Page 46 of The Girl in the River

“Let’s talk to Kevin’s father first,” Derrick said. “He owns this town. Maybe he knew something about Jesse that his son didn’t.”

“True. Although Kevin has probably already spoken to him.”

“Or the sheriff called and gave him a heads-up,” Derrick said.

“He’ll either be prepared to help or have his story ready.”

Derrick looked up from his phone where he’d been scrolling for information. “Kevin’s father’s name is Armond. I have an address.”

He plugged it into the GPS system and Ellie drove onto the country road leading out of town toward the peak of Foggy Mountain. All around her, the mountains climbed, trees shivering in the building wind. In spite of the cloud cover, the temperature was rising, the fog thickening.

“Have you been here before?” Derrick asked.

“My dad and I camped on Foggy Mountain a couple of times and ran the river,” Ellie said. She didn’t mention that she and Cord used to go rafting together here when she was young. “Maybe we could go sometime.”

“Yeah. Maybe when this case is over.”

Ellie shivered. Would she be able to save her friend before it was too late?

She reached a fork in the road where signs pointed toward various cabin rentals, a campground and a water park. Veering left onto a private road, she climbed the mountain. Wildflowers exploded everywhere adding pops of purple and yellow, and oak trees and pines flanked the private drive.

Knowing the family owned the town, Ellie wasn’t surprised that the Moons’ home was a stunning estate sitting in a clearing with an expansive view of the river and mountains. White columns and a wide porch gave it a stately feel and flower beds added color against the lush greenery.

“Who knew small-town businesses were so profitable?” Ellie said beneath her breath.

A second passed as if Derrick was contemplating her comment. “Must be the real estate and tourism.”

A detached garage to the right held a black Mercedes and a shiny silver BMW convertible. She parked and climbed out and they walked up the stone path to the front porch. Ellie rang the doorbell while Derrick checked out the property.

“Nice boat dock and boat,” Derrick said with a whistle.

Ellie nodded, and the door opened, revealing a man who looked very much like his son although silver streaks laced his hair, his nose slightly more prominent. “Mr. Moon?” Ellie said before she identified them.

“Yes. My son called and said you’d probably be stopping by.” His deep voice held no emotion and his eyes lacked Kevin’s charm.

“May we come in?” Derrick asked.

“Of course.” He led them past a study with judge’s paneling and a giant cherry desk, then into a smaller sitting room with dark brown leather furniture. The décor was definitely upscale and masculine. They seated themselves in the chairs flanking the brick fireplace.

“What’s this we heard about you finding Jesse?” Mr. Moon asked.

Ellie said, “We didn’t exactly find her. We believe a woman named Mia Norman, who disappeared from Crooked Creek, is Jesse.”

Mr. Moon straightened his tie. “Tell me everything,” he said. “And don’t spare the details. That woman nearly destroyed my son’s life. She needs to answer for it.”

FIFTY-NINE

The venom lacing Mr. Moon’s voice was consistent with a protective father. But was there more to it?

Ellie used a soothing pitch to relay the circumstances that had led them here. “We understand she disappeared after her wedding to your son,” she said.

“Of course she waited until they said ‘I do’ before she ran off. That way she could legally have access to his money.”

“And did she?” Ellie asked.

His gaze remained level. “Kevin admitted that she skimmed money from the boutique. He said she just took her salary, but I think she took more and he was too ashamed to admit he was a fool. I also assumed she’d try at some point to get more.”

Again, Ellie was shocked at the accusation. “But she didn’t. She disappeared and Kevin claims he hasn’t heard from her since.”

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