Page 25 of The Girl in the River

Is it done?

She tapped her boot on the rickety floor of the dock while she waited. The scent of wet moss and a dead animal swirled around her. The sound of water crashing onto the bank and the hoot of an owl echoed in the silence.

Finally, the response came.

Taken care of for now.

She smiled and took another swig of liquor.

THIRTY-ONE

CROOKED CREEK

DAY 2

Early morning sunlight streamed through the window of Ellie’s bedroom as she stirred, and for a moment she allowed herself to curl into Derrick’s arms. He stroked her hair and held her close, his breathing steady.

Last night had been intense, both of them purging emotions and frustrations from the day. In spite of the fact she’d only slept a couple of hours, she felt calmer with him beside her.

But her phone buzzed, and when she saw Mark Wade’s name, reality shattered that calm.

She kissed Derrick gently on the cheek, then slipped from his embrace to answer it. He moaned and looked up at her. “Don’t go.”

“Mark Wade is already calling.” And Tori James needed justice.

“Right.” Derrick pulled her back for a long slow kiss that made her want to crawl in his arms and hide for the day.

But Ellie Reeves did not run from trouble. She ran straight into the fire when she saw the cinders spark to life.

Hoping Mark was calling with news that he’d heard from Mia, she snagged her phone from the nightstand and answered. “Detective Reeves.”

“Any word on Mia?” Mark asked, his voice hoarse with emotions.

“Not yet. Have you heard anything?”

“No, dammit. Where is she?”

“I don’t know but I will find out, Mark. I need to look around Mia and Tori’s houses this morning. Do you have a key to Mia’s?”

“Yes, I’ll meet you there. I’ll do whatever I can to help find her.” Determination laced his voice.

“Forty-five minutes?”

“Sounds good.”

She would be a few minutes early to make certain he didn’t go inside first.

By the time she’d got ready, Derrick had dressed and brewed coffee, the rich pecan scent filling the air and calling to her. Dark stubble grazed his jaw but his hair was damp indicating he’d showered. Maybe she’d suggest he leave a toiletry kit at her place?

Or… no. That was too soon. Especially now he was godfather to two children in Atlanta.

He handed her the coffee, his eyes black with turmoil.

Ellie checked the clock. “I’m meeting Mark Wade at Mia’s in half an hour.”

“Let’s drop my car at the station and I’ll go with you.”

The May sun was beating down as they left the house, grass and flowers sagging beneath the weight of last night’s storm. With a breeze rolling off the mountains and more clouds moving in, a chill had settled in the air. The Corner Café parking lot was filled with locals and tourists, and stores were opening their doors for the day.

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