by Dana R. Lynn
Once they were both buckled into the vehicle, the marshal did a shaky three-point turn and departed from the Burkholder haus.
“I’m glad you were able to get away. I’ve been stewing over this case all morning and decided I wanted to have another go at looking around Beth’s house. I thought you might be helpful. It’s never a good idea to check in on a crime scene alone.”
Kate laughed, relieved. “I was wanting to go look around, but I didn’t have a phone to call you. Abram had planned to help me look around, but he must have been detained at work.”
“It’s probably best not to bring him any further into it. We’ll be better off with the two of us.” Marshal Delacure adjusted the radio, turning it down so it was background noise.
That was probably true, but Kate felt odd leaving without him. She didn’t object, though. “If we don’t find anything useful at Beth’s house, then I think we should go over to the bed-and-breakfast and talk with her coworkers. However, I’m inclined to leave that until I have Abram with me, since the place is owned by his relatives.”
“I can go along with that plan.” The marshal stepped on the gas and drove toward the house that her missing witness had been living in.
Kate held back a snarky comment congratulating the marshal on almost driving the speed limit. It was the kind of remark she could make with her partner. Or with Abram. She wasn’t sure about the marshal and she didn’t want to offend her. Plus, the marshal didn’t have to invite her to help out. It would have been easy enough for her to tag the Sutter Springs police department. Lieutenant Greer already had some idea of what was going on. She had to appreciate that.
When they arrived at the house, both women sat in the car for a moment, peering around them, trying to see if there was any danger. Not seeing anything out of place, they looked at each other and nodded. At the same time, they put their hands on the door handles and stepped from the car.
“Are we sure there are no more bombs?” Kate asked, somewhat nervous after her previous experience.
“Well, as of yesterday there was nothing. Lieutenant Greer made sure to give the place a thorough sweep. I think we can go inside without any risk.”
Kate quirked her right eyebrow at the other woman. “Do you think he’d get his nose out of joint if he knew we were here?”
She had a healthy respect for law enforcement, being a cop herself, and she really didn’t want to step on the local police officer’s toes again.
Marshal Delacure laughed. “Relax! I called him myself this morning and told him that I might be bringing you over here.”
Kate grinned. The other woman had figured her out fairly quickly.
“Oh, before I forget.” The marshal reached into her pocket. “The second reason I came out was to give you this. Here’s a new phone you can use. I already plugged some important numbers in it. The marshals paid for it since you lost your previous phone helping us.”
“Thanks.” Kate accepted the phone gratefully and slipped it into the pocket in her apron. Investigating Beth’s disappearance, and Gary, would be smoother with easy access to a phone with internet capabilities.
Together, the women made their way slowly up the front steps of the house. It felt strange entering an Amish house by the front door, but the back porch had been completely demolished so there wasn’t really any choice. Inside the house, they allowed their eyes to acclimate to the change in lighting.
“Wow!” Katie turned in a full circle. “When you guys said someone had ransacked her house, you weren’t kidding. I don’t think there’s a place we can step where we won’t tromp all over Beth’s belongings.”
“Yeah, I know. Kind of sad.” The marshal frowned and scanned the room they were in. “We don’t have that much time. Tell you what, you take the upstairs and I’ll take the downstairs.”
Kate really didn’t want to be separated. Suddenly, she wished Abram had come with her. Nonsense. She would be fine. This was a routine procedure. Putting on a show of confidence she so did not feel, Kate nodded and strode over to the stairs. As she moved up the stairs, her stomach sank lower with each step upward she took.
It wasn’t a large house. She finished with the first room and started on the second. There were papers everywhere. It was a bit overwhelming. Not to mention how rude it felt to be going through someone else’s things. But she had a job to do. Kate shoved aside her misgivings and pulled a dresser drawer out. As she had suspected, the drawer itself was empty, all of its contents having already been spilled on the floor.
She tried to push it back in. It wouldn’t move. Frowning, she tried to shut it again with more force.
It was completely jammed. Pulling the drawer out and completely removing it from the tracks, she carefully brought the drawer over to the bed and turned it upside down.
A letter-sized envelope was taped to the bottom of the drawer.
