She wound down a narrow, graveled road deep in the woods, noting a sign that said Deer Crossing.The trees and isolated area created the sense they were going off grid.
The Jeep bounced over the gravel and ruts in the road, and her tires ground mud and sleet as she maneuvered the melting slush. Two miles in, she spotted a small rustic cabin nestled in the woods, a low light burning inside.
“I’m not sure I like the looks of this,” Derrick said. “From here, we proceed with caution.”
“Agreed.” Ellie threw a look over her shoulder. “Remember what we said about staying put. If something happens, lock the doors and call 9-1-1.”
Hazel’s eyes flashed with fear, but she nodded, then pulled her phone from her purse and gripped it.
Ellie cut the engine, and she and Derrick checked their weapons as they eased from the Jeep and started up the driveway. Night sounds echoed from the woods, the windwhistling off the mountain, the trees shivering and sending icy water pellets raining down.
Ellie and Derrick approached slowly, scanning the yard and surrounding area until they reached the front porch. A porch swing swayed in the wind gusts, windchimes tinkling.
Ellie inhaled a deep breath, climbed the steps and knocked. Derrick stood to the side, his hand on his weapon at the ready.
Seconds later, the door opened a crack and a middle-aged woman appeared, peering out.
Ellie frowned. Deputy Landrum had said the caller sounded older. Ellie flashed her badge and Derrick did the same. “We had a call that two missing children are here. Iris Benton and Lou Lou Glasser.”
The woman literally leaned against the door and released a heavy sigh. “Thank God. And yes, they are. I’m Mona Cash and I’m here with my mother. She’s been terrified Wally would come back and kill her and hurt the girls.”
Ellie held her breath “So they’re okay?”
“Yes. I mean they’re confused but they’re safe. Mama and I both love children.”
Ellie raised a brow. “How is your mother involved?”
Tears streamed down the woman’s pale cheeks. “She took care of Wally when he was a kid for a little while but eventually he was too much for her.”
“But he brought the girls to her.”
“Yes. Wally dropped off Iris first and said her mother was one of his clients and couldn’t take care of her anymore, and Wally agreed to find her a home.”
“Your mother didn’t realize he’d killed Iris’s mother?”
“No, not at the time. But when he brought Lou Lou, she got suspicious. He threatened to kill her and the girls if she called the police.”
“But she called you?”
“No, I stop in once a week to bring Mama groceries and… Mama was almost hysterical. I saw the girls and insisted she tell me what happened.” Mona finally breathed out. “By then I’d seen the news, and we didn’t know what to do.”
They would do a deeper dive into the woman’s story, but for now Ellie wanted to verify the children were here and safe. “We need to see the girls.”
“Of course.”
Mona led the way into the small bungalow, which, in spite of the rustic exterior, was surprisingly cozy and clean. A wood fire glowed in the stone fireplace, the coffee table held children’s books, and a few toys. A sippy cup sat on the table, a juice box beside it, along with two snack cups of cheese crackers.
A white-haired woman wearing a housedress, obviously Mona’s mother, sat on the sofa with both girls huddled close to her while she was reading them a children’s story.
She looked up at them with wide frightened eyes as she hugged the little girls close, blankets piled around them.
Ellie and Derrick exchanged a look. “I’ll get Hazel,” Derrick said.
Ellie gave a thank-you to the heavens that the children looked safe and unharmed.
“Thank you for coming,” the older woman said. “I can’t believe Wally did this.”
Ellie gritted her teeth. “At least he brought them to you where he knew they’d be safe and cared for.”
