Who the Bishop Knows

by Vannetta Chapman

“Does he think they killed Jeremiah?”

  “It’s a possibility, though he won’t charge them with it yet.”

  “But they’re in jail.”

  “Probably by now they are.”

  “At least there they can’t hurt anyone else.”

  “And that’s Grayson’s goal, to keep our community—both Amish and Englisch—safe.”

  “I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more. That this isn’t over yet.”

  “It’s not. I agree with you there, but I believe we are a step closer.”

  “Why am I so worried?”

  “Because you love them. Because you’ve had several traumatic events in the last few years that have changed your outlook. Because you’re a good woman.”

  “I thought it was because I was a weak woman.”

  “Never mistake caring for weakness.”

  Instead of answering, she stepped again into the circle of his arms. She was a strong woman, and she was a faithful believer, but it felt good to have Henry’s arms around her, to hear his assurances, to be reminded of his love.

  Lexi bounded back in their direction, carrying a small stick, which she dropped at Henry’s feet. They spent the next few moments playing fetch, laughing at her enthusiasm, and allowing the peace and quiet and joy of the afternoon to ease their fears.

  When they finally turned to walk back toward the others, Henry interlaced his fingers with hers and said, “Now let me tell you more of what Grayson is thinking, and why I’m worried he might be wrong.”

  Forty-Three

  When Silas and Albert had both jogged off to join the game of baseball, Katie Ann and Naomi found a place to sit under a shade tree. They could still see the action of the game, but they were far enough away to speak privately. Naomi thought it strange, that life continued as if nothing had happened, even when very dangerous, dramatic events had occurred only hours before.

  “How are you holding up?” Katie Ann asked.

  “Okay, I suppose. How about you?”

  “Tired. I almost fell asleep during my dai’s sermon.”

  “We had a long night.” Naomi stifled a yawn with her hand and then dropped her head into her hands. “My Aenti Abigail was none too happy when I explained what happened. She thinks we were needlessly reckless.”

  “And your onkel?”

  “Didn’t have much to say. He’s a quiet sort.”

  “My parents weren’t happy either, but they didn’t come down too hard on me or Silas. Maybe they’re used to members of our family being threatened… you know, with what happened with Mammi and all.”

  “How did she take the news?”

  “Not as well. You’d think she’d understand, but…”

  “Maybe she does understand. Maybe that’s why she didn’t take it well.”

  “I suppose you have a point. She was awfully somber during church.”

  “Maybe she needs a little time. I’m sure we gave her quite a scare.” Naomi leaned back, lifting her face to the sun. “I don’t mind admitting last night was terrifying. Seeing those guns pointed at us was like something out of a bad Englisch movie.”

  “I was equal parts frightened and angry. Frightened because… well, obviously because I’m not ready to die, and angry because… How dare they do such a thing? I can’t stand bullies in any shape or form.”

  “Yeah, if Albert hadn’t pulled you back, I think you would have tried to take their guns away.”

  “It’s not that I’m brave. It’s just that what they were doing wasn’t right, and I’m tired of being pushed around.”

  “I like that about you,” Naomi said. “You’re spunky.”

  “Spunky?”

  “It’s a word my aenti uses, though she doesn’t say it as a compliment.”

  “Ya. I suppose that’s not the most common adjective for Amish women.”

  “But I like it.”

  “You like spunky?”

  “I like a friend who has my back.”

  “We make a good team, the four of us, and don’t think I didn’t notice that you and my bruder were holding hands.”

  Naomi drew her knees up and circled her arms around them, making sure her dress reached the ground as she did so. Finally, she glanced at Katie Ann. “You’re smiling, so I guess you aren’t too upset.”

  “Do you like him?”

  “I don’t know. Everything’s happened so fast, and it’s only been a little over a week since—”

  “You already said you and Jeremiah weren’t that close.”

  “We were close. As friends we were, but it wasn’t as if we were in love.”

  “I expect Jeremiah would want you to be happy, though I have to warn you about my bruder—”

  “You already have warned me at least a dozen times! He’s a player. He never stays with one girl more than two weeks. He’s easily distracted by other girls.”

  “I’m glad you were listening.”

  “Of course I was listening. I listen to you, Katie Ann. I just couldn’t understand why you were so intent on pushing me away from Silas.”

  “I didn’t push.”

  “You certainly did a good job of keeping us apart.”

  “Not sure I remember that.”

  “What about the time we all went hiking at the sand dunes? You pulled me all the way to the back of the line with the little kinner, and I didn’t even have a chance to talk to Silas.”

  “Because I was worried about this happening.” But she laughed as she spoke, which eased some of Naomi’s worries. “You know I’d love to have you as my sister.”

  Naomi dropped her forehead to her knees.

  “Now I’ve embarrassed you.”

  “We haven’t even talked about courting, let alone marrying.”

  “You like him, though.”

  “Ya.”

  “You think he’s changed.”

  “Maybe. People can change. I did, when I came here. Before? I wasn’t the fun, pleasant, mature person you know now.”

  Katie Ann sighed. “Ya. I know we all can mature. I just don’t want him to hurt you. I told him this morning—”

  Naomi groaned and slapped her hands over her eyes.

