Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries Box Set 7

by Samantha Price

  Finally, Kelly approached her.

  “Hello, Detective Kelly.”

  He eyed her carefully. “I remember the face, but I can’t place—”

  “I’m Selena, a friend of Ettie and Elsa-May. I spoke to you at the funeral of Eli Schaeffer.”

  “That’s right. I’m sorry, I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

  “This is Gabriel Yoder’s house. He’s a friend of Ettie and Elsa-May’s too.”

  “Ah, yes that’s right. Selena ... Lehman. Now I remember. We first met after that friend of Gabriel’s was killed months back. An old man he used to look after, just like he looked after your grandfather.”

  “Well, he was a friend of my grandfathers, and of the other man. I don’t think he looked after them.” She hoped Kelly wasn’t suggesting anything negative about Gabriel. “Ettie and Elsa-May told me about the scarecrow murders, but I never expected to be targeted. Do you think he was going to murder me?”

  Slowly he nodded. “That was my first thought. You were on the force, weren’t you?”

  She nodded. “Briefly. I miss it.” She looked around, trying to keep calm. “Do you think this is some kind of a joke? A practical joke by some neighborhood kids?”

  “No. It’s no joke. Tell me what happened from start to finish. Can we sit somewhere?”

  “Sure, sorry. Come inside.” Once they were seated, she said, “I didn't hear a thing all night. And I couldn’t sleep, so if there was anything to hear, I would’ve heard it. I don’t know anything.” Her hand flew to her throat. She had nearly been killed! She had her gun under her mattress, but she might not have been able to get it in time.

  “Ms. Lehman, are you okay?”

  “I think so. It's a shock.”

  “Mind if I take a look around?” he asked.

  “Of course not. Look all you want.”

  She sat frozen still while the detective looked around the house. He came back several minutes later. “No sign of anything in here.”

  “There was no intruder here last night. I was awake all night. Maybe I drifted off a little, now and again, but I never truly slept.”

  “Perhaps he left the scarecrow as a warning.”

  “A warning about what?” she asked.

  “That’s something I can't tell you just yet.”

  “You mean you know and can't tell me, or that you don't know?”

  He rubbed his chin. “Between you and me, this case’s got me baffled." He ruffled what was left of his hair and then smoothed the few strands back. “Are you staying here by yourself?”

  “I am. This house belongs to Gabriel Yoder as I said. He also owns the house next to Ettie and Elsa-May.”

  “Yes, I know him. Might I ask why you're living here?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  Slowly, he nodded. “If you’re a friend of Mrs. Smith’s, I thought it might be.”

  “It is.” She took a deep breath. “You see, I inherited a house from my grandfather—my Amish grandfather. He had a strange kind of a will that I had to be thirty or married to inherit the house. Until then it was entrusted to a caretaker.”

  “Let me guess—Gabriel Yoder was the caretaker?”

  “That's right.”

  “And, I don’t see any ring on your finger. Have you reached the ripe old age of thirty?”

  “No, not quite and I’m not married yet like I thought I’d be. Another long story. I had someone I was close with—a lawyer—he managed to get all those silly conditions waived and I now own the house.”

  “Ah, friends come in handy.”

  “Some do.”

  “Why did you move here? Was it just the lure of the inherited dwelling?”

  “I was in a relationship with the lawyer I just mentioned. We were going to marry. When I changed my mind, he started terrorizing me.”

  Kelly's eyebrows shot up nearly to where his hairline would've been if it had not receded. “Is that so?” He pulled out a notepad and pen from his pocket. “What’s his name?”

  She shook her head. “Eugene Ryder. Why?”

  “You’ve had a nasty breakup by the sounds of it.”

  “Yes, but, as much as I don’t like him anymore, he wouldn’t be involved in any of this...”

  “I’d like to speak with him anyway.”

  She grimaced. If the police contacted him, she knew his abusive messages would start up again. She’d been enjoying the quiet. “He’s in England. He left a couple of weeks ago and he’s still there.”

