Page 22 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

“We’ll leave in just a second,” Dean said, aiming for a calm he didn’t feel. “Can you tell me where you were two nights ago?”

“Well, now, I can’t go around just tellin’ everyone my business. A few ladies wouldn’t like that very much. You know what I mean.” Keith winked then laughed.

Elsie’s body shook and he swore fire would shoot from her ears if possible.

Dean understood Elsie’s anger, but this guy didn’t have Mila. No way he had the smarts—or would he spend his time—to track Mila’s movements and lay in wait for her. “Do you mind if we take a look in your trailer and shed? Mila’s missing and I’d hate to have the cops sniffing around here looking for her, which you and I both know they will with your connection.”

Keith worked his jaw back and forth as if chewing over the question. “Fine. You got ten minutes then I don’t want to see either of you on my property again. Hear me?”

Dean kept Elsie close as he searched the trailer and shed but all they found were empty bottles of liquor and enough trash to fill a dumpster. The quick search only reaffirmed what Dean already surmised.

Keith wasn’t hiding Mila.

Back in his truck, he started the engine and took off back to the highway. At least the visit hadn’t taken too much of their day. They had plenty of time to speak with Mrs. Pauly again and hopefully find something to point them in a new direction.

He glanced at Elsie for a beat before staring back at the two-lane highway winding around the mountain. “You okay?”

“I don’t know if I’m relieved or upset to not find Mila in that shithole. The one thing I do know is Jimmy is better off without a man like that in his life. Even if he was around, he’d never be the kind of father Jimmy deserved. Never make him eggs in the morning or spoil him with ice cream just to make him happy.”

Her words stirred a sensation inside Dean that had him tightening his grip on the steering wheel. Helping take care of Jimmy the last couple days had been rewarding as hell and he hoped he got a chance to prove he was a good father one day.

“Jimmy has a lot of love in his life. He may wonder about his dad, but he’ll always know support and kindness and joy. You and Mila and everyone else who knows him will make sure of that.”

He just hoped Jimmy didn’t have to grow up without either of his parents in his life, because as time ticked by, chances of bringing Mila home decreased.

9

Stepping into the warmth and comfort of Mrs. Pauly’s home was a far cry from wading through the filth of Keith’s trailer. The stench of the double-wide clung to Elsie’s skin, and she wanted nothing more than to wash away the entire encounter.

But that’d have to wait.

“Thank you so much for agreeing to talk to us again,” she said and perched onto the edge of the loveseat in the cramped living room.

Dean sat beside her, dwarfing the furniture with his size. “Yes, we don’t want to put you out.”

Mrs. Pauly settled in her wine-colored recliner with a black cat on her lap. She swatted her hand through the air before swiping it along the top of her furry animal. “I hate to hear Mila is still missing. The reason for your company is a real tragedy but I love having someone to talk to besides Sprinkles here.”

“I’m sure Sprinkles is a wonderful companion,” Dean said. “Although I bet your grandson is a little better at having a conversation.”

“Pfft. That rascal? He never has time for me. Especially lately. I told him that he could stay here if he helped me out. Ran my errands, prepared meals, cleaned the house. All things I’ve been paying other folks to do. But once he moved in, I couldn’t get him to do a darn thing.”

Elsie frowned. Not only did Justin Pauly sound like an ungrateful snot, but Mrs. Pauly’s description of the young man gave a much different impression than the other day. “You mentioned yesterday he was the reason you parted ways with Hometown Healers. I’d hate to think your health was in jeopardy because he wasn’t holding up his end of the bargain. Is that why Mila still stopped by from time to time? Because she knew Justin wasn’t taking his responsibilities seriously?”

Mrs. Pauly sighed, her puff of breath lifting a swirl of loose black hair from Sprinkles. “Mila came by one evening to say hello and noticed things weren’t being done properly. I never spoke an unkind word about Justin, but she just knew. She didn’t press or ask questions. She’d simply show up and do what she could for me without taking one cent.”

The older woman’s obvious adoration for her friend misted Elsie’s eyes. She smiled through her tears, a genuine smile for the first time in days. Mila had cast such a bright light for so many. “That sounds like her.”

Dean shifted beside her. “Mrs. Pauly, if your grandson hasn’t been pulling his weight around the house, do you know how he spends his time? Where he works? Friends he may have?”

“He doesn’t tell me anything. He stops in when he needs sleep or food. A few times he’s needed to store things in his room. I couldn’t tell you more than that.” Sprinkles leapt from Mrs. Pauly’s lap, and she swiped the leftover fur off her pants. “Why are you so curious about Justin?”

Unsure of how much she was supposed to say, Elsie glanced at Dean, giving him the space to continue.

“As you know, Mila’s scarf was found in your bushes yesterday morning. We understand you didn’t see her the night she went missing, but we’re wondering if your grandson did.”

Mrs. Pauly pursed her lips. Her eyes narrowed. “You think my grandson hurt that sweet girl? No. I can’t believe that. Justin might not be the most responsible young man, but he’d never hurt a fly. And what for? Because she stopped by to help me? Nope. Doesn’t make sense.”

Unease skittered up Elsie’s arms at Mrs. Pauly’s change of attitude. The woman had shown nothing but concern and compassion for Mila, but maybe she was willing to keep a few secrets in order to protect her family. “We’re not saying Justin hurt her, just that he may have seen her. We’d love to ask him. To see if he witnessed anything that could help us find Mila.”

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