  “I told him if he hurts you, he’s going to have to answer to me.”

  “Should I give the same lecture to Albert?”

  “Albert?” Katie Ann’s voice squeaked like a mouse.

  “I saw you holding hands.”

  “Only for a minute, and only because he thought we were in danger.”

  “Katie Ann Fisher, Albert is smitten and you know it.”

  Instead of answering, Katie Ann jumped to her feet. “Let’s go and play ball with them. I’m tired of sitting.”

  Which meant she was dodging the topic, but that was okay. At least they’d put their feelings out in the open. Naomi hadn’t realized she was worried until that moment. Well, she knew she was worried… about the robbery, the police, Jeremiah’s killers. But that was entirely different from being worried about your best friend’s feelings.

  The team up to bat welcomed them warmly. “We need your help,” Stephen said.

  Their participation equaled up the number of girl and boys on each side.

  Albert was pitching and warned them he wasn’t going easy because they hadn’t slept much. By now everyone knew what they’d been through the night before. There were shouts of “Naomi’s a good hitter! Better watch out!”

  And then she was swinging the bat and connecting with the ball, laughing and running toward first, where Silas pretended to tag her out though Lloyd Yutzy hadn’t managed to return the ball from the outfield yet. He stood staring up at the ball, which she had lobbed high, a borrowed glove on his left hand and his right ready to throw her out.

  Which wasn’t going to happen.

  She felt the warmth of the sun on her arms and the breeze tickling the hair at the nape of her neck. Silas was daring her to try to steal second. Katie Ann was up to bat. Albert was playing up his position as pitcher with
a bizarre windup sequence. And life was good in that instant.

  Naomi was learning the moment you were in was the one you had to enjoy, because there was no way to control what happened next.

  Forty-Four

  Henry knew it wasn’t good news when a Monte Vista police cruiser pulled down Seth’s lane and Grayson stepped out. The sheriff wouldn’t interrupt their Sunday afternoon unless something important had happened. A tightening in Henry’s gut told him this wasn’t a celebratory visit.

  By the time the sheriff reached where Henry and Emma were seated, he’d drawn quite a crowd—basically everyone, including the youngies, who had stopped their ball game.

  “Henry, could I speak with you privately for a moment?”

  “Of course, but I think what you have to say probably needs to be heard by everyone here.”

  Grayson looked down at the ground for a moment. When he raised his gaze to Henry’s and nodded once, Seth popped up out of his chair and insisted he take it.

  Though it was obvious everyone was listening intently, they seemed happy to let Henry lead the questions.

  “There’s news on the case?”

  “We made an arrest.”

  “Justin Lane?”

  “Yes.”

  “But there’s a problem, or you wouldn’t be here.”

  “His bail will be set tomorrow, and I expect he’ll bond out.”

  “He’ll go free?”

  “With an ankle monitor, but yes. I expect the judge to grant bail.”

  Henry thought about that a moment. He wasn’t new to the judicial process, and he understood that bond for murder suspects was traditionally set high, especially if one was considered a flight risk. Which only meant one thing.

  “You’re not charging him with Jeremiah’s murder.”

  “I’m not, and I won’t unless I find more evidence.”

  “Do you think he did it?”

  Grayson didn’t answer immediately. He pulled at his ear and took his time studying the folks assembled around them, people who were intently focused on every word he said.

  “I don’t know if he did or not, but I can’t at this point prove he did, so I won’t bring the charge.”

  “And the robbery?”

  “That’s a different matter. We have a strong case there, strong enough that his lawyer might convince him to enter a guilty plea, which would improve his chances of leniency as far as sentencing.” Grayson stood. “I’m sorry, Henry. I’d hoped to bring a quick resolution to Jeremiah’s murder, but this case seems to become more complicated every day.”

  “We know you’re doing your best.”

  “I wanted to tell you myself. Wanted you to hear it from me before you read it in the papers. Also, I’d like to remind everyone that if you see or hear anything, anything you even think might be relevant to the case, please contact me.”

  Clyde stepped forward. “I haven’t had a chance to call it in, but my fences were cut yesterday, and my horses spooked out onto the county road.”

  “You’re sure they were cut?” Grayson began to pull out his notebook.

  “I am, but we don’t want to file an official report. I took care of the damage with the help of a neighbor.”

  Grayson tapped the notebook against the palm of his hands. Finally, he said, “I’m trying to build a case here, and everything that happens, whether large or small, will help to convince a judge that this person is dangerous.”

  “What person?” Clyde asked. “We have no idea who is doing these things.”

  “Which is why it’s important to document every incident.”

  Clyde shrugged good-naturedly. “I’ll stop by the police station tomorrow, then.”

  “Thank you, and please… ” Grayson allowed his gaze to travel across the group. “Anyone else who has any trouble, please let me know. Together, we can and will catch whoever is doing these things, whether or not it’s the same person who killed Jeremiah. The main thing to remember is if you see something, say something.”