  “Nevertheless, give me all the details starting with his name.”

  “I just said his name. Eugene Ryder.” She held her head. “This is all so overwhelming.”

  “Do you want a drink of water?”

  “No. I’m okay. I just need a moment.” She took a couple of deep breaths. “Okay, sorry, what did you ask me?”

  “Eugene Ryder—how can I contact him?”

  After she'd given him all the details, she said, “Don't waste your time on him. He's got nothing to do with it.”

  “Tell me when your relationship with Eugene went south.”

  “It was fine until my grandfather died, and I came here. Well, it wasn’t fine, but I didn’t realize that until I had some space from him. He was always controlling.”

  “Start there. What happened when your grandfather died?”

  “I drove down here and visited the house because my fiancé wanted to know how much it was worth. I wanted to keep it, of course, but if selling it gave us more of a head start to our future I was willing to do it—that was what Eugene wanted me to do. There were so many memories, you know? That was why I didn’t want to sell. They were vague memories, but there was still a warm familiarity about the house and that includes this whole area. That’s why I came back here now.”

  Detective Kelly nodded. “That answers my next question about why you moved back.”

  Selena nodded. “I had to contact Gabriel because he’s been the caretaker of the house since my grandfather died. I asked him if he’d find me somewhere to live since the occupants of my house hadn’t moved out yet.”

  “Go on.”

  “Gabriel told me he had a lovely house for me to stay in until they move out. So, with that news I sublet my apartment. I had no idea he was giving up his own house for me. He insisted that he wanted to buy another house anyway.” She shook her head.

  “You don't believe him?”

  “I'm not sure. He didn't really have a need for another house.”

  “Investment?”

  Shrugging her shoulders, she said, “Probably, but he’s not making money out of it at the moment, he's renovating it. He’s not accepting money from me to stay here, either.”

  “I think I'll have to have a talk with Gabriel Yoder.”

  “Oh no, don’t suspect him. He’s completely harmless, believe me.”

  The detective chuckled. “I’d be a rich man if I had a dollar for every time someone told me that. It’s part of the job to question everyone. I'm sure you remember that from your training.” Scratching the side of his head, he looked around. “You’ll have to find somewhere else to stay.”

  She nodded. “I know. I don’t feel safe here now. I'll book into a bed and breakfast.”

  “Good idea. I'll have a couple of my people stay here with you until you pack your things.”

  “Thanks. It won't take me long. I'll just throw a few things in the car.”

  “Very good. I'll have one of the officers give your car a careful looking-over, too.” He stood up. “You haven't been in town long, have you?”

  “Only a couple of days.”

  “And have you talked to many people?”

  She swallowed hard. She had talked to the man who owned the red truck, but she couldn’t tell him that. “I went to the funeral the other day and talked to people. I saw you there.”

  “That's right. I remember that we spoke briefly there.”

  She nodded. “I’ll make some calls to find somewhere to stay.” She pic
ked up her cell phone. “Better yet, I might drive to Ettie and Elsa-May’s house and see where they suggest. I could stay where I stayed last time I was here, but I’d prefer to be closer to people. That was close, but I’d prefer something a little closer yet.”

  “Okay.” He handed over his card. “My numbers there. Text me the address of the place where you’ll be staying.”

  She looked down at the simple white card as she took hold of it and then tucked it into her cell phone cover. “Sure.”

  “I'll also find out what I can about this ex-boyfriend of yours.”

  “He was actually my ex-fiancé, and he’s out of the country at the moment.”

  “Ex-fiancé,” he corrected himself. “And you did tell me that. Where did you say he is?”

  “I heard on the grapevine he’s staying with a friend of his in London.”

  “I’ll need you to come down to the station today to make an official statement, including that information. Hopefully, you might think of something else by that time.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  As he walked to the door, he called out over his shoulder. “Goodbye, Ms. Lehman,”

  “Wait!”

  “Yes?” he stepped back inside.

