by Amy Lillard
“These are my pajamas!”
Kappy laughed. “You ran to my house in your pajamas?”
“Don’t pick fun. I panicked.”
“I would say so.”
Another knock sounded at the door, this one louder. “Answer the door.” Edie gritted her teeth and jerked her head in that direction.
“All right.” She still didn’t know why Edie could run across her yard, the road, and Kappy’s lawn and back again in her pajamas, but she couldn’t open the door for Jack Jones while wearing them.
She moved toward the door as Edie disappeared up the stairs.
“Detective Jones,” Kappy said, as if his visit was a complete surprise.
“I hear you’re having a little bit of a problem.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder at the crowd still chanting in the front yard.
“You could say that.”
“May I come in?”
Kappy stood to one side, allowing Jack entry.
“Where’s Edie?”
Kappy shut the door and locked it before the protesters could swarm the porch, then turned back to Jack. “She’s upstairs. She should be down in a moment.”
He gave a quick nod and shoved his hands into his pockets. Kappy clasped her hands in front of her and the two stared at each other for a moment.
“Jimmy’s innocent,” she said.
“I believe you said that before.”
She had, but she couldn’t let an opportunity pass. She and Edie were coming up with blanks with every clue they had. They needed professional help. They needed Jack Jones on their side.
“How is the investigation going?”
He gave a shrug without taking his hands out of his pockets. The motion resembled a jerk or spasm more than anything. “I’m not at liberty to discuss any new developments.”
Kappy examined his words, somehow coming up with the meaning. He wasn’t going to talk about it.
“Are you the sheriff?” Anna Mae appeared from the kitchen.
“I’m one of his deputies.” He extended a hand to shake. “Detective Jack Jones.” Anna Mae shook his hand, then turned to Kappy. “I believe my work here is done.” She turned on her heel and disappeared through the kitchen. A moment later they heard the back door shut.
“What was that all about?” Jack asked with a frown.
“Her husband called you out here.”
He stared in the direction where Anna Mae had last been. “Is that Jay Glick’s wife?”
“Jah,” Kappy said.
The look on his face was pure speculation. Kappy liked that word. It was yesterday’s word-of-the-day. And though she hadn’t been able to use it in conversation, she was still proud that she had managed to put it in her thoughts.
“Deputy Jones,” Edie greeted him as she swayed down the stairs. “So good of you to drop by.”
“Detective,” he corrected. “I happened to be in the area when the call went out. But you’re welcome . . . I guess.”
From outside came the sound of another stuttering siren.
“What’s that?” Kappy asked.
“That’s probably the marked cruiser,” Jack said. “They’ll get the protesters off your land.” He swung his attention to Edie. “Any idea why they picked you?”
“Not a clue.” She shook her head and Kappy noticed the glint of light on her lips. Had she put on makeup?
And today’s outfit? She should’ve left her pajamas on. Her orange pants were rolled up to mid-calf, showing off her lower leg, her green flip-flops, and her black nail polish. The shirt she’d picked out was purple with orange polka dots on one side and orange stripes on the other, and Kappy found she couldn’t look at it for very long or the pattern started to move. The nicest thing she could say about it was the colors matched. Sort of. She shifted her attention to Jack.
“HABID doesn’t come out for just minor offenses,” Jack explained. “It looks like you’ve been targeted.”
“You mean like someone called and told them we were running a puppy mill?” Edie asked, her eyes wide and innocent.
“Most probably.”
“But why would someone do that?”
Wait. Hadn’t they already covered this? What was Edie doing?
“Did your mother have any enemies that you are aware of? Maybe a rival? Or longtime feud with someone?”
Edie flipped her hair over her shoulder “No. Not that I know of.”
She was flirting! Edie was flirting with Jack Jones!
Kappy took a step forward. It seemed that neither one of them realized she was still in the room. “What about John David Peight?”
That stirred Jack to attention. “I talked to him myself. There is no evidence against the man.”
“Only that if he destroyed Ruth’s business he would probably double his,” Kappy said.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “He’s off our list of suspects.”
“What about Carlton Brewer?”
“The veterinarian?”
Edie took a giant step between Kappy and Jack. “If we’re going to discuss the finer points of this case, why don’t we all sit down at the kitchen table? I think we would be much more comfortable.” She beamed him her brightest smile. “I’ll fix us something to drink.”
“And some breakfast,” Kappy muttered. Edie had rushed her out of the house so early she hadn’t had time to eat. Her stomach growled in agreement.
“I can’t discuss the case,” Jack said again. “But I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee.”
“Coffee it is,” Edie said, leading the way to the kitchen table.
Jack took the seat, and Kappy was about to slide into the chair opposite him when Edie spoke.
“Kappy, can you come here a moment?”
Kappy gave Jack a quick smile, then joined Edie in front of the stove.
“I don’t know how to make coffee on this thing,” she urgently whispered.
“You never learned to make coffee?”
“I never learned to cook at all. I hated being Amish, remember? I was the one who left.”
“And you can’t light a stove?” Kappy asked again. She could hardly believe what she was hearing.
“I thought I’d made that clear,” she said. “Now make some coffee.”
