Page 17 of The Sleeping Girls

She knocked on the door, a gust of wind bringing the stench of the garbage. A minute later, the curtain was pushed aside and she saw the face of a young girl staring wide-eyed at her through big square glasses.

Ellie knocked again. “It’s the police, please open up.”

She tapped her foot while she waited, then the door screeched open. The girl looked terrified as she thumbed her glasses up her nose. They were too big for her face, Ellie thought. The girl’s red hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her blue eyes filled with a wariness that tore at Ellie’s heart strings.

“I’m Detective Ellie Reeves,” Ellie said, revealing her badge. “Are you Ruby Pruitt?”

The girl nodded.

“Is your mother here?” Ellie asked.

Ruby’s mouth drew into a frown. “She’s sleeping.”

Ellie mentally noted the time. It was nearly noon now.

“Is she in trouble?” Ruby asked.

Ellie shook her head, wondering why that would be Ruby’s first thought. “No, but I need to talk to you about your friend Kelsey, and I can’t do that without your parent being present. Is your father here?”

Ruby gripped the door edge as if she didn’t want Ellie to see inside. “I don’t have a father,” she said bluntly.

“Then go wake your mother, please.”

The girl’s wariness intensified but she closed the door and disappeared. Ellie had the odd sense that Ruby was hiding something.

When she pushed open the door, she understood. The house was filthy. Obviously a hoarding situation, there were old,dusty magazines, boxes of junk, dirty dishes and laundry piled everywhere in sight. The picture was not a pretty one, rousing her sympathy for Ruby even more.

Ellie stepped inside, almost tripping over a bag of trash. A good five minutes later, she heard shuffling and Ruby appeared again, her head downcast. A thin woman in an old housecoat was behind her, scraggly brown hair tangled around her face. Ellie guessed her age to be forties although her pale complexion and sallow skin made her look older.

She staggered slightly, the scent of booze wafting off her as she looked at Ellie with bloodshot eyes.

“What do you want?” she mumbled as she tapped a pack of nonfilter Camels in her hand.

“I’m sorry to report that one of Ruby’s friends, Kelsey Tiller, is missing.”

Ruby hugged her arms around her waist, but the mother’s only reaction was to light up her cigarette and shuffle to the kitchen table. She pushed some crusty dishes away and propped her chin on her hand.

“What’s that got to do with me?”

Her lack of concern irritated Ellie although she realized the woman was hungover.

“I need to ask Ruby some questions.”

Mrs. Pruitt waved a dismissive hand toward her daughter. “You know where Kelsey is, Rubes?”

Ruby shook her head.

Ellie offered the teen a compassionate smile. “I just came from talking to Kelsey’s parents, Ruby. They said you’re good friends with Kelsey.”

Ruby nodded, her teeth worrying her bottom lip.

“When was the last time you talked to her?” Ellie asked.

“Last night. We texted,” Ruby said.

“What were you texting about?”

“Homecoming,” Ruby said. “We were supposed to go shopping today for dresses. Kelsey’s mom was taking us. But she called this morning…” Her voice cracked with emotions.

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