Page 54 of The Sleeping Girls

FIFTY-SEVEN

CROOKED CREEK POLICE STATION

Ellie struggled to control her emotions. Mr. Tiller’s accusation stung. He had a right to be angry though. His daughter was presumed dead and Ellie was no closer to finding her killer than she was the day before.

Angelica looked slightly shaken and Tom stopped filming.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Tiller,” Ellie said. “We are doing everything in our power to find Kelsey and the person who took her.”

Jean tugged her husband away from the camera. “Please, you aren’t helping,” she cried.

Captain Hale must have heard the outburst and appeared, his face a mask of stoic calm. “Sir, please come with me.” He coaxed the irate man back toward the bullpen and his wife followed, tears streaking her cheeks.

Ellie squared her shoulders and addressed the camera. “Naturally, emotions are high for the families of the missing teens, so I implore anyone with information regarding their disappearance to please call the police.” She’d be remiss if she didn’t warn the public to protect their children. “Also, it’s possible that this perpetrator may strike again, so parents and girls, be hypervigilant about your surroundings and who isaround you. Please travel in pairs and let your parents know if you see someone suspicious or think someone is watching you.”

Still shaken, she ended the interview then strode back to her office. She had work to do. Nothing was going to stop her from getting justice for Kelsey and Ruby.

FIFTY-EIGHT

CORNER CAFÉ

Digger tugged the Braves hat low over his eyes, careful to avoid eye contact and to blend in with the locals, who were glued to the TV and the news report. Two girls missing in two days.

A sick knot hardened in the pit of his stomach. Did Heath think he was responsible?

“Another serial killer on the loose,” a woman in the booth behind him gasped.

A brunette woman yanked her daughter up against her as they passed him. “I’m not letting you out of my sight, honey.”

Other frantic whispers floated through the room.

“Why do you think these killers keep coming to our mountain?”

“I hope that detective finds this one before another girl is murdered.”

“Maybe we should get her fired. Let the sheriff take the lead.”

“Or that young deputy Landrum,” an older woman said. “Get some fresh eyes on things around here.”

The diner owner, a pretty woman named Lola, passed an order to a cute little waitress in her teens, her eyes haunted as the reporter stated the number for the police department.

Digger stared down into his meatloaf, his pulse thumping wildly. He felt like he had a laser aimed at him. It was just a matter of time before the police connected these cases to him.

If they hadn’t already.

Knowing his stepfather hated him, he wouldn’t be surprised if he called them and pointed them in Digger’s direction. He was shocked Heath hadn’t already had him arrested. Maybe that was the reason he’d called Caitlin.

His fingers tightened around his fork and for a brief second, he felt like stabbing someone with it. His breath panted out, sweat beaded on his skin and his hand shook.

He was so close to being free. But once the spotlight turned to him with these new suspicions, the people with the Innocence Project would probably drop him like a hot potato.

“Your half brother wants to talk to you,” Ms. O’Connor had said when she’d phoned earlier. Which meant Heath had already honed in on him as a suspect.

His appetite gone, he pushed his plate away, then laid cash on top of the bill. Just as he stood, the sheriff walked in, his badge glinting beneath the overhead light, his gaze scanning the room.

Digger’s stomach clenched, and he pulled the hat lower and waited until the sheriff reached the counter. His head down, he walked to the door and stepped outside.

He’d done some homework at the library in prison before his release. He knew where Heath lived. Red Hawk Ridge. A wry laugh caught in his throat. No surprise that he’d moved there. As young boys they’d hiked the area and watched the red-tailed hawks soaring above the mountains. Had admired their grace and freedom.

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