“So you can flirt with the detective?”
Edie tossed a quick smile over her shoulder, then ducked her head back close to Kappy. “He is cute, don’t you think?”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Kappy said. She supposed Jack Jones did have some sort of dark charm. He had a nice smile, if only he wouldn’t frown so much.
“Well, I think he’s cute and I want to give him some coffee.”
“I’ll make a deal with you. You find me something to eat and I’ll make coffee.” Her stomach growled again, punctuating the sentence.
“Deal.”
Ten minutes later, the coffee was ready. Kappy poured everyone a cup, then looked forlornly at the cheese sandwich Edie had prepared for her. She supposed it was better than nothing and sat down to eat.
“What is going on out there?” Edie asked as she slid into the chair next to Kappy. Her gaze was trained on Jack.
From outside what sounded like shouting through a bullhorn could be heard along with the occasional rip of the siren.
“I’m sure that the uniformed officers are getting everyone off your property.”
Edie heaved a sigh of relief. “Oh, good. I’ve got to get out and feed the dogs.”
“And scoop the poop,” Kappy added.
Edie shot her a withering look, but Kappy just shrugged.
Jack gave her an encouraging smile. “It shouldn’t be long now, and you can go about your daily routine.”
A knock sounded at the front door.
Edie jumped to her feet, and Jack stood as well. “Better let me get that,” he said.
“Of course,” she murmured, but followed behind him to the front door.
A uniformed deputy sheriff stood on the other side of the threshold. “
We’ve done what we could, Jack.”
“But they’re barely off the yard,” Edie protested.
Kappy stood and, sandwich in hand, joined the others at the door. The protesters had been pushed out of the yard, but as Edie had observed, only just. They stood on both sides of the road while some even stood in the lane. They still held their signs. Some sat in lawn chairs and all still chanted about the evils of puppy mills.
“That’s the thing,” the deputy said. “Some man is out here telling them that the three feet on either side of the road belongs to the county. I’ve got a call in to find out, but until then I’m not sure I can make them move.”
“I told him he didn’t need to call.” Jay Glick strode up the porch steps to stand next to the deputy. “I know that land belongs to the county. Ruth only had an easement for the lane there. She and Martha have use of it as the driveway, but it doesn’t belong to them.”
“If that’s the case,” Jack started, “we can’t make them move any farther.”
“Are you kidding?” The flirty gleam in Edie’s eyes died a quick death that very instant.
“I’m afraid so. Unless they get out of hand and threaten you or each other, then they have every right to protest on public property.”
“But . . . but . . .” Edie stuttered.
“I’m sorry.” Jack flashed her that sweet smile of his. When he did that, Kappy supposed he really was cute.
“Thanks for nothing, Jack Jones.”
He stepped over the threshold and onto the porch. It was a good thing, for Edie closed the door, effectively shutting the three men on the other side.
Edie whirled on her, throwing her hands up in the air in frustration. “Can you believe that?”
“I suppose so,” Kappy said. She didn’t know the first thing about easements, only that they existed.
Edie turned back to the door. Even though it was still closed, she hollered out to Jack Jones. “And go check with Carlton Brewer. Something’s not right with that man!”
Whether Jack heard her or not, Kappy had no idea. She took another bite of her cheese sandwich while the world went crazy around her.
Chapter 12
“I want to go visit Jimmy,” Edie said sometime after lunch.
And Kappy needed to go feed Elmer. But how were they going to get out amid all the protesters? They managed to get into the backyard to feed Ruth’s dogs, but trying to leave on the lane was a different matter altogether.
The crowd hadn’t thinned any since Jack Jones left that morning. Two uniformed deputies had stayed behind, their cars parked to one side of the road, lights flashing as if to remind HABID the police were there still.
Kappy peeked out the front window. It would be next to impossible to get Edie’s car through the throng. But Jack had gotten in this morning. And back out. She snapped her fingers. “I’ve got it. We call Jack, have him come get us, and take us over there.”
Edie’s face brightened. “Do you think it will work?”
“We’ll never know unless we try.”
“I think I have his card.” Edie hopped up from the couch and went to fetch her purse, a big yellow monstrosity that looked like it was made out of lemon peels.
She dug around for a moment, then held the card over her head as if it were a winning lottery ticket. “Here it is.” She grabbed her cell phone and dialed the number.
“How are you keeping your phone charged?” Kappy asked.
“Hello?” Edie said. She mouthed car charger, then turned her attention back to whoever answered on the other side. “Is this Jack Jones?”
Edie paused as if waiting for an answer.
“Jack, this is Edie Peachey. I would like to visit my brother, but with all the protesters outside, I can’t get through. Would you be able to come pick up me and Kappy and take us to the jail?”
Kappy held her breath as she waited. It was one thing to choose to stay at home all day and quite another to be forced into the practice. She was more than ready to get out of the house.
“Oh, good,” Edie gushed. “We’ll be ready.” She tapped the phone off.
“He’ll do it?” Kappy asked.
Edie nodded. “He’s on his way.”
* * *
Not only did Jack Jones pick them up and take them to the jail so Edie could see Jimmy, he got clearance for Kappy to go in, too.
