Mr. Benton crossed his arms. “Now, get to it, Detective. Is Minnie in trouble?”
Ellie gave Mrs. Benton a sympathetic look then addressed them both. “I’m sorry to have to inform you, but your daughter’s body was found at Midnight Ridge.”
Minnie’s mother gasped then she began trembling. Ellie hurried to the woman. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. Can I get you some water?”
Mrs. Benton shook her head then fanned her face, but Ellie gestured to Cord and he rushed to the kitchen and returned a minute later with a glass of water and a wet napkin. Mrs. Benton accepted it and pressed the wet towel to her forehead then sipped the water, the glass shaking violently.
Mr. Benton finally sat, looked down for a minute at his polished Italian loafers, then lifted his head, his expression unreadable. “What happened?”
Ellie kept an eye on the mother, wondering if she needed to phone a medic, then replied to the father. “That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Ellie said gently. “At first it appeared to bea suicide, but we’re covering all the bases, so I’m investigating. Is there anything you’d like to tell me?”
The couple traded a wary look, and the mother wiped at tears trickling down her ashen cheeks.
“No,” Minnie’s father said quickly.
Ellie schooled her reaction. He was hiding something.
Mrs. Benton cleared her throat, her voice raspy. “Did she leave a note?”
Ellie turned to her, her voice soft. “There was a note saying she was sorry,” Ellie said, hedging her words. “She also mentioned a daughter.”
The woman pressed her hand over her mouth. “A little girl?”
“Yes, she called her Iris,” Ellie replied. “Did you know she had a little girl? Is she here?”
Sorrow filled her eyes. “No… I can’t believe Minnie had a child.” Her face crumpled. “Iris was my mother’s name. Minnie always loved her grammy.”
Sympathy for the woman filled Ellie. “That’s sweet. I’m sure the name was special.” Mrs. Benton wiped at tears, but Ellie studied Minnie’s father. “Mr. Benton?”
“No, as I said, we haven’t spoken since she left home.”
Every cell in Ellie’s body vibrated with tension as the what ifs ran through her mind. “Minnie might have been pregnant when she ran away.” Which would make the child close to a year or even a year and a half old. With indifferent or judgmental parents, the pregnancy might have been the reason she left home.
Benton shrugged, his tone disapproving. “It’s possible. She went off the deep end the last few months she was here.”
“And you don’t know where she’s been all this time?”
“No,” he snapped.
“What about your other daughter? Would Minnie have turned to her?” Ellie asked.
Mrs. Benton wiped at her eyes. “Beth Ann hasn’t mentioned being in contact with Minnie.”
“And you’ve stayed in contact with Beth Ann?” Ellie asked, struggling to understand the family dynamics.
Mr. Benton shrugged. “Occasionally we have a quick conversation. She has her own life now. Once she attended college, she never moved home. Then we sold the house in Chattanooga and moved up here. I think Beth Ann lives in Chattanooga though.”
A weight of sadness tinged Mrs. Benton’s expression, then her forehead crinkled in thought. “What can you tell us about Iris?”
Ellie softened her tone. “We’re looking for her. I was hoping you two could help.”
Mrs. Benton started to speak but her husband cut her off. “I told you. We didn’t even know Minnie had a child, so obviously we can’t assist you.”
Cord leaned forward, hands on his knees. “Do you know anyone Minnie would have turned to for help or left Iris with?”
“No.” Mr. Benton rose abruptly. “Now, you should go.”
Cord stood as well, then squared his shoulders, staring down at Minnie’s father. “Don’t you want to know where your granddaughter is, sir?”