Excitement coursed through her. This could be the break they were searching for. Holding her breath, she carefully removed the envelope. It had been taped shut. Working slowly, she opened it, taking care not to damage the contents.
She hissed as she read the contents.
Beth had been playing sleuth. She’d talked with the family and friends of Ishmael, the boy who’d overdosed. She’d also talked with the families of other victims, parents who had insisted their child was being forced to sell drugs.
She turned the paper over. Her eyes widened. Beth had also been keeping track of Gary’s comings and goings. His name was Gary Lloyd, and Kate wasn’t the only one to suspect him of being more than a deliveryman. She’d apparently saved another young girl from him after hearing what was possibly a kidnapping plot. The girl had had no idea she was a target when Beth asked her to switch schedules.
Later that night, she’d gone to see Lieutenant Greer.
Katie froze.
He had acted like he knew nothing about what was going on. Obviously, the man had lied.
A lot of new questions burst into her mind. What game was the lieutenant playing? Had he lied about not knowing who Beth was?
A shiver passed through Kate. She recalled hearing that witnesses were only ever in danger if they broke the rules. Had she broken the rules? Had Beth revealed her secrets to the lieutenant in a quest to protect the local kids?
Suddenly, she realized that she couldn’t hear anything downstairs. Stepping gently so as not to make any noise, Kate moved to the door and pressed her ear against it. Nothing. A chill swept through her that had nothing to do with the cold. At the very least, she should hear Marshal Delacure moving around. Had something happened to the other woman?
A creak coming from the base of the stairs caught her attention. Followed by a muffled exclamation. She stiffened. Marshal Delacure’s voice was higher and distinctly female.
There was a man in the house, and it wasn’t Abram.
ELEVEN
Abram drove home through the heavy rain and violent wind. Every gust pushed against his buggy. The mare put her head down against the resistance. Her ears were pinned back. Steering in these conditions was dicey. When he arrived home, he’d need to tell Katie that they might have to hold off on their trip to Beth’s haus. He hated to disappoint her, but it was best to stay home in this weather.
She’d be upset with the change of plans, but he was hoping she’d understand. After all, he couldn’t justify risking their lives or putting his mare in danger when they could go the next morning. He’d ask daed if he could skip work and take her around. That way, they’d have the full day to search. He’d go wherever she wanted to go without a single complaint.
Surely, that would be sufficient.
He unhitched the horse and swiftly rubbed her down. After she was taken care of, he put the tack away in its proper place. Holding his hat on his head, he made a mad dash from the barn to the haus to avoid getting wet, but also to see Katie. He couldn’t ex
plain his sudden anxiety, but he wanted her to know that she could rely on him. Showing up over an hour late probably wasn’t the best way to go about that. On the porch, he shook off as much water as he could before stomping off his boots and opening the door.
Entering the haus, he set his hat on the peg and moved into the main part of the haus. His mamm was in the front room. He greeted her distractedly as he noticed Katie wasn’t in the room. Frowning, he walked through the haus as he searched for Katie. She was probably upstairs in the room she’d slept in the night before.
Still uneasy, he shrugged. He could wait a few more minutes to talk with her. He couldn’t explain the edginess that had him pacing in front of the large picture window. He was bone tired, but the moment he lowered himself into a chair, his agitated nerves had him shooting back up to begin pacing again.
He spent a few more minutes conversing with his mother, telling her about his day. All the while, he was listening for Katie.
Finally, he couldn’t stand it any longer. “Is Katie upstairs?”
“Oh,” she said as her hand flew to his mouth. “I forgot. Her marshal friend came over and asked her to go for a drive. That was about forty minutes ago.”
A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He knew the marshal was a capable woman, but he had a bad feeling about this.
“Mamm, I gotta go. When Daed gets home, if I’m not back, have him go to the emergency box and call the police. Send them to Beth Zook’s haus.”
Grabbing his hat, he darted out the door and flew off the porch, completely bypassing the steps. Running to the barn, he re-hitched his mare. Even if he was wrong and everything was fine, he’d rather take the chance rather than not and find out later that she’d needed him.
