Secrets in the Grave Page 12

  My pride was bending, though. If I didn’t hear from her in the next ten minutes, I would make the call.

  I glanced back at the house. I couldn’t see anyone through the windows. I imagined that Irene was making tea and the women would be chatting for a while. Elayne had urged me to drive over to my parents’ house or even my sister’s while I waited, but I wasn’t so sure I wanted to. My mind was heavy with thoughts of Serenity and how to get her to trust me. I was also thinking about the possibility of a pregnancy. A smile tugged at my lips. I couldn’t admit it to Serenity, but secretly, the idea of having a child with her was welcomed. In the past, I never took any chances in that department, but with Serenity, I hadn’t been as compulsively careful about protection. For the first time in my life, I was all right with the idea of a particular woman having my child. The irony of the situation was that unlike all my other girlfriends, who would have loved to have gone to that level with me, Serenity wanted none of it. Not a baby or a husband or maybe even a life together.

  I sighed and thudded my head against the headrest. Why did Serenity have to be so damn difficult? Like the previous hundred times I’d asked, no answer was forthcoming.

  When the white police cruiser flashed by my peripheral vision, I whipped my head around. The car’s sirens weren’t on, but it was moving at a fast clip for the Amish roadways where a horse might be pulling a buggy at a two miles an hour walk around any corner.

  Without much thought, I started the engine and backed up. Elayne would assume I’d changed my mind about visiting relatives. Keeping the cruiser in my sights, I pulled out of the driveway and accelerated to match its speed.

  My heart pounded when the cruiser turned into Jonas Peachey’s farm. I rolled to a stop, trying to collect my thoughts. It wouldn’t look good if I drove up in Elayne’s car. Serenity would wring my neck for sure. I had to explain everything to her about Elayne’s connection with the Kuhns family and her willingness to pry a little into what was going on with Fannie, but this wasn’t best time to do so.

  While I hesitated, deliberating what to do, I noticed a car that looked suspiciously like Serenity’s parked in the driveway. My gaze narrowed on the small group standing beside a buggy. Todd walked up to Serenity, who was standing with Jonas and Ada Mae.

  I waited a moment more on the quiet road before I lost all patience. I pulled into the driveway as Serenity and Todd were about to get into the cruiser.

  Pulling alongside the police car, I hung out the window. “Is everything all right?”

  Todd’s mouth lifted in the usual smirk. Serenity glared at me.

  “I see you and Elayne are now sharing a vehicle. How sweet,” Serenity said, causing Todd to snort.

  “Let me explain—”

  “We’re kind of busy here investing a shooting. I don’t have time for you.”

  “Someone was shot?” I thrust the gear in park, flung open the door and leaned into the cruiser, close enough to smell Serenity’s vanilla perfume.

  Serenity didn’t answer, narrowing her eyes.

  Todd cleared his throat. “Just barely. Someone shot out one of Mr. Peachey’s windows. Serenity was in the house at the time, talking to the man’s sister.”

  I looked back at Serenity now facing forward, ignoring me. “Are you okay?”

  “Never been better,” she quipped.

  “Do you have any idea who did it?”

  “It’s really none of your concern.” She faced me. “You’re not a cop, remember?”

  I ignored the comment and raised my gaze to Todd. His eyes were wide and cautious.

  “If you’re going to talk to any of the Amish around here, I can be of service. You both know that,” I pressed.

  “He has a point—” Todd began.

  “We can take care of it.” Serenity growled, turning her wrath on Todd.

  Todd held up his hands in mock fear. “Okay, okay. You’re the boss. If I remember correctly, Daniel does have a relationship with the Bender kid.”

  Serenity rolled her eyes.

  “Eli? You think Eli Bender did this?” I asked, my voice rising.

  Serenity blew out an agitated breath, but answered me anyway. “No, not Eli. Jonas mentioned that Eli has been having run ins with some of the local English kids. He believes these kids might be the same ones who popped his window.”

