Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries Box Set 7

by Samantha Price

  “I’m finding out what they had in common. More importantly, who they had in common.” He sat back down. “You can, if you will, find out what you can about their pasts from when they were in your community.”

  “We can, but only the last victim, Eli, was raised in our community. The first man who was killed wasn’t.”

  “Do what you can. They might’ve had some connection. I know you’ll find out something for me.”

  “Do you have any suspects?” Elsa-May asked.

  “According to the file, it was narrowed down to two suspects, but unfortunately, there were never any arrests and for one reason or another the trail grew cold when the murders ceased.”

  “The suspects were no good, then?”

  “That’s right. I’ve been familiarizing myself with the old murders.” He rubbed his chin. “Neither of the two suspects from back then were Amish but they had close links—friends who were Amish”

  “Why were they suspected at all?” Elsa-May asked.

  “Do you think the killer is Amish or ex-Amish?” Ettie asked, earning a sharp jab from Elsa-May. “Ow! That hurt.” Ettie rubbed her side.

  “He hasn’t answered my question yet. Wait until he answers me, and then you can ask your question.”

  With a slight frown, Kelly continued, “Over the past years, we’ve had two cold case units look at the scarecrow murders and they got nowhere. Apart from that, two profilers came up with basic differences when they profiled the killer.” He waved a hand in the air. “But there’s no need to go into all that.”

  “Who was the detective working on the case back then?”

  “Was it Detective Crowley?” Ettie asked hopefully. They hadn’t seen their detective friend for some time.

  “No. Detective Ogilvy. He had the case.”

  Elsa-May leaned forward. “Where’s he now?”

  “Six feet under, I’m afraid. I’m positive the answer’s in the case file. We've probably already talked to the killer. That’s normally what happens in cold cases. We need fresh sets of eyes on the files. Also, the other thing that happens is people who didn’t talk back then, will talk now for one reason or another.”

  Ettie frowned. If what he said was right, surely all that needed to be done was to go over everything carefully. Perhaps Kelly wasn’t sharing everything with them? She looked at one of the files on his desk trying to see what was written on the front.

  “Are you practicing your x-ray vision, Mrs. Smith?”

  “My what?”

  “You’re looking longingly at my folders.” He moved the files closer. “These are the files on the new murders.” He stood, and lifted up a box from the shelf behind him, and then another one, and placed them on the edge of his desk. “And these two boxes are the old scarecrow murder files. I might step out for a moment and get myself a cup of coffee. Would you ladies like anything?”

  “We’re fine, thank you,” Elsa-May said.

  As soon as he left, Ettie pulled herself to her feet and pounced on one of the boxes, lifting the lid.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Elsa-May hissed.

  “He’s allowing us. Why else would he tell us what’s in here and then walk away to make coffee?”

  Elsa-May’s mouth dropped open while Ettie turned her attention back to the box, flipping through the contents. Ettie then passed half a dozen folders to Elsa-May.

  “I’m not sure about this,” Elsa-May said as she took hold of the paperwork.

  “Just do it, Elsa-May. There’s no time to think, hypothesize, synthesize, and whatever else goes on in that head of yours.”

  “What are we looking for exactly?” Elsa-May flipped through the pages.

  “We need to find the names and addresses of those suspects from the original case. It seems they’re the only leads so far, until they get the forensic results from the new murders. If we talk to the suspects from the last case, we might find out something.”

  “Or get killed. I don’t think he was allowing us to go through these. He’s always telling us to keep out of things and only talk to people in our own community.”

  “Jah, but do we ever listen to him?”

  “Nee.”

  “Kelly said they didn’t do it, but still they might know more than they let on back then. Now that time’s passed, they might open up a bit more. If they were suspected of the crimes, it must’ve been for a reason.”

  “He didn’t say they didn’t do it. He said they weren’t convicted. So why are we talking to them at all? I keep telling you, I want to die of old age not by being killed by a crazed gunman.”

  “Hush, Elsa-May. Stop wasting time and find the names. Anyway these recent killings were shootings.”

  “That’s what I said—crazed gunman, that means he has a gun.”

  “Stop confusing me. The old killings were stabbing and these are shootings. I don’t think we have the same killer. Now be quiet and use your eyes instead of your mouth.”

  While Elsa-May muttered something rude under her breath, Ettie leafed through a couple more pages and then she found the interview transcripts. “Got ‘em.” She borrowed Kelly’s pen and paper to jot down their details.

  “Good. Now we’ll have to put all this away before Kelly gets back.”

  Ettie ripped off the sheet from the notepad, folded it and tucked it into her sleeve.

  When they were seated and looking innocent, Kelly walked back in with another take-out coffee. “Where were we?” he asked.

  Ettie stood. “We were about to go home.”

  “Jah.” Elsa-May stood as well. “We’ll ask around and find out what we can.”

  “Thank you, to both of you.”

  Ettie smiled and took hold of her walking stick, looking back at Kelly to see if he’d mention it. Still nothing. This time, he didn’t even look down at the stick. But he had thanked them, so that was something.

  Together, Ettie and Elsa-May made their way out of the police station.

