Lamb to the Slaughter (Serenity's Plain Secrets Book 1) Read online

  I lifted my foot from the gas pedal and moved it toward the brake for a second, feeling the urge to turn around myself. If Will hadn’t been waiting for me, I would have. Letting the strange vibes go, I pressed the gas down and sped up.

  Turning onto Burkey Road, I spotted Will’s truck alongside the road. I parked behind the dually, and not waiting for him to come to me, I left my car and jogged up to his. Slipping in the passenger side, I quickly judged Will to be emotionally sound with a glance. A soft country crooner song was coming from the radio and I gritted my teeth wishing he’d either turn it off or change the station. But I didn’t tell him that.

  “What are you really doing here, parked on the side of the road alone?”

  Will smiled the same smile that probably made Naomi fall in love with him. “I’m not alone now.”

  “Seriously, what do you hope to accomplish here?” The roadway was dead quiet. I couldn’t help the shiver that touched my skin when I peered sideways and into the corn.

  “I could ask you the same question. After all, you were pretty damn close by.”

  He had me there. “Watch your mouth, Will. Remember, you’re not supposed to cuss around relatives.”

  He laughed, and it sounded genuine, lifting my own spirits. “But, you’re not a relative, just Aunt Rennie.”

  “I’m the sheriff. Really, you ought to show more respect,” I said, feigning anger.

  Will was silent for a minute and I was about to speak when he finally opened his mouth. His words made me sit up straighter and stare at my nephew.

  “Will you take a walk with me to the place where Naomi died?”

  “Whatever for?” I spoke the words carefully and slowly. I didn’t need any more surprises today.

  “I don’t know for sure. It’s as if I have this pull to be there, you know. I don’t understand it myself.” He shook his head, looking confused.

  “It’s already dark outside. It would be impossible for us to find our way out there now.” I looked at the corn plants again, seeing a dark wall that looked impenetrable.

  Will’s voice grew excited as he said, “No, we could do it. See the moon is out, and I remember that the night Naomi died was very much like this one. Please Aunt Rennie, will you go with me?”

  I met his gaze and I knew for certain that if I didn’t go with him, he’d end up going alone some other time. The last thing any of us needed was for him to be traipsing around where his girlfriend was shot.

  My mind made up, I touched the door handle. Before I got out, I told Will that we’d pull the cars up the tractor lane which ran between the corn and the hedgerow. I said that that it was to keep the vehicles safe, but in actuality, I was worried that someone, especially an Amish someone, would spot the vehicles and raise questions.

  I made sure my gun was loaded and in the holster beneath my jacket and that my cell phone was on vibrate in my pocket, then the two of us started up the tractor path, following the soft spray of moonlight that lit the way. After a few minutes of hiking, my eyes were accustomed to the low light and I could actually see fairly well.

  Will stayed close beside me, his arm occasionally brushing mine as we walked. I couldn’t help but think how creepy it would be to be out here all alone, and again the picture of the pretty Amish girl invaded my mind.

  “You never did tell me why you were driving around in the Amish community?” Will asked in a loud whisper that made me smile.

  “It’s not a big secret or anything. I was checking up on a lead—attempting to question a couple of Amish people.”

  “They wouldn’t talk to you?”

  “Nope, I’ve discovered that they’re all a bunch of tight lipped…” I almost said something that was not kind at all, but a thought occurred to me and I stopped instead. “Whoa, Will. Wait a minute.”

  I looked around trying to get my bearings right. When we’d driven the vehicles to the place where Naomi was found, we’d come this way and then turned, and crossed over the cut part of the field to get to the body. I knew that we were in the right place. If we headed to the left, we’d be at the spot that Will wanted to go in a few minutes, but I hesitated, more interested in the other direction.

  “What’s wrong?” Will asked, moving to stand closer.

  “Nothing, I was just thinking. Todd, Jeremy and I traced Naomi’s possible trail back to her farm. It made perfect sense, and wasn’t really an issue, but…” I paused looking to the right at the small trail that was not glaringly open, but definitely was there if you looked for it. “None of us noticed this trail before.”

