in bed and gripped the side of the mattress. “You’re supposed to be watching her.”

“I sleep when she sleeps. As always.”

“And?”

“When I arrived at the sorority house, she was already gone. I checked all her usual haunts. I can’t find her.”

“Did you check with Brittany?”

“Yes. She didn’t see or hear anything, but they don’t share a room now that they’re staying in the house.”

“Did you ask her other sorority sisters?”

“Nobody admits to seeing her leave.”

Gavin’s phone beeped with call-waiting. It was Grayson. Maybe he knew something. “Keep looking. This is Gray I have to take it.”