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One Hundred Ten
Ellie’s mind raced with the implication that these cases were connected. She had to look into Kaylee Wilkinson’s disappearance and her mother’s death. But Jan Hornsby’s daughter had also been abducted. Could the three kidnappings have been carried out by the same person?
The text Jan sent Angelica now made sense.
“I saw the story about that awful child kidnapping ring,” Jan continued, her voice a pained sound. “Do you think they took Kaylee and my daughter?”
“I don’t know, but I promise you I won’t rest until I find out,” Ellie said. “Tell me about what happened the day Becky went missing.”
“That day is a blur,” she said, her eyes cloudy with the memory. “They had a little fair at the park in Chattanooga with a puppet show Becky wanted to see. And there was a petting zoo and an adoption area for rescue dogs and cats. It was crowded with a lot of families.” Her voice wavered. “Becky ran over to see the animals and I tried to catch her. I always told her to stay by my side, but she loves cats and dogs, and… she got away from me.”
“All it takes is a minute,” Ellie said to soothe the woman who she knew had probably blamed herself for months now. “Did you notice anyone paying special attention to Becky those last few weeks or days before she was abducted? Maybe a neighbor or someone at the park where she played?”
Jan shook her head. “I told the police all of this before. I mean there were other mothers and families there, but I kept a close eye on Becky because of her health issues. I was always overprotective.”
“What health issues?” Ellie asked, instinct prickling.
“Becky is diabetic,” Jan said. “She has to have her insulin.” Tears glittered on the woman’s long lashes. “I’ve been so afraid whoever kidnapped her isn’t taking care of her.”
Ellie barely kept from reacting. Going without her insulin could be deadly, just as not having her immunosuppressive drugs could endanger Ava.
“I’d like to speak to the detective in charge of Becky’s case,” Ellie said.
“Of course. His name is Manning.” She pulled her phone and gave her the man’s number. “I call him every week to make sure he hasn’t forgotten about Becky.”
Angelica patted her shoulder. “Leave that up to me. I’ll run a series on missing children and include both Becky and Kaylee in it. I’ll call it ‘The Forgotten Girls’.”
Jan wiped at fresh tears. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that. I… Some days it’s been hard to go on. The only way I have is to imagine bringing Becky home one day.”
“Let me check on Priscilla,” Ellie said. “If she’s awake, maybe she can shed some light on what happened to her.”
She stepped over to her desk and called the hospital.
“She’s pretty battered and in and out of consciousness,” the nurse told her. “But you can see her for a few minutes.”
After hanging up, she told Jan and Angelica. “Jan can ride with me,” Angelica said.
Ellie sent her a thankful look. “Thanks. I’ll meet you there.”
On her way to the hospital, she phoned Detective Manning, the officer in charge of the Hornsby case.
“What can you tell me about the investigation?” Ellie asked.
“The mother doted on the child,” Detective Manning said. “Her story checked out. Witnesses saw her with Becky at the park by the river. They seemed happy and were having fun. Becky got her face painted and while Jan paid the artisan, Becky ran toward the petting zoo. Jan went after her but she just disappeared into thin air.” He paused. “I questioned everyone at the park, neighbors, friends, school staff, and Becky’s mother’s employee, who all stated that she was a caring, loving single mother.”
Another single mother whose child had disappeared in the blink of an eye.
One Hundred Eleven
Bluff County Hospital
On the way to the hospital, Ellie called Derrick, and asked him to meet them to question Priscilla. The sleet had momentarily stopped, but a fog had developed, a strange murky scent in the air. A cloud of air burst from her lungs as she inhaled the freezing wind that screeched through the bare branches of the trees, and she rushed across the hospital lot, carefully avoiding patches of ice and puddles.
Derrick was waiting at the entrance, where Angelica and Jan joined her. She made quick introductions, then they walked to the nurses’ station together.
“She is stable,” said the nurse, “but has a concussion, multiple contusions and the doc casted her wrist, which was fractured.” She dug her hands into the pockets of her uniform. “Frankly, she’s lucky she didn’t die from the fall. The doctor said only one or two visitors at a time. She needs her rest.”
“I understand,” Ellie said. “I’ll go in first. And maybe you, Jan. It might help if she sees a friendly face.”
