“Yes, it is. Did you counsel Minnie?”
“Yes,” Mabel said. “She was doing great. Sticking with AA and committed to her little girl.”
“That’s what I’ve heard,” Ellie said. “We’re gathering information from any and everyone who knew each of the girls.” Ellie crossed her leg. “I understand you counseled Dana Jo Glasser. I spoke with her mother, and she explained about the trauma Dana Jo suffered and the memory loss from the ordeal.”
Mabel’s expression saddened. “First, you’re aware I can’t divulge details of private conversations any of my clients shared with me.”
“I understand, but if there’s anything helpful you can tell me, please do. The first twenty-four hours in an abduction are key to finding the kidnapped victim. And if this kidnapper is the same who killed Minnie, and we believe it is, then she and her daughter are in terrible danger.”
Mabel tapped her manicured nails on her knee. “What do you want to know?”
“Had Dana Jo made any breakthroughs in her memory recovery about the attack?”
Mabel crossed her legs. “She was experiencing night terrors and said that sometimes she could almost see her attacker’s face.I think she was on the verge of a breakthrough but the mind heals in its own time.”
“Did she describe any details about his face? Or how she knew him?”
“No,” Mabel said. “Only she was nervous. Said that sometimes she felt as if he was back. Watching her.”
“How about his height or weight?”
“She described his appearance as a dark shadow in her nightmares. That he wore all black, including a mask.”
Ellie gave a nod. “I understand you offer guidance to girls about whether or not to keep their baby or choose adoption. What is your approach?”
Mabel’s green eyes flickered with wariness. “My approach?”
“Yes, do you guide them one way or the other?”
The counselor schooled her expression. “No, it’s not my job to tell them what to do or try to influence them. That might lead to resentment over time. Every situation is different, so we simply discuss the girl’s options and her personal goals. Does she have financial stability, a job, savings? Does she have parental or family support or help? What goals does she have for her life and how would being a single teenage mother affect those goals?” She paused. “Also, I encourage each girl to talk about her emotions and her feelings about being a mother. No judgment there either. Some teen girls love children and are excited about motherhood, but some feel like they’re not ready. It’s okay either way. We also discuss what will be best for the child and his or her future.”
“Considering Dana Jo’s child was most likely conceived in violence, did you feel she should relinquish custody of her child?”
Anger slipped into Mabel’s eyes. “I already stated that I don’t influence the girls. In Dana Jo’s situation, we discussed the violence, but Dana Jo insisted the baby was not at fault, and thatshe would never allow her child to know what happened. That her daughter was innocent, and she would love her no matter what. Her mother was fully on board, so Dana Jo declined an adoption.”
“She never revealed the baby’s father’s name?”
“She didn’t know,” Mabel said.
Ellie considered her comment. But if her memory returned, that would have changed things.
Which could be the reason the unsub kidnapped her and Lou Lou.
“Now I wish I could tell you more.” Mabel glanced at her watch. “But I have another appointment in about five minutes.”
“One more question,” Ellie said. “When your clients chose adoption, did you refer them to a particular agency?”
Mabel stood, then smoothed down her slacks as if she needed a moment to compose herself. “Yes,” she said. She consulted her computer and scribbled a name and number onto the paper.
Ellie accepted the sticky note and left, eager to check out the agency.
If they were somehow involved in the abductions, maybe she could force them into revealing where Iris and Lou Lou had been placed.
But an adoption presented other problems and questions. With both Iris’s and now Lou Lou’s photographs and stories circulating on the news, any individual or couple who’d adopted them would have to see that they were abducted and that their placement was illegal.
A chill rippled up her spine. Although what if they wanted a child so badly they didn’t care?
EIGHTY-FOUR
