“I’ll drive to Mystic, Tilly.” Granted, Tilly was experienced with research and good with people. But they were dealing with a killer at the moment, and he didn’t intend to let her go alone. She’d almost died on the last case they’d worked, and he refused to lose her on his watch.
“That’s not necessary,” she said. “I’ll be fine on my own, Derrick. You have your own work cut out.”
He ignored her protests and slid into the driver’s seat. Tilly was almost as stubborn as Ellie. Only Ellie carried a gun and Tilly didn’t. Maybe he’d take her to a shooting range and encourage her to take shooting lessons. “Where do you want to start?” he asked.
She sighed as if she realized arguing was futile. “At the local library,” she said. “Librarians are invaluable resources for information and so is the town historian. Often times, they’re one and the same.”
“Makes sense,” Derrick said as he drove toward the mountains. He’d analyzed the crime scene photos at Midnight Ridge and researched the small town of Mystic. “While you do that, I’ll contact my sources at the Bureau and ask if there’s chatter about human-trafficking toddlers or a baby-selling ring on their radar.”
Tilly rubbed her hands up and down her arms as if chilled. “I certainly hope that’s not the case, but I understand you have to explore every possibility.”
True. And if trafficking or a baby-selling ring was involved, Iris could be long gone from the area or out of the country already. “That’s why we all need to work together. Thanks for joining the team.”
“I’ll do whatever I can to help. I know what it’s like to mourn a lost loved one.”
He squeezed her hand. So did he.
Although it didn’t sound as if Minnie’s father was mourning her at all.
They lapsed into silence, each taking in the scenery on the winding road up the mountain. Tilly pulled her iPad and began researching the town’s history, reading aloud.
“Mystic is nestled in some of the tallest mountain ridges in North Georgia and is known for its spooky legends and Midnight Ridge, which has garnered several suicides over the years, two in the last year. It’s not as touristy as Tallulah Falls and Amicalola Falls, with their beautiful waterfalls, but has a certain gothic vibe that attracts a different following, especially those interested in the occult and religion.”
Derrick noted rustic farmhouses and abandoned barns scattered along the country road.
The air grew thick with fog as he approached the small town, which looked rundown, the storefronts desperately in need of a facelift, loose boards on one flapping in the heavy winds. The only stop sign was in the center of town and was buried in the mist.
“The library is on Maple Lane,” Tilly said as she entered the address into his GPS.
Derrick passed the police station, which was so small he nearly missed it. According to Ellie, a deputy was filling in as temporary sheriff, and one cell was more commonly occupied by the town drunk instead of hardcore criminals.
Except now a killer was hiding in their midst and everyone in town could be in danger.
FORTY-ONE
Crooked Creek Police Station
Ellie set a photo of Iris on her desk. The precious little girl had chubby cheeks, a cute little nose, black baby curls and green eyes that sparkled with mischief.
That innocent face was her motivation.
“I’m going to find you, Iris.” She just prayed the little girl was alive and safe somewhere.
Drawing in a deep breath, she opened the folders on the two suicide cases Deputy Rouse had sent over. Thankfully he’d at least taken photos of the scene and as she spread them out, she noticed the similarities. Black crow feathers were scattered at the other sites as well although in the first instance they were more random. Perhaps because of the wind or if the killer put them there, he’d been rushed. Maybe he’d heard someone coming.
Next, she laid a copy of Minnie’s suicide note on her desk and reread it.
“I’m so sorry for leaving you, Iris. I never deserved you in the first place. I love you, but you’ll be better off without me.” Ellie swallowed hard. “Have a good life and be happy. Love, Mommy.”
Ellie’s heart twisted. Hazel and Clara both insisted Minnie would not have taken her own life. Who had motive to kill her?
Her mind kept circling back to the baby’s father.
Next, she pulled a copy of the file on the first girl on the suicide list: sixteen-year-old Nina Gillis. According to the ME, she was pregnant at the time of her death.
She skimmed Nina’s suicide note,
I’m so sorry, little one, but I never deserved to have a child. I love you, but it’s better that you not come into this cruel world, not to a mother like me.
