Secrets in the Grave

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  “More like how blessed.” I glanced at Daniel. “He told me he forgave Ada Mae for everything she’d done. He seemed to think the devil got a hold of her senses or something.”

  “The Amish believe in the way of grace. I’m not surprised,” Daniel commented.

  Elayne nodded in agreement and my chest constricted. He understood and so did Elayne. I didn’t get it and probably never would.

  I let the thought go, my gaze shifting back to Elayne. “From Ada Mae’s own admission, she was the one who poisoned not only Robyn, Fannie and Marissa, but her mother accidentally. Jonas’ unacceptable sexual conduct with a simple woman happened in another jurisdiction. We have zero reason to hold him.”

  Elayne puckered her lips in thought. “I was the one who told him about the explosion and his sister’s death. After he asked about his daughters, he seemed relieved, almost as if Ada Mae’s death freed him.” She took a hesitant breath. “Don’t get me wrong, he shed tears. They had a complicated relationship.”

  “Sick is what you mean,” I said.

  She shrugged. “Before I left him, he said he was planning to move back to the Black Willow settlement, once you release him.”

  I huffed and shook my head. Wilma was right. Jonas was an arrogant man. He expected there to be no charges against him, and now that his sister was out of the picture, he was free to pursue another relationship. Perhaps even with Marissa. My throat was suddenly dry and I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth.

  “At least he won’t be our concern anymore. Regardless of his forgiving nature, I’m sure the bishop will be thrilled at the news the medicine man will be leaving us.” I looked at Todd. “Go ahead and take him home. His daughters need him.”

  Todd nodded. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning, boss.”

  Bobby rose from his chair. “It’s going to be a long day tomorrow. I’ll be heading home too.”

  “Thanks, Bobby.” I felt the threat of tears, but kept them from falling. “For everything.”

  He smiled with a nod. “I think I’ll keep to the mortuary and my office from now on. Being in the field today was a little more adventure than I’m used to. I’ll leave it to you kids next time.” He was turning to go when he stopped and looked back. “We’ll have to compare notes on magical healings soon. My first one was quite extraordinary.” He tipped his hat to Elayne and Daniel, and was through the door.

  I raised a questioning brow at Daniel. “Hannah?” I asked.

  Daniel shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable. “Ma healed her. You don’t have to believe. I saw it with my own eyes.”

  I recognized the hurt in his eyes. He wanted me to believe.

  “After everything I’ve seen lately, I’m willing to admit there are some things that can’t be explained by science. They must be miracles.”

  A smile spread on Daniel’s lips and I smiled back.

  At that moment it was just me and Daniel in the room. I’d forgotten all about Elayne standing a few feet away until she cleared her throat and I reluctantly tore my eyes from Daniel.

  Elayne forced a smile. “I’ll catch up with you in a few days to go over all the particulars of the case. You need to heal before we get to work.”

  “Are you starting the job early?” I asked, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice.

  “Are you kidding me? I thought Blood Rock would be dull compared to working in the city. I was wrong. I’ve decided to take up Ed’s offer to start next week.” She tilted her head to Daniel. “I’ll sign the rental papers when I return in a few days with all my things.”

  Daniel nodded, but didn’t say anything.

  The knock at the door was Elayne’s cue to leave. She flashed a smile and paused in the hallway only long enough to say a few words to Hannah in Pennsylvania German and squeeze the girl’s shoulder.

  The nurse pushing Hannah’s wheelchair raised her chin in my direction. “Are you up for another visitor?”

  I didn’t hesitate when I saw Hannah’s puffy face. She’d been crying.

  “Of course, bring her in,” I directed the nurse.

  When the nurse locked the wheelchair into place beside my bed, she said, “I’ll wait in the hallway.”

  Daniel stood. “I’ll be back in a minute,” he said, leaving the room for Hannah’s benefit.

  When Hannah and I were alone, the tears began to dribble down her cheeks. I reached over, offering her my hand. She took it and squeezed.

  “Did you talk to him before he died?” she said through the handkerchief she wiped her nose with.

  “I did.” I swallowed. “The last thing he said was that he loved you.”

  Hannah sucked in a breath, then calmed. She looked at me through wet eyes. “I loved him, too.” She fidgeted with her fingers. “The baby’s gone. I’m being punished for my sins.”

  I flushed with anger and sat up straighter. “No, you’re not. You’re only eighteen and allowed to make some bad choices.” I hardened my voice. “You can’t blame yourself for what Ada Mae did. She was crazy and dangerous. Unfortunately, you and Eli got caught up in her madness.”

