Page 62 of The Girl in the River

The woman shuddered then glanced up at the corner. A security camera hung from the wall, making Ellie wonder if Opal Dean was sending her a message.

“Didn’t know her. So got nothing to say.”

The truth dawned on Ellie. The camera was not there for Opal Dean’s protection. The woman had nothing to say because someone was watching.

EIGHTY-ONE

The sun was blinding as Ellie walked outside to her Jeep. Children ran through the splash pad at the park, laughing and squealing. Birds twittered and a flock of geese gathered around the pond.

“Did you notice Ms. Opal looking at the security camera?” Ellie asked as they climbed in her vehicle and headed toward Moondoggy’s, the local restaurant on the river that boasted they served the best fried catfish and hushpuppies in the South.

“Yes,” Derrick said, pulling on Aviator shades. “She looked nervous.”

“So did Buster and Missy,” Ellie said. “I saw cameras in the other stores, too. At first, I thought they’d been installed for the owner’s protection, but now I’m wondering—”

“If someone is monitoring the storeowners,” Derrick finished.

Their gazes locked. “Exactly. Something’s not right in this town, Derrick. I feel it.”

“I know what you mean. Everyone seems too hush-hushed and indebted to the Moons.”

“As if the Moons hold the power and everyone protects them no matter what.”

Using his tablet, Derrick began to search for information. “You’ve heard of the Redneck Mafia. What if this is something like that?”

“Could be,” Ellie said, driving past the sheriff’s office. “Moonshining, stills, and meth labs are common in the mountains.”

Derrick focused on researching the Moon family while Ellie turned onto a winding road that led to the river. Wisteria and honeysuckle dotted the untamed land, the sharp curves shadowed by evergreens. Two miles later, they reached a section called the Riverwalk.

“Look at this,” she muttered in awe. “This was countryside when I was little. But now it’s filled with businesses. Looks like they’ve taken advantage of the river location.”

Derrick gestured to the land. “The Moons own all of this, too. They brought the property and developed it from the ground up.”

Unease skittered up Ellie’s spine. “Which means they run this part of the mountain as well.” And could be knee-deep in whatever illegal activities might be going on.

EIGHTY-TWO

MOONDOGGY’S

Kevin spotted his father at his usual table in Moondoggy’s, the restaurant and bar they’d bought a while back.

His father sat in the rear by the window overlooking the water outside but facing the door so he could keep an eye on the employees and everyone who entered.

The tension in Kevin’s body made it almost impossible to breathe. His father was on the phone, his head bent, deep frown lines creasing his tanned face.

Armond Moon was a cutthroat businessman and Kevin had learned everything he knew about the real estate business from him. Life was about money and power and his father reveled in it.

He’d also tried to micromanage Kevin’s personal life, which had its fair share of problems.

He hung up abruptly when Kevin sat down.

“What was that about?” Kevin asked.

“Just confirming things are on track.” A cold look flashed in his eyes. “With that detective and fed nosing around, we have to be careful.”

Didn’t he know it? They fell silent for a moment while the waitress brought his father a scotch and lifted a brow in question toward him. “The same?”

He nodded and waited until she returned to the bar, then spoke, “They said Jesse has a little girl. She’s four years old, Father. Did you know?”

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