Page 129 of The Graveyard Girls (Detective Ellie Reeves #11)

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT

Ellie knew Ida was fretting and Kat was worried sick about her friend, so she joined them to offer an update.

Ida still looked shell-shocked from the accusations against Joe and Kat was biting her nails down to the quick like her mother did.

They both looked up at her with expectant but nervous expressions, then Kat clung to Ida’s hand. Or was it the other way around?

Ellie decided to be direct. “We found Carrie Ann and she’s shaken but alive.”

Kat released a relieved cry and Ida nodded, emotions coloring her face.

“Where is she?” Kat asked.

“At the hospital with her mother. She’s bruised and traumatized, but the doctors are taking good care of her and she should recover. Although she probably will need some counseling.”

Kat’s face crumpled.

“And?” Ida choked out. “Was it… Joe?”

Ellie gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, Ida, Kat. But yes, it was. We apprehended him at the scene where he had dumped Carrie Ann in a pond. He’s in custody now here at the station and being booked on multiple accounts of homicide.”

“This can’t be happening,” Ida said in an anguished voice. “How could I have lived under the same roof with him and not realized he was that sick and dangerous?”

“My daddy…” Kat sobbed. “I can’t believe he tried to kill my best friend.”

“I understand this is shocking,” Ellie said. “But we have irrefutable evidence against him and caught him red-handed with Carrie Ann.”

“Can I see him?” Ida asked.

Ellie shook her head no. “I’m sorry, but not now. We still have to interrogate him. And right now we’re busy collecting evidence.”

“I don’t want to see him,” Kat said shrilly. “Not ever again.”

Ellie understood the girl’s anger. She and Ida had a hard road ahead of them.

Kat glanced at Ida. “What’s gonna happen to my mom?”

Ellie offered her a tentative smile. “I spoke to Hetty and she’s writing down a detailed account of what happened with the abuse and the night Earl died. I can’t promise for certain, but considering you were both minors, Ida, and the abuse. I don’t think the DA will press charges.”

Ida slumped in relief and Kat pulled her mother into her arms. “Don’t worry, Mama, we’re going to be okay.”

Ida pushed her tangled damp hair from her wet cheeks then lifted her chin, and cupped Kat’s face with her hands.

“We will,” she said firmly. “But I’m not gonna let you suffer like I did the last decade and a half.

When I’m clear, we’re packing our bags and leaving this town for good.

We’ll find a small place somewhere and start over. ”

A smile tilted Kat’s lips. “I’d like that, Mama.”

“I love you, girl,” Ida whispered.

“I love you, too,” Kat said brokenly.

Ellie smiled and left them hugging each other, then went to collect Hetty’s statement and call the DA’s office.

Ida and Hetty and Kat had been through enough. She didn’t want them to suffer a minute longer.