Chapter 51

FIFTY-ONE

Derrick sipped his coffee as he scrolled Barbara's browsing history which consisted of children's books and school plans but no social media.

He did find an older search for fertility treatments, foster care and adoption.

Was she considering fostering or adoption?

He inserted the thumb drive ERT had found into her computer and opened it to discover an album of pictures dating back years starting with Barbara's wedding to Thomas, then a picture of the two of them holding a sign that read, "Baby on Board."

That photo must have been bittersweet for Barbara. He scrolled further and found a picture of a sonogram. Then several photographs of a nursery being put together, the room painted a soft lavender. He could feel the love in the details of the room and the excitement Barbara and her husband must have felt.

On the next page, a photo of a tiny grave appeared with the name Baby Grace.

Ellie's look turned pained as he showed it to her. "I feel for her."

Scouring further, he discovered a photograph of Barbara with three other women. The next section of pictures included more of the women together, sometimes at a café or bar, sometimes at a playground or backyard gathering.

He recognized Barbara with her short bob and angular face. A tall sandy blond, an overly thin red-headed woman and the last, a chic brunette.

His pulse jumped as he spotted the twins in the pictures. Very much alive and happy, they were wearing dress-up costumes at a Halloween party, their brown hair secured in top knots. The twins were dressed like princesses in one photo. A more recent picture of a birthday party featured a close-up of a cake boasting seven candles.

There were three other little girls in the photo, too, the children gathered around the cake. One, a blond with a ponytail, the second auburn hair and freckles, the third a wavy brunette.

Holiday and birthday celebrations were chronicled for each year. The celebrations looked happy and joyous although occasionally he noticed a deep sadness and emptiness in Barbara's eyes.

She'd obviously been thinking about the loss of her own child.

These were the friends Ellie had mentioned. The ones who'd supported her after her loss.

Dammit, where were they now?