Page 31 of Widow Lake

“Amy did not formally withdraw from the college or terminate her lease,” Derrick said.

“No renewal of her driver’s license, record of her buying or renting property since, no job history, hospital visits, insurance claims or social media.”

“Let’s talk to the apartment manager and get a list of other tenants at the time Amy was there. Maybe someone else can fill in the blanks.”

“We definitely need to look into the cult angle.”

Ellie nodded and pulled into the driveway of Monica Loben’s house. “Maybe Darla can tell us about them.”

As they got out of the Jeep, she heard the faint ripple of the lake water and a motorboat’s hum somewhere in the distance. Monica lived in a small white clapboard house, on a hill in the cove, with a swing and rockers on the front porch. The cove was named for the beautiful robins that flocked there in the spring. A blue bird feeder sat in the front yard, and a welcome wreath crafted from vines and flowers hung on the front door.

Ellie rang the doorbell and waited, then knocked. “Mrs. Loben, it’s the police. We need to talk.”

A second later, a curtain was pushed to the side and she saw the shadow of a woman peering at them.

“Please, Mrs. Loben, it’s important,” Ellie said.

The sound of multiple locks unclicking echoed from the other side.

Finally, a thin woman with dark circles beneath her eyes and her silver-streaked hair twisted into a knot at the base of her neck answered. She glanced between the two of them with a wrinkled brow.

“Monica Loben?” Ellie asked.

The woman nodded, her fingers digging into the door as Ellie made the introductions.

Monica’s eyes looked panicked. “You’re here about that body they found in the lake, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Ellie said. “May we come in please?”

“I don’t know anything about it,” Monica said, her voice quivering.

“Please,” Ellie said. “We won’t take up much of your time.”

Monica threw a nervous look over her shoulder. “Look, my daughter’s here and she’s not well. She gets upset easily by strangers.”

“I’m sorry but it’s important, and we think she can help us,” Ellie said quietly. “The car belonged to a young woman named Amy Dean who disappeared ten years ago. We’re looking for her and her daughter.”

“I don’t understand,” Monica said. “Was Amy in the car?”

“No. The body was a male, but that leaves us wondering why he was driving Amy’s car and where Amy is.”

Monica tugged the collar of her shirt. “I’m sorry but I can’t help.”

Derrick cleared his throat. “Amy attended college with your daughter Darla and lived in the same apartment complex.”

Monica shifted, her breathing unsteady. “I told you my daughter isn’t well. She especially doesn’t like to talk about that time in her life.”

Ellie gave her an imploring look. “Please, Mrs. Loben, we think something happened to Amy and her daughter.”

Monica sighed warily but stepped aside and allowed them to enter. The house was decorated in neutral shades with lake décor. Ellie glanced around for the daughter but didn’t see her.

“You said Darla is here?” Ellie asked.

Again, pain flashed across Monica’s face. “In her room. That’s where she stays most of the time. She feels safer in there.”

“Safe from what?” Ellie asked.

“From the world,” Monica said. “She has so many phobias that she’s practically paralyzed with fear.”

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