“A friend of Minnie’s said she had a crush on you.”
Mr. Burgess folded his hands on his knee, brows raised.
Surprise flashed in Marty’s eyes. “If she did, I didn’t know anything about it. I never even talked to her. She was… you know, kind of awkward.”
“You two didn’t get together anytime?” Ellie asked.
Marty’s mouth pulled down into a frown. “No. Besides, Minnie hasn’t been around in almost two years. I heard she ran away.” He grunted. “Can’t say as I blamed her. As soon as I graduate, I’m out of this crappy town, too.”
Ellie studied the boy’s features, searching for any familiarity between him and Iris. “I see,” Ellie said. She’d been ready to leave her own house at that age, too. Most kids were. And Mystic was fledgling and didn’t exactly offer bright futures or careers for the younger generation. “But it’s come to our attention that Minnie was pregnant when she ran away. Then again you probably saw on the news that her little girl is missing.” Ellie pinned him with a neutral look. “Would you know anything about that?”
Marty finally picked up the bottle of water, uncapped it and took a long sip. “Naw. Like I said, I haven’t seen her in ages.”
Although if he was the father, Minnie might not have told him about the baby.
“Why are you asking my son about this? He already stated that he didn’t hang out with her,” Mr. Burgess said curtly.
“Because the child is missing,” Ellie replied, “and we don’t know the name of the child’s father and need that information.”
“Then talk to her family.” Mr. Burgess stood. “Marty has answered your questions. Now we’re leaving.”
Ellie caught Marty’s wary look. “Marty, if you know who the baby’s father is, please tell me.”
Marty averted his eyes, then set the water on the table. “I told you I don’t. I didn’t even know she had a kid.”
“So you didn’t have a sexual relationship with her?” Ellie asked.
He shook his head. “Hell, no.”
Ellie ignored his language. So did his father, which was telling in itself. “How about any of the other guys at your school? Sometimes boys brag at your age.”
“Asked and answered,” Mr. Burgess snapped. “Now let’s go, Marty.”
“One more question,” Ellie said. “Where were you two nights ago?”
Marty stuffed his hands in the pocket of his sweatshirt. “At a soccer tournament in Atlanta. I’m on a traveling team.”
So he had an alibi.
“Let’s go, son. We’re done.” Mr. Burgess nudged Marty. When he reached the door, he turned and shot Ellie a warning glare. “If you want to speak to Marty or me again, call my attorney.”
FORTY-SIX
Oakwood Park
Dana Jo’s heart raced with panic as she sprinted back toward her car. She’d heard predators sometimes used animals or candy to lure children toward them. What if that was the reason Lou Lou had approached the woods? That little girl Iris was still missing, possibly kidnapped.
Pangs of fear shot through her chest like a knife, but she exhaled and kept running, until she reached her SUV. “Lou Lou, don’t ever wander off like that again,” she scolded as she planted kisses all over her little girl’s confused face.
Lou Lou didn’t understand the dangers in the world, but Dana Jo certainly did. They were everywhere. On the playground, in the yard, the staircase at home, the oven in the kitchen. Worse, pedophiles and violent people lurked in the shadows.
A shiver ripped through her, and she gently eased her daughter into her car seat and fastened her seatbelt.
“Play, Mama,” Lou Lou chirped.
“We’ll play when we get home,” Dana Jo said. “But it’s time for us to go.”
“Picnic,” Lou Lou cried as she banged her feet against the car seat.
