Nine #2
“Yeah.” Jackson took a moment to fill him in on the two women who were possible friends of Anna Lange. “We’re heading over to visit Ellen Carter now. How about you stay here to keep digging into the drug angle?”
“Sounds like a good plan.” Creed dropped into the chair Nina had vacated. “I still believe the drug cartel is involved. For all we know, the cartel took out Nina’s birth mother as a warning to Mark not to talk.”
That was a very strong possibility. And maybe that was the reason Mark had been murdered prior to his meeting with Nina. And that also explained why he felt responsible for her death. “Keep your phone close. We’ll call if we learn anything that might help.”
“Will do.” Creed already had one of the laptops open and powered up.
“Close the garage door after we leave, okay?” Jackson held the door for Nina. Once they were settled into the front seat, he backed out of the garage.
“Turn right at the next traffic light,” Nina said, peering at her phone.
They didn’t run into any traffic accidents on the way to Ellen Carter’s house.
Nina was right; the neighborhood was a big step up from the trailer park where Anna had lived with her mother.
He couldn’t help but wonder if a lack of financial stability had played a role in Anna’s death.
Desperate people did desperate things. And he still thought Anna may have gone into a life of prostitution.
“That’s the house.” Nina’s tone was ripe with anticipation. “It’s in the middle of that cul-de-sac.”
“She might not be home,” he cautioned.
“I know.” Nina practically had her face pressed to the window. “But I see a television on inside.”
Jackson pulled into the driveway and killed the engine. He turned to face her. “I’m going to let you take the lead with Ellen. Stay focused on finding out more about your mother, without mentioning the fact she was murdered.”
“Got it.” Her expression turned serious. “I think you’re right that she’s more likely to confide in me if she thinks I just want to know about my mom. Not that we’re investigating two murders.”
“Exactly.” He flashed a grin. “Pretend I’m your boyfriend who just came along for the ride.”
He was joking, but her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. She quickly turned away and pushed out of the car. He followed her up to the front door.
Nina rang the doorbell. There was a ring camera device, which made him wonder if Ellen Carter was planning not to answer.
He was wrong. The door swung open and the woman on the other side of the screen stared at Nina in shock. “Are you Anna’s daughter?”
“I am.” Nina smiled. “My name is Nina and this is—uh, my friend Jackson. Would you mind talking to me for a few minutes? I’m curious to learn more about my mother.”
Ellen hesitated a moment, then opened the door. “I can’t believe how much you look like her. For a moment I was back in high school.”
“I’ve been told I resemble her a lot.” Nina gazed around the house. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thanks. I got to keep it after the divorce.” Ellen shrugged and gestured to the living room. “Come in, please sit down.” She led the way to the sofa, taking a moment to shut off the television. “Tell me about your mother. How is she doing? I feel terrible that we lost touch after graduation.”
“Unfortunately, my mother passed away when I was very young,” Nina said sadly. “I was adopted by a wonderful couple, a firefighter and his teacher wife, but I never knew anything about my mother. That’s why I’m here. You were friends with her, right?”
“Why, yes. Anna, Nancy and I were close friends.” Ellen’s expression turned solemn. “I had no idea Anna passed away. That’s terrible. Did she have cancer like her mother?”
“I’m not sure,” Nina hedged. “I was only told she died when I was young. Too young to remember her.” She managed a smile. “You and my mom were close, then?”
“Well, somewhat close.” Ellen leaned back against the sofa. “Your mom was very smart. She used to help me and Nancy with science and math.”
Jackson watched Ellen’s expression closely. He didn’t sense she was being evasive. But he thought he caught a flash of guilt in her gaze.
“I should have been a better friend,” Ellen suddenly blurted out.
“What do you mean?” Nina asked. “In the yearbook picture of the three of you studying in the library, everyone looked happy.”
“That picture was taken early in the year,” Ellen said.
“Shortly after that, Anna started working as a housekeeper for a prominent family in the area because she needed extra money. The Tillmans,” she added at Nina’s confused look.
Ellen sighed. “Anna told me she had a crush on their son, Douglas. He was several years older than she was, as he’d already graduated from college, but she told me they were secretly dating. ”
“Really? My mom dated Douglas Tillman?” Nina repeated, looking stunned and excited at the news. Jackson knew she was wondering if Douglas was her biological father. “Did she say anything else about him?”