Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
Walking Street Condos
Late-afternoon sunlight shimmered off the contemporary building as Ellie parked at the visitors’ parking lot across the street from Walking Street Condos.
She could easily see why the complex had been named as such because you were in close proximity to the downtown restaurants, the riverwalk, accessibility to the Riverboat Cruises, park, wine and art festivals, outdoor concerts and other popular activities.
The contrast of white brick, black trim and wrought-iron balconies overlooking downtown was striking. Street traffic noises mingling with people rushing to tourist sites meant more hustle and bustle than the small-town countryside Ellie was accustomed to.
She much preferred the mountains and Appalachian Trail over the crowds, noise and bright lights. But Chattanooga definitely had its charm.
She found Beth Ann Benton’s condo, an end unit, and climbed the steps leading to her front door then rang the doorbell.
It chimed three times before a young woman answered the door.
She wore athletic leggings and an orange University of Tennessee T-shirt.
Her honey-blond hair was shoulder length, her eyes the same shade as Minnie’s, the only resemblance Ellie could see between the sisters.
Tall and busty, her pale skin was dotted with freckles that probably multiplied in the sunlight.
“Beth Ann Benton?” Ellie asked as she flashed her credentials.
“Yes, I’m Beth Ann.”
“Detective Ellie Reeves. I’m sorry to bother you but it’s important we talk.” She offered a gentle smile. “Is it all right if I come inside?”
“Sure.” Beth Ann’s eyes narrowed as she peered at the badge then back at Ellie. “Is something wrong, Detective?”
Ellie rubbed her arms to ward off the chill from the wind outside, then followed Beth Ann into her open-concept living room-kitchen.
The interior was bright and cheery and just as contemporary as the exterior of the building.
They took seats at the breakfast island, tension stretching through the air.
“Have you spoken to your parents today?”
Confusion clouded Beth Ann’s expression. “No.” She sighed. “We rarely see or talk to each other. Why? Did something happen to one of them?”
“No,” Ellie said. “But I saw them earlier and thought they might have phoned you.”
Beth Ann shook her head. “My parents and I aren’t very close.” She fidgeted. “Now you’re worrying me. Please tell me what’s going on.”
Ellie breathed out. “How about your sister? When did you last see or talk to Minnie?”
Beth Ann rubbed her finger over the marbling in the counter. “Not since she ran away from home.”
“Did she leave a note of explanation?” Ellie asked.
“She left me a voicemail saying she loved me, and that she was sorry but didn’t want to cause problems for me.” Her voice cracked. “I didn’t understand, but I called her back repeatedly and the phone always went to voicemail then eventually I got a message saying the number was out of service.”
Pain wrenched Beth Ann’s eyes. “After I graduated college and got my real estate license I looked for her. I even checked rental listings and homeless shelters, but no one had seen her.”
“It sounds like you care about her,” Ellie said.
“I do. Is she in trouble or something?”
Ellie softened her tone. “I’m so, so sorry, but there’s no easy way to say this. Your sister’s body was found.”
“What?” Beth Ann asked in a pained whisper. “H… her body?” Beth Ann shuddered. “W… where?”
“At Midnight Ridge,” Ellie said softly.
Beth Ann’s pallor turned a sickly yellow, and her body trembled. Ellie instantly got up, opened the cabinet, found a glass, filled it with cold water from the refrigerator then carried it to Beth Ann. She didn’t know if the young woman was going to pass out or be sick.
“Here sweetie, take a sip of water.”
Beth Ann did as Ellie instructed, her chest heaving up and down as she seemed to be fighting a panic attack. “I can’t believe Minnie’s dead,” she choked out.
“I’m so sorry,” Ellie said again. Obviously, Beth Ann was shocked and loved her sister. That was more love than her father had displayed.
Ellie grabbed tissues from a box on the kitchen counter and handed them to Beth Ann. “Is there anyone I can call for you?”
Beth Ann shook her head, dried her eyes and blew her nose. Her hand jerked as she gripped the glass of water and sipped it again. A long slow exhale indicated she was trying to pull herself together.
“Take your time, honey.” Meanwhile questions nagged at Ellie. If Minnie hadn’t left Iris with her sister, which it appeared she hadn’t because there was no sign of a child here, where was the little girl?