Page 30 of The Girl in the River

Meanwhile, Derrick was talking to Abraham Williams, the leader of the ERT. “We confiscated her computer,” Derrick said. “Someone tore the place up. Maybe they left prints or DNA.”

“Be sure to send a toothbrush or hairbrush to Dr. Whitefeather for DNA comparison,” Ellie said.

“Copy that. We’ll be thorough,” Williams assured her.Whether she’s dead or alive.His team joined him and Ellie turned to Derrick.

“Let’s go to the James’ house and talk to Liam,” Ellie said.

While they drove, she called Shondra and filled her in. “I realize it’s summer break for schools but get a list of the teachers and talk to each one of them. I’m almost certain Mia was the target here, but she might have confided something to Tori.”

“On it,” Shondra agreed.

As she hung up, Derrick arranged for the trace to be placed on Mark Wade’s phone. Ellie just wished she could hear his conversation when he called his mother. Because she knew for sure that he would.

THIRTY-EIGHT

LITTLE CREEK

Morning sunlight shimmered off the asphalt, the temperature heating up as Ellie and Derrick drove toward Liam’s. They passed SUVs and trucks loaded with canoes and kayaks heading into the mountains for the day, and mini vans holding families flocking to the area for the holiday weekend.

Liam and Tori lived outside town by Little Creek, a narrow ribbon of water that fed into the river further south. Small cabins and bungalows had been built on quarter acre lots with views of the towering mountains. At the house, a small yard with a rock bed island held assorted flowers.

Liam’s black Lexus sat to the side. Ellie braced herself as she and Derrick walked up and knocked on the door. Shuffling sounded from within and a minute later, Liam opened the door, his face ruddy, hair disheveled, eyes bloodshot. He’d obviously had a rough night and probably a rough morning with Tori’s mother at the café.

“Hi, Liam,” she said, then introduced him to Derrick. “Can we come in?”

His mouth thinned into a hard line, but he stepped aside and allowed them in. Moving to the sofa, he sat, picked up a coffee mug and sipped before speaking. “Tell me you found out who killed my wife.”

A heartbeat passed, Liam’s labored breathing rattling in the silence.

“Not yet,” Ellie said.

He ran a hand through his hair. “And Mia?”

“We’re still looking,” Ellie said. “But that’s one reason we’re here.” She quickly glanced around his living room but there were no signs an intruder had trashed the place. “We just came from Mia’s house. Someone ransacked her things. Did you see signs of an intruder here when you got home last night?”

His eyes narrowed. “No. Nothing like that. Why would someone trash Mia’s house?”

“I don’t know yet.” Ellie chose to be direct. “We think Mia was the target. This intruder destroyed photographs of her and Mark, burning them in the fireplace.”

Liam set his coffee mug down with a thud and sank back against the sofa. “So you think Tori was killed because she was with Mia?”

“That’s one theory.”

“Jesus, this is so screwed up,” Liam said angrily. “When can I see her? I… have to make arrangements…” His voice cracked.

“I’ll talk to the medical examiner and let you know,” Ellie said.

“We’re going to do everything we can to find her killer,” Derrick added.

Liam’s anguished gaze lifted to them. “It still won’t bring her back.”

“No,” Ellie said, her heart cracking. “But we will get justice for her, Liam. I promise.”

THIRTY-NINE

BLUEBERRY HILL

After leaving Mia’s, Mark was so shaken his mind was a mess. The detective’s question about his mother nagged at him as he parked at his parents’ house.

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