Secrets in the Grave

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  I cleared my throat softly to not startle Ma, but she bolted upright with her hands on her chest anyway. Seeing it was only me, she swiped the air in front of her. “Ach, what a fright you gave me.”

  Ma’s hands were covered with dirt and there was a smudge on her cheek. Several strands of her thick, gray hair were loose from her white cap. Even with her disheveled appearance and slight body, she was a commanding figure. Possibly it was because she was my mother and I would always feel like a ten year old in her presence. I’d gone nearly fifteen years without her in my life. Our relationship had only been renewed some six months earlier, so it was still awkward at times.

  “I see you’ve enlarged the flower beds. You’ve been busy,” I commented.

  Ma’s eyebrow rose and her mouth turned down. “I really doubt you came all the way out here to talk about my flowers. What’s on your mind, son?”

  My heart skipped a beat. It was the first time she’d addressed me as her son since I’d left the Amish. Hearing her say that simple three letter word gave me an amount of satisfaction I wasn’t expecting.

  “You’re right, as usual. I have some questions about the healing ways and Jonas. When I visited with you and Father the other day, you both were vague about your concerns regarding the man.”

  Ma wiped her hands on her apron and motioned for me to follow her into the house. The late afternoon sun was dropping low in the western sky, turning the slight breeze chilly. I hoped I could have the conversation with Ma before Father returned home from helping my sister’s husband plant the back field. I’d called my sister, Rebecca, before I’d left town to check on Father’s whereabouts.

  I accepted a cup of coffee from Ma and waited while she settled in the chair across from me at the kitchen table. Ma reached out and pushed aside the vase of bright yellow daffodils blocking her view to see me better.

  “Go on,” Ma urged.

  I swallowed. The fact that she’d probably accidentally referred to me as son wasn’t lost on me. Ma had been devastated when I’d left the Amish to be with an English girl. She’d told me that it was the biggest mistake of my life. I found out a couple of months later she was right, but I was too stubborn to admit it, swallow my pride and return to the plain life. Sometimes I regretted my decision to leave the Amish, other times I was thankful for it.

  “Have you ever grown tansy ragwort?” I asked carefully, paying close attention to her eyes as they widened and then recovered.

  Ma chuckled. “You really are ignorant of plants, aren’t you? Tansy is a weed that you can find at the edge of any field. There’s no need to grow it.”

  “I see.” I scratched my chin. “Do the Amish use this weed for medicinal purposes?”

  “Of course. I’ve used it myself as an insect repellant, but it’s been years. When Mammi was alive, I remember seeing tansy hanging in her storeroom to dry. The plant can be poisonous, especially when it’s just cut. After it’s dried, it can still be dangerous to work with. Mammi was well practiced with herbal remedies and trusted herself to use it when needed.”

  I searched my mind for a gentle way to ask my question, a way that wouldn’t offend Ma’s sensibilities.

  “Uh, have you ever heard of tansy being used to cause a woman to lose a pregnancy?”

  Ma slumped back in her chair and sipped her coffee. I took it as a cue to take a sip of mine. The flavor was strong, the way I liked it.

  “Is this about Fannie’s death?”

  I nodded. “Look, I can’t go into details—it’s an active investigation, but something came up about the plant and I thought I’d ask you.” I took another sip and swallowed. “I remember how you used to treat people’s mild ailments with herbs. You’re the most knowledgeable person I know and trust about such things. I was hoping you could help me out.”

  Ma met my gaze with round, moist eyes. She sniffed, collecting herself.

  “Mammi told me tansy could be used to end a pregnancy. She was also a midwife, you know. Sometimes a woman loses a baby, but it doesn’t come out. It will fester inside of her, causing serious illness. Back in those days, our women didn’t go to the English hospitals. Sometimes the community healer would be forced to make up a potion to rid the woman’s body of the dead child. It certainly wasn’t done often, but from time to time it was needed, unfortunately.”

  “Can you think of any other reason a woman might drink the stuff?”

  Ma’s mouth puckered. “It will treat worms, but there are much safer remedies available for that.” She hesitated. “Irene didn’t know about Fannie’s pregnancy. It’s such a scandal. I can hardly believe the girl would have sinned in that way.”

