Page 38 of The Ice Sisters

Michael was such a good husband and father that it would kill him to know what she’d done.

She gave him a quick kiss, then joined him and Ivy. They ordered half cheese pizza, half meat lovers, planned the activities they wanted to do the next day, then Ivy turned herattention to the TV on the wall which was airing Frosty the Snowman.

As the waitress brought the bill, Michael checked his phone. His smile faded.

“What’s wrong?” Loretta asked.

“There’s an update about those two little girls who were found at Emerald Falls.”

Loretta checked to make sure Ivy was still engrossed in the movie, then lowered her voice. Although she cautioned her daughter about the dangers of speaking to strangers, she shielded her from the constant bombardment of gory news.

“Did they identify them?”

“Not yet, but they posted a picture.” He angled his phone for her to see. “They’re looking for a woman named Barbara Thacker for questioning.”

Loretta’s lungs strained for a breath. Barb? She leaned closer to get a better look at the photo of the girls and froze, horror streaking through her.

Dear God… She glanced at Ivy then at her husband. The number for the police department flashed on the screen with a plea for anyone with information about the twins or Barbara to call in.

A shiver rippled up her spine. The girls dead… Barbara missing… Could it have something to do with what happened years ago? Should she call the police and tell them what she knew?

No, she couldn’t. They’d sworn to keep their secret between them. If she broke that promise, Michael would learn the truth.

And that could never happen.

Her phone buzzed. Barbara’s name appeared on the screen. “Excuse me, honey. I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

Michael nodded and turned back to Ivy where she was singing the theme song, “Frosty the Snowman”. Loretta rushedinto the hall housing the restrooms and ducked inside. Hand shaking, she answered the call.

“Barb?” Loretta said in a hushed voice.

“Have you seen the news?” Barbara asked.

“Yes. Oh, God, yes.” Loretta’s voice cracked. “Where are you?”

“In Emerald Falls, but I’m hiding out because the police are looking for me.”

“I know. I just saw the news.”

“I can’t reach Claire or Ros,” Barbara said.

Fear clawed at Loretta. “Who killed Taylor and Heidi?”

“I don’t know,” Barb said. “But I think the killer was in my house.”

Loretta claimed a stall, closed the door and leaned against it, her body trembling.

FORTY-FOUR

PAWPAW VALLEY

Ellie had a bad feeling something had happened to Barbara. She braced herself to find a body as she glanced in the garage. Quickly shining her flashlight around though, she didn’t see any signs of her. With caution she entered the house into the kitchen. She noted a half empty coffee cup on the counter, and the pot was still on although what remained inside had turned to sludge.

A quick peek in the living room offered nothing, so she walked down the hall calling Barbara’s name, but there was no response.

The wood floor squeaked as she stepped on a loose board and the sound of the heater whirred in the hollow emptiness.

Exhaling, she pivoted, walked down the hall and found another room at the end.

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