I waited for the girls to finish eating. Jenna and Maya refilled the water bottles, and I found the caps I dropped earlier. I distributed the other six packages of trail mix. Leading them out into the sunshine, I winced when I started to catalogue the injuries now apparent in the clear desert air.

I saw Chayton clench his fists and I wondered if he was as angry as I was. The physical evidence of restraints on their wrists and ankles? There are no words to describe the anguish of witnessing such things. I knew I needed some time away to recharge and put this case behind me.

I shortened the stirrups on Stars saddle, I paused to make sure the cinch was still tight. She was an expert at inflating her lungs to give her rider fits. I helped Maya up to the saddle, please to see I guessed right on the length of her legs.

"Do you think you can handle one of the twins in front of you?"

The black haired, elfin faced child nodded. "I used to ride a pony. There's enough room here." She pointed down confirming what I already knew. The saddle was really too big for a child. I lifted the first of the twins and settled her against Maya's stomach. Her sister went behind. She reached around the older girl until she touched her sister, and both relaxed. I still hadn't heard either of them say a single word.

"Alyana, you will have to lift Jenna and Ella up onto Bingo." One glance at Chayton's face told me he was holding on by a thread. His fists continued to clench, and I knew the girls saw a blow coming.

Malia said, "I can walk. If we take our time, I'll be alright."

"Chayton help her up. Ella and Jenna will be able to ride behind her. Bingo has a long back."

I knelt beside Ella and whispered in her ear. "He's not going to hurt you. I can't lift you up there and Bingo wants to help you too."

I could feel her shaking under my hands and Jenna spoke up. "If I do it first, will you?"

Ella nodded. Her eyes were wide, but I couldn't blame her for needing proof she would be safe.

"Chayton, this one first," I pointed to the little brunette. In spite of her emaciated body, her hair glinted with red highlights. Jenna held out her arms and he lifted her with gentle hands at her waist. Setting her behind my sister, her tiny hands snaked around Malia hugging her tight.

My man knelt beside me lifting Ella's chin with a gentle finger. "I won't hit you. I will keep you safe from now until we can get you to the doctors and nurses who can help you."

She stared at like a doe caught in headlights, and then whispered, "Don't let the policeman take me."

"I promise."

Ella threw herself into his arms. I couldn't control the tears running down my cheeks.

We started down the hill, using the faint trail still visible between Joshua trees and prickly pear. Gunshots reverberated faint echoes around us, and I glanced over my shoulder. Ella hid her face against Jenna's back her hands clenching the saddle she could barely reach.

Maya had one arm twisted behind her, to hold onto the twin behind her, and the other clenched around the one leaning against her chest. Her posture was correct, and I knew she wasn't lying about being able to ride. She swayed easily in rhythm with Star's gait.

My sister held the saddle horn with one hand, the other on Jenna's thigh. I was satisfied she would keep herself upright. I could see her mouth moving silently and wondered if she was repeating one of the creation legends. It was a habit I remembered from our childhood.

"They're going to be okay," I whispered.

"I want to kill the cop who scared the little one," Chay kept his voice quiet too.

"Get in line. We'll have to watch to see who it might be. That's Ella, who told me the police are bad guys too. This whole thing has tentacles everywhere. I don't know if I can handle the prosecution."

"You'll do it. I've seen clips of you on the news. Get that ice queen attitude going and you'll be fine. I don't think prep for the trial will start right away, will it?"

"I can leave it with my team. Victim interviews will be first, then we have to organize all the evidence for disclosure. That will take weeks. I'll have to be there once we start revealing what we have to the defense council."

"Hang on to that vacation we have coming. We need to get away from this hell for a while."

I reached over for his hand, threading my fingers through his. Let my sister see our bond, and let the kids know it was there. I wondered if we could even find their parents. Checking missing children reports would be another heartbreaking chore.

The walk down took us almost half an hour. I could see four ambulances sitting in the clearing. No cops. A small blessing considering Ella's revelation. We came in from the back stopping by the three walled shelter I kept for Star.

"Malia, stay here with the kids. I'm going to talk to the paramedics first. Once Chayton has the horses dealt with, he'll bring you in. Okay?"

She barely moved her head to let me know she understood. Chayton held up his arms, and Ella dropped right into them, clinging to his neck. She wouldn't let go.

I helped Jenna down, and Malia, swung her leg over Bingo's back and dismounted herself. She went over to Star and helped the twins down. Maya got herself down easily.

Tension made my shoulders twitch, and before I thought better of it, I turned and headed out to talk to the first responders, leaving Chayton to figure out what to do with Ella.

The EMTs were waiting for me when I got there.

"It's bad. As bad as it gets. The brutal truth is these girls have all been raped. My sister too."

"Got it. Exactly what we expected. Do you want us to go back there?" It seemed they were well briefed, and the sad eyed team lead was willing to be patient. He continued, "They didn't let us bring the healers with us. They will be waiting at the ER. Six of them."

I let out a long slow breath, trying to control my fury. Don't kill the messenger. Don't kill the messenger. I said it silently as I let out the air, like a foul poison. What did I expect? I knew evidence chain protection as well as anyone on the team, maybe better.

"My partner will bring them around. I have to take care of the horses first." My words whipped out like a cat of nine tails.

The paramedic winced. "We'll wait."

I turned back to help Chayton. My energy levels were tanking. Getting through the next hours was almost more than I could face.