Chapter 102
ONE HUNDRED TWO
Mystic Hospital
Ellie paced the waiting room as they waited for Mabel to regain consciousness. Through their handheld radios, Ellie had gotten in touch with Shondra, who assured her that Hazel, Clara and her newborn were doing fine.
“Will hold down the fort until the ambulance arrives,” Shondra said.
Her radio buzzed as she finished with Shondra. Cord.
“Hey. You shutting down the search for the night?”
“No,” Cord said through the static. “I saw a light at Midnight Ridge Lodge and I came up. Someone’s inside.”
Hope that Dana Jo and her daughter were there safe and sound sprouted. Although if the killer was there, Dana Jo might already be dead. “Who is it?” Ellie asked.
“Don’t know yet. Haven’t been in the building,” he muttered. “Had a surprise outside though.”
A chill went through Ellie at his tone. “What kind of surprise, Cord?”
“A man lurking outside. Name’s Larry Wheaton. He and his wife used to own the lodge years ago. Wife was killed on the ridge and he did time for her murder.”
Fear for Cord crawled up her spine. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, he’s secure. But thought you and Fox might want to get up here and take him in. I still need to see who’s in that building.”
“Wait on us. We’ll be there ASAP.”
Ellie pressed the receiver off and explained to Derrick. Just then a doctor approached, his expression grave.
“Are you the detectives inquiring about Mabel Putnam?”
“Yes. Detective Reeves,” Ellie said. “And this is Special Agent Derrick Fox.”
“Nice to meet you. Although I’m sorry to say I have bad news.”
Ellie sucked in a sharp breath. “Go on.”
“Ms. Putnam didn’t make it. She had a cerebral aneurysm that ruptured, and we couldn’t save her.”
Ellie stared at him in shock and Derrick’s loud exhale punctuated the air.
The doctor shifted. “Do you know if she has any family to notify?”
Derrick cleared his throat. “No, no family.”
Defeat threatened to destroy Ellie’s composure. She was counting on Mabel to tell them where Iris and Lou Lou were. Now they might never know.
Unless they found their unsub and forced him to talk.
That would mean Ellie had to resist the urge to kill him on sight. An urge that was eating at her day and night.