Chapter 53

FIFTY-THREE

RIVER ROCK WAY

Ellie shared her thoughts about the group of women and her theory about Claire with Derrick as she followed the Chattahoochee toward Delilah Short's house. Anxiety clawed at her as the day dragged on with no answers.

"Call Laney and ask her if she found two heart-shaped gold necklaces in the twins' effects when they were brought in."

"On it."

Derrick made the call and put the ME on speaker.

"Let me take a look at my log-in sheet," Laney said.

As they waited Ellie heard the sound of water crashing over the jagged rocks, a reminder of the dangerous force of the current after a heavy rain or snowstorm. People had been known to fall in, the current sweeping them under to their death. Whitewater rafting was a popular sport, with some areas having class four rapids, a dangerous trek for beginners.

Laney came back on the line. "No, there were the clothes they were wearing, the bows in their hair and their shoes but that was it."

Ellie thanked her and hung up, stewing over that information.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Derrick asked.

Ellie pursed her lips. "Yeah, the killer may have taken the pendants as his souvenirs."

"Sick bastard."

A chill cut through Ellie. "Derrick, if the necklace is not just a shiny trinket he keeps to remember the girls, if it means more, that could indicate that?—"

"The other little girls in the picture are in danger," he finished.