  I absorbed the information. “Joseph would be more comfortable allowing Eli to talk to you if I was there. Especially after everything that happened during Naomi’s investigation,” I said as gently as I could.

  Serenity’s eyes narrowed further. “Eli’s over eighteen. His father can’t keep us from questioning him, and he isn’t a suspect in this case—he’s the victim. I think we can handle it on our own.”

  “Please let me help you, Serenity. You don’t understand the way the Amish family system works. As far as Joseph is concerned, Eli won’t be an adult until he’s married. Even if there’s no reason for secrecy, he’ll be leery of allowing Eli to talk to you. You know how the Amish are. They like to deal with issues on their own.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of. If these English kids are responsible for shooting at a house, they’ve committed a felony. Who knows what they might do next.” Serenity lifted her chin, looking into my eyes. “I have to find out what’s going on around here and how it all fits together. Do you understand that?”

  “I do. That’s why you need my help,” I insisted.

  Serenity glanced at Todd, who shrugged. Her gaze rested on me. “All right, but you’re going to have to follow.” She motioned for Todd to leave and he put the cruiser in gear and rolled by me.

  I hurried back to the Elayne’s car and followed them.

  I wasn’t sure if I was more nervous about being around Serenity in her current mood or about questioning Eli Bender.

  Either option wasn’t likely to be pleasant.

  15

  SERENITY

  “Have you seen what an outrageous flirt that woman is?” I worked hard to keep my voice level.

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, but she doesn’t have to flirt,” Todd said with a chuckle.

  “Men are all dogs.” I sucked in an angry breath and looked away.

  “Looking isn’t the same as touching. Like I said before, I wouldn’t trade Heather in for that high maintenance woman with a bag of cash thrown in.” Todd graced me with a slight smile. “I don’t think Daniel would trade you, either.” He huffed. “Unless you give him no choice, that is.”

  I dragged my gaze from the blur of the shadowed cropland to gape open mouthed in Todd’s direction. “What are you talking about?”

  “Hey, I’m on your team here. Don’t doubt that. I’m a lot more observant than you might give me credit for. That guy back there,” —Todd thumbed behind him— “is crazy about you. He puts up with your job and all the shit that comes with it. He’s been thrown together with this new DA by chance. That’s all it is. Trust the guy.” He eyed me. “If he fucks up, then kick him to the curb. Not before.”

  I frowned. Todd was sarcastic, but he cared. He had a little bit more wisdom swirling around in that muscle brain of his than I gave him credit for. Maybe he was right.

  “It’s so damn hard to have faith after what I went through with Denton, and Daniel is like Denton in some ways. They’re both too good looking for their own good and they know it.”

  “Denton is a shit. He’s always been one. I remember him in high school. He had the prettiest girl in the school on his arm, but he wasn’t satisfied. I don’t understand why you stayed with him as long as you did,” Todd growled.

  I couldn’t stop the smile from lifting on my mouth. “You think I was the prettiest girl in the school?” I teased.

  His cheeks reddened. “You already know that. Don’t go begging for another compliment.”

  “No, I didn’t,” I muttered.

  “I was too intimidated to ask you out back then. That goon, who we all knew was screwing around on you with everyone, including
your best friend, was always there.”

  “You weren’t too afraid to tease me any opportunity you got,” I accused.

  “Don’t you know that’s what guys do when they’re sweet on a girl?”

  I smiled out the window.

  After a moment of reflective silence, I mumbled, “Because I was too trusting—and my pride.”

  “What?”

  “That’s why I stayed with Denton for so long,” I admitted. I could hardly say it out loud without feeling the same pain of betrayal I’d felt all those years ago stabbing me in the heart.

  “I wasn’t a huge fan of Daniel, you know that. He’s dated almost every pretty woman in the county, making me believe he was a Casanova-type, but since I’ve gotten to know him better…” He shrugged. “I’ve changed my mind. He’s not your old flame, Denton. If you don’t give him a serious chance, you’ll more than likely regret it someday.”

  I pressed my lips together, understanding what he meant. “Turn here. This is the place.”

