Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
Lookout Mountain
Ellie wound up the curvy road to the Bentons’ home, as amazed as she always was every time she drove to Lookout Mountain, which sat on a ridge on the border of Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee near Chattanooga.
The popular tourist spot was known for its natural beauty and historical significance due to the Battle of Lookout Mountain during the Civil War.
Tourists enjoyed attractions like the Incline Railway, which offered stunning views of the waterfalls and was the world’s steepest railway. Ruby Falls with its underground cave and Rock City were also favorites.
When Ellie was little, she wondered why her parents were excited about driving to Rock City to see a bunch of houses built of rocks. Now she laughed at how literally she’d taken the name.
But as a kid, she’d been in awe of the massive rock formations, the gardens, the “Seven States” panorama and the fairy-tale creatures along the path.
The sun battled for visibility in the mist as she veered onto the road toward the address for the house. The air felt chilly, the fog adding to the grim atmosphere of Midnight Ridge.
Her stomach roiled at the thought of delivering the sad news to Minnie’s parents. No parent should lose a child. Although if Minnie lived at home, why hadn’t they reported her missing?
Did they have Iris?
Her phone buzzed and Ellie connected. “Sheriff, what happened with the accident?”
“It’s not Iris. Kid was a four-year-old boy but he’s fine.”
“That’s good,” Ellie said then explained she was headed to the Bentons. “After the parents, I’ll talk to Minnie’s sister Beth Ann.”
“Keep me posted.”
“Will do.” Ellie hung up, then threaded her way through a narrow drive lined with red maples, bursting with color from the late fall that seemed to be passing into an early winter.
The house was a massive wooden and stone structure halfway up the mountain and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered majestic views.
Obviously the Bentons had money and enjoyed making their home a showcase.
Cord pulled in behind her as she parked, and they got out and silently walked up the brick path to the striking front porch with its hanging ferns that swayed in the gusty winds.
Fall flowers were wilting in the unusually cool temperatures and in spite of the opulence of the house, it was void of any seasonal or Halloween decorations, adding an almost dismal feel.
Judging from Cord’s rigid posture, he dreaded this as much as she did. But she rang the doorbell, aware notifications and interviews with the family came with the job.
They exchanged understanding looks as they waited and finally a woman with a short bob wearing black dress pants and a white collared shirt opened the door with a tentative smile that quickly disappeared when she saw Ellie’s badge.
“Mrs. Benton?” Ellie asked.
Her face paled and she gave a little nod.
“I’m Detective Ellie Reeves and this is SAR Ranger Cord McClain. May we come in?”
The woman’s breath quickened. “What is this about?”
“I think it’s best we speak inside,” Ellie said softly. “Is your husband home?”
Another nod and she led them to a cozy den with camel-colored leather furniture and a stone fireplace. A quick visual sweep revealed no family photo in the room of Minnie or a grandchild. Odd.
“He’s in his study,” she said. “Have a seat and I’ll get him.
Ellie and Cord sank into the two wing chairs flanking the fireplace. Ellie clenched her sweaty hands then wiped them on her jeans when Mr. Benton entered the doorway. Six feet tall with a military haircut, his dark eyes looked as austere as his stiff body language.
No introductions, just a blunt terse voice. “What’s going on?”
“I’m Detective Ellie Reeves and this is my associate, Ranger Cord McClain,” Ellie said. “We’re here about your daughter.”
Mrs. Benton dropped onto the sofa, her hand shaking as she dragged a pillow into her lap and dug her nails into it.
“Which one?” Mr. Benton asked, still standing and staring down at Ellie and Cord, his jaw clenched. “Although if it’s legal trouble, I’m fairly certain it’s Minnie, our youngest. She’s always the problem kid.”
Ellie swallowed at his condescending tone. “What do you mean?”
“Trouble at school, then with boys,” he said. “Then she ran away.”
Ellie sucked in a breath while Cord sat back studying the couple. “Do you know where she went?”
“No,” he said. “Haven’t heard from her in a while.”
“How long is a while? A couple of weeks? Months?” Ellie asked
A muscle ticked in Benton’s jaw. “Since she ran away a couple of years ago. She knew where we lived and could have come back if she wanted.”
Ellie raised a brow. She doubted that Minnie would have wanted to. Not with his attitude.
She glanced at Mrs. Benton then to the photo of a young woman on the mantel. Not Minnie. Must be the other daughter. “How about you, ma’am? Did you stay in touch with Minnie?”
The woman shot a nervous glance at her husband then shook her head no. “She never reached out.” She fidgeted with her hands. “I tried to call a few times, but she never answered or returned my calls.”
