Page 81 of The Ice Sisters

Desperation filled her voice and he realized she must have heard the news about the twins’ death and Mazie’s abduction.

His heart picked up a beat, and he wrapped his fingers more tightly around Barbara’s arm in a warning gesture. She gulpedand her breathing sounded choppy as he dragged her toward the stage where the photo booth was set up.

Just then a man walked over to Loretta, and they started arguing. He took the opportunity and pushed Barbara closer to the line of children waiting. Ivy climbed the stage, wrapped Christmas lights around her neck and pulled on an elf hat and funny sunglasses. The photographer snapped a picture and she proceeded to choose a Christmas tree costume with big red plastic shoes. She posed in two more outfits before the helper indicated she had to give someone else a turn.

Ivy skipped toward the exit and he coaxed Barbara to it.

Ivy’s face lit up when she saw the two of them at the edge of the stage. He shoved Barb forward. “It’s time.”

He heard her sharp intake of breath, then she ran toward Ivy.

He made it to the child first then swept her into a Santa hug with a “Ho, ho, ho.”

Barb reached for Ivy and tried to pull her from him.

Loretta sprinted toward them, her eyes bright with panic. Barb lifted her leg to knee him in the balls, but he shoved her so hard she fell against the edge of the stage and hit her head. Loretta jumped him from behind but he threw her off him.

Ivy screamed, but he shushed her with his hand and hauled ass away, dragging the kicking and crying child with him.

ONE HUNDRED

Chaos erupted. Loretta was shaking as she jumped, “Michael, go after Ivy!”

Panicked, her husband gave chase and someone yelled for security. A bystander rushed to help Barbara but her head was bleeding and she swayed and collapsed again.

Santa disappeared into the crowd, running as fast as he could, knocking over people in his haste.

“Call 9-1-1!” someone else shouted.

Loretta was dizzy but she searched the crowd. Terror wrenched her gut. She didn’t see her daughter or Santa anywhere. She ran to Barbara, her tear-filled gaze searching Barbara’s face and the Mrs. Santa Claus outfit. At first glance, she’d hardly recognized her.

“What the hell were you doing, Barb? And why are you dressed like Mrs. Claus?” Loretta cried. “Why did you help him take Ivy!”

“I… I’m sorry. I… was trying to protect her.”

“Who is he?” Loretta cried. “Why did he want the girls?”

“I don’t know,” Barbara said, her voice breaking. “But he has Mazie and he’ll kill her and Ivy if we don’t find them.”

ONE HUNDRED ONE

The call from Shondra taunted Ellie as she and Derrick raced to Emerald Falls. Ivy Stuart had been abducted. Shondra had called security and an ambulance for Barbara who was hurt. She’d also asked Deputy Landrum to canvass the crowd.

“What happened?” Derrick asked as Ellie parked.

“A man dressed as Santa took Ivy Stuart and hurt Barbara. Deputy Eastwood is containing the scene and an ambulance is on scene.”

She and Derrick hit the pavement running. The festive atmosphere had morphed into a panicked chaos. A security guard stood by clearing the crowd. Another combed the people at the scene in an attempt to calm them. Several other Santas had been contained in another area.

They found Shondra with the Stuarts who looked terrified and in shock. The medics were working on a woman in a Mrs. Claus outfit.

As they drew closer, Ellie realized the woman was Barbara.

“I’ll question Barbara if you want to talk to the Stuarts,” Derrick said.

Ellie nodded and approached the couple. “Detective Ellie Reeves,” she said. “I’m so sorry but I understand someone abducted your daughter.”

Loretta wiped at tears but was so upset she couldn’t talk.

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