Chapter 51
FIFTY-ONE
Midnight Ridge
Ellie studied Roman’s body again. If he was murdered to keep him from identifying Minnie’s killer, the case just became even more complicated.
And it meant the killer was escalating. That he would kill again.
“Cause of death is most likely from exsanguination due to the gunshot wound,” Dr. Whitefeather said. “But I’ll know more after the autopsy.”
“I sent items for DNA analysis to the lab, some from Iris, and DNA I took from a water bottle Marty Burgess drank from during our interview,” Ellie said.
“He knew Minnie from school. Although he claims they didn’t have a sexual relationship, I need to determine if he’s telling the truth or if he’s Iris’s father. ”
“I hope the lab works quickly but sometimes DNA takes time,” Laney said. “I’ll ask them to expedite the results.”
“Thanks. Maybe we’ll luck up and find something here to offer a lead.”
Ellie’s phone buzzed with Deputy Landrum’s number, and she connected.
“Hey, I got all the stuff sent to the lab.”
“Great. Thanks.”
“Shondra and I looked into Minnie’s father,” Landrum continued. “Claude Benton is a criminal defense attorney who’s supposedly cutthroat and shows no mercy in court.”
“I can believe that,” Ellie said. “Seems like a narcissist. His wife was definitely intimidated by him.”
“Well, there’s no reports of a domestic violence call.”
“He’s an attorney. If there was, he would have expunged it from the records.”
“True. But remember that Minnie received a DUI?”
“Yeah. I’m surprised Benton let it stand.”
“Maybe he wanted her to learn a lesson,” Heath said.
“Maybe.”
“I dug deeper and found out the senior partner at the firm where Benton works, William Whittaker, handled the DUI charge. Afterward Minnie had to do community service and attend AA.”
In that situation, Ellie supposed she couldn’t blame Benton for being tough on Minnie. Only he’d driven her away later and turned his back on her.
Her mind raced. They still needed to know the connection, if there was one, between the girls. “Will you look into the other two murders and see if those victims had DUI’s?”
“On it.”
“Also crosscheck the officers who arrested them, if there are any charges. Perhaps they’re one and the same.” That could be a connection.
Ellie’s phone buzzed and she ended the call with Landrum and answered. “Detective Reeves.”
“Detective, this is Beth Ann Benton. I wondered if you had any new information about my sister’s murder and about Iris.”
Ellie’s hands felt clammy as she gripped the phone. “We’re working day and night on it, but nothing concrete yet. I’m sorry. I promise to let you know as soon as we make more progress.”
The young woman’s sigh reeked of pain and frustration. “I’ve been thinking about Iris,” Beth Ann said. “If… no when you find her, what will happen to her?”
Ellie hesitated. “I don’t know the answer to that. Child and Family Services will be notified and contact family members to see if anyone wants to assume responsibility for her. I have a strong feeling your parents won’t.”
“No, they won’t,” Beth Ann said, a note of disgust in her tone. “I wouldn’t want them to anyway.”
“Foster care and then possible adoption would be next steps,” Ellie said.
Beth Ann released a shaky breath. “I don’t have experience with kids. But…”
“But what, Beth Ann?” Ellie asked, her heart stuttering.
“I’m thinking maybe I could take her. After all, she is my niece.”
A smile tugged at Ellie’s lips. “When we find her, you can coordinate with DFCS and probably arrange that.” She just hoped she could bring that little girl back to her and put her in Beth Ann’s arms.
“Okay, thanks. I just wanted you to be aware that I… I’m here for her.”
“Of course. I promise to contact you as soon as we learn more.”
Beth Ann thanked her and Ellie hung up. A second later, Deputy Landrum texted:
Each of the other girls had DUIs. Arresting officers were different though. And there’s no record that they were represented by Benton’s senior partner.
Dammit, that was a dead end. Ellie wanted to punch a wall. When the hell were they going to catch a break?