Chapter 52
FIFTY-TWO
Mountain Brew
Derrick’s phone buzzed as he was studying his notes from the morning briefing meeting with Ellie. It was his partner at the Bureau, so he connected. “Bennett, thanks for calling me back.”
“No problem. I’ve been doing some background work and there is chatter about a possible baby-theft ring in Georgia.”
Derrick gritted his teeth and saw Tilly enter the café. She went to the counter to order coffee and he waved.
In spite of stringent security, vigilant training of employees, and a handful of undercover agents, human traffickers took advantage of Atlanta International Airport. “What ages are being targeted?”
“There’s one group focusing on teens for sex trafficking.”
Derrick shook his head. “Don’t think that’s connected to this case. Our teenage mothers were murdered. In the Benton case, the child is a toddler and is missing.”
“Right. We’re also investigating a possible child abduction ring selling the children into private adoptions.”
Derrick’s pulse jumped. “That might make sense.” Selling infants or children was often done for monetary purposes.
Some people were desperate enough for a family to pay anything for a child.
It was possible the people on the receiving end knew what was happening, but also possible they were unaware the child had been abducted.
The crow feathers didn’t fit the scenario of a man looking to make money though.
“Look into that,” Derrick said, although he sensed it was a long shot. They had to explore every avenue.
Each day that ticked by without a lead decreased chances Iris would ever be found.
He hung up as Tilly walked over. “Ready to head back?” he asked.
She nodded. “We can talk in the car.”
He gathered his notes and they walked out to the car together. On the drive to Crooked Creek, Derrick called Ellie, and he and Tilly filled her in on what they’d learned in Mystic.
“My partner is diving into the child abduction/adoption ring. If there’s a connection to Minnie and Iris, he’ll find it.”
“I hope so,” Ellie said. “Cord is looking into an ornithologist and an artist who uses feathers in his work. And earlier the witness who saw Minnie’s murder was found dead. He was shot in the back.”
“You think our unsub killed him to keep him from identifying him?”
“That’s exactly what I think.”
“Any evidence?”
“I left the ERT to process the scene and Dr. Whitefeather will keep us updated after the autopsy.” She made a low sound in her throat. “Although I think we’re dealing with one unsub, he didn’t leave crow feathers around Roman.”
“Interesting,” Derrick said. “But his motive was different there.”
“My thinking, too.” Ellie sighed. “Deputy Landrum did find one commonality between the girls. At one point, each of them was charged with a DUI. The senior partner at Benton’s law firm represented Minnie.”
“So Mr. Benton knew about the charge?”
“Yes. Benton didn’t just sweep it under the rug though.
Minnie did community service. Guess he was trying to teach her a lesson.
She also had to attend AA. Although court appointed, she may have wanted to stop drinking for her baby.
” Ellie paused and Derrick heard her tapping her fingernails along the rim of her coffee mug.
It was a nervous habit she had when she was thinking.
“I’ll go to that AA meeting Minnie attended and see what I can find out. ”
“You can’t,” Derrick said. “You’ve been on the news, Ellie. If the killer’s in that group, he’ll recognize you.”
Tilly cleared her throat. “Derrick’s right. But I can go. He wouldn’t recognize me.”
“Too dangerous,” Derrick muttered.
“I’ll be fine and remain low key,” Tilly said. “I have done some undercover reporting before, so it’s not like I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Derrick clenched his jaw. More fingernail tapping, which meant Ellie was considering it.
“I still think it’s too dangerous,” Derrick said. Fear made his breath catch. He didn’t want to lose Tilly now when they were just getting close. At least Ellie was armed. Tilly was… feisty but vulnerable. And he wanted to have a future with her. “I could go with you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Tilly said. “You’ve also been in the media on multiple cases. Besides, your persona screams FBI.”
Derrick tensed. Was it that obvious?
“Tilly’s right,” Ellie said.
Dammit. Why did the women in his life have to be so stubborn and opinionated?
Ellie cleared her throat. “Tilly can wear a camera so we can observe the group.”
“No,” Tilly said. “The AA meetings work because of the anonymity. I won’t jeopardize innocent, already vulnerable people who’re attending for help. Recovery is a fragile process.”
“Fair point,” Ellie said. “But you have to be cautious and not push too hard.”
“I know how to play it,” Tilly said. “Trust me.”
Derrick bit his tongue, his pulse hammering. He did trust her, but he had feelings for her. And he absolutely did not trust the violent maniac behind Minnie’s murder and Iris’s disappearance.