Kappy King and the Pickle Kaper

by Amy Lillard

  “Did he . . .” Kappy started.

  Edie laughed. “He did. Not sure where he picked up that one, though.”

  “There’s no way to know,” Kappy agreed.

  “Anything else happen?”

  “I almost forgot. Hiram.”

  “What about him?”

  “He looked terrible. He pulled me aside and started telling me that Willie called the shanty yesterday.”

  “He was at church? Your church?”

  Kappy nodded.

  “And you’re just now telling me?”

  True. She had lost her focus in a pair of deep blue, bottomless eyes. “I sort of got distracted.”

  “I would fuss, but I would like to hear the story first.”

  “There’s not a lot to tell. Just that Willie called and was worried that someone was going to hurt him. He said something about wanting to come home but he couldn’t.”

  “Hiram talked to Willie directly?”

  Kappy shook her head. “He left a message at the phone shanty. But you know what this means?”

  “It means Willie is our Mr. Text.”

  “Agreed. But should I tell Hiram that we’ve been in contact with him?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  Kappy wanted to protest. All she could see was the sad and worried look in Hiram’s eyes. He was fretting for his brother, not that she could blame him. “What about Jack?”

  “Why are you so determined for me to hand my phone over to Jack Jones?”

  “Something’s wrong with the whole thing.”

  Edie nodded. “Of course there is. Someone was murdered. And you think that’s right?”

  “Not exactly what I meant, but jah. We’ve been collecting all this information, and we still can’t figure it out. Maybe it’s time to give what we have to the professionals and let them handle it.”

  “I don’t know.” Edie frowned. “If we give it to them, you know Willie will stop texting. Are you prepared for that?”

  “He might continue to text. If he’s scared and hiding, maybe if he knows that the police are looking into this, then he’ll come home.”

  “Because he feels so safe?”

  “Jah. No.” Kappy shook her head. “We need to help him, and I believe now that giving the phone to Jack is the only way.”

  “I understand.”

  “So you’ll do it?”

  “No. But I’ll think about it.”

  That was all Kappy could ask.

  * * *

  But Monday brought no clear answers. Kappy got up and ate, got dressed, and headed over to Edie’s to help feed the animals.

  She no sooner set foot onto the property than Edie was dragging her inside. “You’ll never guess what happened.”

  “You bought new clothes at an all-night department store.”

  “Funny. Ha-ha.”

  “What happened?”

  “I shouldn’t tell you, you know. Not after that crack.”

  “Okay.” Kappy made to leave, but Edie grabbed her arm, effectively stopping her.

  “I got another text last night.”

  “You what?”

  Before she could repeat the words, Jimmy came into the kitchen. “Good morning, Kappy. Danki for coming to help me this morning. Are you ready to go?”

  “In a minute,” Edie said. “We need to talk about a couple of things first.”

  Jimmy’s expression fell. “But Kappy came to help me.”

  “And she will. In a bit. Okay?”

  For a minute Kappy thought he might protest more, but that just wasn’t Jimmy’s way.

  “Jah. Okay,” he said, then trudged out the door.

  Kappy glanced at the phone, remorse hitting her like a strong north wind. “This needs to wait, Edie.”

  “But—”

  “I’m just as anxious to see it as you are to show it to me, but Jimmy . . .” She trailed off with a small nod toward the door he’d just exited.

  It took only a moment for her meaning to sink in. “You’re right.” Edie pushed up from the table and together they walked out to help Jimmy.

  His smile alone was worth solid gold as far as Kappy was concerned.

  “I think he’s jealous,” Kappy said as they stood back and waited for Jimmy to finish using the water hose. He was a good aim most days, but there were enough times when he wasn’t exactly watching where the stream was pointed that Kappy and Edie knew to stay well enough back.

  Edie scoffed. “Of what?”

  “The time you spend with me.”

  “Thinking pretty highly of yourself, are you?”