  “What’s the big deal? I’m sure there are dozens just like it along this hedgerow.” Will’s words were skeptical, but his voice wasn’t. He’d already taken a step in the direction of the opening and was now facing me with an expectant look on his face.

  “Well, for one thing, it’s in a direct line to where we found Naomi, which means that the person who shot her could have followed the same path to get to the tree stand where Bobby believes the bullet came from. Secondly, it looks fairly well used—as if someone has worn it out recently.”

  Just saying it caused my heart to begin racing. But from fear or excitement, I wasn’t sure. What I did know was that I was suddenly ready for a longer hike than I’d originally anticipated.

  I eyed my nephew up and down, seeing a strong young man before me. “Are you up to this Will?”

  “You know I am.”

  I nodded and looking back one last time in the direction of the shooting, I stepped ahead of Will and into the darkness of the tangle of branches.

  32

  DANIEL

  November 18th

  I wasn’t surprised that Serenity wasn’t home—already figuring that she wouldn’t be there. As I drove through the quiet streets of town, the street lamps lighting the way, I blew out a nervous breath. She probably wouldn’t even talk to me. Saying I was sorry or that I’d made a mistake wasn’t going to cut it with Serenity. But I had to try anyway. The pretty little sheriff was wrong about Eli. I knew it in my heart. Now I just had to convince her of it.

  Pulling into the police department, I noticed that only a few cars were left in the parking lot, and Serenity’s was not one of them. Disappointment flashed through me, but I parked anyway, determined to at least find out where she was. My feelings for Serenity ran too deep to simply walk away now. I’d made a blunder for sure, but I’d followed my gut with Eli. Remembering how she kissed me back the other morning and how willing her body had been in my arms, I hoped that I could make amends with her. Maybe if I handled the situation carefully, she’d forgive me.

  Walking into the brightly lit hall, my eyes had to adjust to the shock of it. The dispatcher didn’t know where Serenity was. Just when I was about to give up, I spotted Todd turning into a room down the corridor. I quickly walked that way, and after a rap on the frame of the open doorway, I proceeded in. Todd looked up, showing no surprise at seeing me.

  “Good to see you, Daniel. What brings you in so late?”

  Todd’s voice held a hint of sarcasm, which I ignored. “I’m looking for Serenity. Any idea about where she’d be?”

  Todd pushed the papers away from him and leaned back in the chair, his hands folded on his belly. The smug smile was annoying, but I had no choice except to wait for him to answer if I was going to have the opportunity to get things straightened out with Serenity that evening.

  “Hmm, I’m not really sure where she is. You know, Serenity is a busy girl.”

  Sighing, I prepared to leave, not interested in playing mind games with Todd. My talk with the sheriff would just have to wait until morning.

  When I was almost through the doorway, Todd spoke again, “Wait. I might have an idea,” he paused, as if debating whether to tell me, and said, “Today at lunch, my fiancé said something about an Amish family that piqued Serenity’s interest. She hauled butt out of the Diner. I assume to go talk to the people.”

  “Which family?” I asked as my heart slowed
.

  “I don’t have the foggiest idea. Heather knew though, but wasn’t comfortable divulging information about a patient. Funny thing was that Serenity seemed to know who Heather was talking about. Sort of like some pieces of a puzzle fell into place for her.”

  “And you haven’t heard from her since? Isn’t that a bit strange to you?” I said, looking out the small window at the cold, dark night. My mind was getting jumpy with all kinds of worried thoughts.

  Todd nodded slowly and looked up to meet my gaze soundly. “Yeah, actually it is little weird. She always touches base with me throughout the day. Course, I didn’t have an ordinary afternoon myself—spent it wedding shopping. You wouldn’t believe all the shit that’s involved with getting hitched; a cake, flowers and the goofy little things you give away at the place settings.”

