Page 109 of The Sleeping Girls

“Also look at any social media posts for a place he repeatedly visited,” Derrick said. “Some place that had meaning to him.”

“Understood,” Williams agreed.

“We’re heading to the original high school,” Derrick told him.

Ellie stepped to the door to meet Cord, who’d jogged back to the house.

“Leave your partner here searching the woods and come with us,” Ellie said. “It would make sense that Jones carried the girls to a place that was special to him. A place that reminds him of Anna Marie. And one that now haunts him.”

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE

RED CLAY MOUNTAIN HIGH

Thirty minutes later, Ellie drove toward the abandoned high school, which was set in a section of Red Clay Mountain, near a ridge overlooking a deep valley. Dark storm clouds had unleashed another deluge of rain that had slowed the drive and downed branches and limbs slowed her even more.

“Looks like the school was closed the year after Anna Marie’s death,” Derrick said as he looked up from his tablet. “The original high school was not only flooded but a tornado tore off the roof and demolished over seventy-five percent of the building. It wasn’t the first time the school was hit so it was a good thing the new one was already underway.”

Dread filled Ellie as she imagined the state of the building. There would be no electricity and judging from the damage Derrick described, if the girls had survived and tried to escape, they would have trouble finding their footing and could easily fall over a ridge. Although Jones had given no indication that he’d spared them or faked those pictures.

“It’s about a mile east of here.” Cord pointed out a narrow path that had once been a road and she followed it until she reached the abandoned building. They attached small mics tothemselves to keep in communication, pulled their flashlights and climbed from the Jeep.

Each of them panned their lights around the overgrown brush and she and Derrick followed Cord as he led them toward the mud-coated concrete structure.

“The entire right side is gone,” Derrick said. “Classrooms destroyed along with the offices and gym.”

“I’ll search the exterior of the property,” Cord offered.

Ellie nodded, and she and Derrick battled the wind and rain to a doorway that led into a section of the building still standing. With the roof partially missing, rain dribbled inside, and at least an inch of water had accumulated on the floor. Wind whistled through the cracks, the interior dark and dank, the scent of mold so strong Ellie pulled a scarf from her pocket and covered her mouth.

Derrick took the lead as they combed the corridors and checked inside the empty rooms.

“Dammit, where would he put them?” Ellie muttered.

Derrick shined his light down another hall and they followed it into what might have been a cafeteria at one time. There were still a few tables scattered around, overturned and covered in water, grime, mold and mud.

A noise jerked Ellie’s attention to the stainless steel doors. She opened one side then jumped back with a shriek when two giant rats floated out. Battling claustrophobia, she followed Derrick into a large room that must have been the pantry. He pointed to steps that led downward into a basement.

As they headed down the steps, they called the girls’ names, using their flashlights to light the way. When they reached the landing, they stepped into four-inch-deep water that Ellie knew held germs and probably more rats, slimy creatures and snakes.

She cringed as the cold water seeped into her boots. She hated closed spaces, hated the dark.

“I know you don’t like tight spaces,” Derrick said. “You can go back if you want and I’ll check it out.”

“No, if the girls are down here, they need both of us.”

Water swished around their feet as they walked, the musty odor nearly intoxicating. They followed the tunnel until it opened up to a basement then she came to a screeching halt.

Ruby and Bianca were lying on the floor, hands and feet bound, tied to a pole, not moving.

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO

CROOKED CREEK POLICE STATION

Heath, Digger and Heath’s father had not all been in the same room for fifteen years and it was awkward as hell. His father sat ramrod straight, pissed at being held and now having to confront his stepson. Digger glared at the man, his hands clenched as the captain unhandcuffed him.

Heath’s breathing eased as Captain Hale relayed what Ellie had learned about the Jones family and Anna Marie. He’d brought his father and Digger into the room to tell them both at once.

“Artie Jones lived two doors down,” Heath said, his memory fuzzy. He turned to Digger and his father. “Do you remember him? Did you know Anne Marie had a boyfriend?”

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