“Yes. Odette couldn’t have more children. Eliza was their miracle in many ways, yet that brought its own pressure. After Ryan died, well, that only increased.”
“One last question.”
“Yes?”
“What does Bill do?”
“He sells fertilizer and other things for farms through one of the local coop services. I’ve never really understood it, but he’s been successful. Has a fancy agronomy degree from the university.”
Todd smiled at her description. “Thank you for your time, Principal Hayes.”
“I wish it were under better circumstances. You’ll let me know what happens to Eliza.”
“Yes, ma’am.” It was the least he could do. As soon as he hung up, he pulled up Google and entered Bill Brandenberg then William Brandenberg. When neither pulled up a hit, he frowned. Then he entered Odette Brandenberg. “This is not an overused name. Why can’t I find anything?”
Caleb leaned back in his chair. “That sounded like a fruitful conversation.”
“I thought it was, except the names she gave me aren’t showing up online.”
“Hand ‘em over and let the pro go to work.”
Todd shook his head as he jotted them down. “I don’t think it’ll make a difference, but if you can find them…” He ripped off the sheet of paper and handed it over.
Caleb took it and started typing. A minute later he wore a frown as he studied his screen. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“Right?” Todd ran his fingers along his scalp as he tried to think. “Did anything happen in Wayne about six months ago?”
“Not that I remember but let me call a buddy who works up there.”
“You have a friend in the police department?”
Caleb grinned at him. “When you’ve been at this as long as I have, you build a network.”
“I thought I had been at this the same amount of time.” Todd shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. We need to know why the family would suddenly move.”
“When did the son die?”
“According to the principal?” Todd looked at his notes. “I’m not sure, but we should be able to find a death certificate.” He started punching information into the correct database. “Okay, so Ryan died almost eleven months ago. Five months after thefamily moved from Wayne to Waverly. At least according to Principal Hayes.”
“Which we can’t verify, at least not the easy way online.” Caleb kept clicking around. “There must be something. I’ll call the coop and learn why he left.”
“That would be good. I’ll call the coops around Waverly, see if I can identify which one he switched to.”
Now that they had a thread, he had something to pull on. They’d untangle this mess. Figure out who Eliza was and why she was in that alley. And then he’d locate the person who left her there and make him or her pay.
CHAPTER 9
Adoctor walked into the ICU room and introduced himself to Bridget. He didn’t look like he could be old enough to be a doctor, but there he was. He stuck out his hand. “I’m Dr. Lyons. You’re her caseworker?”
“Yes. Bridget Ellis.”
“I’m the neurologist on call, and I’d like to take her back for an MRI. The fact that she is still unresponsive is not good. They probably should have done this test last night, but the ER was overrun.”
“Do I need to come with her?”
“It shouldn’t take very long. It will almost take longer to get her up there than it will to do the scan. And you can’t go back with her anyway.”
“All right.” Bridget looked from the still girl back to the doctor. “What are you looking for?”