Ellie absorbed that information, deciding there was more to the story than the couple wanted to reveal.
Mr. Benton crossed his arms. “Now, get to it, Detective. Is Minnie in trouble?”
Ellie gave Mrs. Benton a sympathetic look then addressed them both. “I’m sorry to have to inform you, but your daughter’s body was found at Midnight Ridge.”
Minnie’s mother gasped then she began trembling. Ellie hurried to the woman. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. Can I get you some water?”
Mrs. Benton shook her head then fanned her face, but Ellie gestured to Cord and he rushed to the kitchen and returned a minute later with a glass of water and a wet napkin. Mrs. Benton accepted it and pressed the wet towel to her forehead then sipped the water, the glass shaking violently.
Mr. Benton finally sat, looked down for a minute at his polished Italian loafers, then lifted his head, his expression unreadable. “What happened?”
Ellie kept an eye on the mother, wondering if she needed to phone a medic, then replied to the father.
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Ellie said gently.
“At first it appeared to be a suicide, but we’re covering all the bases, so I’m investigating.
Is there anything you’d like to tell me? ”
The couple traded a wary look, and the mother wiped at tears trickling down her ashen cheeks.
“No,” Minnie’s father said quickly.
Ellie schooled her reaction. He was hiding something.
Mrs. Benton cleared her throat, her voice raspy. “Did she leave a note?”
Ellie turned to her, her voice soft. “There was a note saying she was sorry,” Ellie said, hedging her words. “She also mentioned a daughter.”
The woman pressed her hand over her mouth. “A little girl?”
“Yes, she called her Iris,” Ellie replied. “Did you know she had a little girl? Is she here?”
Sorrow filled her eyes. “No… I can’t believe Minnie had a child.” Her face crumpled. “Iris was my mother’s name. Minnie always loved her grammy.”
Sympathy for the woman filled Ellie. “That’s sweet. I’m sure the name was special.” Mrs. Benton wiped at tears, but Ellie studied Minnie’s father. “Mr. Benton?”
“No, as I said, we haven’t spoken since she left home.”
Every cell in Ellie’s body vibrated with tension as the what ifs ran through her mind.
“Minnie might have been pregnant when she ran away.” Which would make the child close to a year or even a year and a half old.
With indifferent or judgmental parents, the pregnancy might have been the reason she left home.
Benton shrugged, his tone disapproving. “It’s possible. She went off the deep end the last few months she was here.”
“And you don’t know where she’s been all this time?”
“No,” he snapped.
“What about your other daughter? Would Minnie have turned to her?” Ellie asked.
Mrs. Benton wiped at her eyes. “Beth Ann hasn’t mentioned being in contact with Minnie.”
“And you’ve stayed in contact with Beth Ann?” Ellie asked, struggling to understand the family dynamics.
Mr. Benton shrugged. “Occasionally we have a quick conversation. She has her own life now. Once she attended college, she never moved home. Then we sold the house in Chattanooga and moved up here. I think Beth Ann lives in Chattanooga though.”
A weight of sadness tinged Mrs. Benton’s expression, then her forehead crinkled in thought. “What can you tell us about Iris?”
Ellie softened her tone. “We’re looking for her. I was hoping you two could help.”
Mrs. Benton started to speak but her husband cut her off. “I told you. We didn’t even know Minnie had a child, so obviously we can’t assist you.”
Cord leaned forward, hands on his knees. “Do you know anyone Minnie would have turned to for help or left Iris with?”
“No.” Mr. Benton rose abruptly. “Now, you should go.”
Cord stood as well, then squared his shoulders, staring down at Minnie’s father. “Don’t you want to know where your granddaughter is, sir?”
A muscle ticked in the man’s jaw. “That little bastard is not my granddaughter.”
Benton’s wife gasped. “Claude, that’s an awful thing to say.”
“It’s true,” he barked.
Mrs. Benton winced, and Ellie gave her a sympathetic look then pressed her card into the woman’s shaky hand. “I understand this is painful, Mrs. Benton. Please call me if you need anything. I’ll do whatever I can for you.”
“We won’t be calling,” Mr. Benton said through gritted teeth.
Mrs. Benton clenched the card in her hand, then lurched up and ran down the hall, a sob wrenching from her.
Mr. Benton slung his hand toward the front door. “Now see yourselves out.”
Ellie pushed up from her seat, so furious at the cold-hearted man she wanted to punch him. “We’ll have the ME notify you when Minnie’s body is released so you can make arrangements.”
“Don’t bother.” Mr. Benton turned and strode toward his study, ignoring his wife’s sobs echoing through the hollow house. A house that had first looked so welcoming and beautiful but had proven not to be at all.