  “It’s not that. You were gone for so long. He didn’t see you for years. Now you’re back and spending a lot of time with me. I think he needs some sister-brother time, is all.”

  “We get plenty of time together.”

  “Do you?”

  Edie thought about it, but didn’t actually answer.

  “It might help if you make a decision about whether you’re staying or going. He’s smart enough to figure out that if you leave he will have to go as well.”

  Kappy could almost see the realization click in Edie’s thoughts. “I wouldn’t take him away from here. This is his home. I know that.”

  “You would leave him here to take care of himself?”

  “Not exactly. I would find someone to take him in. Like you or Martha Peachey.”

  “That’s not what he wants, and you know it. He’s scared out of his mind that you’re going to leave and never come back. That’s why he’s working so hard and begging for new animals. Because if he can get you to commit to more animals, the less likely you’ll be to move.”

  “I never . . .”

  Kappy touched her arm in a measure of support. “I know.” She gave Edie the most encouraging smile she could muster. “But it’s time to make up your mind for good. For Jimmy’s sake.”

  * * *

  Once they finished the chores, Edie sent Jimmy in to wash his hands. When he was out of sight, she pulled her phone from inside her shirt, thumbed it awake, then handed it to Kappy. “What do you make of this?” she asked.

  Kappy studied the screen. “This is from Mr. Text?”

  “Aka Willie Lapp.”

  “Aka?”

  “Don’t worry about that. What do you think of the text?”

  Kappy read it again.

  No one understands.

  “It’s correct. I don’t understand it, either.” Kappy handed the phone back to Edie.

  “But it sounds more frustrated than the last ones, don’t you think?”

  Kappy shrugged. “I suppose. But why?”

  “Exactly my question.”

  “Now I’m really confused.”

  “I think Willie is getting tired of being out and not able to come home.”

  “But he could come home. I mean, why not?”

  “Because there’s a killer on the loose, and he witnessed the murder.”

  She nodded. All the doubts were starting to fall away. “Unless . . .” she started, but quickly trailed off.

  “Unless what?”

  “He’s hiding because he knows that the killer was after him first.” Even as Kappy said the words she knew they held no merit, but they served to make her think more about the situation. Or was it differently?

  “Why? Why would the killer be after Willie Lapp? It makes more sense if they were after Jonah. He was supposed to be driving the buggy that day.”

  “Why would anyone be after Jonah?” Edie asked.

  But the answer came to them at the same time. “Because he was dating an Englisch girl,” they said simultaneously.

  Edie grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the porch. They sat on the steps, each mulling over this new theory.

  “But I thought Mr. Text was Willie Lapp.” Kappy nibbled on the end of her thumb as she mulled over the changes to their theory.

  “I did, too. But why would he text me?”

  “Why would Jonah?”

  Edie
nodded. “Good point. So it’s safe to say that we have no evidence as to the identity of Mr. Text. Just theories.”

  And bad ones at that.

  “If Jonah truly was the original target, then he could be in danger, jah?”

  “I suppose. I mean, if the killer is still after him.”

  “The woman with long dark hair.”

  “We think,” Edie added. “I mean, we’ve been wrong about a few other things.”

  “All the more reason to give what we have to Jack.” Kappy could almost hear the thoughts arguing with one another in Edie’s mind. “Maybe,” she finally grumbled.

  But Kappy knew as well as Edie did that there was more to this situation than met the eye. Too many ifs that took their ideas in too many different directions.

  Just then the sound of a car engine floated in from the lane, mixed with the baying howl-barks of the beagles. Elmer jumped to his feet and joined in, and a moment or two later, Jack Jones’s familiar unmarked police car came into view.

  “What does he want?” Edie muttered.

  “My guess is to talk to you.”

  “Funny,” Edie said.

  “This is the perfect time, you know.”

  Her lips pressed together in a thin line of a frown. “I don’t know, Kappy.”

  “If we make the wrong decision, another young person might lose their life.”

  Edie didn’t answer. She just pushed to her feet and made her way across the yard toward Jack.

