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“Everyone was mingling, having drinks and dancing,” she said.
“But Beverly seemed really nervous and kept looking around as if she thought the man who broke into her house might have been here.” She shrugged. “I mean, who wouldn’t? I’d have been freaked out if it was me.”
Did she mention anyone specific at the party who frightened her?”
Dodie shook her head. “No, she just didn’t seem in a party mood. And Janie was.”
Ellie arched a brow. “How so?”
“She was flirting with different guys and knocking back the drinks.” She stopped herself. “But it was a party and we were supposed to be here for fun. You know…” She shrugged. “Relive the college days.”
Ellie didn’t really know. After high school, she’d attended the police academy instead of partying for four years. That was a different life. “What did you see that made you call 9-1-1?”
Dodie fidgeted with her wedding band. “I saw Janie heading outside with some guy.”
“Can you describe him?”
“I didn’t see his face, but he was wearing a black shirt, black jeans. Bev was running around looking for her and she chased them outside. So I…” Dodie sucked in a breath. “I thought something was off so I went to the door and then Janie stumbled. Beverly ran after her and then there was a scream…”
“You’re doing great,” Ellie murmured. “Then what?”
“Then the man shoved them in a car and he took off.”
“Can you describe the car?” Ellie asked.
“I don’t know,” Dodie cried. “It was dark outside and parked in the shadows. Maybe black or gray?”
“A sedan? SUV?”
Dodie inhaled sharply. “Sedan. Does that help?”
Ellie squeezed her hand. “It might. I understand you’re upset but if you remember any more details about the man or his vehicle, call me.”
Dodie nodded then dropped her head into her hands. Seeing Derrick crossing the room toward her, Ellie met him halfway.
“Witness saw a dark sedan. Man in black clothing. Heard a scream. He forced both women in his car so he must have been armed.” She clenched her hands. “Security cams outside?”
“Yeah, but they were disengaged. Whoever did this, planned it, Ellie.”
SEVENTY-SIX
CROOKED CREEK
An hour later, Derrick walked Ellie to her door, scanning her property to make sure no one was lurking around. Not that she’d received a personal threat, but being the lead investigator often garnered a target on her back.
And this was a big case.
After interviewing the attendees at the reunion, they still had no specific lead. A few people had talked to Beverly and others confirmed that Janie had been drinking and in a reckless mood. But neither was a crime.
Ellie’s porch light was burning, her security system set and as they entered, everything appeared to be in place.
He didn’t like the fact that they’d found numerous animal graves though. Most likely, that meant the killer—or killers—had been practicing before they’d graduated to human victims. Who knew what they’d subjected the poor animals to?
His own sister’s case taunted him—he had never forgiven himself for her abduction. She’d been murdered by a serial predator who’d gone on to kill numerous little girls. The culprit was just one man.
In this case, he suspected they were dealing with at least two killers, which could mean that the body count had climbed over the past decade. Ten years of taking victims and escaping detection.
He’d blamed Ellie’s father, Randall Reeves—the sheriff at the time—for not stopping his sister’s killer. Was he any better now?
