Still, as she entered the building, Derrick watched a man with dark hair wearing a UGA hat and baggy jeans follow her inside, his head tucked down as if he didn’t want to be seen. Derrick’s stomach twisted with anxiety.
It was going to be a long damn hour.
FIFTY-FIVE
Remembering how wary and scared her college friend had been at her first meeting, Tilly adopted her cover persona, darting her eyes around nervously as she entered. She sensed someone behind her but didn’t dare turn around.
Low chatter echoed from down the hall and a middle-aged woman in a midi-skirt, gauzy blouse and a band of bracelets winding up her arm greeted her with a friendly smile. “Welcome. I’m Myra. If you’re here for the meeting, it’s down the hall on the right.”
Play the part, Tilly.
She bit her lower lip and gave a little nod without quite making eye contact, then tilted her head down slightly and walked in the direction the woman had pointed. Low voices echoed from inside the room, and Tilly glanced through the door and saw chairs situated in a circle. Three people stood at a table in the back helping themselves to water, coffee and tea.
She veered toward the area and a man in overalls with a scruffy beard and scars crisscrossing his arms smiled at her. “Help yourself,” he said. “Myra brought cookies and candy tonight.” He gestured toward a large basket of miniature candy bars. “Snickers is my favorite.”
Tilly’s stomach turned slightly as his grin revealed chewing tobacco-stained teeth. She’d spent her teen years around men like that in Brambletown, where she’d grown up.
She skipped the sweets and grabbed a bottle of water just to have something to do with her hands then gave the man a nod, turned and surveyed the people seated. Three women sat side by side, one gray-haired thin lady knitting a baby blanket, the other two chatting quietly. Myra slid inside the door, bracelets jangling, snagged a candy bar and coffee and took a seat. She gave Tilly another warm smile, and Tilly claimed the chair beside her.
Two thirty-something men sat stiffly, one with his arms crossed, the other’s hands clasped in front of him as he stared at the floor. Tobacco-stained-teeth guy took the chair across from her, his eyes skating over her, making a shudder ripple up her spine.
A fit guy in a dark gray T-shirt and khaki pants rushed in and seated himself in the chair that appeared to be designated for the leader of the group. Tilly prepared her story in her head as he introduced himself.
“Hi, everyone. Good to see you. For those of you new to the group, I’m Gil McCoy, the leader. We’ll go over a few guidelines before we get started.” His gaze found Tilly then he moved on, speaking to everyone. “First of all, this group is anonymous and your identities and stories are not to be shared outside the group. Second, you can share as much or as little as you want in here. Although eventually we can help you more if you open up about your situation, what led you here, and how you’re managing your personal struggle.” He paused. “More importantly, this group is meant to be a support group, meaning there is no room for judgment, criticism, belittling or diminishing the pain and efforts of anyone. While our personal stories, problems, triggers and reasons for joining AA may bedifferent, we’re all fighting some kind of addiction so that we can regain control of our lives and live a healthier lifestyle.” He ran a hand through his black spiked hair and gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Sorry for the lecture. I commend you all on choosing to be here. Trust me, I face my own demons every day.”
Nods of understanding and quiet agreements rumbled through the room. “Also there’s a meeting here every night although the leaders rotate. Of course, you don’t have to attend each one, but choose whatever time is best for you. If you’re looking for a sponsor, you can let me know and we’ll try to help match you. Now, would anyone like to share tonight?”
Tilly shifted nervously and jerked her gaze away from Gil. He was handsome, charming and well-spoken. Hadn’t Ellie mentioned that Clara implied Minnie might have met someone in this group? Could Gil be that someone?
Still, she held back from speaking up, knowing first-timers didn’t easily share in the beginning. First she’d sit back and listen.
Then maybe she’d get an idea if one of the men in this room might have killed Minnie and taken Iris.
FIFTY-SIX
Crooked Creek Police Department
Ellie asked Deputies Eastwood and Landrum to join her in the conference room to update them. She’d requested Sheriff Bryce Waters’ presence, but he was busy handling situations in the county involving Day of the Dead activities and vigils being held at Midnight Ridge.
Ellie faced the deputies, updating the whiteboard as she filled them in.
“I spoke with Special Agent Fox. His partner is looking into a child abduction/possible adoption ring on the FBI’s radar. We need to explore that avenue with the three murders we have on our board.
“Minnie’s child is missing. Which means if Iris has been adopted, even illegally, she might be safe. But that’s still a big question. If she’s been sold to a family, is she still in the state? Or the country? And what kind of family has her?” Ellie paused, thinking. “Iris’s photograph is now all over the news. If the couple or person who took her knew she was abducted, they will be complicit. If they’re not, they might panic and run.”
“Or maybe they’ll do the right thing and come forward,” Shondra suggested.
Ellie smiled. Although Shondra had had a rough childhood and had suffered abuse herself, she managed to maintain a positive and optimistic view about the world.
“Shondra, did you learn anything from Minnie’s teachers and the counselors at her school?”
“Nothing new. The counselor said Minnie didn’t confide in her about the pregnancy or the baby’s father. Her English teacher said she’d noticed Minnie’s withdrawal and worried that she was having emotional problems. That she tried to discuss the situation with the Bentons, but the mother assured her that Minnie was fine.”
“Mrs. Benton was either in denial, too embarrassed to accept help or hiding family secrets,” Ellie said with a shake of her head. “Back to the possibility of a child abduction/ adoption scenario. In the event the adopted parents are unaware the child they’re getting is abducted, adoptions require legalities or at least falsified paperwork to fool parents desperate for a child, which means we need to explore attorneys connected to any of the girls. Also, perhaps counselors who may have worked with them regarding childbirth, parenting and adoption.”
“Good point,” Deputy Landrum said.
Ellie nodded. “Also, we need to interview any nurses or doctors involved in the births of the girls’ babies,” Ellie continued. “We know Hazel delivered Minnie’s little girl, but I just can’t see her lying. She seems to care so much about the teens.”
