Ellie left Derrick with Williams’ team to search the barn, exterior outbuildings and property, and she drove to the hospital to see Tilly and her brother. They’d been looking for Hayden, but he’d obviously resurfaced on his own.
It had been fifteen years so she didn’t know what to expect. Sure, he’d had problems as a teen but his family life had also blown up in his face and he’d been questioned as a suspect in his sister’s disappearance. He might still be bitter and angry or in fifteen years he could have matured and want answers like Tilly did.
She’d deal with whatever.
At the nurses’ station, she asked about Tilly and Hayden and was told Hayden was undergoing tests and being evaluated. The hospitalist met Ellie in the waiting room and Ellie identified herself. The doctor was a young tall, balding guy in his thirties with a calming manner that must have instantly put his patients at ease.
“Ms. Higgins told the police that someone intentionally ran her off the road and caused her crash,” Ellie said. “I need to talk to her as soon as possible.”
“I understand. We did a CT scan, and it was normal. She sustained some bruises and cuts, which we’ve treated. Her right leg was pinned beneath the steering wheel, but the rescue workers managed to extract her without damaging the leg.” He folded his arms. “At the moment, the trauma of the incident is more serious than her physical injuries.”
“That’s the reason I need to speak to her.” Ellie explained about the murder investigation.
“I see. You can visit for a few minutes but if she becomes agitated, you’ll have to leave. She needs her rest.”
“Understood.” Although Ellie had a strong feeling Tilly would want to talk.
She followed the doctor to a room where Tilly lay covered in a blanket, clenching the sheets, worry on her face. Her eyes widened in recognition when she saw Ellie, then she seemed to relax slightly. But she addressed the doctor first, “How’s my brother?”
“Still running tests,” he said. “But his CT scan was normal as was yours. We think he has a minor concussion.”
Relief softened the anxiety in Tilly’s eyes.
The doctor addressed Ellie, “Please remember what I said, Detective.”
Ellie nodded and he left the room. She walked over to the bed, pulled the chair up beside Tilly and sat down. “Sorry you’ve had a rough day.”
Tilly sighed. “It has been. Even more than you know.”
“Tell me about it,” Ellie said gently. “We’ve been looking for your brother for questioning.”
“He just showed up at the house,” Tilly said. “But I can assure you, Detective, he had nothing to do with Ruth’s death or theseother victims. He was injured in the military and received an honorable discharge, then turned his life around and he’s been mentoring young troubled boys since.”
“You didn’t know any of this before?”
Tilly shook her head. “No, but we had a long heart-to-heart at my house and decided to talk to our parents. They blamed us after Ruth disappeared.”
“You know it wasn’t your fault,” Ellie said. “And you don’t think Hayden was responsible?”
“No. He admitted he played a prank on Ruth by telling her that Clint cheated on her. Then one of his friends left a note for her pretending to be Clint and asked her to meet him, but it was just a joke. The guys were together all night as he first stated.”
“And you believe him?”
“Yes.”
“But you said Ruth told you she wasn’t meeting Clint,” Ellie said.
Tilly nodded miserably. “I should have figured she was lying, that she was afraid to get Clint in trouble if she got caught.”
“Did Clint know the note was a set-up?”
“I don’t think so.”
“So if she went to meet Clint and he didn’t show, she may have been being stalked or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Back to Earl Bramble.
Tilly sighed. “That would make sense.”
“You told the officer who reported the accident that someone ran you off the road. Did you see the vehicle or can you describe it?”
