AllFreeNovel
Share Us
On the way to the police station for a briefing on Ava’s disappearance, Ellie stopped at the Corner Café for coffee and donuts to take to the meeting. God knows they were going to need fuel. They’d be working around the clock until they found Ava.
Rain drizzled down like teardrops from heaven as she parked and got out. Her parents were just leaving the café and paused when they saw her. Her mother’s short brown hair looked tousled, as if she’d forgotten to comb it after being out in the wind. Ellie had never seen her wear jeans but she was today, as well as a dark green sweater. Randall had finally added back a few pounds that he’d lost when he’d been shot a few months ago. She missed seeing him in the sheriff’s uniform.
“We heard about the little Truman girl, so scary,” Vera said, worry lines fanning around her eyes. “I talked to Emily Nettles about organizing a prayer vigil.”
“Thanks, I’m sure the family will appreciate that,” Ellie said, surprised that her mother took the initiative.
“Let me know if I can help in any way,” her father offered.
Ellie gave him an understanding smile, before thanking him. A string of jingle bells tinkled over the door as she entered and the scent of peppermint mocha and cinnamon apples filled the air. But as soon as she stepped in from the cold, the hushed whispers and stares started, the air charged with tension.
She stopped at the bar to place the to-go order and Lola, the owner, greeted her with worry in her eyes.
“Cord told me about Ava,” Lola said. “I’m sure her parents are frantic.”
“They’re terrified,” Ellie murmured. She didn’t intend to air details of the case in public, especially around local busy-body Maude Hazelnut.
“I’m headed to the station to brief everyone,” she said. “Can I get a dozen donuts and some hot coffees?”
“Sure. I’ll pack it up. And I’m planning to take a meal to Lara in a while.”
“That’s really nice of you,” Ellie said. “I doubt she’s even thought about food.”
“Can you believe it? Another child has gone missing in town,” Maude muttered from her corner. She saw Ellie, gave her a disapproving look, then raised her voice. “I certainly hope Detective Reeves doesn’t let another family suffer by falling down on the job.”
The jab hit home and triggered Ellie’s guilt over the victims who’d died on her watch. But she steeled herself from the rumors.
Carol Sue from the Beauty Barn, where gossip spread like wildfire, gasped next to Maude. “I heard that, too. One of the mothers who was at the Christmas party at school posted. Said Lara Truman is a mess, and police don’t know what to make of it.”
“I heard little Ava’s daddy might have taken off with her,” Bernice, who ran the bakery, said. “You know he’s been running around on Lara for a while now.”
The other women all chimed in, and Ellie forced herself to mute their voices. She had to focus on the case, not these women’s opinions.
Two mothers entered with their little girls in tow, both clutching their hands tightly, eyes darting around as if they feared a predator was right behind them.
Moments later, Lola brought the coffees and donuts and Ellie paid her. As she headed toward the door, she almost ran into Winnie Bates, the owner of Books & Bites. “Detective, any word on little Ava?” Winnie asked.
“Not yet, but we’re doing everything we can to find her,” Ellie said.
“We’re starting a prayer vigil by the angel tree tonight,” Winnie said. “We’re going to light candles and pray around the clock until you bring her home.”
Ellie gave her a smile. “That’s what my mother said and it’s a lovely gesture. The Trumans could use everyone’s support right now.”
Anxious to get to the meeting and escape Maude’s accusing eyes, Ellie rushed out the door. By the angel tree, she saw old Ms. Eula Frampton sitting on a bench, looking deep in thought. She’d once told Ellie she didn’t actually commune with the dead, but she’d had a sixth sense when children and young women had passed.
Did she have the sense now that Ava was still alive? Or dead?
Just as she was wondering, a little girl went darting across the street toward the tree, and her mother and father screamed at her to stop. A car careened toward her, brakes squealing.
Ellie’s breath stalled in her chest as the father grabbed the child’s arm and yanked her to safety just in time. The car screeched to a stop and the woman driving jumped out, her voice hysterical.
“I’m so sorry, she just ran out in front of me!”
The mother of the child went to talk to her while the father scolded his daughter. “This town is not safe,” the father yelled. “You have to stay by our side and hold our hand every minute.”
Dear God, the panic had begun. Kids should be excited about Christmas like they were last night, when she’d seen them dressed, giggling and singing at the pageant, not living in terror that someone would snatch them from their families.
Nineteen