  People nodded and murmured in agreement, and then the group broke up with everyone going back to their various activities. Henry understood his congregation. They would accept such a turn of events as God’s will. They weren’t overly concerned about a murderer in their midst. There had been very little to indicate anyone was in danger since Jeremiah’s murder, except for Seth being run off the road, which might have been an accident. Then there was the warning on Henry’s buggy, and Clyde’s animals being released from their pastures. Things that sounded more like a teenager’s pranks than a threat from a murderer. The robbery the night before had been a clear case of greed, something most of his people thought was rampant in the Englisch world. Henry thought it was a stumbling block for humans in general—both Amish and Englisch.

  He walked Grayson back to his vehicle. They stood there, their backs against the car, and studied the folks spread out around Seth’s farm.

  “Looks like something from a Norman Rockwell painting.”

  “Indeed it does.”

  “You’ve seen them?” Grayson’s voice rose in surprise.

  “Ya. I visited some distant relatives in Massachusetts when I was younger. They took me to the museum. During the time Rockwell painted, which I believe began in 1916, our lifestyle wasn’t so different from mainstream America.”

  “Technology now reigns supreme on my side of the fence.”

  Henry didn’t answer that. Amish struggled with advances in technology the same as Englisch did. It was only that the Englisch seemed to fully embrace it, while the Amish held back. The fact that every house in the valley, including the Amish ones, now had solar panels was testament to the fact that technological innovations affected them all.

  When Grayson still didn’t leave, Henry realized he’d come to say more. He turned to him with an appraising look.

  “Yeah. I didn’t feel comfortable going into great detail with the entire group, but I think it would be good for you to know how this morning went. Lane’s friends turned on him pretty quickly, claimed the robbery was his idea. He assured them no one would get hurt. The guns apparently were empty of ammunition, at least they were when we confiscated them. Lane wanted the money, and his partners in crime didn’t mind receiving part of the loot for helping him get it. It’s as simple as that, but they weren’t willing to murder anyone to get it.”

  “You no longer think he killed Jeremiah?”

  Instead of answering, Grayson opened the door of his cruiser. But he stood there rather than getting in the vehicle, gazing again at the families spread out under the shade of the trees. “I was hoping for a quick resolution to this thing. I’m less convinced that’s going to happen. I want you to be careful, Henry, and remind your people to be vigilant.”

  “You think we’re in danger?”

  “I don’t know,” he said. “Honestly? Our perp might be three states away by now.”

  “Or he might be here among us.”

  “That’s a possibility too.” Grayson tipped his hat, got into the cruiser, and drove away, leaving Henry staring after his friend and wondering what he’d heard in his interrogations to cause him to utter such a warning.

  Forty-Five

  On Monday morning, Naomi helped her aenti with the laundry. The bakery was closed on Mondays, as the three widows were also home doing their laundry. Most weeks, this meant Naomi had the afternoon off to fill as she pleased.

  “I think I’ll go visit with Katie Ann,” she said as she removed the last of the laundry from the clothesline. It was amazing how quickly it dried in the summer heat, but then they did live in a high mountain desert with very little humidity. Some weeks she thought she could begin removing the laundry as soon as she’d finished putting it up, move from the end of the line to the front and back again.

  Her mamm was fond of saying that keeping a neat house was like threading beads on a string with no knot. The memory made her smile and also brought a small pang of regret. She should write to her mamm more oft
en. The letter she’d left on the table for Abigail to add a note was the first she’d written in a month. She should be a better daughter. She would be. She’d set her mind to it.

  “You’ll go straight there and straight back?” Abigail asked.

  “Ya. I promise.”

  “No looking for missing money.”

  “I’m done with that.”

  “No traipsing into crime scenes.”

  “Vernon’s place wasn’t exactly a crime scene.”

  “You heard what the sheriff said yesterday. If you see something—”

  “Say something. I know, Aenti. I’ll go straight there and straight back. I promise.”

  Naomi’s aenti was nearly sixty, but like many Amish women, she wasn’t slowing down much. She’d gained a few pounds over the years, and Naomi often caught her rubbing a special ointment into her knees for the arthritis that plagued her. Her hair was gray, of course, but that was hardly noticeable when she wore her kapp. She was a pleasant person, and she and her husband, Daniel, had been kind to take Naomi in when she needed a change. They’d always made her feel welcome, and for that Naomi was grateful. Their only son, Sam, had built a home on his own small acreage, and word had it that he’d been corresponding with a woman in a Kentucky community. Naomi expected them to announce their intentions any day. She’d seen him reading one of her letters. He turned an amusing shade of red when he realized she was watching.

  For the most part, Sam treated her like the kid sister he never had.

  “Looks like rain over in Del Norte. Could reach here, and I don’t want you out in it.”

  “I’ll come home early if it looks like it’s going to storm.”

  Abigail pulled at the reading glasses she wore on a beaded chain. Popping them on, she looked closely where a stain had been on one of her aprons and then turned to look at Naomi over the top of her glasses. “Remember, we’ve been involved with this sort of thing before when Sam was suspected of killing Vernon.”

  “My cousin would never do such a thing.”

  “Of course he wouldn’t. My point is that we want to stay out of it and let the sheriff solve who did this, put the person in jail, and restore peace to our valley.”