lessened their chances of finding her alive. “Not yet, but we’re still looking.”
Hushed whispers rippled through the room, and Ellie felt all eyes on them. She caught a glimpse of the mayor’s wife, the local librarian Gertrude Cunningham and Lily Hanover, the president of the garden club, seated in a booth. Meddlin’ Maude fluttered in and joined them, her mouth wagging as she glanced at Ellie.
Irritated, Ellie stared at them, but the women quickly looked away, disapproval radiating in the vicious stares they threw in her direction.
Ellie rubbed a finger over her shield. Dammit, she didn’t care what those old biddies said. Except her mother had once thought they were her friends and they’d completely turned on her.
Just like you did, a guilty voice in her chided. And now, who knew if her mother would survive, she thought, pain-stricken.
“Let’s get the food to go,” Ellie said. She’d probably never be able to eat inside a restaurant in town again.
Derrick agreed and they quickly ordered, Lola shoving a disposable cup of coffee toward Ellie. “Here, you look like you could use this. I’ll throw in some pastries, too.”
Thanking her, Ellie grabbed their food and started toward the door, when Emily Nettles, the wife of the youth minister in town, stopped them. “Ellie, I want you to know the Porch Sitters have started a prayer chain for Shondra and for your mama.” She squeezed Ellie’s arm. “We’re also praying for you and Agent Fox.”
Emotion welled in Ellie, and she murmured thanks. Maybe soon enough she’d turn into a praying girl herself.
Hell, she closed her eyes for a brief second and decided to try it now. A quick prayer for her mother chimed in her head, and she glanced at the heavens, wondering if anyone up there was listening.
Seventy-Seven
Somewhere on the AT
Every cell in Shondra’s body hurt. Her skin was raw where he’d whipped her, the sting constant from the relentless beatings. Her eye was swollen shut, and she could barely move her jaw.
He’d taken her clothes now, leaving her lying on the floor of the cold metal cage, naked and alone for hours with nothing to do but dread his next visit.
He’d sworn he would break her.
She’d vowed he wouldn’t.
But she was growing weaker and weaker. She understood now. Once she begged, he would finally kill her.
Then the pain would end.
And so would her chance for a future. She had to escape, stop him from claiming any more lives.
Tears choked her. But how? He never let her off the chain and he had a camera watching her now. She imagined him sitting upstairs drinking whiskey with a smirk, watching as she lay curled on the floor in her own blood.
Her mouth was so dry it felt like cotton balls inside, and her throat hurt from holding back a scream. The water bowl he’d left for her sat in the corner.
A dog’s water bowl.
Humiliation climbed her neck as she dragged herself over to it. Metal clanged against metal, the thick band around her neck cutting into her already raw skin. She loathed the sheer idea of drinking from the dog bowl, but she had no choice––she had to survive.
She raised her head and stared into the camera, knowing he was watching, getting off on her pain. It was a twisted game to him. Her hatred for him made her stronger, and she gave him a determined half smile.
She wasn’t ready to give up yet.
Seventy-Eight
Crooked Creek
Anxious to escape prying eyes, Ellie and Derrick sat in the car and ate their sandwiches in silence. Ten minutes later, they met Angelica Gomez at the Crooked Creek Police Department to make a statement to the public about Holcomb.
Evening shadows clung to the building in the fading sun, and a slight breeze rocked a traffic light back and forth as leaves swirled across the park.
Angelica and her cameraman looked hungry for news. They rushed towards Ellie, the reporter’s face etched with determination and the realization that she was onto another big story.
Ellie motioned for her to step aside for a moment away from the camera. “You were right,” she told the reporter. “Hiram had a follower. That’s the reason we’re here.”
Interest sparked in Angelica’s eyes. “Are you ready to report on it?”
She had to. The people in Bluff County needed to be warned. “Yes, I’ll give a statement.” Angelica signaled to the cameraman to start filming. “This is Angelica Gomez coming to you live for WRIX Channel 5 news with FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox and Detective Ellie