  “If I had been more patient and waited for Eli to ask me to court, I wouldn’t have hung out with Arlo and gotten into trouble. I wouldn’t have drank the tea, and Eli wouldn’t have been in the house when it exploded.” A fresh round of tears slipped down her face.

  “You’re right, if those things hadn’t happened, Eli would probably still be here. But he made his own terrible choices when he shot out the Peachey’s window and then when he fired at Ada Mae in the basement. Eli wasn’t an innocent bystander to a train wreck. He helped drive the train off the rails.” Seeing her wide eyes, I lowered my voice. “I’m sorry, Hannah. You’ve had a rough time of it, no argument there, but you need to move on and begin making good choices in your life. Your mom needs you, and you have the support of the community.” I hesitated. “You can stay there, can’t you?”

  “I’ll be forgiven. It’s my choice, but there will be a time of shunning for my sins,” Hannah said with the hint of resentment in her words.

  “Will you remain Amish?” I dared to ask.

  Hannah shrugged. “I don’t know. Only time will tell.”

  “If you ever need help, call me.”

  Hannah nodded.

  “And stay away from Arlo Thomas. He’s trouble,” I advised.

  Hannah’s eyes glittered and I saw her stubborn nature shining though. She was one of those people who were their own worst enemy. I absorbed the tingle of apprehension on my skin.

  “I’m ready to go back to my room,” Hannah called out to the nurse. She looked back at me. “Momma is waiting for me.”

  Daniel passed Hannah as she was wheeled out.

  “How did that go?” he asked.

  “I’m willing to bet there’s more drama on the horizon for that girl.”

  Daniel tilted his head and shrugged off my statement. His eyes were intense when he leaned over and kissed me lightly on the lips.

  He drew back. “Are you okay?”

  I took a deep breath. “My period started when I got to the hospital. I’m not pregnant.”

  I watched his face carefully. His eyes widened and his lips pressed together, then he nodded.

  “It must be quite a relief for you,” he said.

  The beating of my heart slowed and my chest loosened. “Actually, it might sound weird, but I was almost sad when I came out of the bathroom earlier.” His brows rose and I hurried on. “Don’t get me wrong. A pregnancy would have been a disaster at this point in our relationship and my career.” I took a sharp breath. “But for the first time in my life, I could see myself with a kid. You know, a family of my own.”

  The room was quiet except for the beeping of the monitor attached to my arm. I held my breath, wondering if I’d said way too much.

  Daniel bent down and whispered, “So there’s hope for us yet?”

  “It’s not going to be easy.”

  “Nothing ever worthwh
ile is,” he said, echoing Katherine’s sentiments.

  His mouth closed over mine and his tongue slipped between my lips. I lifted my chin, kissing him back. Even with all my bruises and the injury to my leg, I couldn’t deny the tingling sensation that spread out in my groin like warm honey. I could be near death and Daniel would still be able to turn me on.

  The combination cough-throat clearing separated Daniel and me as if we were a couple of kids caught kissing behind the woodshed.

  Two men walked in. The one wearing jeans and cowboy boots smiled cordially. The other wore a button up shirt and didn’t bother with the show of friendliness. I could smell lawmen a mile away and I knew that beneath their blazer jackets, they each had a gun holstered.

  The serious faced man had gray, thinning hair and the air of authority. The cowboy was my age and judging by his relaxed stroll into the room was the sharp shooter of the team.

  “Sheriff Serenity Adams?” the older man asked out of politeness. When I nodded, he said, “I’m John Ruthers.” He motioned to his partner. “This is Toby Bryant.” He pushed his jacket aside just enough to reveal a shiny star on his belt loop. “We’re U.S. Marshals.”

  I’d guessed feds, but I wasn’t expecting marshals.

  “Sorry I’m not in better condition to welcome you to Blood Rock. We’ve had a busy week, if you haven’t already noticed.” I couldn’t keep from sounding wry. “That’s my friend Daniel Bachman,” I said, finishing the introductions.

  The cowboy smirked, dipping his head as if to say, yeah right, friends indeed. The leader simply nodded dismissively. “You do have an active county for its relatively small populace and country setting,” he commented.

  “What can I do for you boys?” I asked, feeling the tension wafting off the men. “I thought you were in the fugitive business.”

  “We are. That’s why we’re here,” John said with a small smile. “We’ve received information that a person we’ve been searching for a long time is hiding in your jurisdiction.”

  “Okay. Do you have a name?”

  The glance that flashed between John and Toby made me question my initial judgment of who was in charge.

  “His name is Jerimiah Suggs. We’re pretty sure he hasn’t gone by that name for years,” John said.

  I frowned. Their cloak and dagger bullshit was pissing me off. “Where do you want to begin looking?”

  It was the cowboy who answered. “The Amish community.”