Page 6 of The Girl in the River

Lindsey’s hot stare scorched him, but he would honor his friend’s wishes. They’d gone through hell and back together and he owed him. “I agree to serve as the godfather for his children,” he said, shoulders squared. “I will do anything to help this family.”

Lindsey vaulted up from the chair, arms folded, bitterness in her tone. “Is that it?”

The lawyer pulled his hand down his chin. “Well, yes, that pretty much sums it up.”

Lindsey snatched her purse, threw it over her shoulder and headed to the door. Derrick exchanged a look with the attorney then chased after her, catching her as she reached for the door.

“Lindsey, wait—”

She threw up her hand. “Just stop. I don’t want or need anything from you, Derrick. And neither do my children.”

Derrick felt as if he’d been slugged in the chest. She shot him a warning look that told him not to follow her, then yanked open the door and stomped out, her heels clicking on the floor as she put as much distance between the two of them as possible.

SEVEN

MAGNOLIA MANOR

Dread knotted Ellie’s stomach. “Stay there and don’t touch anything,” she told Georgia. “It looks like there was a struggle.”

She inched inside, careful herself not to disturb anything. A quick inventory of the room showed her: a bathrobe tossed over a velvet chair; overnight bag in the corner; a pair of slippers and flat sandals by the wall; jewelry bag on a dresser along with a makeup bag, a comb, bobby pins and hairspray; two champagne flutes and an open bottle of Moët in a silver bucket chilling on the sideboard; and a platter of assorted fruit picked over.

Various possibilities raced through her mind. She spotted a cell phone in a bright pink case on the chair, checked and saw it was Mia’s. Turning in a wide arc, she looked for Tori’s and noticed it wedged in the chair cushion.

The bathroom door was closed, chair jammed against it. That was odd.

The sound of water dripping echoed from within, along with another low sound she couldn’t quite define. Ellie pulled her weapon and crept toward the doorway, peeking through the crack. A floral scent permeated the air. Makeup was scattered across the vanity and an overturned bottle of perfume had spilled onto the counter. A tube of soft pink lipstick was open, and a curling iron had fallen to the floor.

The hair on the nape of her neck prickled, and she set the chair aside and eased open the door. Then the sound came again. Soft. Barely discernible. Crying?

Inching closer, she slid the shower curtain open and found Pixie inside the tub, curled in a ball, knees to her chest, sobbing.

EIGHT

Ellie’s chest clenched, and she knelt in front of the child and brushed her fingers over Pixie’s soft blond hair. “Hey, hey, honey. It’s Ellie. What’s wrong?”

Pixie gulped, then slowly looked up at her, eyes brimming with tears. Fear darkened her big brown eyes. M… Mommy?”

“What about Mommy, sweetheart?”

Pixie’s chin quivered. “I… wants her.”

Fear made Ellie draw a quick breath. “Where’s Ms. Tori?”

“I dunno.”

“What happened?” Ellie asked.

“I came inside to potty and then someone shut the d-door,” Pixie stuttered. “Then I heard Mommy cry and I… think there was a man…” A sob escaped her and she burst into tears again.

“Come here, honey.” Ellie scooped the little girl into her arms. “Shh, it’s okay now. I’ll find her and Ms. Tori.”

Pixie tightened her hold around Ellie’s neck as Ellie soothed her.

“Did you see what the man looked like?” Ellie asked softly. “Or did he say his name?”

Pixie shook her head against Ellie’s shoulder. “No… I was scared… and then it got quiet and I couldn’t open the door.”

Ellie patted her back. “It’s all right. I’m here now.” She brushed at Pixie’s tears. “Let’s go see Mark and I’ll look around for your mommy and Ms. Tori.”

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