Page 106 of The Girl in the River

“Promise me,” he said, his eyes imploring as her father’s earlier accusations rang in his head.

Ellie gave a nod.

He had to go, he knew that. But Ellie had better damn well keep her promise.

ONE HUNDRED FORTY-TWO

SOMEWHERE ON FOGGY MOUNTAIN

Pixie was so scared, she covered her face with her hands so she couldn’t see the big man’s mean eyes. And his face… Blood covered his cheek and dotted his hands as he got out of the car.

He opened her door and she shrank away from him, screaming.

“Be quiet!” He grabbed her arms and shook her. “Stop crying and be quiet so I can think!”

“I want Mommy!”

He shook her again, this time so hard she bit her lip and tasted blood. His fingers were so tight on her arms, she whimpered in pain.

He looked like a crazy person from one of those horror movies her mommy wouldn’t let her see.

“Listen to me, Pixie,” he said, his lips snarling like a wild animal. “I’m your father and we’re going to be a family.”

“Mommy,” she said, only she was so scared her voice came out like a baby whisper. “I don’t have a daddy. Mommy told me.”

“Your mother lied to you,” he said, his breath so hot she felt it on her face. “You do have a father. Me. Only I just found out about you because your mother stole you from me.”

She shook her head back and forth. She didn’t believe him. Her mommy loved her and always said not to lie.

He loosened his fingers as a big black car rolled up. Headlights blinded her. Pixie wanted to scream for them to help her, but the man dragged her from the back seat. She kicked him and bit his hand and he howled. Tears filled her eyes.

Then he opened the door of the other car and threw her inside before he got in the front. The car jerked and sped off, tires screeching.

ONE HUNDRED FORTY-THREE

RED RIVER ROCK

In spite of her promise to Derrick, Ellie couldn’t sit still and give Kevin time to disappear with Pixie.

She took an Uber to her house to get her Jeep; she planned to confront Kevin Moon’s father and push him for the location of the riverboat.

But she did have to play it smart, so she made a quick call to Cord and explained about the boat. “Derrick had to leave town for an emergency. Can you stake out the Moon Stillery and keep an ear open for talk about Kevin Moon? Maybe someone there knows where he keeps the riverboat.”

“I’ll head there now,” Cord agreed.

“Cord, don’t do anything without calling me for back-up. These people are dangerous and we don’t know who in the town is involved. Consider this a reconnaissance mission. Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a soft chuckle.

“Keep an eye out for Ronnie and her boys, too. I think they’re involved in this up to their eyeballs.”

“Got it.” He sighed. “And El, take your own advice. Call for back-up and don’t rush in on your own.”

“Of course.” She hung up as the driver dropped her at her house. Moments later, she fired the engine of her vehicle and sped toward Foggy Mountain. Every minute that passed without Pixie meant Kevin could be getting further and further away with her.

The rain had slackened to a drizzle, the fog thicker as she drove up the mountain. Trees swayed and water spewed from her tires, the traffic thinning out with the bad weather.

Tension knotted every muscle in her body as she neared Armond Moon’s home, pulling up the drive. The lights were dim inside, and she didn’t see Mr. Moon’s car, although the garage door was closed so it could be stowed inside.

---