  Chapter 4

  After they got home and had something to eat, Ettie sat down on the couch and started planning a list of who to question. When a knock sounded on their door, she couldn’t figure out who it could be. “There’s someone at the door.”

  “I'll get it.”

  “That's good because it would take me twice as long with my back the way it is.”

  Elsa-May opened the door and Ettie listened in. It was Gabriel, who’d bought the place next door. He walked further into their house.

  “How are you today, Ettie?”

  “Not so good with this sore back. We've just been to see the detective and—"

  “Does he know who killed John Fuller and Eli Schaeffer?”

  Ettie patted the space next to her on the couch and Gabriel sat down, while Elsa-May sat in her usual chair. Then, Ettie answered him. “He doesn't, but he has a couple of names of people he thinks might’ve done it.”

  “I think what Ettie means is that … she wants to ask ... might we borrow your buggy?”

  Before he could answer, Ettie said, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something else too, Gabriel.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Since there’s no room next door for pasture or stables, where do you keep your horse and buggy?”

  “I keep them at the Troyers' place. It’s just a short walk through the back.”

  “Oh, that's a good idea. I haven’t been able to find that out because every time I open my mouth to speak, someone else talks.” She stared at Elsa-May.

  Gabriel smiled. “It's not too convenient. I have to make sure I really want to go out somewhere.” He chuckled. “I’d be happy to drive you somewhere rather than you borrow the buggy. I mean, you may use it if you’d like, but I’m happy to drive you anywhere.”

  Elsa-May smiled. “I meant for you to drive us. Denke.”

  “Where would you like to go?” he asked.

  “Ettie has got the addresses of the suspects and she’d like to drive past their houses.”

&n
bsp; “I've got a better idea. Why not have Selena drive us in her car? It’d be quicker and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

  “All of us?” Ettie asked.

  Elsa-May’s eyebrows rose. “Would she do that?”

  “It would be good to see her again,” Ettie said.

  “Of course she would.” He jumped to his feet. “I'll call her now. When would you like to do this?” He looked directly at Ettie.

  She lifted up her hands. “As soon as it suits Selena.”

  He gave a nod and walked out the door.

  Selena was fixing herself a bagel for lunch when she heard the phone ringing from the barn. At first, she considered just letting it ring, not thinking it was for her. After all, no one knew she was at that number. When it kept going and wouldn’t stop, she hurried out thinking it might be an important call for Gabriel. She made her way through the darkened barn, following the noise. She grabbed the dusty receiver and held it to her ear. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Selena, it's Gabriel.”

  “Why didn't you call my cell phone?”

  He laughed. “I didn't even think of it.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “It is, but I do have a small favor to ask on behalf of some ladies.”

  “Sure, anything. Ask away.”

  “I'm wondering if you might drive Elsa-May, Ettie, and myself somewhere today.”

  “Okay, I can do that.” She was pleased for the company and those two old ladies were always good for a laugh. “I don't have any other plans at this stage. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  “Perfect. I’ll be waiting at their house. You remember where it is?”

  “I do, and I even remember how to get there.”

  “Even better.”

  He ended the call without saying goodbye. She shook her head and replaced the receiver. As she walked toward the open door that had been opened wider by the wind, she noticed everything was in its place. Every piece of equipment was neatly lined up. The sacks of horse food stood in a row, and an assortment of tools lined one wall. Just like his house, everything was just so. She brushed the dust off her hands figuring it must’ve gathered since he’d been gone.

  When she arrived at Ettie and Elsa-May’s house, Gabriel was there as he'd said. After they greeted her, they didn’t seem in a hurry. She was a little surprised when they asked her inside.

  “Where am I taking you?” she asked once she’d sat down.

  They told her all about the scarecrow murders, the former and the current. “You said two have been killed recently?”

  Ettie said, “Yes, and we knew that because we all knew the second person who was killed.”

  Elsa-May further explained, “We didn't know the first because his parents left the Amish when he was a teenager and he wasn't from our community, was he?”

  Ettie shook her head. “He wasn't. We must go to Eli’s funeral, Elsa-May.”

  “We’ll find out when it’s being held.”

  “I can find out,” Gabriel said.

  Elsa-May gave a sharp nod. “Good.”

  “And are we going somewhere today in connection with the murders?” Selena asked.

  Elsa-May nodded. “While Ettie and I were in the detective’s office, we happened to see who the suspects were—for the old murders— and we have their names and addresses.”

  Her eyes widened. “And you’re going to …. What?”

  “Question them,” Ettie said.

  Selena shook her head. “I don't think that's a good idea.”

  “Ettie just wants to get a look at them and a feel for what they’re like, and such,” Elsa-May answered while Ettie stared into the distance lightly tapping her walking stick on the floor. “Don’t worry, we do this kind of thing all the time. We’re used to it.”

  Selena was glad to be going with them just in case they got into any trouble and she might be of some help. “Yes, that might be interesting. Are we ready to go?”

  Elsa-May pushed herself to her feet. “Okay, let's get started then, shall we?” She looked over at Ettie, who was still daydreaming, and took two steps toward her and clicked her fingers in front of her face. “Come on, Ettie. We’re ready to go.”

