"We did discuss that," Val told Arlo. "But they're being awfully subtle, if so. Most times, the point of hate groups is to send a message; to strike fear into people."
Arlo hid his smile, and Val glanced up at her. "You're joking," she said, "but you might be onto something. Truly."
"No, I'm serious. I think she might be on to something. If this thing has been kept a secret for so long, it has to be some sort of large corporation."
"We know that these trends aren't ordinary," Val said sternly. "There shouldn't be this many people dying from a single population. There's something wrong here."
"Not yet," she said. "That's where you come in. If we could somehow find some photographic proof that this was happening..."
"We also have to be sure we're on the right track," she said, brushing back her hair. "I mean, this is a huge theory."
A rare smile crossed her face as she leaned back into Arlo's arms, cracking her fingers. "Our next step is more interviews."
"I'm thinking some of the families of those who died," she said. "Maybe they can give us more insight."
