Chapter 29
TWENTY-NINE
Cold panic seized Cord as he whipped his truck onto the road into Ellie’s neighborhood. The bastard who’d killed Minnie Benton and possibly hurt or abducted little Iris had been to Ellie’s house.
He’d left a message loud and clear. No words needed.
Another monster was loose.
There was no doubt in his mind now that Minnie was murdered.
Cord’s tires screeched as he spotted Ellie’s Jeep at the edge of the driveway. His pulse raced as he searched to see if she was inside the vehicle or if she’d done her usual storming the scene without backup.
Hands clammy, he slowed, parked on the curb and reached for his door handle. Damn the stubborn woman. He’d asked her to wait for him, but the front door was slightly open.
Was she inside?
Pulling his flashlight, he stepped from his truck and scanned the driveway first. The black feathers formed a pattern straight to her front door. Son of a bitch!
Breath tight in his chest, he quickly surveyed the street for cars that looked out of place. The houses were set far enough apart that the neighbors’ driveways were obscure, but he’d make it a point to ask Ellie to take note of her neighbors’ vehicles for comparison purposes in the future.
Satisfied he didn’t see any vacant vehicles, or a car pointed in Ellie’s direction watching, he almost called out as he headed up the drive but stayed quiet. If the asshole was here, he didn’t want to warn him.
He carefully stepped around the feathers, noting blood droplets on the steps.
Was the killer waiting inside to ambush Ellie?
Or was that Ellie’s blood?