“Exactly.”
“That is suspicious.”
“And perhaps a motive for the killer. Also, there’s a boulder at Midnight Ridge with the initials of each girl carved on it. They were carved by the same person.”
“What you’re saying is that the other girls didn’t commit suicide either, that they were all murdered.”
“It looks that way. But we’ll keep digging. I plan to question their families and look for a connection between the teens. They didn’t attend the same school, but they could have met in a support group for teen mothers, either online or at a community center or church. Or even at an AA meeting. Hazel said Minnie attended one regularly.”
“Sounds like a place to start,” Cord said. “I talked to the ornithologist in town at his office and saw artwork made of feathers. Black crow feathers in the same pattern as the ones where Minnie died. It’s a long shot but I plan to question the artist.”
“Nice work. Even if he’s not the killer, he might know someone who’s obsessed with crows.”
“Right. There’s something else. Milo just called. They may have found Roman, the old man who called in Minnie’s death.”
“Great. Maybe he remembered something.”
Cord sighed. “If he did, we’ll never know. He’s dead.”
FORTY-FIVE
Crooked Creek Police Station
Ellie worried her bottom lip with her teeth as Cord’s words sank in. “What happened?”
“Not sure. I’m headed there to verify that it’s him. I’ll let you know when I arrive.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
A knock sounded at Ellie’s door, and she glanced up to see Deputy Landrum. He motioned to a teenage boy and a middle-aged man, and Ellie waved a finger to indicate she’d be right with them. “Cord, Landrum is here with Marty Burgess. I need to question him before I come.”
“Sure. I’ll keep you posted.”
Ellie joined Deputy Landrum, who stood with a nervous young man and an older man she assumed to be the boy’s father. Dressed in a suit and tie, his hair neatly clipped, he stood rigid and looked irritated.
Ellie extended her hand. “Detective Ellie Reeves. You’re Mr. Burgess?”
He gave a clipped nod and shook her hand, then she gestured to the boy. “And you’re Marty?”
He nodded warily.
“What is this about?” Mr. Burgess asked gruffly.
“Let’s find a place and sit down.” Ellie led them to an open interrogation room, then set two bottles of water on the table. As soon as they were seated, Mr. Burgess instantly pulled his phone. “Do I need to call my attorney?”
“At this point, I don’t see any reason to. I just want to ask your son a couple of questions about Minnie Benton. I’m sure you’re both aware that her body was found at Midnight Ridge.”
Mr. Burgess’s stare turned icy. Marty folded his arms, then slumped in his seat, his expression confused.
“Why do you think Marty would know anything about her?”
“At this point, I’m simply talking to classmates and looking for any information I can learn about her,” Ellie said smoothly.
Marty shifted. “Minnie killed herself, didn’t she?”
“It first appeared that way, but we have questions about her death.” Ellie angled herself toward Marty and gave him a friendly smile to ease his anxiety. “You did know Minnie, didn’t you?”
Marty shrugged. “I knew who she was, but we didn’t hang out together. Why? Did someone say we did?” A defensive note slipped into his voice.
