Page 5 of The Girl in the River

Ellie’s heart thundered. “Okay, I’ll take a look.”

Mark mouthed, “What’s going on?”

Not wanting to panic the groom, Ellie shrugged and feigned a smile. “Sorry, folks. I’ll check on Mia.”

Whispers rippled through the space and Mark started toward her. “Stay here,” she told Mark. “I’ll be right back.”Hopefully with the bride.

Gripping her clutch in one hand, Ellie followed Georgia down the aisle. “When did you last see her?”

“About half an hour ago,” Georgia said. “She, Tori and Pixie were all in the bride’s room getting dressed.”

“How did Mia seem?”

“Happy. Excited,” Georgia said. “I tried to call her phone a minute ago, but she didn’t answer. And when I looked into the dressing room to tell her it was time, there was no sign of her. I even looked around the outside area near there, and along the path to the gardens, but she wasn’t there.”

Maybe Mia was having pre-wedding jitters and they’d taken a walk to calm her nerves?

In her haste, Ellie stumbled on the pavers leading to the building entrance. “Damn heels,” she muttered, then slipped them off and carried them. Inside the venue, ceiling fans swirled, circulating the warm air and keeping bugs at bay, and the tile floor felt cool beneath her feet as they entered through the French doors and down a corridor lined with paintings of magnolia trees. The bridal dressing room was labeled with a gold name plate, the door ajar.

Hoping to find Mia and Tori repairing a button or the bride’s hair, she paused at the door. “Mia?” Ellie called. “Tori?”

No answer, so she peeked inside. The room was empty, a chair overturned, one of Mia’s silver shoes abandoned near the door.

She scanned the floor and saw a small piece of tulle stuck in the doorjamb as if it had been ripped off. A silver necklace lay on the floor. A pearl bracelet, the pearls scattered from where it had snapped.

Her breath stalled in her chest. Dammit, something had definitely happened here.

SIX

ATLANTA

As soon as Derrick entered the attorney’s office, the chill in the air hit him.

Lindsey sat stiffly in a leather chair, hands clasped, her gaze fixed as if she couldn’t tolerate looking at him.

The attorney shook Derrick’s hand and indicated the second chair facing his large mahogany desk. “Thank you for coming, Special Agent Fox.”

“Of course, I’d do anything for Rick and his family.”

That earned him a glare from Lindsey that made him instantly regret saying anything. Obviously he had not done enough.

“Let us begin then,” the attorney said.

Lindsey released a pained sigh, and Derrick folded his hands in his lap. Beside him, his heart ached for Lindsey. Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy, her face pale and gaunt.

The past six weeks since Rick had been gone, she’d been left with two traumatized and grief-stricken children. She looked completely exhausted, angry and sad. And she blamed Derrick.

All understandable considering Rick had chosen to take his own life and leave her and the kids behind to deal with the fallout.

The silver-haired family attorney cleared his throat. “Rick Letterman bequeaths all his worldly belongings, the house he owned with his wife Lindsey, and all savings, financial investments and moneys to her.” The attorney’s gaze settled on his papers for a moment before he began again. This time his voice was solemn and regretful. “Unfortunately, Lindsey, his life insurance police was void due to his suicide.”

Lindsey pressed her fist to her mouth.

Derrick went still. “I’m sorry, Lindsey, but we’ll figure something out.” He reached out to console her but she pushed his hand away.

“As for you, Special Agent Fox,” the attorney continued. “Rick named you as his children’s godfather and requested that you watch over his family. As far as monetary benefits—”

“I don’t want anything financially from him,” Derrick said. “Everything should go to his wife and children.”

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