Page 80 of The Sleeping Girls
“You always think that,” he growled. “So what’s it going to be?” he asked bluntly.
Their gazes locked, their shared history taunting her.
“I want us to work the case together,” she said quietly. “We make a great team, Derrick, and I don’t want to lose that.” That much she was sure of. On a personal level, her emotions were a rollercoaster, winding and twisting and threatening to pitch her over the edge.
His gaze hung on to her for a moment longer then he seemed to accept what she’d said and didn’t push it.
“Then let’s get busy. But,” he said with a stern look, “from now on, no going it alone. I will be staying with you twenty-four-seven until this maniac is caught.”
Ellie pursed her lips although that movement made her jaw throb even more. “That is not necessary, Derrick. I can take care of myself.”
He gently touched her bruised cheek. “Yeah, I know. But you’re still getting a bodyguard.”
A frisson of sexual tension passed between them. In the past, he might have kissed her, but the moment passed and he pulled away.
The pressure in her chest eased slightly and she climbed out just as her phone rang. “I saw the news about Kelsey,” Ruby’s mother’s voice slurred, an indication she’d been drinking. “Is my daughter dead, too?”
Guilt suffused Ellie. “We’re still looking for her. I assure you we’re working around the clock to find her and the person who took her.” She tried to inject confidence in her voice but failed miserably.
Images of that mobile home taunted Ellie. What kind of life did Ruby have? She knew some children of alcoholics grew up raising themselves and being the caretaker of their parents.
“I’ll keep you posted,” Ellie said. “Right now I’m working a lead.”
The woman muttered an obscenity and hung up on Ellie.
She texted Shondra.
Ellie:Check in on Ruby’s mother. She just called.
Shondra:Yeah, she’s a mess. Talked to the school counselor. This morning the principal is holding an assembly to talk about Kelsey’s death.
Ellie:Get over there, too. And warn the students about the consequences and dangers of circulating or posting half-nude or nude pictures.
Shondra:Will do. I’ll talk to the teachers again.
Ellie:Copy that.
Next, she called Landrum’s number. Angry that he didn’t pick up, she left a terse message for him to get to the station.
EIGHTY-NINE
CORNER CAFÉ
A hushed silence fell across the café as Ellie and Derrick entered the popular diner. The heavenly scent of bacon and ham frying, eggs sizzling and rich dark coffee made Ellie’s mouth water, but the wary looks aimed her way killed the pleasure. Damning questions and comments were reflected in the eyes of the locals. She could hear the silent accusations.
Detective Ellie Reeves fails to protect the town again. How many more of our children have to die?
She saw Lola standing behind the counter at the same time Lola spotted her. Goosebumps skated up her arms at Lola’s ice-cold look.
Cord’s usual bar stool sat empty and Bryce, who’d been dating Lola for a while, looked angry as he took his bag of food and paid the bill.
Ellie nodded hello to him. “You okay?”
He muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously likedamn women. “Heading out to check some properties north of here.”
“Thanks. Keep me posted.”
Shooting a scowl over his shoulder toward Lola, he strode out the door. Ellie felt for him. Obviously, he was not pleased withthe fact that Lola was pregnant with Cord’s baby. He must have been more serious about Lola than she’d thought.