Chapter 38

THIRTY-EIGHT

DAHLONEGA MERCEDES DEALERSHIP

"The Mercedes dealership is on the other side of town," Derrick said as he consulted the GPS.

Ellie started the engine, pulled onto the main road and wove through town. Tension stretched between the two of them, the sound of ice cracking from trees echoing in the awkward silence.

The Mercedes dealership slipped into view, shiny new and pre-owned vehicles hinting at wealthier clientele than Bob's Used Cars. A tall man in a suit stood by a white Mercedes, obviously showing it to a thirty-something woman, her diamonds glittering in the sunlight.

Ellie pulled into the dealership, swung into an empty space, and she and Derrick climbed out and made their way to the front showroom. Unlike Bob's icy parking lot, this one had been salted, making it easier to maneuver, and the landscape was well kept.

White Christmas lights, silver bows and wreaths adorned the building and jingle bells tinkled as they entered. Marble floors gleamed and a thirty-something salesman in a three-piece gray suit greeted them.

Derrick introduced the two of them and asked to see Thomas.

"He's in the garage," the man said. "I'll show you the way."

They followed him through a set of double doors, down a hall, then through a covered paved area between the sales office and the garage which was tucked neatly in the rear out of sight from customers. He escorted them to a small waiting room and minutes later, a short stocky man in grease-stained coveralls appeared, wiping his hands on a rag.

His eyes narrowed when Derrick introduced himself and Ellie. "Mr. Thacker, we understand you're the previous owner of a 2004 black Pathfinder."

He clamped his jaw tight. "Yeah, gave it to my wife in the divorce. Why you asking about it?"

Derrick arched a brow. "That vehicle was involved in an accident."

His eyes widened. "What?"

"The woman driving it was taken to the hospital. We think she was your ex-wife. Do you have a picture of her?"

Thacker looked slightly shaken but pulled out his phone, scrolled through it then angled it for Derrick to see.

Derrick gave a nod. "Yes, that's the woman in hospital."

Thacker's Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed. "Is Barb okay?"

"She survived but has a concussion and some bruises. She also claimed to have amnesia."

His loud exhale punctuated the air. "Did Barbara ask you to come here?" Thacker asked, his voice suspicious.

"No," Ellie said. "But she left the hospital against doctor's orders and we can't locate her."

Derrick straightened, studying the man's body language. He couldn't tell whether he was angry, worried or just wary. "When did you last speak to her or see her?"

"Not since the divorce," Thacker said. "And I don't know anything about an accident."

Definitely defensive, Derrick thought.

Ellie stuffed her hands in the pocket of her coat. "Do you and Barbara have children?"

A muscle jumped in the man's cheek. "No." A tense beat passed. "Now, I got to get back to work."

"One more question," Derrick said. "Where were you during the early hours of Thanksgiving morning?"

He shifted, patting the pocket of his coveralls where a cigarette pack peeked. "I don't have to answer that."

"Yes, sir, you do," Ellie said. "Either here or down at the station."

Anger reddened his cheeks. "I was here working." He lowered his voice. "It was a job I picked up on the side. And I don't want my boss to find out."

Because he was poaching from the dealership or was hiding something?

"Have you heard from Barbara lately?" Derrick asked.

He grunted. "I told you I haven't. And I don't expect to."

Ellie asked. "So you don't know where Barbara is now?"

He spat chewing tobacco on the grass by the concrete. "No, dammit. Why? Is she in trouble or something?"

"That's what we're trying to determine," Ellie said.

"What about an address or phone number for her?" Derrick asked.

Thacker's jowls shook as he frowned. "Last I knew she lived on Coal Mountain but that was years ago. We haven't talked since. And no, I don't have her phone number. Deleted it when we signed the papers."

Shoulders thrown back, he spun around and strode back into the garage.

Derrick exchanged a look with Ellie. He'd found Barbara's address but wanted to see her ex's response. "Both of them denied having children," Derrick said as they walked back to the Jeep.

Ellie rubbed her forehead. "They're lying. DNA doesn't."