  I frowned at Ma. “You know very well that it takes a man and a woman to make a baby. Fannie wasn’t alone in her supposed sinning.”

  “Supposed? Has the outside world bled every inch of morals from your body?” Ma said with disapproval seeped heavy into her words.

  There was no point trying to talk to Ma about righteousness. We’d never see eye to eye on the subject. The only thing I could do was try to keep her from becoming angry and walking out. This was too important.

  “Even if Fannie sinned, don’t you want to know the truth about her death?”

  Ma exhaled. “Of course I do. Fannie and the babe didn’t deserve that kind of end. If Fannie had lived, there would have been time to ask for forgiveness and make amends. Now there is none.”

  I leaned in further over the wooden table top. “What do you really know about Jonas Peachey? Father indicated he thought having the man here would harm the community in some way, but he never elaborated.” I took a breath. “It’s important you tell me what you know about the medicine man.”

  Ma straightened her back. “The only time I ever used the healing powers was to save your friend Lester. The feeling that came over me was…” She paused. “…not what I expected. Mammi had described it to me years before, and I’d watched her heal on many occasions, so it wasn’t unexpected. It just…” Ma trailed off.

  The light in the kitchen dimmed with the disappearance of the sun. The sky beyond the windows was the hazy gray before nighttime arrived. I felt a chill, and the low light in the room bothered me. Rising, I picked up the matches from the canister on the countertop and lit the gas light above the table, then the one near the sink. The sudden brightness in the room chased away the eerie sensations of the darkness and Ma’s words.

  When I sat back down, Ma looked at me with a sense of resolve on her round face. “I wasn’t sure if whatever power I touched was heaven sent. It didn’t feel right, so I never attempted to touch it again.”

  “What you did saved Lester. How can that be bad?” I asked.

  “I don’t rightly know, but I didn’t want to risk it. Even Mammi was reluctant to use the gift. She only healed when the call to do so was greater than the call not to. The problem I have with Jonas is that he so willingly embraces something that many of us fear to use. Your father feels the same way I do and so does Aaron, but then, he has his own reasons to not trust that man.”

  “Do you think Jonas had something to do his wife’s death?”

  Ma tilted her head. “Women die in childbirth. It’s not uncommon. It wasn’t the fact that it happened that raised our suspicions. It was what Wilma Gingerich told us afterwards that was the most troubling of all.”

  I searched my memory for the name, which sounded familiar. “Wasn’t she the old midwife in our cousins’ Ohio community?”

  “That’s right. She was there the entire time Robyn labored and what she saw was evil,” Ma said.

  Father picked that moment to walk through the door. “What brings you by, Daniel?”

  I looked back at Ma, ignoring Father all together. “What did she see?” I held my breath.

  “It’s not something I wish to speak of. You can question her yourself,” she said with challenging eyes.

  “She’s still alive? She must be ninety by now,” I exclaimed.

  Ma nodded. “Ninety-one to b
e exact. She lives in the same house in the Black Willow.” Ma rose from her chair and grasped my hands. “You must bring the sheriff to Wilma. We’ll see what an Englisher makes of the story and what she’ll do about it.”

  Ma squeezed my hands tightly. “By the way,” she said, “are you going to make an honest woman of the sheriff?”

  My eyes bulged and my checks burned.

  “Leave him alone, Anna. It’s none of our concern who he spends time with. He’s an outsider, remember?” father snapped. He jerked his hat from his head and dropped it on the table.

  For once, Father’s rudeness was more than welcome.

  I took the opportunity and stood. “Thank you talking to me, Ma. Don’t worry. We’ll find out what happened to Fannie and Robyn.”

  As I stepped off the porch into the crisper evening air, I exhaled.

  As difficult as Serenity was being lately, I wondered if I’d just made a promise to my mother that I wouldn’t be able to keep. Would Serenity be willing to drop everything to take a trip to an Ohio Amish community to talk to an elderly woman who probably had dementia?

  When I climbed into the Jeep, the first thing I did was check the messages on my cellphone.

