Page 54 of The Graveyard Girls

Yes, according to the sheriff, Clint’s father.

“Tilly said Ruth wouldn’t tell her who she was meeting that night, but she said it wasn’t Clint. Was there another boy she was interested in? One Clint was jealous of? Or one who might have been angry if she rebuked him?”

Mrs. Higgins threw her hands in the air, a sigh of exasperation escaping her. “How should I know? Teenage girls don’t exactly confide in their mothers.”

True, Ellie thought. She certainly had had her differences with her adopted mother, Vera.

“Now, I’ve answered these questions a hundred times before, and I don’t want to discuss it anymore.”

Ellie nodded in understanding. “The computer?”

Gina rubbed her fingers across the pink cover, held it to her chest for a moment then finally relinquished it. “Let’s get this straight, Detective. I expect it to be returned in the same condition it was in when you took it. Do you understand? Ruth will need it when she comes home.”

Ellie gave an understanding nod. “Of course.” Her phone buzzed, and she checked the number. Cord.

She lifted a finger signaling she needed to answer the call, then stepped into the hall and connected. “Cord? I hope this is important. I’m with Ruth Higgins’ parents right now.”

“It is.” His breath wheezed out. “I think I found another body.”

FIFTY-NINE

Brambletown

On the drive to the graveyard, Ellie called the ME and an ERT. If Cord had discovered another body, they needed the remains to be removed properly and the scene preserved and processed.

She relayed her conversation with Ruth’s mother to Derrick. “It’s disturbing that she’s created a replica of Ruth’s room.”

“People hold onto hope as long as they can,” he said.

“I suppose so,” Ellie said. “But it’s also unsettling that she didn’t have a designated room for Tilly or her son.”

A muscle ticked in Derrick’s jaw. “The couple obviously favored Ruth over their other two children,” he said. “Mr. Higgins had nothing good to say about Hayden.”

The family dynamics had to have affected Tilly and Hayden. “No wonder Tilly or Hayden never sought them out.”

“I know. Ruth’s disappearance destroyed the family just like my sister’s did ours.”

Emotions clogged Ellie’s throat. She hated that her family had any part in that. Even if she apologized a million times, it wouldn’t change things. But at least Derrick didn’t resent her for it.

He checked his phone. “I have a message from Bennett.” His expression darkened as he listened to the voicemail. “Bennett found out Hayden left the Army after his first tour. Apparently, he renewed his driver’s license but hasn’t tracked him down yet. No info on a car registration or address.”

“Arrests?”

“One arrest for assault. Charges were dropped because the woman claimed Hayden was protecting her from the man who was stalking her.”

Ellie wrinkled her nose in thought. “He could have moved off the grid after that kind of trouble,” Ellie said. “And now he’s avoiding the media and police.”

Assault indicated he had a violent streak. Could Hayden have lost that temper on his sister?

SIXTY

Green Gardens Cemetery

By the time Ellie and Derrick arrived at the graveyard, Dr. Whitefeather and her forensic recovery team were waiting. The ERT pulled up behind them.

“Why does Ranger McClain believe he discovered a body?” Laney asked. “Did he find bones?”

Ellie shook her head. “He spotted a red scarf poking through some brush and dirt. If there are human remains in the ground, he didn’t want to disturb evidence.”