“No,” Rhonda cried. “Doctors said there were drugs in her system and that her memories might or might not ever return.”
“I’m so sorry. How awful for her and for you,” Ellie agreed.
“The therapist encouraged Dana Jo to join AA and a support group and to give her brain time to heal.”
“And did she?”
“When she came home, she was a wreck and afraid of her own shadow. She suffered from terrible migraines and panic attacks, which worsened when she learned she was pregnant.”
“I’m so sorry,” Ellie said. “That must have been difficult for both of you.”
“I just want to help my girl,” Rhonda said. “The counselor tried to persuade Dana Jo to consider adoption, but I assured her I’d help her raise the baby and she kept Lou Lou.”
Ellie stroked the woman’s arm. It sounded like Dana Jo’s baby was conceived from the assault in the mountains.
And now the monster had abducted Dana Jo and her little girl.
“What was the name of the counselor she saw?” Ellie asked.
“Mabel Putnam. She works with Bright Horizons and specializes in teen pregnancies.”
Ellie made a mental note of the information. Ms. Putnam was the same counselor who’d worked with Jordan but Ellie hadn’t had time to speak with her yet. Maybe Mabel could provide insight into Dana Jo.
A siren’s wail cut into Ellie’s thoughts then Cord’s footsteps echoed from the bottom of the staircase. “Ambulance should be here any minute,” he said.
“Send them up when they arrive.”
Ellie squeezed Rhonda’s shoulder. “I know you’re frightened but hang in there, Rhonda.”
Rhonda gasped. “You think this is the same man who killed that other girl and stole her child, don’t you?”
“It’s possible. I promise we’ll do our best to find Dana Jo and both children. An evidence response team is on its way to search your house. Maybe your attacker left some DNA that will help narrow down his identity.” She hesitated. “I’ll also need something with Dana Jo’s DNA on it as well as the little girl’s. A toothbrush, hairbrush, even an article of clothing or a toy that belonged to Lou Lou.”
Rhonda’s chin quivered as she fought more tears, then she pointed to the hall and the little girl’s room. “Dana Jo and LouLou share the hall bath. Look in Lou Lou’s room and take her teddy bear and rag doll…” Her voice cracked. “B… but I would like it back.”
“Of course.” Compassion for Rhonda filled Ellie as the medics raced up the steps. On the heels of her sympathy, fear for Dana Jo and Lou Lou tightened Ellie’s gut.
She wanted desperately to bring them both home. But so far she’d failed to find Iris and Minnie was dead.
And the clock was ticking…
SEVENTY-FIVE
Mystic Attorneys at Law
Derrick squared his shoulders as he entered the attorney’s office, determined to remain calm and not reveal his distaste for the man.
The exterior of the Victorian house looked historical but inside the wood floors gleamed, and the house had been modernized. A sitting area in one room housed comfortable chairs and two loveseats, obviously for clients waiting for appointments.
A receptionist/office manager sat at a classic polished cherry desk complete with a computer system. Her name tag read Serena.
“Hi.” Derrick flashed his credentials. “Special Agent Derrick Fox with the FBI. I’d like to speak to Claude Benton and also his associate, William Whittaker. Separately of course.”
Serena’s brown eyes flickered toward his as she scrutinized him. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No,” Derrick said. “But I’m sure they’ll fit me in.”
She shrugged as if she wasn’t so confident. “Well, first of all, Mr. Whittaker is not Mr. Benton’s associate. He’s the seniorpartner and is on a phone call at the moment, so you’ll have to wait. I’ll check on Mr. Benton.”
