Page 39 of Stolen Angels

Forty-Two

Beaver Pond

Shondra arrived to stay with the Trumans, and Ellie filled her in while Lara disappeared into Ava’s room, crying. Jasper was pacing the living room, work boots clicking on the wood floor as he studied the photos of past Christmases that Lara had spread on the coffee table.

“What do you think?” Shondra asked.

“Not sure about Jasper. He seems truly upset but could be guilt kicking in if he hurt Ava.” Ellie paused. “The girlfriend is one cold ice cube. Definitely keeping her on the list for the moment.”

“I’ll watch him carefully,” Shondra said. “See if he changes his story.”

“Monitor his phone in case Autumn calls him or he tries to sneak off and reach her.”

“On it,” Shondra said. “I’ve had plenty of experience reading weasels.”

Ellie gave her a small smile. Shondra had been raised in an abusive situation.

“The desk clerk at the spa confirms that Autumn is there,” Derrick said as he hung up. “She signed up for every spa treatment available.”

Deciding to divide up manpower, Ellie dropped Derrick at the station to retrieve his car so he could search Autumn’s apartment while she planned to meet Cord to hike to Beaver Pond.

Though the rain had held off for now, thick gray clouds still hovered on the horizon. Coupled with the shade of the pines and aspens, the chill in the air felt ten degrees colder as she parked and got out. Here, it had rained during the night and water droplets clung to the shivering trees, fallen leaves and the blades of grass and weeds.

“Are you okay?” Cord asked as they climbed along the narrow path.

“Just tired and worried about Ava,” Ellie said, inhaling the scent of damp moss.

His deep brown eyes met hers. “I feel awful for the little girl, but I wasn’t talking about that. You went through a lot with the Hunter.”

Her cheeks heated. He reached out and touched her arm. “Ellie?”

She stiffened, fighting the urge to lean into him. “A few nightmares, but I survived. How’s Lola?”

Pain and worry flared on his face. “Same. She doesn’t want to talk about it though.”

Ellie understood that. “She’s lucky to have you there for support, Cord,” she said softly.

He shrugged. “She deserves better.”

“Don’t sell yourself short.” Uneasy with the tension between them, she strode deeper into the woods. Faint slivers of sun shone on the raindrops glistening on the trees, shimmering like clear pearls. Yet the smell of wet earth and the metallic scent of a dead animal negated the beauty.

They climbed another hill, then stopped at the bait shop where the owner verified that he’d seen Jasper with another man and pointed them in the direction of their camp.

Two miles in, and she sipped some water, her body achy from lack of sleep, but she pushed herself on and followed Cord along a narrow ledge. Rocks skittered down from the cliff, pinging down the side of the mountain. It was easy to lose your footing, especially when the ground was slippery and mud sucked at her boots. She felt hints of another shower coming in the misty air, and the scent of wild mushrooms and damp lichen.

Set in the valley, the pond was visible from the ridge. They reached the crest, then they cut across another path and wound downward, weaving through overgrown bushes and briars. As they descended the steep terrain, she held onto trees and limbs to keep from falling. Lungs straining, she breathed in the frigid air as they made it to the bottom.

Cord paused by an oak, examining the area with his binoculars. “Over there.”

Ellie spotted a burly man hunched by the pond in a heavy overcoat and ball cap. She and Cord maneuvered their way through the trees and brush, noting the man seemed deep in thought as he fished.

The wind whistled, rippling the pond water, and birds soared overhead heading further south. Black crows dove down in search of food, and she could hear the rustles of other forest animals foraging through the woods.

The man must have heard them because he turned, his fishing rod in hand, and adjusted his hat. He wore overalls and boots, a cigarette dangled from the corner of his mouth.

The scent of the cigarette made Ellie’s eyes water.

“Look around the campsite while I talk to Banks,” Ellie told Cord. “Jasper could have brought Ava up here before Banks arrived.”

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