Rizzoli & Isles 8-Book Set

will the children. They’ve been conditioned to be silent around outsiders. So don’t expect cooperation from any of them, even when you get them away from the compound.”
    “What about the men?”
    “They’ll have designated spokesmen, handpicked by Jeremiah to deal with the outside world. In return for their loyalty, they enjoy special privileges in the cult.”
    “Privileges?”
    “Girls, Detective. The more trusted you are, the more young brides you get as your reward.”
    “Jesus.”
    “All cults work in similar ways. It’s a system of reward and punishment. Make the Prophet happy, and he’ll let you take another new wife. Piss him off, and you’re banished from the sect. These spokesmen are men he trusts, and they’re not stupid. They know the law, and they’ll try to snow you with legalese. They’ll hold us at the gate forever while they examine the warrant with a fine-tooth comb.”
    “Will they be armed?”
    “Yes.”
    “And probably dangerous,” Jane muttered in the backseat.
    Cathy turned to look at her. “When they’re facing years in prison for raping underage girls? Yeah, I’d say that makes them dangerous. So I hope you’re all prepared.”
    “How big a team is moving in?” asked Jane.
    Pasternak said, “Idaho’s pulling in law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions, both state and federal. The team lead is Lieutenant David MacAfee, with the Idaho State Police. He guarantees there will be a massive show of force.”
    Cathy released a deep sigh. “Finally, it’s going to end,” she whispered.
    “Sounds like you’ve been waiting for this a long time,” observed Pasternak.
    “Yes,” Cathy said. “A very long time. I’m just glad I’ll be there to see it happen.”
    “You do know, Ms. Weiss, that you’re not to take an active role in this operation. I don’t want you in danger.” He glanced over his shoulder at Jane. “And it might be better if you remain an observer as well.”
    “But I’m law enforcement,” said Jane.
    “From Boston.”
    “I was working this case before you stepped in.”
    “Don’t get all women’s libber on me. I’m just saying this is Idaho’s show. You’ve been invited to advise and assist where necessary. If they want to keep you on the sidelines, that’s their decision. That’s just the way it works, Rizzoli.”
    Jane sank back against the seat. “Okay. But just to let you know, I
am
carrying.”
    “Then keep it holstered. If this is handled right, there’ll be no need for weapons. Our objective is to move the women and children into protective custody, and do it with a minimum of force.”
    “Wait. What about Jeremiah?” said Cathy. “If you find him, you
are
arresting him, aren’t you?”
    “At this point, it’s just for questioning.”
    “Forty-one dead followers isn’t enough to charge him?”
    “We haven’t proven that he’s responsible for those deaths.”
    “Who else would be?”
    “We need more than that. We need witnesses, someone who’ll step forward and talk to us.” He glanced at Cathy. “That’s what I need you to do. Talk to those women. Convince them to cooperate.”
    “That won’t be easy.”
    “Help them understand that they’re victims.”
    “Remember Charles Manson’s women? Even after years in prison, they were still Charlie’s girls, still under his spell. You can’t deprogram in a few days what’s been pounded into your head for years. And if they insist on going back to the compound, you can’t hold them indefinitely.”
    “Then do it another way,” said Jane. “DNA tests on the babies. Find out which men are the fathers. Find out if the mothers were underage when they gave birth.”
    “That’s like cutting the branches to kill a tree,” said Cathy. “There’s only one way to bring it crashing down. You have to destroy the root.”
    “Jeremiah,” said Pasternak.
    Cathy nodded. “Lock him up and throw away the key. Without the Prophet, the cult implodes. Because Jeremiah Goode
is
The Gathering.”

C LOAKED BY A VEIL OF FALLING SNOW, THE ARMY STOOD ASSEMBLED . Jane stamped her feet, trying to stay warm, but already her toes had gone numb and even the scalding cup of coffee she’d just gulped down could not ward off the bitter chill of that Idaho dawn. If she were a member of the strike team, the cold would not matter to her, because adrenaline made you immune to discomforts as minor as subzero temperatures. But on this morning, relegated to the status of mere