Page 35 of The Girl in the River

“Just find Mia,” Emily said. “And bring her back to that precious girl.”

Ellie hoped she could. But she’d lost so many victims along the way that she was afraid to make promises she couldn’t keep.

The humidity had turned sweltering, perspiration beading on Ellie’s skin as she made her way back to the Jeep where Derrick was waiting with all the windows open. He sat hunched over his laptop.

Ellie slid onto the driver’s seat. “Pixie doesn’t know Jo-Jo or Seth Pennington. Not family or friends. She said it was just her and her mommy and Mark.”

“I didn’t discover any communication between Mia and them on her computer or phone records. But I found out where they are.” Derrick angled his computer to reveal an obituary notice. “Pixie didn’t know them because the Penningtons are dead. They were murdered four years ago.”

FORTY-FOUR

DAWSONVILLE

“Murdered?” Ellie’s heart thundered as she started the engine and drove from the ranch. “How were they killed?”

“A home invasion,” Derrick replied. “Or at least that’s what the report says.”

“Did they find the killer?” Ellie asked.

“No. Let me look and see what I can dig up on it.”

Pockets of rain clouds dotted the sky, promising another summer storm. While she headed toward the station, Ellie called Mark.

“Detective,” Mark said, his voice anxious. “Did you find her?”

“I’m sorry but not yet. Did Mia ever mention a couple named Jo-Jo and Seth Pennington?”

“No, why? Who are they?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Apparently, Mia left a note with Emily Nettles stating that if anything happened to her, to contact the Penningtons to take care of Pixie.”

“I don’t understand,” Mark said, hurt lacing his voice. “We agreed that I was going to adopt Pixie.”

“I don’t understand either. But I’m going to find out their connection to her.”

“Maybe they know where Mia is.” Hope flickered in Mark’s voice.

Ellie’s chest tightened, but she decided not to reveal that the couple had been murdered until she knew more. “I’ll keep you posted.”

As soon as she hung up, Derrick looked up from his computer. “According to this article, the Penningtons lived in Dawsonville. The couple were in their early forties. The wife was a website designer, the husband an accountant. No children. And no surviving family.”

“Mia must not have been aware of their deaths or she wouldn’t have left that directive,” Ellie said.

“Small town news,” Derrick said. “Looks like there was a major accident on the interstate that same day that stopped traffic for several hours involving multiple casualties. Drunk driver ran and police had to chase him down across counties where he crashed into someone’s house and caused another death.”

“Good heavens,” Ellie muttered.

Derrick nodded. “Considering the fact that the Pennington case was ruled a B&E, their story probably got buried beneath all that drama.”

“Got it. Tell me more about what happened with the Penningtons.”

Derrick drummed his fingers on his thigh. “Police stated that a lawn company showed up and discovered the home had been broken into. Police discovered the wife and husband tied to chairs, beaten and shot in the head.”

“Sounds like overkill, not just a B&E,” Ellie said. “Was it personal? Did they have any suspects?”

“Doesn’t say. Just that a detective named Mathis investigated and left the case open.”

“We need to talk to him. Let’s head there now.”

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