Chapter 83
EIGHTY-THREE
Bright Horizons
Ellie parked at the red farmhouse outside of Mystic, a classic structure with a large front porch and rocking chairs that had obviously been converted into a family-based counseling center, not a live-in shelter.
From the information she’d gathered, they focused on planned parenthood, counseling women and young girls through their pregnancies and postpartum, coordinating adoptions and long-term mental health care including guidance for employment, housing and parenting classes.
Wind tore at Ellie’s hair as she hopped from her Jeep, and she wrapped her scarf around her neck to ward off the chill. The temperature was dropping fast with warnings of a possible snowstorm, which would make her job even more difficult.
She shook off the leaves that had fallen in her hair and finger-combed the windswept strands as she entered the community counseling center.
The entryway was just as inviting as the outside, with a front desk, seating areas with cozy couches and two fireplaces in the gathering rooms. Another room was set up with tables, books, crayons, paper and children’s toys.
She stopped at the receptionist’s desk and introduced herself. “I’m here to see Mabel Putnam.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but it’s urgent. If she’s with a client, I’ll wait.”
The pretty young woman checked the appointment calendar. “Okay. She should be finishing up with her appointment in about five minutes.”
Ellie nodded, then walked over to one of the sitting areas. She removed her gloves and stuffed them in her pocket then warmed her hands by the fire. Her gaze soaked in the room, and she noted pamphlets on the table with information on each of the programs and classes offered at the center.
Voices echoed and she looked up to see Clara and a thirty-something attractive woman with a neat bob leaving an office and chatting with Clara.
Interesting. She understood that Hazel required the girls to participate in counseling but had no idea Clara came to this facility.
Mabel Putnam had also counseled Dana Jo Glasser. Maybe Minnie, too.
The counselor might be the connection they’d been searching for.
She walked into the main lobby and Clara glanced up and saw her. Her eyes flared with surprise. Ellie offered her a tentative smile. “Nice to see you again, Clara.”
Clara nodded, twisting the buttons on her coat. “Any news on Iris?”
“I’m afraid not,” Ellie said. “But I haven’t given up.”
“See you next week,” the counselor said then squeezed Clara’s arm. “Call me if you need to talk before then. My door’s always open.”
Clara nodded then hurried out the door. Ms. Putnam turned to Ellie with a curious look. “My receptionist texted that you needed to speak to me, Detective. Let’s go inside my office.”
“Thanks, Ms. Putnam.”
“Please call me Mabel,” the woman said softly.
“Thanks, Mabel.” Ellie followed her, noting that the interior of her office was cheerful, decorated in eclectic artwork in a combination of farmhouse décor with cozy seating and encouraging quotes framed on the wall.
Mabel gestured for Ellie to seat herself on the dark blue couch and Ellie did while the therapist settled into the club chair facing her.
“I saw the press conference about Minnie Benton and Iris,” Mabel said directly. “And now another young woman and her daughter are missing. That’s awful.”
“Yes, it is. Did you counsel Minnie?”
“Yes,” Mabel said. “She was doing great. Sticking with AA and committed to her little girl.”
“That’s what I’ve heard,” Ellie said. “We’re gathering information from any and everyone who knew each of the girls.
” Ellie crossed her leg. “I understand you counseled Dana Jo Glasser. I spoke with her mother, and she explained about the trauma Dana Jo suffered and the memory loss from the ordeal.”
Mabel’s expression saddened. “First, you’re aware I can’t divulge details of private conversations any of my clients shared with me.”
“I understand, but if there’s anything helpful you can tell me, please do. The first twenty-four hours in an abduction are key to finding the kidnapped victim. And if this kidnapper is the same who killed Minnie, and we believe it is, then she and her daughter are in terrible danger.”
Mabel tapped her manicured nails on her knee. “What do you want to know?”
“Had Dana Jo made any breakthroughs in her memory recovery about the attack?”
Mabel crossed her legs. “She was experiencing night terrors and said that sometimes she could almost see her attacker’s face. I think she was on the verge of a breakthrough but the mind heals in its own time.”
“Did she describe any details about his face? Or how she knew him?”
“No,” Mabel said. “Only she was nervous. Said that sometimes she felt as if he was back. Watching her.”
“How about his height or weight?”
“She described his appearance as a dark shadow in her nightmares. That he wore all black, including a mask.”
Ellie gave a nod. “I understand you offer guidance to girls about whether or not to keep their baby or choose adoption. What is your approach?”
Mabel’s green eyes flickered with wariness. “My approach?”
“Yes, do you guide them one way or the other?”
The counselor schooled her expression. “No, it’s not my job to tell them what to do or try to influence them.
That might lead to resentment over time.
Every situation is different, so we simply discuss the girl’s options and her personal goals.
Does she have financial stability, a job, savings?
Does she have parental or family support or help?
What goals does she have for her life and how would being a single teenage mother affect those goals?
” She paused. “Also, I encourage each girl to talk about her emotions and her feelings about being a mother. No judgment there either. Some teen girls love children and are excited about motherhood, but some feel like they’re not ready.
It’s okay either way. We also discuss what will be best for the child and his or her future. ”
“Considering Dana Jo’s child was most likely conceived in violence, did you feel she should relinquish custody of her child?”
Anger slipped into Mabel’s eyes. “I already stated that I don’t influence the girls.
In Dana Jo’s situation, we discussed the violence, but Dana Jo insisted the baby was not at fault, and that she would never allow her child to know what happened.
That her daughter was innocent, and she would love her no matter what.
Her mother was fully on board, so Dana Jo declined an adoption. ”
“She never revealed the baby’s father’s name?”
“She didn’t know,” Mabel said.
Ellie considered her comment. But if her memory returned, that would have changed things.
Which could be the reason the unsub kidnapped her and Lou Lou.
“Now I wish I could tell you more.” Mabel glanced at her watch. “But I have another appointment in about five minutes.”
“One more question,” Ellie said. “When your clients chose adoption, did you refer them to a particular agency?”
Mabel stood, then smoothed down her slacks as if she needed a moment to compose herself. “Yes,” she said. She consulted her computer and scribbled a name and number onto the paper.
Ellie accepted the sticky note and left, eager to check out the agency.
If they were somehow involved in the abductions, maybe she could force them into revealing where Iris and Lou Lou had been placed.
But an adoption presented other problems and questions. With both Iris’s and now Lou Lou’s photographs and stories circulating on the news, any individual or couple who’d adopted them would have to see that they were abducted and that their placement was illegal.
A chill rippled up her spine. Although what if they wanted a child so badly they didn’t care?