  Ettie frowned at her sister. “No need to startle me.”

  “You looked like you were in a trance, or hypnotized.”

  “I was thinking, that’s all. It’s what some people do.”

  Elsa-May chuckled. “I won’t even ask.”

  “I was thinking about Eli if you must know.”

  “Move. We’re not going to find out anything by thinking.”

  Ettie put out her arms and Elsa-May helped her to her feet.

  Chapter 5

  Nick Walker was the first man on their list. Selena had used the Internet on her phone and had pulled up an image of Walker.

  Selena stopped her car a little up the street from Nick Walker’s house. No sooner had they stopped than a gray-haired man walked out the front door and locked it behind him.

  “Is that him?” Gabriel whispered.

  Elsa-May held up Selena’s cell phone and looked at the photo of Nick Walker that was on the screen. The image was from a newspaper article that had mentioned him as a suspect to the murders of many years ago. “It certainly looks like him. He looks exactly the same as the picture. He hasn’t aged much except his hair is more white now.”

  The man walked over to his car in the driveway, opened the driver’s side door, and then looked up the street towards where Selena's car was parked. They all ducked down at the same time, and then slowly raised their heads. By that time, he was backing his car out of the driveway.

  “What do we do now?” Gabriel asked.

  “Follow him!” Ettie hoped they hadn’t already been spotted. If he was the killer, then surely, he would’ve been on the lookout for the police who might have him under surveillance.

  “But don't get too close,” Gabriel added.

  “I know what I'm doing.” Selena started the car once Nick Walker’s car was nearly out of sight.

  Elsa-May leaned over the backseat and asked Selena. “Have you ever followed anyone before?”

  “No, but I know not to get too close.”

  They followed him all the way into town and then he stopped outside an Amish furniture store. They stopped and parked a few cars behind him.

  “Is he going in there?” Gabriel nodded toward the store.

  “It seems like it,” Ettie said when the man started walking across the street.

  “Go in there, Selena, and see if you can find out what he's doing.”

  Her eyes widened and she looked around at Elsa-May. “Me?”

  “We can't do it in these clothes. We’ll draw attention.”

  “It's an Amish store, though. You’d fit right in.”

  “I'll do it,” Gabriel said.

  “Would you?” Selena asked.

  “Sure.” Before anything else was said, Gabriel was out of the car and was sprinting across the road.

  Selena stared after him. “I hope he doesn't make it obvious.”

  “I don't think he would,” said Ettie. “He's a very careful kind of a person.”

  “And how are you settling into his house?” Elsa-May asked.

  “I'm not. I feel bad for him moving out. Did he only move out so I could stay there?”

  “That's a hard one to answer.” Ettie figured he probably had. He was madly in love with Selena, couldn’t she see that?

  In her no-nonsense way, Elsa-May responded, “The house next to us was going cheap because of the murder that happened there.”

  “Yes, I heard about it. Gabriel’s just so generous. He's been very good to me. I just wish I hadn’t given him such a hard time when I first met him, about allowing the Kings to lease my house.” Selena sighed. “I don’t think I’ll ever move into my old family home. I can’t ask the Kings to leave, not after doing it once and then telling them they can stay. Especially with the new baby coming.”

 
; “That’s a shame for you, but good for the Kings.”

  “It is. I’ll have to buy another house—if the bank will loan me the money.”

  “Or marry Gabriel and stay where you are.” Ettie giggled.

  Elsa-May looked down her nose disapprovingly at Ettie. “She’d have to join us first, Ettie.”

  “Oh no,” Selena said. “You don’t think that’s what Gabriel’s thinking, do you?”

  Elsa-May rolled her eyes. “That’s what he’s hoping and thinking.”

  “And praying,” Ettie added with another giggle. “You’d fit in well with us, Selena, and you’d have so many friends.”

  Selena nibbled on a fingernail. “This isn’t good. I’ll stay at a bed and breakfast somewhere. I can’t stay and give him false hope.”

  Elsa-May shook her head. “Just stay where you are until you find something more permanent. Don’t go wasting your money.”

  “Okay, but I feel so bad.”

  “Don’t. Gabriel’s happy to have you there. He and your grandfather were very close.”

  Selena nodded.

  “Here he comes now,” Ettie said. "Mr. Walker, I mean."

  They lowered themselves in their car seats when they saw Nick Walker coming back out of the store. He got into his car and drove away, but Gabriel was still inside the store.

  “What’s he doing?” Ettie asked, squinting as she tried to see through the highly reflective glass windows of the store.

  Elsa-May said, “We can’t drive off and leave him.”

  “I didn’t say we should.” Ettie was considering it, though.

  “Here he comes now.” Elsa-May pointed at him. “And now we’ve lost Mr. Walker.”

  Gabriel slid into the front seat beside Selena. “Well, I heard a lot and we can count him out.”

  “Why?” Selena asked, and everyone stared at him.

  “He’s trying to sell them back furniture he bought there. His wife’s very ill in a hospital in Gladstone, and he’s selling up to go back there. I overheard him say he got back from there yesterday and he’s going back as soon as he can.”

  “He could be lying,” Ettie said.