Page 33 of The Ice Sisters

“Nope. She never came around.”

Ellie raised a brow. “What about his children?”

“Thacker didn’t have any.”

Ellie and Derrick traded a curious look, then Ellie thanked him and they left. Outside a light snow was falling, and she slipped on an icy patch on the asphalt. Derrick caught her arm to keep her from falling and for an awkward moment, their gazes locked. Ellie’s breath caught, her heart stuttering.

A family with a toddler girl climbed from a Suburban near her Jeep, drawing her attention back to the case. They had a child killer to find.

And who knew if others might be in danger.

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.

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