  Approaching the farmhouse on the hill raised an army of butterflies in my belly, making it possible to push thoughts of Daniel aside.

  I licked my lips, preparing for more Amish shenanigans.

  I sat at the kitchen table across from Katherine Bender with a mug of deliciously strong coffee cradled in my hands. Only crumbs remained on the plate in front of me. A few minutes earlier there had been a large piece of peanut butter pie resting there. I was still savoring the sweetness of it on my tongue.

  “Do you care for another piece?” Katherine asked with a knowing smile. She was a beautiful woman, on the same par as Elayne, except Katherine wore no makeup and she didn’t seem concerned with the few gray hairs mixed in with the brown at her temples. She had porcelain white skin and blue eyes. The baby girl sitting on her lap was quite a bit larger than the last time I’d seen her, and she stared up at me with a drooling mouth. The child favored her mother right down to the milky complexion and brown curls.

  I wanted another piece of pie and Katherine knew it. I swallowed hard and gathered all my self-control. “I’m tempted, but I better not. It was excellent, though.”

  Katherine leaned over the table, resting her chin in her hand. “I’m glad to see that you’re still with Daniel. You two are a handsome couple.”

  With anyone else, I would have snorted, but Katherine was genuinely a nice person. I believed she meant it.

  I heard the soft drone of Pennsylvania German behind me in the sitting room. Daniel was sitting in a chair in front of Eli and Joseph, Eli’s father, was beside him. Todd was standing over the scene, having no more clue than I did to what was being said. I didn’t have trouble trusting Daniel as a translator. He’d proven his loyalty in that department. It was Elayne I didn’t trust him with.

  Leaving the questioning to Daniel, I met Katherine’s gaze. Maybe it was the full belly or the aroma of coffee drifting into my nose. I can’t say for sure, but for the first time in forever, I wanted to talk to a woman. Laura didn’t count. She was just a sister.

  “It hasn’t always been easy,” I admitted.

  “Nothing ever worthwhile is. Especially love.” Katherine smiled.

  I felt the heat spreading across my cheeks. “Do you by any chance know a woman who used to live in this community by the name of Elayne Weaver? She’d be about your age.”

  Katherine’s eyes grew round as she sat up straighter. The baby squealed at her sudden movement. “Why of course I do! We were friends before she left us. I heard some time ago that she went onto college and became a lawyer of all things.”

  “Yep, that’s the one I’m talking about. She’s moving back to Blood Rock to take on the position of Assistant District Attorney for the county.” I watched closely for her reaction to the news.

  Katherine leaned in again, the expression on her face darkening.

  “Are you certain of this?”

  “Oh, yeah. Most certain.”

  “That’s very…nice,” she fumbled with the words and stared across the kitchen at nothing.

  This wasn’t the reaction I expecting.

  “I’m sorry. I was just wondering what you knew about her. I met her for the first time the other day and since I’m going to be working with the woman, I was hoping to get the inside scoop on her personality.”

  “She’s here now?” she asked in a shrill whisper.

  “Yes,” I whispered back, not sure why we were lowering our voices. “As a matter of fact, Daniel’s driving her car right now.” When Katherine’s mouth dropped open, I realized that I really liked her. “Elayne has made sure to reacquaint with Daniel. She’s renting an apartment from him, too.” I tried not to sound too bitter, but failed.

  Katherine placed her hand on mine and tugged me closer across the table. “You must keep an eye on that one,” she warned. “She nearly took my Joseph away from me before we were married.”

  “No.” The word slipped from my mouth before I could stop it.

  Katherine nodded. “Yes, she did, and we were friends. At least I thought we were. I was blessed that Joseph didn’t fall for her charms. He picked me. That was shortly before she left the community.” She continued to whisper. “I think his rejection of her was part of the reason she left, but I don’t know for sure.”

  Katherine released my hand and I took a swig of my coffee. As soon as I swallowed, I leaned in, resting my chin on my hand. Katherine was waiting for me, mimicking my action. “Were Elayne and Daniel ever an item?”

