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“Lorna Bea yelled at Betsy to run and she did,” Cade added.
“Betsy came in screaming.” The father wheezed a breath. “Then Cade ran home and told us what happened.”
Cade’s chin quivered. “He dragged Lorna Bea out the door and I couldn’t stop him.”
Derrick knelt in front of the boy. “Hey, man, you did great. You protected your sister and you ran for help. That was the smartest thing you could do.”
The little boy’s tormented face indicated he was still beating himself up.
“Are you okay?” Derrick asked. “Did he hurt you?”
“His face is bruised,” the mother said protectively.
The boy shrugged and put on a tough face. “I got worse when I fell out of the tree.”
Derrick patted his leg. “You’re a brave kid, buddy. Can you describe this man?”
“He was a monster,” Betsy whispered.
Derrick’s heart squeezed. “Was he tall? Heavy?”
“He was big, I mean tall, but skinny,” Cade said.
“What color was his hair?” Derrick asked.
Cade’s nose wrinkled as he thought about it. “I don’t know, he had a mask over his face and head.”
A ski mask, Derrick realized.
“How about a car or truck outside?” Derrick asked.
Cade shook his head. “No, but I heard a boat.”
So that was how he’d escaped.
“I’m sorry this scary thing happened,” Derrick said. “But both of you are being very helpful.”
Mr. Hammerstein motioned for Derrick to step aside with him, then lowered his voice. “Do you think it was that escaped prisoner?”
How could Derrick answer that? “I don’t know, sir. Radcliff didn’t abduct or hurt children.” That they knew of. “His victims were all college-aged students.”
Although, serial killers had been known to change their MO and victim profile, so he couldn’t rule out the possibility. But if Radcliff wasn’t responsible, who had kidnapped the girl? And what did he plan to do with her?
ONE HUNDRED TWO
As Ellie and Cord rushed to the door, Derrick met them and quickly summarized what had happened.
“Where was the girl’s father?” Ellie asked.
“He wasn’t home. Cade said he heard a boat,” Derrick said. “But I think the girl’s father knew Lorna Bea was in danger. He covered her window so no one could see inside.”
Ellie clenched her teeth. “We need to find him and get Lorna Bea’s picture on the news.”
“Let’s go next door and see what we’re dealing with,” Derrick said.
Ellie texted Captain Hale.
Issue Amber Alert for twelve-year-old Lorna Bea Jones. Will send photo soon. Checking out the house situation now. Need an ERT.
