Page 38 of Ground Truth

Flint heard footsteps approaching on the other side of the old-fashioned screen door. An attractive woman appeared behind the screen.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hudgins,” Drake said, using the approach they’d planned. “We’re looking for Mrs. Reed. Is she home?”

The woman was already shaking her head. “I’m sorry. Dr. and Mrs. Reed haven’t lived here for a long time. We bought this place almost seven years ago.”

“Would you have a forwarding address? We’re trying to reach her on behalf of her sister.”

“Her sister? I didn’t know Ella Belle had a sister,” the woman said. She opened the screen and stepped outside, probably thinking it was rude to gossip otherwise.

She was dressed plainly. A white apron was tied around her waist. No makeup. Her hair was held captive in a tight bun at the back of her head. She wore a thin gold wedding band and a gold cross on a chain around her neck.

Gaspar had searched thoroughly, under the circumstances. Ella Belle Reed, Phillip’s first wife, had had two brothers but no sisters. So far, the neighborhood, the house, the bare facts, and the woman on the porch were all exactly as reported.

“Sorry for the confusion, ma’am.” Drake dipped his head in a respectful nod. “We’re talking about Phillip Reed’s second wife, Greta. It’s her sister we’re trying to help here.”

The woman’s eyes widened, and her mouth formed a little O, as if the second Mrs. Reed was a surprise to her. “I see. Well, we didn’t know Dr. Reed well, I’m afraid. We didn’t even meet him when we bought the house after Ella Belle died. I didn’t realize Dr. Reed had remarried.”

“So you knew Mrs. Ella Belle Reed, then?” Drake asked, barely keeping the hope from his tone.

“We knew her before she married Dr. Reed.” The woman nodded. “Ella Belle went to our hall for worship. Joined us when they first moved to Atlanta. Dr. Reed wasn’t much of a churchgoer. But Ella Belle was very devout. She came to our hall two or three times a week, at least.”

Flint wondered why they’d buy a house where a friend was murdered, but it wasn’t relevant so he let it go. “But Dr. Reed didn’t come to services with her?”

“Never.” She shook her head sorrowfully. “Not once. Even though we invited him many times. Ella Belle said he traveled so much, and he treasured what little time he was able to spend at home. He was gone for months on end. I feel like Ella Belle came to the hall so often because she didn’t have anything else to do. And after Ella Belle’s funeral, Dr. Reed didn’t come back to Atlanta much.”

“Where was Mrs. Reed buried?” Flint asked.

“The funeral was held at Kingdom Hall Peachtree Park. And her body was cremated. I don’t know what her husband did with her ashes.”

She lowered her gaze. Flint waited, but she didn’t fill the silence. He cleared his throat to bring her attention back to the conversation.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Hudgins. Ella Belle sounds like an amazing person. And didn’t she donate her organs to several of Dr. Reed’s patients when she died?” Flint asked as respectfully as possible. “He did the heart and lung surgeries himself, didn’t he? It must be comforting to you all to know that even though her life was tragically cut short, Ella Belle was able to give the gift of life to others.”

“Actually, we were more than a little shocked about that,” Mrs. Hudgins said stiffly while raising her eyes and staring directly into Flint’s face.

“Why is that?” Drake asked.

“Ella Belle was devout, like I told you. We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses. We discussed this matter many times at worship, and I know her desires caused friction between her and Dr. Reed,” Mrs. Hudgins replied, crossing her arms over her chest as if she were unconsciously protecting her own organs.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you mean,” Flint said, softening his tone to encourage her. “Your faith doesn’t prohibit the gift of organs after death, does it?”

“Our faith allows it, yes. But the practice is discouraged. Whether to gift or receive is a matter of individual preference,” Mrs. Hudgins replied softly. “And Ella Belle’s preference was not to donate. She said so at worship. More than once.”

“But Dr. Reed, as her husband, must have given permission. The hospital wouldn’t have allowed the organ harvesting otherwise.”

“His wife, his hospital, his patients. As I said, I didn’t know the man.” Mrs. Hudgins lifted her chin defiantly. “But I knew Ella Belle. And I’m telling you donating her organs was most definitelynotwhat she wanted.”

Her telephone rang loudly inside the house. Mrs. Hudgins glanced over her shoulder, as if she expected someone to answer the call. But the phone rang again.

“That will be my mother. She’s elderly and lives alone. I need to go. I’ve told you everything I know anyway. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful,” Mrs. Hudgins said as she returned through the screen door toward the ringing phone. The door banged closed behind her.

“Now what?” Drake asked as they walked back to the SUV.

“This whole thing doesn’t pass the smell test. One guy and two dead wives?” Flint chewed his lower lip as he thought about Ella Belle’s situation. “Gaspar accessed the police file on Ella Belle’s murder. Let’s go talk to the detectives. See what they’re willing to tell us.”

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Chapter 20

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