“Did she tell you where she was?” Ellie asked.
“No. If… she had, I would have gone and picked her up. I’ve prayed so hard for her to come back and… I… was hoping she’d be home by now and we could make up for lost time.”
“Where is her father?” Derrick asked.
“We divorced a few months after Jacey left,” she murmured. “He remarried six months later and moved to North Carolina. We haven’t spoken since.”
“According to the missing persons report you and your husband filed, you said Jacey ran away,” Ellie said softly.
“She did.” Her voice cracked. “William and I… had an argument the night before over Jacey.”
“What did you argue about?” Ellie asked.
“She’d been sneaking out to meet this kid named Cameron and we thought he was a bad influence. Her grades were slipping, she was being defiant, and we’d even caught her with beer. William suggested we send Jacey to a home for troubled kids so they could straighten her out.”
“Did she know you two discussed that?” Derrick asked.
Guilt flashed on her face. “I think she heard us. My husband thought she was ruining our marriage, and… I thought maybe some time apart would help, too.” Tears dribbled down her cheeks. “That night she snuck out again and we didn’t hear from her again.” She rubbed the dog’s neck and he leaned into her. “Until today that is.”
“Do you know where she’s been?”
Mrs. Ward shook her head. “No idea. I thought the police would find her quickly, but the days dragged on. At the time, I was relieved she didn’t show up in a hospital or the morgue, so I kept hoping one day she’d come back on her own. She always talked about going to UGA and I couldn’t believe she’d give up that dream for Cameron.” A frustrated sigh escaped her. “After a while, the police became busy with other cases. I kept hounding them and promised Jacey I wouldn’t give up. Then I heard her voice today and thought everything would be all right…”
“Do you mind if we listen to the recording?” Ellie asked.
“Of course not.” Mrs. Ward pulled her phone and played the message.
Ellie’s heart gave a pang. She’d hoped for some detail as to who Jacey was with or where she was but there was nothing except the sound of cars in the distance. “I’m so sorry, I can’t imagine the pain you’ve suffered,” she said softly as she handed the woman back her phone.
The woman smothered a groan then straightened as if she realized they had bad news. “Do you know where she is? Is she in jail or something?”
Ellie and Derrick traded a wary look. A second later, Ellie inhaled a breath, then gave the woman a sympathetic look. “We did find her, but I’m sorry to have to tell you that?—”
“No.” Mrs. Ward’s face turned ashen. “Oh, God… no…”
A strained silence stretched as the truth dawned on the woman and she broke into heart-wrenching sobs.
Ellie hugged her, patting her back to soothe her. “I’m so sorry. I am. I promise we’ll find who did this.”
“We’ll also notify your ex-husband,” Derrick said softly.
Mrs. Ward didn’t seem to hear them. She just collapsed within herself and ran from the room.
Ellie and Derrick waited a few minutes, but the sobs grew louder.
Ellie finally stepped to the bedroom door and knocked, then cracked it open.
“Is there anyone I can call for you?”
“No… I just want to be alone.”
“A friend or family member?” Ellie said gently.
“No… please just leave…”
Ellie hesitated, her heart aching for the mother. She couldn’t imagine losing a child. “All right. We’ll inform you when Jacey’s body is released so you can make arrangements.”
Meanwhile, they’d find that kid Cameron.