  “I thought I saw Eugene in town the other day. I was driving down the main road and thought I saw him. I was in traffic and pulled up as soon as I could. I went to look for him, but couldn’t find him anywhere.” She opened her mouth to tell him not to bother checking into him, but then closed it again. There was no point telling him anything. “Bye, Detective Kelly.”

  “That’s something you should’ve told me sooner. I’ll look into it.”

  “He’s in London staying with a friend.”

  He walked back over to her and pulled out his notepad once more. “What friend?”

  She opened her phone and gave him the details. Then Kelly left after giving her an irritated glare.

  When she was ready to leave, she was escorted to her car with police officers on either side of her. They asked her if she wanted to be driven somewhere, but she insisted she was fine to drive. By that time, the forensics team had arrived and Gabriel's neighbors had gathered to see what was happening.

  She got in her car, snapped on the seatbelt and immediately felt lightheaded. It might not be entirely safe to drive like that, but the alternative was staying close to the gruesome scarecrow. Not wanting the officers to see her looking shaky, she took a couple deep breaths to clear her head, started the car as she summoned all her inner strength and determination, and set off in the direction of Ettie and Elsa-May’s house. When she knocked on the door, she saw from her phone that it was only a little after seven. It felt like she'd put in a full day already. She hoped the sisters weren’t sleeping in.

  Ettie opened the door with Elsa-May peeping over her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  She shook her head and then the tears flowed. She covered her face with both hands in embarrassment at her outburst. Trained police officers don't cry. It was a good thing she’d left the force.

  “Come inside.” Ettie took hold of her arm and brought her inside while a concerned Elsa-May handed her a handkerchief.

  “Thanks,” she spluttered as she took the handkerchief. By the time she’d wiped both eyes, they’d reached the couch. She sat down feeling a little better for having cried out some of the stress.

  “What's going on?” Elsa-May asked as she sat down on her usual chair.

  Ettie sat down beside Selena and said to Elsa-May. “Give her a moment to catch her breath.”

  Selena sighed. “There was a scarecrow on my lawn this morning.”

  “What?” they both shrieked.

  “Yes. I couldn't sleep all night, and then when I finally gave up trying and decided to get up, I found out that there was a scarecrow on my front lawn.”

  “Like the ones in the fields?”

  “Jah, Elsa-May, that’s why she’s so upset.”

  “Yes, except it looked exactly like the one in the paper.” She wiped both eyes again and then looked down and folded the handkerchief.

  “Did you call the police?” Elsa-May asked.

  She nodded and then shook her head just as quickly. “No, I left that part out. I didn't know the scarecrow was there until after I heard all the sirens, and then the police knocked on my door. I'd heard the first sirens just after I had gotten out of bed. A neighbor saw it and they called them. Then Detective Kelly came. I told him I wasn't staying there, I was going to a bed and breakfast. That’s why I’m here. Do you know a good one in the area?”

  “Why don't you stay here?” Ettie asked.

  “No, I couldn't. I couldn't put you out like that. A bed and breakfast will be wonderful if you know of one. I'm not fussy. It just has to be small and clean, with a bed and a bathroom ... and Wi-Fi, preferably.”

  “There is one not far from here.”

  “Anyway, let's not talk about that now. We've got hours to find you accommodation. What did Detective Kelly say?”

  “I told him about my ex-fiancé because he asked me if anybody would be out to harm me. Then he asked why I was living where I was living and he said he was going to question both Gabriel and Eugene.” She sighed heavily. “And I have to go to the station to make a statement.”

  “Have you eaten?”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  “You can’t go there on an empty stomach. Elsa-May will make you some eggs.” When she felt her sister staring at her, she turned around and said, “It takes me three times as long to do anything with this sore back.”

  “How’s that different from normal?” Elsa-May muttered as she pushed herself to her feet. “We’ve just made coffee too. Would you like some?”

  “Yes please. I don’t know if I could eat, though.”