  I couldn’t help saying a silent prayer of thankfulness that Serenity had texted me. She was on her way home.

  11

  SERENITY

  My eyes kept drifting to the clock on the dresser. Any minute Daniel would knock on the door. Or perhaps he’d use the spare keys I gave him. I was kicking myself in the butt for giving them to him now. At the time, it seemed like a good idea. Since then, I’d decided never to make any decisions while my clothes were off.

  Shutting my laptop, I deposited it on the night table and stared ahead at the rustic wood framed painting on the wall. It was a Christmas gift from Daniel. I frowned at it. There was a black buggy in the driveway behind an equally black horse. The sky was blue and the foliage was thick and green from summertime heat. The cornfield drew my eyes. The tall green plants were crowded together in the bright sunshine, looking happy and harmless, but I wasn’t fooled. I would never forget the ominous press of those plants against me as I’d wandered through the field searching for clues to Naomi’s death.

  It had only been six months ago, but it seemed like an eternity. My heart still clenched at the thought of the pretty girl my nephew had fallen in love with and her tragic end. It was so unfair. All she had wanted to do was escape her tedious life, and she’d died for it.

  At least I wasn’t having nightmares about saving her anymore. After I’d managed to get there in time to rescue Mariah in the Poplar Spring’s community from a drug overdose and Cacey from a crazy ex-Amish drug dealer, I’d found a sort of absolution.

  I picked up the piece of paper lying next to me on the bed and read it for the third time.

  Sheriff Serenity,

  I write to you with splendid news. I’m heading home today. I’ve successfully been drug-free for two months. The counselors have released me as being healed. I’m excited to return to the community. I never thought I would miss it, but I did. My parents and Brandy are the only people I’ve seen from home since I came to this place. Without their support, I wouldn’t have made it.

  I don’t know if you’ve heard about Anna King and Rowan. They’re getting married in June. All charges against him were dropped by Sheriff Gentry and he’s been able to move on with his life. The sheriff said something to my Da about enough lives being ruined. We had all prayed for such an outcome, especially for Rowan’s children’s sakes, but never really dreamed it would happen.

  Other good news is that Jotham left his property and business to Rowan until Rowan’s son, Gabe, reaches adulthood. Once Gabe’s eighteen, he’ll inherit it all. It’s unclear why Jotham would have done such a thing, but the income from the store is helping Rowan rebuild his barn from the fire. Gabe would have it no other way. Hopefully, without sounding too selfish, the best news is that Gabe has welcomed me to take my waitressing job back if I want it.

  For the first time in forever, I’m looking forward to the future. Thank you again for making it possible.

  I hope to see you soon.

  With affection,

  Mariah Fisher

  I wiped the wetness from my eyes with the back of my hand. The people of Poplar Springs seemed to be enjoying some much needed peace. I thought about Anna, the school teacher and her shy flirting with Rowan and smiled. She had managed to lasso the man after all. Good for her and for all of Rowan’s children. They were special kids and so was Mariah. I was surprised that she wanted to remain in the community, but not in a bad way. The simple life might be just what that girl needed.

  Depression hit me when I thought about the day’s events. I’d killed a man and had to wash another’s brains out of my hair. It wasn’t that I regretted their deaths. It was more that I was beginning to understand why I’d put off talking to Daniel for so long. My life was screwed up and dangerous. I couldn’t act like a normal woman, hoping for all the things that most women wanted. I lived in a world of violence and chaos. My life was in jeopardy at least once a month, even though I wasn’t in the big city anymore. I’d discovered the hard way that there were as many sickos living in the country and for some reason, they were to be drawn to me like bees to honey.

  I tapped my finger on the pillow, rehearsing what I’d say to Daniel. My throat became dry and itchy at the thought.

  Staring at my cellphone, I grunted and picked it up, dialing.

  “Hello?”

  Hearing Laura’s voice made me feel better. She wasn’t just my only sibling, she was my best friend.

  “It’s me. What are you doing?”

  “Oh, hi, Serenity. I’m just pulling up to the mall to pick up Taylor and her friends. They went window shopping.”

