Page 80 of Last Girls Alive

“Tanis?”

“Yes, that was the one. She would bring me bottles of water on the hot days and sometimes sodas. Nice girl,” he said remembering. “I spent most of my time outside tending to the flowers and lawn areas, which, I understand, have all gone away since the house has been abandoned.” He looked down sadly. “It’s a shame that they couldn’t find someone who wanted to remodel the house and bring it back to its glory.”

“I agree,” said Katie. “I never saw it when it was all together, but it must’ve been stunning.”

“Yes… yes it was…”

“I won’t take up much more of your time, Elmer. We’re trying to get a picture of what was going on at the house. One more question…”

“Of course,” he said.

“In your four years there, was there ever an incident, something you saw or heard, that would make you think that someone would want to do harm to any of the girls?”

“You mean someone that would want to hurt or kill them?” he said, taking a moment. “Detective, I can’t say I know what motivates people to violence, but I didn’t see or hear anything that would push someone to that extreme.”

“Thank you, Mr. Rydesdale… Elmer,” she said, correcting herself. “I appreciate your time and this fantastic tea.” Katie was disappointed. She wasn’t sure what he would be able to tell her. Noticing his scar on the back of his left hand and how he couldn’t use it well, she wondered if he’d had an accident at his farm or at Elm Hill. She asked, “Do you remember anyone else regularly coming to the house? Workers? Friends? Anyone? Emergency first-responders for anything?”

Elmer thought about it a moment. “I had two laborers that helped with tree trimming and all in the spring and fall. They seemed to be interested in the girls, but I suspect it was because they were interested in all pretty girls.”

“Did either of the workers take a special interest in any of the girls in particular? Especially Candace? We know a man named Ray helped her escape, does that name ring any bells?” she asked.

“No, I don’t think so. I forget their names, but they normally worked in other areas at the county—I think sanitation and maintenance.”

McGaven made notes and finished his iced tea.

Standing up, Katie said, “Thank you, Elmer. I think that’s all I need right now. If you happen to think of anything else, please don’t hesitate to call us.” She handed him a business card.

Katie and McGaven were quiet as she carefully maneuvered the police sedan back down the tight driveway. Driving slowly, Katie thought about the conversation with Elmer. It didn’t bring about anything new, but it did confirm what they had been hearing with the fighting and the discontent at Elm Hill.

“What do you think?” McGaven asked.

“I think I want another glass of that iced tea,” she said half smiling.

“I know,” he said.

“You feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”

“Just asking.”

“If I’m getting tired or not feeling well, I’ll let you know. You don’t have to keep asking me.”

“Okay.”

Once Katie hit the main road, she sped away as fast as she dared on the way to Bella Vista to visit Margaret Adler. She might have more information, having been on the inside of Elm Hill.

“I think we need to speak to Mrs. McDonald again,” said Katie. “We need to press her more.”

“I agree. I’ll call the prison and set up a time tomorrow.” He called the number and left a message with his and Katie’s name, department, and name of prisoner he wanted to talk to. “I hate that,” he said after ending the call. “They’ll have to call me back.”

Katie felt frustrated: she wanted answers and wasn’t getting any. “I spoke with Ms. Wolf, the tutor, and she won’t be any help. She didn’t see or talk to anyone except Mrs. McDonald and two of the girls who needed math tutoring during her three-week employment. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and she definitely didn’t see any kind of abuse.”

“End of that road with her then,” he said. “We’ll just keep digging.”

Returning to the main area of town, she took a right that led to a business development. There was a big sign:Bella Vista, Premiere Assisted Living. She pulled into the parking lot. The area was a landscaper’s dream with every kind of blooming flower and varied shades of greenery. It was a two-story building that stretched along the lot with patios and breezeways in between. There were a few people enjoying the weather sitting on benches and in chairs. It was quite cheerful.

“Okay,” said Katie. “Let’s go see what Mrs. Adler has to say.”