  Katherine shook her head. “Oh, no. He didn’t like her much if I remember correctly. He was the one who told Joseph what a fool he was being to risk losing me. I was so thankful that he spoke to Joseph.” Katherine grinned. “No worries about Daniel. He has eyes for only one woman—and that’s you.”

  I couldn’t help smiling back at Katherine, feeling the tightness of a bond developing. “Maybe I will have that second piece of pie,” I said.

  “I think I will too.” Katherine giggled, pushing her chair back.

  “You’re going to have to eat it in a hurry,” Todd said, stepping up to the table with a frown.

  “What do you have?” I asked, standing quickly and snatching my hat off the table.

  “The names of a few teenagers that I’ve dealt with before. This trip wasn’t a waste of time,” Todd said.

  Daniel was saying his goodbyes to Joseph and Eli, and I turned to Katherine. “Can I get a raincheck for that pie?”

  But Katherine was already holding out a dish with two pieces of pie neatly wrapped in clear plastic. “For you and Daniel to share later on,” she said, grinning.

  Now I knew this woman could be a true friend. “Thank you,” I mouthed, taking the plate from her hands.

  When the door closed behind me, I took a deep breath. The smell of hickory permeated tohe air. I glanced over my shoulder at the spiraling tendrils of smoke rising from the Bender’s chimney. The sharp, homey scent cleared my mind. For the first time in hours, I could look at Daniel without glaring.

  “What did Eli say?” I asked.

  Daniel looked grim. “It seems that there’s a group of English teenagers Eli started hanging around with. He met them at the stockyards one day a few months ago and they hit it off at first. The elders didn’t like the blossoming friendship, fearing it might rip Eli and some of the other Amish boys away from the fold.” Daniel shook his head, looking at the ground. “So the elders did what the elders do and forbid Eli from hanging around with the Englishers anymore.” Daniel jutted his chin toward Todd, who stood with his hands folded in front of him. “Todd knows these kids. They’re rough. They’ve gotten into trouble before. When they heard Eli wasn’t allowed to hang out with them any longer, they took it personally. They’ve been harassing Eli relentlessly over the past few weeks.”

  I looked at Todd for confirmation. “Yeah, I know these guys. Ethan Rent is eighteen. He’s been charged with DUI and drag racing. The judge was lenient with him. He only had community service. Davie Connors and Ot
is Green are both seventeen. I’ve had them in on everything from shoplifting, an assault in a parking lot and vandalism at the Lutheran church on Main Street. Both kids served some time in juvie.” Todd took a breath. “It’s the older one, Arlo Thomas who worries me. I arrested him on domestic violence last year. He punched his mother in the face when she found his stash of weed and flushed it down the toilet. He’s twenty-one-years old. One of those grown men who likes to hang out with the young’uns on the weekends.”

  I glanced at my watch and digested what Daniel and Todd had said. “Do we have any hard proof these guys are the ones who shot out the Peachey’s window?”

  “Naw.” Todd shook his head.

  I faced Daniel. “Is Eli willing to press charges against this crew for running his buggy off the road?”

  Daniel sighed. “I don’t think so. He’s hoping things will settle down and get back to normal if he leaves it alone. The Amish don’t get involved in the English legal system unless they absolutely have to or they’re forced into it.”

  “Then we don’t have squat to go on. All this is hearsay. No witnesses, no evidence.” A little flame of hope flared. “Did you get descriptions of their cars?”

  Todd answered me. “Otis drives a red pickup truck and Davie Connors, an old SUV. Ethan is on suspended license, so he’s not even supposed to be driving, but I’ll check up on that. Arlo’s family’s yard is littered with cars. I seem to recall a darker sedan in the mix, but there are a lot of cars out there that match that description.”

  “See what you can find out about those vehicles first thing in the morning,” I told Todd before I tilted my head to Daniel. “Thanks for talking to Eli. What you got out of him was better than nothing.” I forced my face to remain neutral. “Todd will drop me off at home. You can do whatever you need to do with Elayne.”