EIGHTY
Midnight Ridge
Cord’s shoulders knotted with tension as Ellie dropped him at his cabin to pick up his truck and Benji so he could meet Fox at Midnight Ridge to search for Dana Jo and Lou Lou. His argument that he stay with Ellie every minute of the day until this bastard was caught had been met with the kind of fierce resistance he’d expected. He didn’t like it, but she’d practically ordered him to do his job and let her do hers.
He patted Benji, who was perched in the passenger seat as they rolled down his drive.
“I don’t know why I try to protect that damn woman,” he said. “She’s as stubborn as a mule.” Benji cocked his head and looked at him. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. You know it’s true, too.” The last few months Benji had become infatuated with Ellie. Traitor.
Before he’d left Ellie, she’d pointed out that she carried a weapon and that they needed to act quickly to find Dana Jo and Lou Lou. How could he argue with that?
Although he doubted the killer would carry the girls to Midnight Ridge, not with all the media attention and the ongoing vigils locals happening the last few days.
But killers like this one were arrogant and often did the unexpected, sometimes to challenge themselves and the law and rub their crimes in the police’s face. He’d already made that clear by leaving the crow feathers and dead crow on Ellie’s bed.
Cord placed the rag doll and teddy bear on the seat in front of Benji. “Take a good sniff, buddy. Those belong to the little girl we’re looking for. If she’s up here near Midnight Ridge, we need to find her quickly before the storm blows in.”
He rounded the curve, spotted Fox’s car, parked beside him and got out.
“McClain,” Fox said. “I just got here and plan to scope out the ridge. For now, the Believers are taking a rest, but they’ll be back later. I heard some church planned to hold a baptism up here at dusk but are postponing due to the weather.”
Cord resisted a grunt. The people of Mystic certainly believed in the folklore surrounding the ridge. Fog blurred the top of the mountain, the misty haze adding to the mystery of the area. Like a pirate ghost ship fleeing in the night, the darkness and fog would provide a cover for someone to disappear without being seen.
“I don’t see a body here or crow feathers,” Cord said. “But Benji and I will start down here near the creek.”
Fox gave a clipped nod. “I’ll head up and search the top of the ridge.”
Fox started up the path toward the ridge and Cord turned in a wide arc, surveying the territory. Last night the temperature had dipped below freezing. It was dropping even lower tonight, the storm predicted to begin. Rain then sleet that might turn to snow.
He returned to the truck to retrieve Benji. If the killer had left Dana Jo or Lou Lou in the elements, and they didn’t find them before the storm set in, they might not survive.
EIGHTY-ONE
Crooked Creek Police Station
Ellie handed off the evidence bags to be sent to the lab, requesting they be analyzed stat. Once the chain of custody document was signed, she met Angelica Gomez in the press room.
“Captain Hale said another teenager and child are missing,” Angelica said.
“Sadly, yes,” Ellie said. “We need to post their photos on the news ASAP.”
Angelica gestured to her cameraman, who had already set up. “Okay, let’s roll.”
Ellie stood beside Angelica, anxiety riddling her at having to announce to the public that a dangerous killer was still on the loose.
The cameraman gave the signal and Angelica introduced herself to lead into the segment. “Following the story of the missing child Iris Benton, Detective Ellie Reeves is here to add an update.”
Ellie took the microphone, breathing in to steady her nerves. “We are still searching for Iris Benton, so please call in if youhave any information on her whereabouts.” She paused for a beat. “Unfortunately, another young mother and her child are now missing. Late last night, Dana Jo Glasser and her two-year-old daughter, Lou Lou, disappeared from their home in what we believe is an abduction. Evidence suggests that this kidnapping is connected to the Benton case and that we are dealing with a serial predator. In child abduction cases, time is of utmost importance, so we implore everyone to be alert for these faces.” Ellie shifted slightly to offer time for Dana Jo’s and Lou Lou’s photographs to be displayed. “The FBI is coordinating with statewide law enforcement agencies. Please help us find Ms. Glasser and the two children, Iris Benton and Lou Lou Glasser. Thank you.”
Stomach rolling and palms sweating, she stepped away from the mic and let Angelica tie up the segment while she hurried to her office.
Ellie had to stay busy. Shondra was looking into the counselor at the hospital where Jordan delivered, but Ellie had the name of the woman who’d convinced Jordan to agree to adoption.
She’d start there.
EIGHTY-TWO
Midnight Ridge
