Page 109 of Mystery in the Mountains

Slowly, she lifted the lid.

There, on the top, were two photographs. One was a coal truck, which looked like it had been hit. The other was of the black car with front passenger-side damage, like it had pushed something off the road. The license plates for each vehicle were clear and valid, along with the registration of the black car, which belonged to Percy Wilkes—along with it was a cease-and-desist letter because, apparently, her father had been trying to get the news to cover this story.

Under that was a letter from the coal company ensuring they would not come after the mountain or his land if he stopped pursuing them.

This was it. When they thought he was gone, they came sniffing again.

But there was something she was missing. He’d figured out it was the coal company. And while they hadn’t admitted to any wrongdoing, he’d gotten them to stop pursuing. That was more than anyone had been able to do when a massive corporation with government ties was involved.

If he had proof to keep the coal company away, why was he still researching? What was she missing? There had to be something else.

When she looked at the board again, all signs seemed to point to that church. Why?

She could figure that out later, but she had to get to Asher.

Under the letter from the coal company was a handwritten note from her father. Her hands trembled as she picked it up.

Sunshine,

If you’re finding this, it means I was never able to solve this. I have managed to keep our home safe and, in turn, keep you safe. I know the coal company killed your mother. I have the proof.

But they are not acting alone. Please be vigilant. They are not coming after the coal. They are coming after the magic itself.

I’m sorry I let you down. My greatest sorrow is not being able to fix this. I tried to solve this before it came for you kids, but I couldn’t figure it out. I’m missing something.

I’m still with you. I will help you see this through.

I love you, Sunshine,

Dad

Sunny held the letter to her face as tears streamed down her face. He was still here, helping her.

A loud knock sounded from the door.

“I’ll go get it,” Bridget said.

Sunny nodded, still gazing at the board. What am I missing?

Voices filtered up the stairs.

“Sunny?” a low voice said next to her. “Do you know where he is?”

She slid the note into her pocket, but before she turned to find Abe, Esther and Bridget all looking at her with searching eyes.

She shook her head. “Not exactly, but I do know he’s in a trailer. I think he’s trapped there. It’s on a VenDeer Construction site.”

Abe furrowed his brow. “Do you know where it is?”

Sunny shook her head.

Esther was looking over at the board, shaking her head in disgust.

“What is it?” Bridget asked.

“Just this,” she said, pointing to the card with the name of the church. “Once my husband joined that church, he changed. He became cruel and unsafe. I left because he started saying some really fucked up stuff about magic and women, and I know Ruby is about to come into her powers. I left.”

Bridget walked over to her. “The Church of Divine Deliverance. Why is that familiar to me?”

---