Page 57 of The Ice Sisters

“Yes, well, congratulations, sir.” The sheriff tapped the envelope against the palm of his hand. “At the moment though, as no one has come forward claiming to be the girls’ parents, we are trying to establish paternity. For that reason, we need a DNA sample from you.”

Thomas felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. “What? I don’t understand.”

“I’m not at liberty to divulge details yet, but it is important and I have a warrant allowing me to collect a sample from you.”

Before he could protest, the sheriff removed a Q-tip from a plastic baggie and told him to open wide. Thomas wanted to argue and demand a lawyer, but that might draw more suspicion or questions so he simply opened his mouth and let the man humiliate him by swabbing his cheek.

“Thank you, Mr. Thacker,” Sheriff Waters said. “If you hear from Barbara, give us a call.”

The damn man had the audacity to offer him a full-on smile then jutted up his chin in a challenge as if he was superior.

Thomas bit the inside of his cheek until it bled as he watched the asswipe get in his car and disappear down the road.

Damn Barbara and those kids. If she screwed up his life, he was going kill her.

SIXTY-SIX

EMERALD FALLS INN

Loretta Stuart stared at the morning news in shock. Grateful for a moment alone to check for updates on the murder of Heidi and Taylor, she’d promised her husband she’d meet him and Ivy downstairs in the inn for breakfast.

But her stomach lurched as Detective Reeves reported that the twins’ killer had not been found. The police were still looking for Barbara.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had another murder in Coal Mountain late yesterday,” the detective continued. “A woman named Delilah Short was found dead in her home by her husband and two children. At the moment, we have no firm suspects, but believe that her murder may be related to the case of the deceased children.” The detective paused, her posture rigid. “We need all the help we can get. If anyone has information regarding Ms. Short’s death, please call the local police.”

Loretta swallowed back a sob of shock. Delilah was dead?

Her mind raced to understand what was going on? Why would someone kill Delilah and Taylor and Heidi?

Did… their deaths have something to do withthem?

SIXTY-SEVEN

KNOTTY PINE HILL

Ellie found Derrick in her office, deep in concentration. The tension between them was palpable as he looked up at her, but neither addressed the elephant in the room—the confrontation with Cord.

“I looked for an address for Rosalyn Birmingham and talked to her former boss but apparently she has no home address. She may be homeless.”

Ellie’s stomach twisted. It was dangerous for a woman to be alone on the streets with a small child.

“But I have one for Claire Woodston.” Derrick stood. “Let’s go.”

Ellie nodded, grateful to be back to business. The skies grew gray again as they got in her Jeep and Ellie wound around the switchbacks. They passed an old fishing lodge, a series of rental cabins, an RV campground and a mobile home park before she turned onto a dirt road that was so narrow there was no way two cars could pass each other without one having to pull aside.

A steep drop-off overlooked the river below which narrowed to an impassable staircase of jagged rocks. Ellie knew the area and that the river split and flowed into smaller creeks that ran through the Appalachian Mountains.

Ellie turned on the defroster to clear the windows of the foggy mist. Derrick called Claire again, but the phone was dead. “What do we know about Claire?” Ellie asked.

“That the twins in our morgue are the same as the girls in the photo with Claire and Barbara.”

“And that Barbara is their biological mother, but Claire could have adopted them.” Of course, all this was speculation, Ellie thought. They needed proof that the twins belonged to Claire.

“I didn’t find adoption records to indicate an adoption,” Derrick said.

“It could have been a private closed adoption with everyone signing confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements.”

“True. And either the women knew each other at the time or Barbara gave up the girls and Claire adopted them, then later Barb tracked them down.”