The medical reports.
The photographs.
The laboratory records.
They planned to ride to Coldwater the next morning.
But someone was waiting outside the ranch.
Three riders.
Then five.
Then eight.
Dr.
Vale had finally stopped hiding.
He stood in the center of the road.
An older man with silver hair and a black coat.
Rosalie recognized him from the photograph.
Dr.
Edwin Vale.
He smiled.
“Gideon.”
Gideon couldn’t hear him.
Vale knew it.
He looked at Rosalie.
“You understand what happens
if this information reaches the authorities.”
Rosalie stepped forward.
“Yes.”
Vale smiled.
“Then you understand why you should give me the records.”
“No.”
His smile disappeared.
“Your father agreed.”
“My father sold me.”
Vale shrugged.
“People sell what they need to survive.”
Rosalie looked at him.
“And you?”
Vale’s eyes narrowed.
“What did you sell?”
She held up the ledger.
“How many children?”
