Page 10 of Scarred By Sin

All work had ceased, of course.

And once the bones had been confirmed as human, the county sheriff immediately contacted the Bureau. What had started as a routine property cleanup had turned into the discovery of eight sets of remains buried among the greenhouse's garden beds.

Theo continued to scroll through the sparse details.

A 2004 newspaper article on historic properties in the county mentioned the Ellingham estate. A reporter had attempted to interview Gwenyth for the story, but was turned away at the stone wall by the groundskeeper, a man named Porter Voss. Theo figured that, over the years, the role of the groundskeeper had changed, since the uncle had to bring in a landscaping crew.

What Arden had managed to piece together from county records, neighbor accounts relayed through the sheriff’s office, and Dale’s own statements painted a picture that was sad and unsettling. Gwenyth hadn’t left the estate in years. Groceries and supplies were handled by Voss, who still lived in a small cottage on the property.

The townspeople had their theories, of course. The word “recluse” appeared more than once. So did “troubled” and “not right”. The consensus seemed to be that whatever had broken inside Gwenyth Ellingham when her father disappeared had never been repaired. Was she genuinely incapable of handling her own affairs, or was Dale's interest in the estate driven by a desire for control?

“I brought additional security equipment.” Apparently, Bit wasn’t done with the discussion. Theo glanced up to find that he and Sylvie were both staring out the window, presumably at Brook. “I made sure the cases were loaded into the luggage bay.”

“We’ll be landing at a private airstrip in northern Indiana. Two rental SUVs should be waiting for us. From there, it’s about a forty-minute drive to the estate.” Theo pulled up the map Arden had included in the file and angled the tablet for them. “Arden spoke with Dale Ellingham yesterday, who in turn spoke with Gwenyth. We’ll be staying in the main house while we’re on site.”

“That works in our favor,” Sylvie pointed out as she studied the map. “The nearest town is a good thirty minutes away. Staying on the property gives us direct access to the greenhouse and the federal forensics team without having to drive back and forth every day. It also puts us close to Gwenyth.”

“The estate is old, but it’s nothing I can’t work with,” Bit said as he shifted in his seat. “We’re talking a stone perimeter wall that’s falling apart in sections, no cameras, no alarm system, no electronic gate. The place is a sitting target.”

“Which is why you brought half your inventory, I’m sure.” Sylvie shrugged at Bit’s arched eyebrow as she reached for the tea she’d purchased at a café on the drive to the airport. “I saw those three huge cases. We might end up needing a third SUV.”

“Motion sensors, wireless cameras, a portable monitoring station, and enough cable to wire the whole property if I need to,” Bit said without a hint of apology. “If we’re sleeping in a house with no security in the middle of nowhere, I’m going to make sure I know when something moves that shouldn’t be moving.”

Theo had no reason to object. Given the Jacob situation, Bit’s caution wasn’t paranoia. It was common sense.

“Are either of you thinking what I’m thinking?” Bit asked, seemingly no longer focused on Brook. At least one good thing had come out of the conversation. “What if Nestor Ellingham killed those seven women and somehow ended up dead and buried alongside them?”

Sylvie didn’t reply right away. She carefully removed the lid as she considered the question, eventually setting the lid on the table.

“It’s possible,” Sylvie replied as she wrapped the string around her finger. “But we’ll need to wait for the medical examiner’s reports before we lean in any direction. Cause of death on all eight sets of remains is going to make an enormous difference for Brook’s profile. If Nestor died the same way the women did, that’s one scenario. If his death was violent and theirs were controlled, that changes everything.”

Theo’s phone vibrated against the surface of the table. He glanced at the screen, and the tension in his chest shifted into something warmer.

Mia.

He picked up the phone and brought it to his ear.

“Morning, beautiful.”

“I’m about five minutes from my first client of the day, so I thought I’d call to tell you I love you.” Mia Williams had a voice that could unravel him completely, depending on the context. “And to also chastise you. Why didn’t you kiss me goodbye?”

“You were sleeping so soundly this morning,” Theo replied, keeping his voice low. “I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”

“I found your note on the pillow.” Mia’s tone dipped into something quieter. More private. “And I’m holding you to every word of that promise, Theo Neville.”

He laughed, sparing a quick glance across the cabin. Unfortunately, Bit had returned to staring out the window. Sylvie, on the other hand, was steeping the teabag with a faint smirk at the corner of her mouth. She had clearly heard Mia’s voice, but what he’d written on that note was not something he’d be repeating in present company.

“Don’t I always keep my promises?”

“Yes, and…” Mia paused. He heard the muffled sound of her pulling the phone slightly away from her mouth. Her voice grew distant but remained audible, shifting to the warm, professional tone she used with patients. “Good morning. How’s the leg today?”

Theo’s smile disappeared upon hearing her greeting. He sat up straight in the leather seat, his knee hitting the underside of the table.

“What did you just ask your patient?”

Mia didn’t hear him. Or couldn’t. She was still speaking to whoever had walked through the door of her chiropractic clinic. He picked up that she was directing the patient to have a seat and that she’d be just a moment. The words were pleasant, proficient, and routine. Unfortunately, that did nothing to slow his pulse.

“Sorry about that, Theo. I should go. Have a safe⁠—”