Page 41 of The Ice Sisters

Four women ranging from their twenties to forties were seated at the table, their expressions worried.

The director introduced Ellie and settled into a seat at the head of the table.

“I’m sorry to bring you in on a weekend,” Ellie said. “But we’re looking for your coworker, Barbara Thacker, and I have reason to believe she may be in danger.” Or in trouble, although Ellie didn’t want to show her hand yet.

“Oh, my goodness. I saw you on the news,” the receptionist said. “What’s going on?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” Ellie said. “I understand she works here. Do you know where she is?”

The receptionist fidgeted. “No, she called three days ago and said she had a family emergency and needed some time off.”

Ellie raised a brow. “What kind of family emergency?”

“She didn’t say. I didn’t even know she had any family. Well except for her ex.”

“Did she say where she was going?” Ellie asked.

“No. But sometimes she spent her holidays volunteering at the women’s shelter.”

She sounded like a caring person. “What about children of her own?” Ellie asked.

“She didn’t have any. She called the children here her family,” the receptionist answered. “Why do you think she’s in danger?”

“Because she might know something about the little girls we found dead at Emerald Falls.”

“You mean as a witness?” one of the other women cut in.

“That’s possible,” Ellie hedged.

The fact that there were children’s beds and toys in the house still disturbed Ellie. “Did Barbara ever babysit or provide childcare for others? Perhaps some of the kids here?”

“Not that I know of,” the director said. The other women shook their heads in agreement.

“Did she seem upset or worried about anything recently?” Ellie asked.

A young redhead named Tessa fidgeted. “She kind of got depressed around this time of year.”

Ellie raised a brow. “Any specific reason?”

“Years ago, Barbara gave birth to a stillborn baby. She doesn’t like to talk about it but I think that anniversary is this time of year.”

Ellie’s heart gave a tug.

The director spoke up, “I suggested she see a counselor or join a support group, but she said she had her own group, friends who understood what she’d been through.” A sad look flickered in her eyes. “One day I saw her crying when she got offthe phone. She said it was harder and harder to meet them each year and watch their children grow up.”

Yet she worked with children every day.

“Did she consider adoption?”

Tessa shrugged. “I suggested it, but I don’t know if she ever followed through.”

Ellie shifted. “Do you know the names or contact information for any of her friends?”

Tessa shook her head. “If I did, I’d have already called them to check on her.”

Ellie detected concern in Tessa’s tone and laid her card on the table. “If you hear from her or think of anything that might help, please give me a call.”

She stood and left the room, then headed toward the entrance. But as she reached the door, the janitor stopped her.

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