“Looks that way. Do you have any idea where they’d go? Did they have other family?”
“Not that I know of,” Sally said. “I remember the subject came up when they were first interviewed.”
“I see Mrs. Wiley had a history of depression. Didn’t that factor into the decision to approve them for foster parenting?”
“Yes, but the social worker who first met with them overlooked it because Wanda’s depression stemmed from being unable to have children. Apparently, she was affected by the toxins in the area like so many other women and it created health problems. Notes on the couple indicated that at first the woman was ecstatic to be a parent.”
Ellie considered that. If the Wileys had wanted a family, would they have hurt Bonnie? “You said ‘at first.’ Did things change?”
“Yes. I don’t think they, especially the husband, were prepared for children with problems or special needs. Once we placed a little girl with a learning disability with them, but Mr. Wiley lost his patience and verbally abused her. She cried all the time so she was removed. We found a better place for her with a former teacher.”
“And they described Bonnie as difficult,” Ellie said, seeing a clearer picture.
“Yes, she was shuffled around a lot. Her mother was a meth addict and Bonnie exhibited signs of those effects.”
“Did Bonnie use recreational drugs?” Ellie asked.
“Not that we know of. But sometimes drug babies have impulse control issues and are hyper emotional. Bonnie could be a really sweet girl, but she got lost in the system, and the constant moves made it more difficult for her to trust adults and form friendships. That’s why it seemed feasible that she ran away.”
Ellie massaged her temple. “But if Marv Wiley had no patience with that behavior, he might have lost his temper and silenced her.”
“It’s possible,” Sally said, her tone concerned.
Ellie pinched the bridge of her nose, praying Cord didn’t find another dead child in the pond. “Did any other children run away or disappear while under the couple’s care?”
“I did see a note from the first social worker who dealt with the Wileys. She indicated another girl ran away about two years ago, but police ruled it just that. There’s nothing else in the file about it.”
Ellie made a note to have Deputy Landrum do a deep dive into that situation. There might be a pattern with the Wileys.
THIRTY-FOUR
Pine Hill
Tilly walked through her childhood home, memories bombarding her in each room she entered. She’d spent two hours cleaning it, dusting and sweeping, and trying to ignore the stains of childhood spills on the floor and the measuring stick on the wall where her parents had recorded hers, Ruth’s and her brother’s growth progression.
For years she’d wondered where her brother was, if he was still in the military or out and getting into trouble or if he’d cleaned up his act. She’d tried to find him once but hit a dead end when she was told he’d been discharged after his first tour.
She’d also hoped her parents would reach out, but apparently they still blamed her for Ruth’s disappearance. Guilt and pain seized her at the memory of their reaction toward her. Her father’s accusatory glare and her mother’s sobs after Tilly admitted she saw Ruth sneaking out the window.
“You should have come and gotten us,” her mother cried.
“If anything bad happens to her, it’s your fault,” her father snapped.
Tilly studied the measuring stick again, wishing she could turn back time. Three weeks before Ruth left, her mother measured them, but Ruth had rolled her eyes, calling her mother silly.
Tilly almost felt sorry for her mother except that she allowed Ruth to get away with talking shit to her.
Ruth had been obsessed with boys, making friends on Facebook, clothes and makeup. Tilly followed her a couple of times when she snuck out which infuriated her sister. The memory was just as fresh as the day it happened.
Ruth’s blond hair shined in the moonlight as she turned to Tilly. “Get lost, brat, you’re going to mess things up for me.”
Tears burned Tilly’s eyes. She just wanted to be close to her sister. “But I want to come along.”
A smug smile curved Ruth’s lips. “I said get lost or I’ll tell Mom and Dad you have no friends at school.”
Tilly felt like she’d been hit in the chest with a hammer because it was true. She really wanted to be friends with Ruth like when they were little and used to play dolls and dress-up.
But they were so different now. She was tomboyish and shy, not the sister with great hair and boobs like Ruth. She’d just as soon curl up with a good mystery novel in the corner than attend a party and talk to people with no interest in her or what she had to say.