  I partially ignored him, not interested in the least about his wedding, except to feel sorry for any fool girl stupid enough to take vows with the man. What was bothering me more was the fact that he didn’t know where Serenity was.

  “Have you tried her cell?” Todd asked.

  “I wanted to talk to her in person. Why don’t you go ahead and call her and see where she is,” I suggested.

  Todd picked his phone off the desk and made the call while I stood impatiently by the window, searching out into the night for nothing in particular. After an amount of time that was unreasonable for Serenity to not have answered her phone, I glanced at Todd, who responded with a confused shrug.

  “That’s odd,” he said, running his hand over his buzzed hair.

  I took a step and rested my hands on his desk, suddenly more anxious than ever to locate Serenity. It was probably ridiculous to be worrying about the feisty blond who I knew was packing, but still, the fact that she seemed to be missing at the moment bugged the hell out of me.

  “Isn’t there anyone else you can call to check on her—her sister maybe?”

  “Yeah, that’s an idea,” Todd said before he spent a minute flipping through the directory and finally punching the number into his phone.

  I stared at the Todd while he talked. By the one sided part of the conversation I was getting, I already knew that Serenity wasn’t with her family. Damn.

  “No, Laura hasn’t heard from Serenity since this morning when she texted her about the paternity test,” Todd said. He rose from his seat and pulled his jacket off the chair.

  “What are we going to do?” I wanted to make sure I got the we part in. Because there was no way I was going home without knowing Serenity’s whereabouts.

  “Let me call Heather and see what she says. Maybe she can enlighten us about what she was talking to Serenity about earlier.”

  A minute later as he shoved the phone into his pocket, he said, “She isn’t answering—probably has the phone charging. Our place is only a few blocks away. We can drive on over there and ask her in person.”

  I followed Todd out to his patrol car, leaving my jeep behind. The blood pumped hard through my veins and my movements were overly quick. I felt the pressure to hurry. Hopefully, I was dead wrong, but I couldn’t shake the suspicion that Serenity had gotten herself into a bigger mess than she could handle.

  33

  SERENITY

  November 18th

  The going wasn’t too bad since the path had obviously been stepped on recently, but still, the darkness under the trees was unsettling. Will must have thought so also, the way he stayed so close on my heels that anytime I slowed to stumble over an exposed root, he’d bump right into me.

  The path meandered through woods, along hedgerows and out into small open meadows where the grass was so high, we had to push it aside with our hands. Somehow, we managed to stay with the unfamiliar trail, and after what was probably twenty minutes, I decided to pull out my cell and call Todd. I hadn’t spoken to him all day and even though it was officially my day off, I got the urge to check in and see how the town had been fairing without me.

  “Dammit,” I cussed, slipping the phone back into my pocket.

  “What’s up?” Will asked, moving quickly to position himself alongside of me.

  “Can you believe that I don’t have reception here? I could have sworn that my phone worked in the entire Amish community,” I said in a grumbly sort of way, thinking how it was always when you needed the damn phone the most, you couldn’t use it.

  Will laughed, “Are you going to have a melt down because you’re out of contact with the rest of the world, Aunt Rennie?”

  “Naw, I’m just going to complain to you about it until I feel better.”

  A few more silent steps and we cut through a gap in a fence row, and the sight of a huge old barn silhouetted against the night sky came into view. The building looked ancient, but its boards were still snugly nailed on as far as I could see from the distance. It was hard to tell with the way the vegetation was growing up the sides of the walls though.

  The wind gusted and I zipped my jacket all the way up, for the first time feeling the bite of the autumn night. When the wind calmed, the breeze brought the sound of the trees scratching against the side of the barn. The noise drifted through the air like an eerie song.

  “It looks as if the trail heads right into that barn.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” I said distractedly. Finally, after a minute more of studying the barn, I came to the conclusion that it was the same one that I’d passed earlier, and the one that the bishop turned into.

