Page 49 of The Sleeping Girls

“On it,” Captain Hale said. “I’ll let the sheriff know we’re looking for two girls, not just one.”

She thanked him then took a look around in Ruby’s room. A single bed was covered with a worn spread, a shelf of books, sheet music and a couple of well-loved stuffed animals that must been favorites from childhood.

A math book and English Lit book sat on her desk, a spiral notebook beside it. Ellie glanced inside and found scribbled musical notes as if Ruby was working on writing her own song.

She dug inside the desk in search of a diary but didn’t find one, so she checked beneath the mattress. Nothing.

Her closet contained a few pairs of jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts and an old pair of tennis shoes. Band and orchestra uniforms occupied another rack.

Inside a red and black backpack, she located Ruby’s laptop. Hers was an older model, most likely issued by the school.

Ellie carried it to the living room to give to Derrick for analysis. Ruby’s mother still sat at the table, the tumbler filled again, a cigarette glowing between her fingers.

“I told that girl to stay home,” she mumbled. “Now look what trouble she’s caused.”

Ellie gritted her teeth. The woman blamed her daughter for being abducted?

Her mind struggled to shift the pieces of the puzzle into place. Two girls who were good friends had been kidnapped and appeared to be dead. The perp had to have known both of them.

Other than being friends, band, and the virgin pact, what else did they have in common? Kelsey was from a middle-class family, Ruby from a single-parent low-income one. They lived in different neighborhoods, but both attended Red Clay Mountain. The staff at the school was the only common factor. Shondra had already researched the teachers and staff and found no red flags.

“Billy Jean, did Ruby mention having problems with a teacher at school?”

The woman shook her head. “Hell, no. That girl was a bookworm.”

“Did you have any workers come around here? A repairman or handyman?”

Billy Jean gestured around the room at the mess. “Does it look like I’ve had work done around here?”

No, but she desperately needed a cleaning service.

A knock sounded and Ellie hurried to the door. Cord stood on the stoop with Benji beside him, concern on his face. June was still on the steps, watching the chaos as the ERT searched theproperty. “June, I’ll take you home as soon as we tie things up here. Or do you want to call your grandmother?” Ellie asked.

June swiped at her damp cheeks. “She’s having lunch with her lady friends after church,” she said. “And she’s gonna be mad at me for leaving the house.”

“Your grandmother seemed like a sweet lady, June,” Ellie said softly. “If she gets angry, it’s because she loves you and is scared for you.”

June’s shoulders lifted in a small shrug.

“I need to talk to Ranger McClain,” Ellie said. “I won’t be too long.”

June nodded, crossed her arms on her knees and laid her head on them.

“Cord, ERT will process the scene, but maybe you and Benji can search the woods, in case he left her body there.”

Glancing back at June, Ellie’s mind went to dark places. If this maniac was targeting Kelsey and her friends, June might be next.

FIFTY-TWO

It was almost two p.m. by the time the ERT finished. Deputy Landrum arrived, his face pinched as Ellie showed him the photograph of Ruby.

He also looked tired and troubled. His brows lifted, his face strained. For a moment, he simply stared at the picture, then looked away quickly and back again.

“Are you all right?” Ellie asked.

He grunted. “Yeah. You have anything to go on?”

“Not much. But judging from the way she’s posed, we’re dealing with one perp,” Ellie said. “Take Ruby’s computer back to the station and scrub it and her social media accounts.” Although so far, Kelsey’s and Bianca’s hadn’t led them to the perpetrator.

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