  “Be quiet, puppy,” Kappy said. Elmer whined a bit, but stuck close to her, flopping back onto the grass and watching Jack with wary brown eyes.

  “I heard Willie Lapp came back last night,” Jack said in lieu of an actual greeting.

  Edie whirled around and nailed Kappy with a look.

  Kappy was on her feet in a heartbeat. “We hadn’t heard.”

  Jack nodded. “You know how things get around in Blue Sky. Strange, though. I thought you and his brother were thick.”

  “We’re friends,” Kappy muttered, as she and Elmer made their way over to the pair.

  Jack gave a stern nod. “I came to ask a favor.” The wind ruffled his inky-dark hair as he stared off in the direction of the puppy pens. The dogs had barked out their initial warning and were settling down a bit. Only the newest of the puppies continued, obviously seeking the attention of this newcomer.

  Edie’s eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms, shifting her weight as if to tell him without words what she thought of his request.

  “What sort of favor?” Kappy asked.

  “Willie Lapp disappeared just after Sally June died. It might just be a coincidence, but I have to make sure.”

  “No stone unturned,” Edie muttered.

  “Something like that.”

  “What does this have to do with me?” Kappy asked.

  “We went there yesterday, but no one is talking. I was hoping that perhaps you could swing by and see what they are saying.”

  Kappy shook her head. “I—they’re my friends. I can’t spy on them for you.”

  Jack shifted his weight, obviously uncomfortable with the imbalance of power. “Listen. I know it’s a lot to ask, but if I can completely clear Willie, then I can get on to finding the actual murderer. Sally June was your friend, too, right?”

  Kappy nodded, though warily.

  “Don’t you want to bring her killer to justice?”

  Kappy wanted nothing more than to help him solve this case, but spying on her friends . . . ? “I don’t know . . .”

  “I think you should.”

  Kappy whirled around to see if Edie was serious. Her expression appeared somber enough. Her eyes weren’t twinkling with laughter. Her lips weren’t twitching with barely controlled mirth.

  “You mean that?” Kappy finally asked.

  “I do. It’s time to work together.”

  “Does that mean you’re showing him your phone?”

  “Phone?” Jack echoed. “What about your phone?”

  “You just had to, huh?” Edie grumbled. She tossed her pink hair and leveled her gaze on Jack. “Someone’s been texting me.”

  “O-kay.”

  “I think they might be involved with Sally June’s death.”

  “When did the texts start?”

  “The day after the accident.”

  “You’re just telling me about them?”

  Edie shrugged.

  “You have your phone right now?”

  She nodded.

  “You keep the texts on there?”

  “Yes.” Edie’s voice was filled with a begrudging growl.

  Jack held out his hand. “Fork it over.”

  “But—” she protested.

  “No buts. You may have been harboring evidence that could have solved this case over a week ago.” He curled his fingers in a “give it” sort of way.

  “Fine.” Edie blew her bangs out of her face and fished her phone from the back pocket of her bright yellow jeans. She handed it to him but not without a piercing stare. “I need it back yesterday. It’s the only one I have.”

  Jack took it and slipped it into his own pocket. “You know I could arrest you for impeding an investigation.”

  “Then arrest me.” Edie gave him her best tough-girl shrug. Kappy had seen it a couple of times, and this time was no different: It didn’t work.

  “I still might.”

  They appeared to be at an impasse, neither one willing to back down. But Kappy knew one thing for certain: Jack could arrest Edie. Unless she did something to convince him not to.

  She took two giant steps forward and stood between them. She turned her attention to Jack. “I’ll do it.”

  Chapter 20

  “What?” Both Edie and Jack spoke at the same time.

  “I’ll go over to the Lapps’ and see if I can find out anything from Willie. But if I do, you have to promise not to arrest Edie.” She wasn’t sure it was something Jack could actually promise—not to take Edie to jail—but Kappy had to ask.

  “You’d do that for me?” Edie said.