  “Lucky girls.” I paused, glancing at the framed picture on the dresser of Laura, my brother-in-law and my niece and nephew. My family portraits had burned with my house, but Laura had supplied me with more. “How’s Will?”

  Laura’s voice softened. “I talked to him last night for a few minutes. He was getting ready to go into the arena to work cows at a local rodeo. He seems to be enjoying Montana, making friends, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s home by Christmas. I think he’s lonely.”

  I heard the hopefulness in my sister’s voice. I wasn’t so sure Will would be back that soon. He’d lost the love of his life not too long ago. I figured he wouldn’t be back until he met a new girl he liked and really moved on. I didn’t voice my thoughts to my sister, though.

  “I hope he does…” I trailed off.

  “Are you doing okay? When I talked to you earlier, you seemed pretty pumped that only the bad guys were killed in the attempted robbery. Now you sound glum. What’s up?”

  Leave it to Laura to pick up on my mood. I only wished I could tell her the truth—the real reason I was chewing myself up from the inside out. I wasn’t ready yet. It wouldn’t be right to talk to my sister about it before Daniel. I owed him that much at least.

  “It’s a cop thing. I was buzzed on adrenaline earlier. Now I’m sitting here, going through the scene in my head. I guess when the action slowed down, I realized how much danger everyone had been in. In my line of work, things like this happen and you just have to deal with them. There’s a steady stream of bad guys fucking up the world.”

  “You should take a day off. Come over and hang out with me. I just finished last year’s accounting for the shop’s taxes. We can watch movies. It will be fun,” Laura said in a convincing tone.

  “Sorry, sounds great, but I’ll be wrapped up in paperwork and meetings with the feds all week. There was also a strange death in the Amish community the other day that I’m investigating.”

  “Another mystery with the Amish, huh? I don’t envy you.”

  “I know. This one’s weird. Maybe I’ll have time to stop by for dinner over the weekend and fill you in on all the gory details,” I suggested.

  “I�
�ll look forward to it. Here come the girls. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

  “Yep, I’ll be around.” I hung up.

  Daniel peeked around the corner. “Ah, I’m not so sure you will be.”

  His worried grin made my stomach do a somersault. What now?

  “You want me to take a trip to an Amish community in Ohio to talk to a ninety-year-old woman about a death that occurred ten years ago?”

  Daniel nodded. He sat on the edge the bed, turned toward me. He’d lost the grin.

  “I just had an armed robbery in the Blood Rock Bank with all four assailants shot dead. It made national news. I can’t leave town.”

  I wasn’t as perturbed with Daniel as I was with the timing of everything. The opportunity to interview a woman, even an ancient one, about what happened to Robyn Peachey was more than intriguing. It could lead to answers about Fannie’s death and Jonas’ possible involvement.

  “I don’t see why not. It’s not an ongoing situation. The bad guys are dead, no one else is injured. My construction crew is going to be working the entire weekend to repair the glass and spackle the places in the walls with bullet holes. The bank will be open on Monday. What’s the big deal?” Daniel shrugged.

  I rolled my eyes and groaned. “There’s expectations of a sheriff at times like this.” I dared to meet his gaze. “You’re right, I’m not specifically needed in town at the moment, but it would look terrible if I suddenly left town.”

  “Don’t you think Fannie Kuhns and Robyn Peachey are worth the trouble?” Daniel challenged.

  I took a deep breath to keep myself from shouting at Daniel and counted to five in my head. “Of course, I care. You of all people know how invested I am in learning the truth about mysterious deaths and cold cases, but I’m an elected official. I have assumed obligations to live up to. If I’m not careful, I might not have the position for long.”

  “I get it.” Daniel exhaled. “I guess I’ll make the trip on my own, find out what I can and report back to you.” He sighed.

  A black, stormy cloud settled over me. I wanted to go talk to this midwife myself. Daniel was great at dealing with his people, but he didn’t have any detective training. He might say something to Wilma Gingerich that would make her testimony inadmissible in court. And then there was the crazy healing scene that I’d witnessed with Jonas Peachey and Mervin. Strange things were in the wind.