Chapter 58
FIFTY-EIGHT
Ollie’s Farm
Ellie dreaded the conversation she needed to have as she parked at the home of Nina Gillis’s parents, a sprawling brick ranch house on the outskirts of Mystic.
But it was necessary. And although it was dinner time, she didn’t want to take the chance this couple might discover their daughter’s death was murder from a source other than herself.
Time was of the essence. Perhaps they could offer a lead to help find the killer and possibly save Iris.
“Thanks for coming with, Shondra,” she said. “This won’t be easy for the parents to handle.”
“No problem,” Shondra said. “It’s always nice to have backup when delivering bad news.”
True. Everyone reacted differently. With the two of them present, one person could deal with the emotional fallout, while another could observe and study the house and family situation.
More dead leaves fluttered down, crumbling like dust, withering in the gusty wind as they stepped from the vehicle.
Dead ones crunched beneath their boots as they walked up the paved drive, which was two inches deep in dry grass and foliage.
Wind tore branches from the trees, leaves swirling in the air in a rainbow of colors.
Yet dark clouds hovered on the horizon, the mist from Midnight Ridge a blend of shades of gray, dampening the beauty.
Ellie surveyed the property as they climbed the three steps to the small porch. A black SUV sat in the drive, a barn in the distance indicating the couple might have animals.
Chickens strutted in the outdoor pens, a common occurrence in the country, although she heard the younger generations were obsessed with having their own chickens now.
Another glance and she realized apple trees dotted the property as well.
Shondra rang the doorbell, which echoed like a rooster, oddly unsettling. Ellie listened for footsteps inside but heard nothing. To the side of the porch on a grassy path, a middle-aged woman carrying two baskets was walking up to the farmhouse. As the woman grew nearer, Ellie waved.
“Mrs. Gillis?”
“I thought I heard a car,” she said then climbed the steps. One basket held half a dozen fresh eggs and another was filled with apples.
Ellie identified herself and Shondra and the woman’s eyes pinched into a frown.
“Can we please come in and talk?” Ellie asked.
The woman nodded, opened the door and led them into a cozy warm house.
A fire crackled in the fireplace in the living room that was connected to the kitchen, a big farm-style one with bins labeled eggs, fruits, vegetables, although those were mostly empty except for the one labeled apples.
Ellie imagined the other bins filled with garden varieties in the summer and fall.
She waited until Mrs. Gillis placed the baskets on the counter. “Is your husband here?” she asked.
The woman’s face fell. “I’m afraid Ollie had a stroke not too long after we lost our daughter. Think he died of a broken heart.”
Ellie’s heart squeezed. “I’m sorry to hear that, Mrs. Gillis.”
“Call me Yolette. What is this about?”
“Maybe we should sit down.” Ellie gestured toward the round wooden table and a wariness crept over Yolette. Shonda claimed one seat and Ellie the other.
“Yolette, I’m afraid we have some bad news,” Ellie said gently.
“Dear God, what now? I’ve already lost everyone I loved. There’s no one left but me.”
Emotions caught in Ellie’s throat, and she and Shondra exchanged a look. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” Ellie said softly. “But I came to talk to you about your daughter Nina.”
Yolette paled. “What about her? She killed herself when she was pregnant. It’s an awful pill to swallow but I’ve had to accept it.”
The pain lingered though, raw and deep in her voice.
“Actually, that’s the reason we’re here. We have new evidence that suggests otherwise.”
A strained heartbeat passed. “What are you talking about?” Yolette asked in a trembling voice.
Ellie struggled for calm. “Have you heard of the young woman Minnie Benton who recently died at Midnight Ridge?”
“Yes, of course. It’s all the talk around here. But what does that have to do with Nina?”
“There were similarities in the girls’ deaths,” Ellie explained. “We now believe that Minnie was murdered. And that your daughter was as well.”
Yolette grabbed the edge of the table as if she was about to pass out. Shondra quickly rose and retrieved the glass of water on the counter while Ellie clasped the woman’s hand.
“I’m so very sorry. I know this comes as a shock,” Ellie said. “But we thought you had a right to know.”
“My baby… her baby… murdered… but why… who?” Yolette’s voice trailed off and she reached for the water, but her hand was shaking so badly she knocked it over and water trickled across the table and onto the floor.
Shondra righted the glass, then jumped up and grabbed paper towels to mop it up. Yolette stared at the water dripping off the side of the table and burst into tears.