Her phone buzzed and Ellie connected. “Sheriff, what happened with the accident?”
“It’s not Iris. Kid was a four-year-old boy but he’s fine.”
“That’s good,” Ellie said then explained she was headed to the Bentons. “After the parents, I’ll talk to Minnie’s sister Beth Ann.”
“Keep me posted.”
“Will do.” Ellie hung up, then threaded her way through a narrow drive lined with red maples, bursting with color from the late fall that seemed to be passing into an early winter. The house was a massive wooden and stone structure halfway up the mountain and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered majestic views. Obviously the Bentons had money and enjoyed making their home a showcase.
Cord pulled in behind her as she parked, and they got out and silently walked up the brick path to the striking front porch with its hanging ferns that swayed in the gusty winds. Fall flowers were wilting in the unusually cool temperatures and in spite of the opulence of the house, it was void of any seasonal or Halloween decorations, adding an almost dismal feel.
Judging from Cord’s rigid posture, he dreaded this as much as she did. But she rang the doorbell, aware notifications and interviews with the family came with the job.
They exchanged understanding looks as they waited and finally a woman with a short bob wearing black dress pants and a white collared shirt opened the door with a tentative smile that quickly disappeared when she saw Ellie’s badge.
“Mrs. Benton?” Ellie asked.
Her face paled and she gave a little nod.
“I’m Detective Ellie Reeves and this is SAR Ranger Cord McClain. May we come in?”
The woman’s breath quickened. “What is this about?”
“I think it’s best we speak inside,” Ellie said softly. “Is your husband home?”
Another nod and she led them to a cozy den with camel-colored leather furniture and a stone fireplace. A quick visual sweep revealed no family photo in the room of Minnie or a grandchild. Odd.
“He’s in his study,” she said. “Have a seat and I’ll get him.
Ellie and Cord sank into the two wing chairs flanking the fireplace. Ellie clenched her sweaty hands then wiped them on her jeans when Mr. Benton entered the doorway. Six feet tall with a military haircut, his dark eyes looked as austere as his stiff body language.
No introductions, just a blunt terse voice. “What’s going on?”
“I’m Detective Ellie Reeves and this is my associate, Ranger Cord McClain,” Ellie said. “We’re here about your daughter.”
Mrs. Benton dropped onto the sofa, her hand shaking as she dragged a pillow into her lap and dug her nails into it.
“Which one?” Mr. Benton asked, still standing and staring down at Ellie and Cord, his jaw clenched. “Although if it’s legal trouble, I’m fairly certain it’s Minnie, our youngest. She’s always the problem kid.”
Ellie swallowed at his condescending tone. “What do you mean?”
“Trouble at school, then with boys,” he said. “Then she ran away.”
Ellie sucked in a breath while Cord sat back studying the couple. “Do you know where she went?”
“No,” he said. “Haven’t heard from her in a while.”
“How long is a while? A couple of weeks? Months?” Ellie asked
A muscle ticked in Benton’s jaw. “Since she ran away a couple of years ago. She knew where we lived and could have come back if she wanted.”
Ellie raised a brow. She doubted that Minnie would have wanted to. Not with his attitude.
She glanced at Mrs. Benton then to the photo of a young woman on the mantel. Not Minnie. Must be the other daughter. “How about you, ma’am? Did you stay in touch with Minnie?”
The woman shot a nervous glance at her husband then shook her head no. “She never reached out.” She fidgeted with her hands. “I tried to call a few times, but she never answered or returned my calls.”
Ellie absorbed that information, deciding there was more to the story than the couple wanted to reveal.
