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Fear clutched her chest. What was he doing?
EIGHT
Ellie threw the Jeep into Park and spotted Cord. With his shaggy unkempt hair, beard stubble and broad shoulders, he was a sight for sore eyes. Handsome in a rugged way, a man of the land, a man with secrets in his smoky amber eyes.
And the best tracker she’d ever known.
As she climbed out, she noticed he was organizing search teams to look for the child. A squad car from Widow Peak Police Department was already on the scene. One uniform stood with Cord, another by the family. The auburn-haired woman, a dark-haired man and a brown-haired boy who looked to be about twelve or thirteen hovered by an outdoor fire pit. The kid wore a Braves T-shirt with shorts and kept shifting like he had the jitters.
Missing children cases were always the most upsetting, but Ellie banked her emotions. She had to in order to do her job. Too many scary possibilities. If she dwelled on them, she might crumble.
The legends and folklore about the lake echoed in her head. While the Corp of Engineers had paid for some property when they decided to build the lake to generate power, many folks were run off and the water overflowed, burying homes, businesses and causing deaths. Some said when they dove deep, they heard screams of the deceased under the water.
Deputy Landrum pulled up, and he and Shondra got out and walked toward her. The atmosphere hung as thick with fear and worry as the air was stagnant and hot.
Members of the County Boat Rescue Team joined Cord’s team. Cord gave them directions then headed over to her.
“What’s your take on the situation?” Ellie asked as he approached.
“Parents say the kid wandered off. They’re frantic with worry. I alerted boat patrol to comb the lake,” Cord said. “Officer Timmons and Officer Rodriquez from the local police department are here to help. Timmons was first to arrive.”
“Thanks.” She turned to Landrum and Shondra. “Canvass cabin guests and campers. Maybe someone saw something,” Ellie said hopefully. “Or someone found her.”
Concern filled Shondra’s brown eyes. “On it.”
The two of them discussed a plan, then headed in different directions.
Ellie joined the family who looked as if they were falling apart. Officer Timmons gave a nod of recognition. “Detective Ellie Reeves,” Ellie said. “You’ve met Ranger Cord McClain. And my deputies are here to help.”
“This is Gina and Ken Hammerstein,” Officer Timmons said.
The woman wiped her swollen tear-stained eyes and clung to her husband who looked equally terrified. The boy looked down at his hands, twisting them together.
“Please help us,” Ken said. “Little Betsy might be out there in the woods and it’s getting dark.”
Ellie fought her own disturbing memories as the sun dipped lower into the tall pines and thick oaks. As a child, she’d been terrified when she’d been trapped in the woods. After a while, every tree looked the same. “How long has she been gone?”
“About half an hour,” Ken said, panicked.
So she couldn’t have gone too far, at least not on her own. “How old is she?”
Gina hugged her arms around her waist as if to hold herself upright while Ken pulled a photo from his phone. “Four.”
“I need a description, please. Hair color, eyes, what she was wearing.”
Gina’s lip quivered. “She has brown hair in a ponytail, green eyes.” The woman clenched her hands. “Oh, goodness, what was she wearing?” She tapped her fingers on her temple, thinking.
“I know you’re scared,” Ellie said softly. “Just close your eyes for a minute. It’ll come to you.”
Gina did as she said. “Oh, yeah, a pink T-shirt with a rainbow on it and denim shorts. And pink tennis shoes.”
“Good,” Ellie said. “That will help.”
Cord cleared his throat. “Can I share that photo with the search team?”
“Of course.” Ken passed the phone.
“Do you have a blanket or stuffed animal belonging to Betsy, something my dog can sniff to track her?” Cord asked.
