Chapter 45
FORTY-FIVE
Crooked Creek Police Station
Ellie worried her bottom lip with her teeth as Cord’s words sank in. “What happened?”
“Not sure. I’m headed there to verify that it’s him. I’ll let you know when I arrive.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
A knock sounded at Ellie’s door, and she glanced up to see Deputy Landrum. He motioned to a teenage boy and a middle-aged man, and Ellie waved a finger to indicate she’d be right with them. “Cord, Landrum is here with Marty Burgess. I need to question him before I come.”
“Sure. I’ll keep you posted.”
Ellie joined Deputy Landrum, who stood with a nervous young man and an older man she assumed to be the boy’s father. Dressed in a suit and tie, his hair neatly clipped, he stood rigid and looked irritated.
Ellie extended her hand. “Detective Ellie Reeves. You’re Mr. Burgess?”
He gave a clipped nod and shook her hand, then she gestured to the boy. “And you’re Marty?”
He nodded warily.
“What is this about?” Mr. Burgess asked gruffly.
“Let’s find a place and sit down.” Ellie led them to an open interrogation room, then set two bottles of water on the table. As soon as they were seated, Mr. Burgess instantly pulled his phone. “Do I need to call my attorney?”
“At this point, I don’t see any reason to. I just want to ask your son a couple of questions about Minnie Benton. I’m sure you’re both aware that her body was found at Midnight Ridge.”
Mr. Burgess’s stare turned icy. Marty folded his arms, then slumped in his seat, his expression confused.
“Why do you think Marty would know anything about her?”
“At this point, I’m simply talking to classmates and looking for any information I can learn about her,” Ellie said smoothly.
Marty shifted. “Minnie killed herself, didn’t she?”
“It first appeared that way, but we have questions about her death.” Ellie angled herself toward Marty and gave him a friendly smile to ease his anxiety. “You did know Minnie, didn’t you?”
Marty shrugged. “I knew who she was, but we didn’t hang out together. Why? Did someone say we did?” A defensive note slipped into his voice.
“A friend of Minnie’s said she had a crush on you.”
Mr. Burgess folded his hands on his knee, brows raised.
Surprise flashed in Marty’s eyes. “If she did, I didn’t know anything about it. I never even talked to her. She was… you know, kind of awkward.”
“You two didn’t get together anytime?” Ellie asked.
Marty’s mouth pulled down into a frown. “No. Besides, Minnie hasn’t been around in almost two years. I heard she ran away.” He grunted. “Can’t say as I blamed her. As soon as I graduate, I’m out of this crappy town, too.”
Ellie studied the boy’s features, searching for any familiarity between him and Iris.
“I see,” Ellie said. She’d been ready to leave her own house at that age, too.
Most kids were. And Mystic was fledgling and didn’t exactly offer bright futures or careers for the younger generation.
“But it’s come to our attention that Minnie was pregnant when she ran away.
Then again you probably saw on the news that her little girl is missing.
” Ellie pinned him with a neutral look. “Would you know anything about that?”
Marty finally picked up the bottle of water, uncapped it and took a long sip. “Naw. Like I said, I haven’t seen her in ages.”
Although if he was the father, Minnie might not have told him about the baby.
“Why are you asking my son about this? He already stated that he didn’t hang out with her,” Mr. Burgess said curtly.
“Because the child is missing,” Ellie replied, “and we don’t know the name of the child’s father and need that information.”
“Then talk to her family.” Mr. Burgess stood. “Marty has answered your questions. Now we’re leaving.”
Ellie caught Marty’s wary look. “Marty, if you know who the baby’s father is, please tell me.”
Marty averted his eyes, then set the water on the table. “I told you I don’t. I didn’t even know she had a kid.”
“So you didn’t have a sexual relationship with her?” Ellie asked.
He shook his head. “Hell, no.”
Ellie ignored his language. So did his father, which was telling in itself. “How about any of the other guys at your school? Sometimes boys brag at your age.”
“Asked and answered,” Mr. Burgess snapped. “Now let’s go, Marty.”
“One more question,” Ellie said. “Where were you two nights ago?”
Marty stuffed his hands in the pocket of his sweatshirt. “At a soccer tournament in Atlanta. I’m on a traveling team.”
So he had an alibi.
“Let’s go, son. We’re done.” Mr. Burgess nudged Marty. When he reached the door, he turned and shot Ellie a warning glare. “If you want to speak to Marty or me again, call my attorney.”