Page 127 of The Graveyard Girls (Detective Ellie Reeves #11)

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX

Brambletown General Hospital

Ellie and Derrick left the ERT to search and process the house where Joe had held Carrie Ann and rescue and recovery teams combed the woods beyond for other bodies.

Derrick took Ellie’s Jeep to drive Joe to the police station and she rode in the ambulance with a shaken and traumatized Carrie Ann. “You’re going to be okay, honey,” Ellie assured her. “I know you’re scared but I’m calling your mom to meet you at the hospital.”

Tears rolled down Carrie Ann’s cheeks as the medic started an IV to help with dehydration. Ellie called Mrs. Parker’s number.

“Hello,” the woman answered in a frightened voice.

“Mrs. Parker, this is Detective Reeves calling about your daughter.”

A heartbeat passed, and Ellie heard the woman’s breathing grow loud and raspy. “Did you find her? Is she okay?”

“We did find her and she’s shaken and scared but alive. I’m in the ambulance with her and we’re on the way to the hospital now.”

“Thank God,” she cried. “What happened?”

Ellie didn’t want to go into details with Carrie Ann listening. “We apprehended the man who abducted her and he’s on the way to the police station for booking now. I’ll fill you in on everything later. But Carrie Ann is safe now, and the man will go to prison.”

A choked sound echoed over the line. “Can I talk to my little girl?”

Ellie glanced at Carrie Ann who was trembling beneath the blanket. “Your mom wants to speak to you.”

Carrie Ann nodded and reached for the phone. “Mom?” she whispered.

“Oh, my God, sweetie, I’ve been so worried about you. Are you okay?”

“I’m s… sorry, Mom…”

Another tense second passed and the woman gulped. “Shh… It’s okay, sweetie, as long as you’re all right. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

Carrie Ann began to sob, and Ellie heard her mother do the same.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Mrs. Parker cried. “Hang in there, sweetie. I’ll see you soon.”

Mrs. Parker ended the call and Carrie Ann handed the phone to Ellie. Then the girl turned on her side and curled into a ball, her body shaking with tears. Ellie patted her back and soothed her, her heart aching for the girl. But relief also filled her.

They had saved her. And Joe was on his way to the police station.

The siren squealed into the night as they raced around the mountain. They careened around a curve, then stopped at a traffic light, sped up and minutes later veered into the hospital ER entrance.

The medic opened the ambulance door, and the EMT joined him at the rear as they moved Carrie Ann from the ambulance. A nurse met them as they wheeled her in.

“Don’t leave,” Carrie Ann screeched to Ellie.

“I won’t, honey. I’ll stay with you until your mom gets here.

” Ellie hurried along beside her and held her hand as they rolled her into the ER waiting room, then through a set of double doors to an exam room.

Ellie explained to the doctor about the abduction and attempted murder and asked for a psychologist to evaluate Carrie Ann.

Just as they were about to take Kat for a CAT scan and lung X-ray, her mother raced into the room, teary-eyed and terrified.

“Mom,” Carried Ann cried. “Mom!”

Her mother hurried to her, pulled her into her arms and the two sobbed together as Mrs. Parker rocked her daughter and comforted her.

Ellie slipped out of the room and left them together with the medical staff to take care of them.

She had to tie up this case and make sure Joe Jones never saw the light of day again.