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There were several more, but he’d have them bagged and sent to the lab. They would determine if there was useful information in them.
On the next shelf, he found a decorative jewelry box. Odessa didn’t seem the type to wear expensive jewelry. When he opened it, he saw that was not what was inside.
There were individual plastic bags, each containing a single item of jewelry: a necklace, pair of earrings, a plain gold chain… Nothing looked expensive.
But the names on the bags were familiar.
Amy Dean, Kari Bernard, Jordie Nixon, Zelda North, Judy Zane. Vanna Michaels…
ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT
BLUFF COUNTY HOSPITAL
After ERT processed Odessa Muldane’s house, Derrick had to see Ellie.
Once he’d downloaded Harvey’s videos to his computer, he drove to the hospital so they could study them together.
He was surprised she was dressed yet not surprised she was arguing with the doctor, demanding to be released.
“Detective Reeves…” the doctor said, looking flustered.
“I have to work,” she said stubbornly.
“You need to stay here for observation for twenty-four hours.”
Ellie jerked her head toward Derrick as he entered. “Then he can observe me, can’t you, Agent Fox?”
Well, that was a loaded question. He almost smiled at the doctor’s frustrated face. “You might as well release her,” Derrick said. “If you don’t, she’ll just find a way to leave without the papers.”
The doctor huffed, shook his head then left the room to get them.
Ellie pulled her hair back into her usual ponytail, wincing as she raised her arms to do so. A second later, a nurse hurried in and handed Ellie the release papers for her signature.
“Did we get what we need to lock up Pockley for good?”
Derrick nodded. “Forensics found the bodies of Haley Worth and Judy Zane deep in the basement of the old hospital. There are two other bodies Laney is working on. But Pockley gave up names so that should help with the identification process.”
“Zelda North’s boyfriend has been serving time for her murder,” Ellie said.
“We should have enough forensics and evidence to exonerate him,” Derrick said. “While you got your beauty sleep, I reviewed some of the tapes we confiscated from Harvey’s house.”
Ellie rolled her eyes at his wry comment. “What did you find?”
“They’re pretty horrific,” Derrick said. “I thought we’d look them over together. Something’s bugging me about them.”
“What?”
“I’d rather not say until you take a look.”
Ellie headed to the door. “Then let’s get out of here. All this cleanliness is making me ill.”
Derrick chuckled and followed her outside. When they got in his sedan, he asked, “How’s McClain?”
Worry darkened her eyes. “Still unconscious.”
“He’s a fighter, Ellie,” Derrick said quietly.
She nodded and clenched her jaw. “Let’s pick up breakfast on the way.”
