Read Online Dead Even by Mariah Stewart - Free Book Online Page A

elders. To understand that, as young women, they lack the judgment to know what is best for them. They must accept whatever lot is chosen for them, because they simply aren’t capable of choosing for themselves.”
    “And who chose for you, Ms. Carey?” His eyes had narrowed.
    “My father, of course.” She had met his stare headon. “He met you several years ago, at a lecture you gave in Pennsylvania. He was already ill at the time, but he never forgot your lessons. He bought all of your books, all of your tapes. He did live a very spiritual life, Reverend Prescott. He tried to live up to your example, and encouraged me to do so as well.”
    “You speak of him in the past? Has he . . . ?”
    “I am sorry to say, I lost him last summer. After I was asked to . . . to leave my job, I was at a loss. Then, when my father passed away, it occurred to me that perhaps there might be a place for me here. I’ve heard about the wonderful work you do with runaways, Reverend. How you seek out those poor lost young souls and bring them here to help them discover their true spiritual nature. I’ve been wanting to offer my services to you, and to the young girls whom you’ve taken in, but while my father was alive, I believed that my place was there.”
    “And it was, of course it was.” Reverend Prescott had leaned across his desk and taken her hands between his own. It was all she could do to not pull away in disgust. Not because he was coming on to her, but because she’d been touched by the hands of a pedophile before, and her skin had never forgotten what it felt like.
    She forced a smile.
    “Thank you for understanding, Reverend Prescott.” She looked away modestly. “Do you think there could be a place for me here?”
    “I think perhaps we could fit you into our staff.”
    “Even though I was . . . dismissed . . . from my last teaching position?”
    “I’ve read the reports, Ms. Carey. How shortsighted those fools were to have let go a woman of your moral caliber and obvious spiritual nature.” He shook his head slowly, side to side. “The world out there is awash in misguided theories and adrift on a sea of ignorance. Anyone can see that today’s children need a well-marked course in life. They need guidance—and yes, discipline—to help them chart that course. To help them understand what is expected of them.”
    “Especially the young girls, Reverend.” She’d looked up at him piously. “There are so many dangers to young girls in the world. It’s a challenge to prepare them properly to take their place in the world.”
    “I can assure you, Ms. Carey, when a young girl leaves the Valley of the Angels, she is well prepared for her role.”
    He rose from his chair and extended a hand to her to assist her in rising.
    “I look forward to seeing what you might contribute to our girls’ education, Ms. Carey. You’ll be addressed as Miss Ruth here.” He walked her to the door and opened it. “Now, I’m going to hand you over to Miss Eleanor. She’ll get you settled in as a cabin mother with some of the older girls, and on Monday, you’ll start your new life as a teacher here in the Valley of the Angels.”
    “Reverend Prescott, I can’t thank you enough for taking me in. For giving me a chance to be part of the wonderful work you do here.”
    “Well, I’m sure you’ll become an integral part of that work, Miss Ruth.”
    A woman in her mid-fifties waited outside the door.
    “Miss Eleanor, please take Miss Ruth to cabin twelve. She’ll be the new cabin mother. Please help her get settled, introduce her to the girls . . .”
    Miss Eleanor nodded and gestured to Genna to follow her. Genna wondered if perhaps her companion had taken a vow of silence until they reached the outer doors of the building and stepped outside.
    “Do you have a suitcase? We’re not supposed to have but two changes of clothing, so you’ll have to go through your things and decide what it is you want to keep. The rest will