Page 52 of The Graveyard Girls

“The Higginses did everything possible to escape the toxic place where they lost Ruth,” Ellie said.

“Yet they were toxic to Tilly,” Derrick said defensively.

“You’re right. Although they were in pain, they still had two other children who were suffering and needed attention.”

Derrick nodded. “Maybe getting answers will give Tilly some closure and ease her guilt.”

Had finding his sister done that for him? She hoped so although regret still nagged at her because her father was sheriff when Derrick’s little sister disappeared and he’d dropped the ball working the case in order to protect her. That investigation had first brought Derrick to Crooked Creek.

“I’m sorry, Derrick. I… wish I could change the way my father handled things with your sister,” she said softly.

“It wasn’t your fault, Ellie, and we both know it.” His gaze met hers, emotions flaring, but in a nano-second, he shut down and reached for the car door. “You helped me find closure.”

But no peace. She heard that in his tone and saw it in the way he switched to work mode without blinking an eye.

Wind ruffled the evergreens and musical notes from the windchimes echoed from the wraparound front porch of the classic farmhouse on the hill. Though winter had stolen the vibrancy of the garden, she imagined colorful flowerbeds blooming in spring. A park bench offered seating and finches sang from the birdfeeders in the well-kept sanctuary.

It was a place to cherish nature and the beauty the mountains offered. But had the couple found solace here?

“What is the former mayor of Brambletown doing now?” Ellie asked as she and Derrick walked up to the door and rang the bell.

“Retired. Seems his investments paid off, and after Ruth’s disappearance, he dropped out of the public eye.”

The door opened and a slender brunette in her fifties dressed in a dark green, velour warm-up suit looked down at them.

“I’m Gina Higgins,” she said with a tightness to her voice. “Come in.”

She seemed very formal, Ellie thought, or just nervous, the latter of which was understandable. Gina led them to an elegant living room with a marble fireplace where Edward Higgins was perched in one of the wing back chairs. His wife took the matching chair. The man held a tumbler of what looked like whiskey in his right hand, his expression serious.

Derrick introduced them. “Thank you for seeing us. We understand this situation is difficult for you.”

The man’s steely gray eyes hardened. “You really have no idea. Just tell me if you found my daughter,” he said curtly.

“No,” Derrick said. “But I’m assuming you saw the news about the body discovered in Brambletown and that there may be other victims?—”

“Yes, we’re aware of that,” Higgins barked. “Now you assume my daughter is dead and that monster Earl Bramble killed her.”

His brute voice sucked the air from the room. Derrick waited a beat before replying. “We’re not assuming anything, sir. But we are investigating that possibility. I know you both want answers about Ruth and what happened to her and we want to give them to you.”

“By telling us she was murdered by some psycho.” Mrs. Higgins abruptly stood and paced in front of the fire, her movements agitated.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Higgins,” Ellie said softly. “I understand this is painful but we are trying to help.”

“You know nothing,” Gina Higgins said bitterly.

“Maybe so. But we were hoping one of you remembered details that you might have forgotten back then. We spoke with your other daughter, Tilly, and she said Ruth snuck out that night to meet someone. Do you have any idea who it was?”

“Tilly and Hayden were always so jealous of Ruth,” the woman cried. “Ruth couldn’t help it that she was prettier and more popular. The other kids were just drawn to her.” Shivering, she rubbed her hands up and down her arms as if to warm herself. “Tilly was awkward and quiet and bookish. It was her fault the boys didn’t want to date her.”

Ellie swallowed hard, the woman’s words painting a hostile picture of the family dynamics. Sympathy for Tilly filled her.

“That’s pretty harsh of you to say about your child,” Derrick said.

Ellie cut him a warning look.

Tilly’s mother planted her dainty hands on her hips. “I’m simply being honest.”

Anger sharpened Derrick’s dark brown eyes, but he clenched his jaw and refrained from comment.