  Kappy ignored her. Besides, she had a feeling the admiration she heard in Edie’s voice was faked for Jack’s benefit.

  “Go visit him as a friend and if you happen to see something or hear something, then let me know, okay? That’s not too much to ask.”

  It was a lot. But too much? She shook her head. “I won’t tell you if he’s guilty. Because I know he’s not.”

  Jack raised his stubble-darkened chin. “Fair enough. When can you go?”

  Kappy sighed. “This afternoon.”

  “The sooner the better,” he said. “Then call me when you’re done.”

  Kappy nodded. “Jah. Maybe I’ll swing by the station.”

  Jack gave them a quick smile. “I’ll be waiting.”

  * * *

  “I can’t believe you’re doing this,” Edie grumbled as she drove Kappy to Willie’s house. He still lived with his parents, of course, and Hiram had built a house next door when he and Laverna married. It wasn’t completely out of the question for her to drop in and see Hiram, then check on Willie.

  “Would you rather go to jail?”

  “He wasn’t going to take me to jail.”

  Edie’s voice sounded confident enough, but Kappy didn’t believe it for a second. This case was different from Ruth Peachey’s. Kappy could see it in Jack’s face, in his eyes. He had said that he needed their support and she believed him.

  “I still think we should help him.”

  “We’re helping him, all right. Who knows when I’ll get my phone back.” She held up the small plastic “ladybug” phone that she had bought for Jimmy.

  “You took his phone?”

  Edie rolled her eyes. “I can only call my phone with it, but I gave this number to the service that monitors his alert necklace. That way if he pushes his button at least I’ll know it.”

  “Good idea.”

  “You know what would have been a better idea?” Edie asked.
“Not letting Jack Jones have my cell phone.”

  “He said he’d give it back.”

  “Yeah, right.” Edie turned onto the lane leading to the Lapp farm and pulled to a stop in front of the barn.

  “I guess I’ll wait here,” she said.

  Kappy frowned. “Jah. Do that. Because that doesn’t look strange at all.”

  “What am I supposed to do? Go in and tell them that I was worried about Willie and wanted to come by despite the fact that I’m under the Bann?”

  “Let me think about it a minute. Jah.” Kappy got out of the car, surprised to hear Edie do the same.

  “Fine. But no one’s going to talk to me.”

  “Even better.” Kappy shot her a saucy grin. “Maybe you’ll talk less, too.”

  “Ha-ha. Very funny.”

  The door was pulled open almost as soon as Kappy knocked, as if whoever answered had been waiting for them to stop in.

  “Hi, Emma. Can we come in?”

  “Jah.” Hiram’s sister stepped back to allow them to enter.

  “You probably don’t know Edie Peachey,” Kappy said. “But don’t worry about it. You don’t have to talk to her. She’s under the Bann.” She whispered the last three words as if they were some dark, ancient secret.

  “Oh.” Emma’s blue eyes widened in surprise. “I won’t.”

  “Thanks a lot,” Edie muttered under her breath.

  “We wanted to come by and check on Willie.”

  Kappy wouldn’t have thought it possible, but Emma’s eyes grew even wider. “How did you know he’s home? We haven’t told anyone.”

  “Uh . . .” Kappy couldn’t find the words she needed. And she needed them desperately. What do I say? What do I say?

  “You know how Blue Sky is.” Edie chuckled. “You can’t blow your nose around here without a write-up in the paper.”

  Emma looked from Edie to Kappy. Then from Kappy back to Edie. “What do I say?” she whispered to Kappy.

  “You don’t have to say anything,” Kappy assured her. “Can I see Willie now?” At least Edie’s boldness had saved her from having to answer the question she had no answer for. No one knew that Willie Lapp was back in Blue Sky? Then how did Jack Jones know? It seemed the detective knew more about the case than he was letting on.

  “Jah. Of course.” She nodded her head and motioned for Kappy to follow her. Left with no other choice, Edie trailed behind. “Hiram’s with him,” Emma said as she made her way down the hall.