CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE – AN UNSAFE REFUGE

A soft coo made her glance down to see Becky, awake and alert, gurgling happily up at her despite the trials they'd so recently endured. She couldn't stifle a tremulous smile, nuzzling her cheek against her daughter's downy curls and drawing immeasurable strength from that simple act of maternal devotion. "There you are." John appeared in the doorway, looking marginally restored though obvious fatigue still haunted his gaze. "Thought you two might sleep straight through until noon." Karina arched an eyebrow at him over Becky's babbling. "Is that a hint that you already got the full story out of our...hostess?" His mouth tightened fractionally at her choice of words. "Not as such, no. I was waiting until you were up and about before pushing for answers." She nodded slowly, gaze sharpening. "Because something...seems off about her, doesn't it? This whole situation." The answering spark in John's eye confirmed she wasn't just imagining things. "You pick up on that too, huh? Can't put