“Are you getting enough to eat?” Edie asked.
They were sitting at a small metal table in the room that was barely big enough to hold it and the three chairs. Kappy settled down next to Edie and across from Jimmy. It was good to see his face again.
“I’m okay,” Jimmy said. But Kappy could tell he was putting on a brave face for his sister. “Heather, that’s the girl at the front desk, she brings me stuff.”
Edie frowned. “What kind of stuff?”
“She brought me a coloring book and some colored pencils and a box of graham crackers. Stuff like that.”
Edie visibly relaxed. “Did you remember to tell her thank you?”
“Jah. Of course I did.” He scratched his neck around the collar of his orange jumpsuit. “I don’t like these clothes,” he complained. “And I don’t think the bishop would like them, either.”
His sister reached across the table and squeezed his fingers reassuringly. “The bishop understands. This is a special circumstance.”
Jimmy gave an exaggerated nod. “And they took my call necklace away.”
“It’s okay. They’ll give it back when you get out of here,” Edie said. “You don’t need it right now.”
“Jah. I guess not.” He frowned.
Edie leaned forward in her seat, grabbing both of Jimmy’s hands and tugging on his fingers to gain his full attention. “Listen, Jimmy. I need to talk to you about something important.”
He dipped his chin in another exaggerated nod, his cowlick bobbing with the motion.
“Look at me,” Edie commanded. “Look in my eyes.”
Jimmy did as instructed.
“Can you tell us about the morning that Mamm died?”
He closed his eyes as if shutting her out. “I don’t want to think about that.”
“I know it’s hard. It’s hard for me, too, but I’m trying to get you out of here. And in order to do that, I need to know about that morning.”
He blew out a gusty breath, then started shaking his head. “No, no, no,” he chanted.
“Jimmy!” Edie tugged on his fingers once more. “Look at me. This is important.”
Jimmy reluctantly opened his eyes.
“You have to tell me what happened that day.”
Kappy could almost see the wheels turning in Jimmy’s brain. “We got up that morning like we always do,” Jimmy said. “We ate breakfast. Mamm made pancakes with honey. They were so good.”
“Mamm’s pancakes are good,” Edie agreed.
“But you don’t like them with honey,” Jimmy said.
“That’s not important right now,” Edie explained. “After pancakes, then what happened?”
“Then we went outside to feed the dogs and scoop the poop.”
Edie smiled a little sadly to herself. “Yes, got to scoop the poop. What happened after that?”
“I fed the ducks and the rabbits and the gerbils. And we got the puppies and everybody else fresh water.”
“So it was a normal day. Is that what you’re saying?” Edie asked.
“Every day is beautiful,” Jimmy said.
“Yes, it is,” Edie agreed.
Kappy nodded. If only more people felt like Jimmy. “When did you come to my house?” she asked.
A pale pink stain crept into Jimmy’s cheeks. “Just after lunch. Mamm wanted me to paint the doghouses. She said she had someone important coming over and she wanted everything to look extra special.”
Edie caught Kappy’s gaze. Maybe this was the clue they were looking for.
“Who was coming over, Jimmy?” Edie asked.
“I don’t know. Just someone sp
ecial.”
“And Mamm didn’t say his name?”
“No, just that he was important and special and everything had to look perfect.”
“Okay,” Edie said. “So you painted the doghouses. Then what happened?”
“I had a bunch of paint left over, so I took it over to Kappy’s house and painted her front door.”
“Did Mamm know you left the house?”
Jimmy shook his head.
It was just as Kappy thought. He snuck over while no one was looking and painted her door.
“Why did you paint Kappy’s door?” Edie asked.
That flush of pink reappeared to color Jimmy’s face. “I like her.”
“I like her, too. But I didn’t paint her door,” Edie said.
Jimmy heaved a big sigh. “She and Hiram had just broken up. And I like her. So I wanted . . .”
“What did you want, Jimmy?” Kappy asked.
“I wanted all the guys to know that she is single now. If everyone knows that, maybe she can find a new boyfriend. One better than Hiram.”
“And that’s why you painted my door blue?” Kappy asked.
“Jimmy, you know as well as I do the whole blue-door saying is just a myth.”
He nodded. “Jah, but what if one of the guys believes it? People believe myths all the time. If they believe and see her door . . .” He trailed off again.
His friendship and devotion were touching. “Danki,” Kappy murmured, unable to say anything else.
“So you painted Kappy’s door, then what?” Edie asked.
Jimmy shook his head. “No, no, no,” he chanted once again.
“Jimmy,” Kappy said. She laid one hand on his arm to gain his attention. “When you got back to the barn, is that when you found your mamm?”
Tears rose in his big gray eyes, tears so sad they nearly broke Kappy’s heart.
“Stay with me here, Jimmy.” Edie ran her thumbs across the back of Jimmy’s hands. He gave a small squeeze in return. “Did you see anything on the way back home?”
“Anything?” he asked.
“How about anything unusual?” Edie qualified. “Like a strange car?”
“An unfamiliar buggy?” Kappy added. “Someone walking down the road?”
She almost asked about a woman in red or a man in a blue or green shirt, but she knew better than to put ideas in his head.
