Chapter 90

NINETY

EMERALD FALLS

Ellie had just climbed in her car when her phone trilled. Seeing her captain's number, she connected. "Captain?"

"We just received a call from the owner of the taco food truck in Emerald Falls. She claims she saw Santa dragging a little girl and Barbara Thacker into a van."

"When was that?"

"A few minutes ago."

Ellie's pulse jumped. "I'll head there now." She hung up and called Derrick.

"What is it?"

"Cap just called. Possible kidnapping in Emerald Falls. I'm on my way."

"I'll ride with you."

He got out, locked his car and joined her, his expression grim.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

His eyes darkened. "Lindsey's son is sick. She's on the way to the hospital with him now."

Ellie clenched her hands. "Do you need to go to Atlanta?"

He shifted. "No, she'll call if I need to come."

Derrick cared a lot about those children and was a mentor to them. "I hope the little boy's okay."

His look softened. "Yeah, me, too."

A few stars glittered through the haze of fog washing over the mountain as she drove through town, and she noticed the parking lot at the Corner Café was practically vacant. The traffic was minimal as she wound up the mountain toward Emerald Falls, the silence in the car so tense she felt herself willing Derrick to talk.

Minutes ticked by and the town's lights disappeared behind them as the highway faded into farmland and country roads pocked with uneven ground. Old farmhouses and cabins dotted the landscape, and she passed a pasture of black Angus before they dove deeper into the mountains.

A few minutes later, she entered Emerald Falls. Booths and vendors were closing up, people heading home for the night. Ellie parked and she and Derrick got out, scanning the street for the taco food truck.

She spotted it near Santa's workshop and veered toward it. A small plump Hispanic woman stood by the stand, twisting her apron in her fingers while she paced back and forth.

They crossed to her and Ellie made the introductions. She pulled a photo of Barbara on her phone. "My captain said you saw this woman Barbara Thacker here in town."

Worry streaked the woman's dark brown eyes and creased her forehead. "Si. I… saw on the news you were looking for her, that she might have something to do with those children found at the falls."

"Yes," Ellie said. "Did you speak to her?"

"No, no," Hilda said, her voice shaky. "But I saw Santa Claus dragging a woman and this little girl named Mazie into a van."

Ellie and Derrick traded a look, her heart pounding. "Mazie was here?"

Hilda bit her lip. "Si. I saw her and her mother and…"

"And what?" Ellie asked.

"I felt sorry for them, and I've been sneaking the little girl food."

Ellie arched a brow. "What do you mean, sneaking her food?"

Hilda wiped at a tear with the bottom of her apron. "They looked hungry and… the little girl and woman carried trash bags with their things inside and I… think they're homeless."

Rosalyn was the only one of the women Ellie hadn't found an address and phone number for. If she was homeless, that made sense. Ellie showed Hilda a picture of Rosalyn and the women and children. "Is Mazie in this picture?"

Hilda pointed to Mazie. "Si."

"Where's the mother?"

Hilda shook her head. "I saw her go in that alley over there yesterday but… I haven't seen her since. Mazie said she was sick."

Ellie sucked in a breath. "Can you describe the man who took Mazie?"

The woman flattened her hand over her chest. "I'm afraid not. He was dressed as Santa."

A clever disguise, Ellie thought. One that attracted children without suspicion.

"What's going on? Do you think Mazie's in danger?"

"It's possible," Ellie said, seeing the terror in the woman's eyes. "But we will find her."

"I should have done more." Hilda dabbed at her eyes with a shaky hand.

"You did fine," Ellie assured her. "And you're helping us now."

"Can you describe the vehicle?" Derrick asked. "Make and model, color?"

Hilda twisted her hands together. "It was white, a van, I think. I… don't know vehicles well so can't tell you the make and model."

"What direction did the van go?" Derrick asked.

Hilda pointed north.

Derrick pressed her for more information. "Did you get the license plate?"

Hilda's face crumpled and she shook her head. "I'm s-sorry. It happened so f-fast. But please find her and help her mama."

Derrick nodded. "I'll call in an Amber Alert."

Ellie's adrenaline kicked in. "Then let's go find Mazie's mother."