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Concern laced the pediatrician’s voice when she spoke. “Good. Meanwhile, we’ll arrange foster care. A local woman Emily Nettles has fostered in the past and hopefully will take her. I’ll give her a call myself.”
Ellie’s heart ached for the frightened little girl. Part of her was tempted to take her home herself but her job wasn’t conducive for that.
And right now that job was to find Ava.
“I know Emily. Thank you, placing her there would be perfect,” Ellie agreed.
Dr.Samuels nodded, then headed down the hall and the psychologist stepped out of the room.
“Can I talk to her now?” Ellie asked.
“In a minute,” Dr.Laurens said. “According to Daisy, her mother got sick and lost her job and they were living in their car. Her mother mentioned getting them to a shelter, but they never made it. The mother passed out and a lady came by, told her she was with social services and took Daisy.”
So that part of the story was somewhat true. But Ava hadn’t been homeless.
“Did she mention the woman’s name?”
Dr.Laurens shook her head. “No, but she was kept in a basement for a while. She has no idea where, except she saw a lot of trees everywhere she looked.”
Damn, that could be anywhere. “We’re searching for another girl who was abducted, Ava Truman,” Ellie said.
“Yes. I saw the news.” The doctor dug her hands in the deep pockets of her cardigan. “Do you think this is connected?”
“That’s what I’m trying to determine.” She pulled her phone from her belt. “Is it all right if I show Daisy Ava’s picture?”
The doctor breathed out a sigh. “If it’ll help find Ava. But please, Detective, be gentle. She’s been through a lot.”
Ellie nodded and headed into the room with Dr.Samuels. Daisy was squeezing the unicorn and rubbing its ears as she entered.
“Hi, Daisy,” Ellie said softly. “How are you feeling?”
The little girl shrugged.
“I know it’s been a rough day and you’re frightened,” Ellie said. “But I’m your friend. And so is Dr.Samuels. We want to keep you safe.”
Daisy gave a timid nod. “You won’t make me go back to that basement?”
Ellie shook her head. “No, we’re going to find out what happened with your parents. Until then you’ll stay in a nice home with a really sweet lady named Ms.Emily.”
The doctor chimed in. “You’ll love her. She has four kids of her own and loves children. Her house has a big playroom with toys and games and art supplies and a play yard outside.”
Daisy seemed to relax into the covers.
“I know you’ve answered a lot of questions, and you’re tired,” Ellie said. “But I need to ask you a couple more. Were you the only child at this house?”
Daisy shook her head. “The boys stayed in a different room.”
Ellie’s stomach clenched. Thereweremore children. She turned her phone around to show them Ava’s photograph. “I’ve been looking for this little girl. Her name is Ava. Was she at the house with you?”
Daisy’s pug nose wrinkled. “I didn’t see her. But I heard the lady saying they were getting a new girl.”
Ellie’s pulse spiked. The new little girl could be Ava.
Ninety-Five
Longneck Creek
Derrick left Dr.Whitefeather with the shooter and ERT to process the scene then phoned Ellie and filled her in. Anxious to find Ava, she hurried outside the hospital and climbed in his car.