  A high pitched whinny pierced the air and Will jumped beside me. We weren’t alone. I grabbed Will’s arm and pulled him into the bushes beside the path, not stopping until we were completely hidden.

  “What’s going on?” Will breathed in to my ear with a brave voice. Good boy. I needed my nephew to keep his wits about him.

  “I think that the Amish might actually be in that barn,” I whispered, trying to peer out of the branches the best I could to survey the barnyard area.

  “But there’s no light. Why would they do such a thing?”

  I looked up into Will’s shadowed face and couldn’t see much, but I imagined the confused look that he probably held.

  “They’re Amish. Who the hell knows what they’re doing or why they’re doing it. But obviously they are being secretive about it.”

  “Can you see any buggies?”

  “Nope, they must be parked on the other side of the barn.” After thinking another few seconds, I turned to Will and touched his arm. “Look, Will, I want you to follow the path back to your truck and get to a place where you have cell service. Call Todd and have him meet you.”

  “What are you going to do?” Will’s voice shook and I smiled into the darkness.

  “I’m going to sneak around the barn and see what I can find out.” I knew he was getting ready to cut me off, so I shushed him and said, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be as quiet as a church mouse. They’ll never even know I’m there. Once I’ve figured out what’s going on, I’ll head back to my car and meet up with you there.”

  Will stalled, and I grew impatient with him that he wouldn’t just do what I told him. When had he become so difficult?

  “Why don’t we just go together, and then you and Todd can come back as a team. That sounds like a better idea to me.” His voice was coaxing, but I wasn’t buying.

  “Because, who knows how long they’ll be in there, Will? And they might say something that will help me with Naomi’s investigation. You don’t want to miss an opportunity of learning the truth, do you?”

  Will hesitated. “No…but I don’t want anything to happen to you either. You’re the only aunt I got.”

  “Really, you’re being ridiculous. I’m the sheriff, remember? I can handle this. Besides, what do you think is going to happen? These are Amish people we’re talking about.”

  Will shook his head and said, “It’s just really freaking me out. That barn looks like a place where people are murdered and cut up into tiny pieces. Aren’t you at all afraid to go over there, knowing there’s probabl
y a bunch of crazy men in the building?”

  “You watch too many horror movies. No, I’m not afraid at all. Actually, I’m excited at the prospect of learning something. I’ve come to the realization that the only way I might actually get any answers from the Amish is to spy on them. Now, get going, so I can get to work.”

  Reluctantly, Will walked back the way we had come, looking over his shoulder several times before he skipped into a jog. He was probably hoping to get to his truck quickly, but I knew that even at a jog, he was probably at least twenty minutes from using his phone.

  Once he was out of sight, I pushed the branches aside and slipped back out into the open. Luckily, I was wearing my black jacket and dark jeans so I blended into the night well enough. As I approached the barn, I moved silently and used trees and clumps of weeds as cover. Without a thought, my hand kept straying inside my jacket which I’d unzipped enough to touch the steel of my .38 revolver. The hell with the cold, I wanted freedom to reach my gun more than I wanted warmth.

  I had lied to Will. My heart was beating fast and adrenaline pumped madly through my veins. The whole scene was bizarre to say the least. I wasn’t convinced that it was dangerous, especially when I pictured the smiling faces of the Amish children, and the stoic looks of the mothers. But, even I had to admit, the men were another story altogether. They were definitely intimidating in their strangeness, and little visions of some crazy cult ceremony were swirling around in my head as I approached the barn.

  As I closed in, I could hear the snorts and stomping of the horses. It sounded as if there were a herd of them on the other side of the building. I paused beside a rise in the ground where the weeds were tall. Hearing the human voices was not unexpected, but the sounds still sent a shiver through me as I strained to listen.

  “Ah, shit,” I mumbled to myself, hearing that the words were all foreign to me. What good would it do to spy on these people when I wouldn’t understand a thing they were saying? It took only another second to make the decision that at least I might be able to see something through the narrow gaps in the aged wood. That was better than nothing at all.