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FORTY-THREE

EMERALD FALLS

Thirty-two-year-old Loretta Stuart gripped her daughter Ivy’s hand as they hurried to meet her husband Michael at Slice, the pizza restaurant on Main Street. She loved the crisp winter air, the smell of pine and woods outside and the twinkling lights adoring the storefronts. The heady scents of marinara sauce, pepperoni, sausage and onion swirled around her, making her stomach growl as she entered.

Couples, families and singles chatted and laughed, the excitement of Winterfest obvious.

In spite of the holiday atmosphere though, hushed whispers of horror about the two little girls found dead at Emerald Falls floated through the room. The fact that they were the same age as Ivy sent cold terror washing over her.

She’d seen some man watching Ivy earlier today and that had roused the fear that something might happen to her daughter, a fear that constantly simmered beneath the surface and threatened to destroy her peace of mind. Her husband said she was a worry wart. But she couldn’t help it. After three miscarriages years ago, she’d almost given up on having a child.

Then Ivy had turned her into a mother. The moment she’d seen the ultrasound she’d quit her corporate job and devoted all her time to resting and preparing for her miracle baby. And when the scan indicated a girl, she’d started sewing, a hobby she’d learned from her grandmother, making baby quilts and bows and little sweet dresses.

She’d actually channeled that love into a small business and now sold her creations on Etsy and a tiny shop in town. She also donated children’s quilts to a charity who provided blankets to kids in the children’s hospital.

“Today was fun,” Ivy chirped. “I told Santa what I wanted.”

“And what was that?”

“I can’t tell you, Mommy, or Santa might not bring it.”

Loretta appreciated the fact that Ivy still believed in Santa and magic, but she had to find a way to look at Ivy’s wish list.

Ivy looked up at her with a beaming smile. “Can we go ice skating tomorrow and maybe take a carriage ride?”

“Sure,” Loretta said clutching Ivy’s hand tighter. “Just as long as you stay close to me and Dad.”

Ivy’s freckles danced on her nose as she frowned, but she spotted her father waving from across the room where he sat in a booth in the corner and a smile replaced the frown.

“Daddy!” Ivy raced to him, her brown ponytail flying behind her.

Get a grip, Loretta. You’re just being paranoid.

Ivy threw herself into her father’s arms and he gave her a big smooch. Loretta’s heart clenched with a fuzzy feeling. Their struggle to have a baby made it even sweeter when Ivy finally came along.

Michael was such a good husband and father that it would kill him to know what she’d done.

She gave him a quick kiss, then joined him and Ivy. They ordered half cheese pizza, half meat lovers, planned the activities they wanted to do the next day, then Ivy turned her attention to the TV on the wall which was airing Frosty the Snowman.

As the waitress brought the bill, Michael checked his phone. His smile faded.

“What’s wrong?” Loretta asked.

“There’s an update about those two little girls who were found at Emerald Falls.”

Loretta checked to make sure Ivy was still engrossed in the movie, then lowered her voice. Although she cautioned her daughter about the dangers of speaking to strangers, she shielded her from the constant bombardment of gory news.

“Did they identify them?”

“Not yet, but they posted a picture.” He angled his phone for her to see. “They’re looking for a woman named Barbara Thacker for questioning.”

Loretta’s lungs strained for a breath. Barb? She leaned closer to get a better look at the photo of the girls and froze, horror streaking through her.

Dear God… She glanced at Ivy then at her husband. The number for the police department flashed on the screen with a plea for anyone with information about the twins or Barbara to call in.

A shiver rippled up her spine. The girls dead… Barbara missing… Could it have something to do with what happened years ago? Should she call the police and tell them what she knew?

No, she couldn’t. They’d sworn to keep their secret between them. If she broke that promise, Michael would learn the truth.

And that could never happen.

Her phone buzzed. Barbara’s name appeared on the screen. “Excuse me, honey. I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

Michael nodded and turned back to Ivy where she was singing the theme song, “Frosty the Snowman”. Loretta rushed into the hall housing the restrooms and ducked inside. Hand shaking, she answered the call.

“Barb?” Loretta said in a hushed voice.

“Have you seen the news?” Barbara asked.

“Yes. Oh, God, yes.” Loretta’s voice cracked. “Where are you?”

“In Emerald Falls, but I’m hiding out because the police are looking for me.”

“I know. I just saw the news.”

“I can’t reach Claire or Ros,” Barbara said.

Fear clawed at Loretta. “Who killed Taylor and Heidi?”

“I don’t know,” Barb said. “But I think the killer was in my house.”

Loretta claimed a stall, closed the door and leaned against it, her body trembling.