  “You should try. I’ll make us all some scrambled eggs and toast.” Elsa-May got up and walked to the kitchen and Snowy followed along behind her.

  Selena nodded. “Thank you. I told Kelly about seeing someone I thought was Eugene the other day. He seemed very interested—I thought he’d dismiss it.”

  “Me too,” Ettie said.

  “It was probably someone who just looked like him. It had to be.”

  “Is there a way you could find out?”

  “I can make some calls. I just didn’t want it to get back to Eugene that I was asking about him. I didn’t want him to get any false hopes or contact me again.”

  Elsa-May brought her out a mug of coffee. “There you are.”

  “Thanks.”

  “The breakfast won’t be long.” Elsa-May headed back into the kitchen.

  “Would you like us to come with you when you go to the police station?” Ettie asked.

  “No. I should be okay after a rest.”

  “We don’t mind,” said Ettie.

  “I’ll be okay.” Selena took a mouthful of coffee.

  “Can you make it to the kitchen?”

  “Yes.” Selena stood and then waited for Ettie.

  Ettie tried to stand by leaning on the walking stick and then she overbalanced and fell back into the couch.

  Selena smiled. “Can you make it to the kitchen?”

  Ettie giggled. “Maybe not.” Selena put her mug down on the coffee table and then helped Ettie to her feet; together they walked into the kitchen.

  When they sat down at the small circular table that nearly filled the sisters' kitchen, Selena said, “I’m just so shocked by everything.”

  Elsa-May turned around from the stove. “Yes, it would’ve been dreadful, but Gott spared you.”

  Selena nodded. “He did.”

  “I do wish you’d stay here. Would you think about it at least?” Ettie asked.

  Selena nodded. “I’ll think about it, but what would your bishop say about me staying here?”

  “He’ll understand. He was a good friend of your grandfather and you’re in trouble.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Was he that good of a fri
end, Elsa-May?”

  “I think so.”

  Selena said, “I’ll go to the police station first and then make up my mind, if that’s okay.”

  “Whatever suits,” Elsa-May said as she divided scrambled eggs onto three plates. She turned around and picked up a plate heaped with freshly toasted bread, setting it on the table beside the butter dish and a couple jars of jelly.

  Chapter 14

  After Selena had made her statement, she returned to the sisters' house. Ettie and Elsa-May had managed to talk Selena into coming back there for dinner.

  They were just about finished eating the dinner when her cell phone rang from within her bag that she’d left in the living room.

  “Whoops, I'm sorry! I should've turned my phone off inside your house.”

  “That's okay,” Ettie said.

  “You better answer it.”

  She rushed to the other room and saw it was from Detective Kelly. “It’s Kelly,” she called out. “I'll take it outside.” She rushed outside and managed to answer before he hung up. “Yes, Detective Kelly?”

  “Good evening.”

  “Hello. Do you have news for me?”

  “You haven’t told me where you’re staying.”

  She glanced back at the house. “Ettie and Elsa-May have invited me to stay at their place. I’ll most likely do that, for tonight anyway.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m sorry, everything’s been a blur. I meant to let you know. Is there anything else?”

  “Well, we found out Eugene Ryer is definitely in England. We didn’t get to speak with him but we confirmed his flight information.”

  She was relieved. “Thank you. I didn't think he was here, but I thought it was worth mentioning. I’m sorry for wasting your time over it.”

  “It’s good that you did. As I said, we have to check everything out.”

  “I appreciate that. Have you talked with Gabriel yet?” She hadn’t seen him all day and she wondered why.

  “We have, and a few others. One thing you should know is that the scarecrow matched the others.”

  “It did?”

  “Yes, quite definitely. I’ll keep you updated.”

  When he ended the call, she wrapped her arms around herself as a chilly wind swept up. She walked a little further away from the house and then called the detective back. “Sorry to bother you. It’s Selena again. Are you any closer to discovering who might’ve put the scarecrow there? Did any of the neighbors see anything?”