Chapter 27

TWENTY-SEVEN

EMERALD FALLS

Ellie phoned Sheriff Bryce Waters and filled him in on her visit to Modelle's house. "Could we put surveillance on him? If we catch him violating parole or doing something suspicious, we can get a warrant for his house."

"I'll do it myself," Bryce said.

She thanked him then spent the next hour in the town of Emerald Falls combing the shopkeepers and vendors. Although some were still just setting up because of the weather, visitors had already started flocking to the small downtown area. Families were ice skating and visiting Santa's workshop, and a snowman-building contest was underway.

In spite of the cold, the music from the ice cream truck drew the kids like the Pied Piper. The line at the hot cocoa booth, which offered a variety of flavors, was almost as long.

Although the deputies had canvassed shop owners, the festival had drawn other vendors and food trucks, so she paused to ask if anyone remembered seeing twin girls in town but had no luck.

When she spotted a break in the line with Santa, she made her way to him.

Santa tugged at his beard as he looked up at her then chuckled. "Ho, ho, ho. You come to tell Santa what you want?"

Ellie gave him a dry look. Was he flirting with her? "Yes," she said. "I'm looking for information about the little girls found dead at Emerald Falls. Did you happen to see them here?"

His beard moved as he spoke. "No. I just got set up this morning."

Frustration knotted Ellie's belly, but she thanked him and moved on past a red bus hosting a blood drive for local hospitals. A thirty-something man wearing a lab coat stood outside the bus handing out fliers.

"Want to donate today, ma'am?"

"Sorry, not today."

"You aren't afraid of needles, are you?" he asked with a challenge in his eyes.

Ellie patted her holster and squared her shoulders. "I'm not afraid of anything. But I'm looking for a killer right now."

He took a step back, seemingly surprised by the force of her voice and the angry glare she shot him.

"Sorry, lady."

She exhaled, realizing a little girl passing by was watching and softened her tone. "I'll come back when I'm finished." When the case was over.

One tent held wood crafters using various tools, and she walked over to the entrance. Rows of chairs offered interested guests seating to watch the artists in progress.

Ellie spotted a man carving a series of wildlife figures that were common in the area. A hawk, wolf and a wild bear set against the jagged rocks on the mountain. She studied his hands which held scars and bruises. His jowls looked as if he had rocks in his cheeks, his neck sagging like a rooster's. "Interesting work," she said, noting his carving knife. "How did you get into carving?"

"From my old man. He was a hunter and took me with him on the trail. He brought his kills home, then carved a likeness of them with wood as his medium."

Remembering that Modelle transported animals to petting zoos, she veered toward that area. She doubted he was here now since she'd just seen him at his house, but maybe someone had insight about him. Kids and adults were enjoying the goats, calves and ponies. She searched for Modelle but she didn't see him.

She approached one of the workers. "Does a man named Larry Modelle transport the animals here?"

"Sure does. He helped set up the zoo, but our volunteers man it." The woman gestured toward the makeshift barn and stalls they'd erected. "The local vet checks the animals each day to make sure they're healthy. Mr. Modelle comes in once a day to feed them."

"Has he been in today?"

"It's usually later when we shut down the zoo for the day."

"What time is that?" Ellie asked.

"Six p.m. We don't want to overwork the animals."

"Understood. Thank you." Ellie made a mental note to go back to his house after six. Maybe she could sneak a peek in the outbuildings while he was gone.