Page 131 of The Graveyard Girls (Detective Ellie Reeves #11)

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY

Brambletown General Hospital

Kat and Ida received a hostile welcome from Carrie Ann’s mother.

“Did you know your husband was a killer?” Mrs. Parker asked.

Ida shook her head. “Of course not. If I had, I would have stopped him. And I sure as hell would have gotten my own daughter away from him. Besides, Kat loves your daughter and I wouldn’t let him hurt her either.”

“I do love her,” Kat said, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“But you left her alone in those woods,” Mrs. Parker snapped.

Kat bit her lower lip. “I know and I’m sorry. I’m so… sorry. I thought she went home.” Kat scrubbed her face with her hands to dry the tears. “I can’t believe my daddy did this.”

For a brief second Carrie Ann’s mother softened.

“Please, can I see her?” Kat said. “I have to tell her I didn’t know. I never would have left her or let my daddy hurt her. I swear.”

Ida spoke up . “Please, Phyllis, you can hate me if you want, but Kat is a kid and she and Carrie Ann have been friends since kindergarten. She’s hurting, too.”

Mrs. Parker wiped tears from her eyes then gave a reluctant nod. “Just don’t upset her any more. She’s been through enough.”

Kat nodded, gulping back more tears. “I promise. I just have to tell her I’m sorry and say goodbye.”

Mrs. Parker motioned to the nurse that it was okay, and Kat followed her through the doors to the ER exam room.

Mrs. Parker crossed her arms and faced Ida. “She’s saying goodbye?”

Ida nodded. “We’re leaving town as soon as we can pack up. I won’t subject Kat to the same life I had growing up.”

Carrie Ann’s mother murmured that she understood. Then she pulled Ida into a hug.