Ten minutes later, she pulled into the parking lot for The Grind, an eclectic-looking coffee shop with an etching of a giant coffee mug beside an old-fashioned coffee grinder etched on the front window. Together she and Derrick exited the Jeep and walked to the door.
Ellie scanned the room. Much like the coffee shops in Atlanta, seating areas were situated for working and small couches and comfy chairs occupied the back wall near a stone fireplace. Like Daisy’s Diner, it was actually quaint and inviting as if the owner wanted to add life to the fledgling run-down town.
The strong scent of chicory, hazelnut, vanilla and mocha wafted through the cozy space, surprising Ellie. Daisy’s Diner and The Grind were both attempting to bring their businesses into the current century.
“What does she look like?” Derrick asked.
Ellie pulled the photograph from Tilly’s column and tilted her phone for him to see. His eyes brightened slightly and he scanned the room.
“She’s back there by the fireplace,” Derrick said, gesturing toward Tilly. “I’ll get us some coffees if you want to head on back.”
“Thanks. I’ll take?—”
“I remember what you like,” Derrick said with a twitch of a smile.
He strode to the order counter and Ellie made her way back to Tilly who was fidgeting and rubbing her hands together as if she couldn’t get warm. The woman was about her age and pretty with curves, glossy auburn hair, and wore a dark green sweater, jeans and boots.
Ellie introduced herself, then Derrick appeared with their coffee, and they exchanged pleasantries. Tilly hugged her coffee in her hands and took a sip, but Ellie saw her gaze rake over Derrick with appreciation. She obviously thought he was handsome, and something sparked in his eyes as he seated himself across from Tilly.
“I know why you’re here,” Tilly said, dragging her gaze from Derrick as she squared her shoulders. “Do you have new information about my sister’s disappearance?”
Ellie licked whipped cream from her mocha. “Nothing concrete,” she said honestly. “But I’m sure you saw the news and know we’re examining her case to see if it’s connected to Bonnie Sylvester’s murder.”
“Why do you think they’re connected?” Tilly asked.
Ellie’s heart squeezed at the hint of hope in Tilly’s voice. “As we mentioned on the news, we discovered several other girls around your sister’s age who’ve gone missing across Georgia over the last few years.”
“But how can you tell it’s related to Ruth when her body was never found?”
“We can’t say definitively,” Ellie said. “Can you tell us what happened the night Ruth disappeared?”
Tilly traced her finger around the rim of her coffee mug. “Ruth snuck out that night. I… was in bed and heard her opening the window in her room.”
“Did she say where she was going?” Ellie asked.
“To meet a boy,” Tilly answered. “I told the police that at the time.”
Derrick sipped his black coffee. “Not that night, but the next morning when your parents realized she was gone.”
Misery flashed in Tilly’s eyes. “I know, I should have told them sooner. But… Ruth told me to keep quiet.”
“You were just a kid yourself, Tilly,” Derrick said, his voice thick with empathy.
Tilly gave him a grateful look.
“Did she say where she was meeting this guy?” Ellie asked.
“No,” Tilly said. “She just said it was a secret. That she’d be back before our parents woke up and they’d never know she was gone. But if I’d told, she might still be here today.”
“Don’t blame yourself, Tilly. It’s not your fault,” Derrick said softly.
Tilly’s gaze met Derrick’s and Ellie realized they shared a connection, not just a spark of attraction. Guilt was a powerful emotion.
“Ruth was dating Clint Wallace, wasn’t she?” Ellie asked.
“Yes, but they’d just broken up.” Tilly cradled her coffee again. “I got the impression she was meeting another guy just to piss him off.”
“Do you have any idea who? Someone from school?”
