Page 29 of The Girl in the River

Derrick allowed a beat to pass as he studied Mark.

“Try to think positive,” Derrick said quietly. God knows, he’d been there, terrified when his little sister disappeared years ago. The not knowing could eat at your soul. “Were you two having any problems?”

“No. I already told Ellie all of this.” Anger edged Mark’s tone. “Now stop wasting your time on me and find out if someone took her.”

His defensive tone could be a protective measure, but Derrick’s gut told him Mark was for real. “We’re going to do that,” Derrick assured him. “Just think hard. Did Mia mention anyone bothering her at work? That she saw someone following her or watching her?”

Mark shook his head with a groan. “If there was, she didn’t tell me about it.”

An engine rumbled, and the crime scene van rolled up, three ERT investigators climbing out. Ellie appeared at the door, her expression solemn, and Mia’s computer bagged in hand.

“What’s happening?” asked Mark.

“Mia’s house is a crime scene now,” Ellie said. “Mark, we’re going to have to ask you to leave.”

He stood, rubbing a hand down the back of his neck. “I want to stay. Help you find her.”

“The best way you can help,” Derrick said, “is to go home and wait. And don’t leave town.”

Anger rolled off him again. “Don’t worry. I’m not leaving. I want to be here when Mia comes home.”

“I promise to keep you updated. We’d like to put a trace on your phone,” Ellie said.

“Jesus, you still think I did something to her?” he replied, his frustration spilling out.

Derrick used another tactic to diffuse Mark’s anger. “No, but if someone abducted Mia, he might contact you. If we trace the call, maybe we can catch the bastard.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

Mark gave a resigned nod and passed Ellie his phone so she could copy his number. She took a minute to scroll through his recent calls and texts but found nothing from Mia since yesterday morning when she’d messaged that she loved him.

“What’s going to happen to Pixie?” Mark asked, his voice gruff.

“Emily Nettles is a foster parent and also does respite care. For now, Pixie will stay with her.” Ellie tried to soften the blow. “At least Pixie knows Emily and has had playdates with her children.”

“She must be so scared. Can I see her?”

Ellie and Derrick exchanged a look. “I think we can arrange that,” Ellie said. If Mark was a comfort to Pixie, she couldn’t deny him a visit for the little girl’s sake.

He jammed his hands in the pockets of his jogging pants, his body a ball of tension.

“There’s something else I need to ask you, Mark,” Ellie said.

“What?” He shuffled sideways. “Anything to help?”

“Did your mother and Mia get along?”

A tense second passed before he answered, “Yes, why do you ask?”

“The security cam footage from the resort showed your mother visit Mia before the wedding was supposed to start. When she exited the room, your mother looked nervous, as if something was wrong.”

“That makes no sense,” Mark said. “You must have misread things. Mom knew Mia was alone and had no family so she probably just wanted to make sure she was okay.”

That could explain things, Ellie thought. But she would ask Mrs. Wade nonetheless.

Mark glanced back at the house then headed to his SUV, shoulders slumped. “Please find her, Detective.”

Ellie squeezed his arm. “I will, Mark.”

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