“Sorry, girl. I’d wait but Katie might be in trouble.” He’d never tacked up a horse as quick in his life. Hopping into the buggy, he twitched the reins to start the mare moving. Obediently, the animal started forward.
Beth’s haus was only a few minutes away. Anxiety raced through his system like a fire through dry leaves. He reminded himself that they’d be there soon.
He knew it would be slow going. Uttering a quick prayer, he pleaded Gott to let him arrive in time. If only the wind would cooperate. When the wind died down, he sent a prayer of gratitude and praise up. Only Gott would be able to answer his prayer and calm the weather, allowing him to push the horse to a quicker trot.
When he pulled in the drive at Beth’s haus, Marshal Delacure’s car was there. There was no sight of either the marshal or Katie outside the house. Jumping down out of the buggy, he looked around. There were footprints leading to the barn. The ground was so muddy it was difficult to decipher if the prints were going to or away from the barn. He couldn’t even tell if it was one set of prints going back and forth, or multiple people walking.
Caution told him to keep down out of sight. It took all his patience, but he followed the path, trying to stay to the side of the haus and closer to the woodpile. He didn’t want anyone to look out of the barn and see him coming. He skimmed along the edge of the property, ignoring the branches that grabbed at his hat and his shirt. A sharp thorn dragged at his sleeve, ripping the fabric and tearing at the skin underneath. He didn’t slow down. Sap was tangled in his hair, but he didn’t care. The only thing on his mind was getting to Katie. Every step he took brought a deeper conviction that she was in trouble and needed him.
After a few minutes of creeping closer, he reached the barn. He could hear something moving around inside it but wasn’t sure what, or who, it was.
Rising up slowly, he peered inside the window. All he could see was a pair of feet wearing a rather feminine pair of boots, tied at her ankles.
Not Katie. Dashing around the corner, he swooped into the barn and crossed to the marshal, who was glaring up at him, her mouth covered with duct tape. He took out his pocketknife and sliced through the rope at her wrists. She tore the tape from her face with a grimace.
“Where’s Katie?” he demanded.
“I don’t know.” She was already working on her feet. “Someone came up behind me while I was searching the lower level of the house. I think I must have lost consciousness for a few minutes. When I came to, I was out here like this. Kate is working on searching the upstairs.” She looked up at him, and for the first time he saw fear in her gaze. More than anything else, that unnerved him. “I haven’t heard anything from the house.”
His pulse ramped up and blood pounded in his ears. Whoever had ambushed Marshal Delacure was possibly in the haus with Katie right now. He had to get in there.
“I need to go to her. Are you okay if I leave?” He poised to run the moment she gave him a sign that she was fine.
“Wait. I’m the marshal.” She stood and immediately leaned against the wall, her face pale. “Go! Kate might be in danger. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
He took off without another word.
He ran as fast as his legs would carry him. The juicy mud hampered his progress. Twice, he slipped on his way to the haus. The first time, he teetered and then caught his balance. The second time, he was unable to compensate and he went down, the wet puddles splashing him from his feet to the top of his head. Sputtering, he rose, wiping the mud from his eyes. He couldn’t stop. He picked himself up and he was off again, racing to the haus.
A police car pulled into the yard. Lieutenant Greer was behind the wheel. The car had barely squealed to a stop when the lieutenant threw open the door and launched himself toward the haus. Abram was so happy to see him. His daed had gotten his message!
His instinct told him to go straight into the haus. Lieutenant Greer, however, gestured for him to wait. Impatiently, Abram tapped his boot on the ground while he waited for the lawman to join him. Greer had his weapon out.
“Where are the women?” he rasped out, his voice raw.
Abram pointed his thumb back over his shoulder. “The marshal was ambushed as she searched the downstairs. She’s in the barn. A bit unsteady, but she’s alert. Katie is in the haus. Possibly with the man who tied up the marshal.”
Lieutenant Greer edged in front of Abram. “Stay out here.”
Abram ignored him and fell in line behind him. Lieutenant Greer gave him an aggravated glare but didn’t protest. Time was critical now.
* * *
Katie heard footsteps clomping up the stairs. They were heavy, further proof that it wasn’t Marshal Delacure. She pulled herself deeper inside the room. There was nowhere for her to hide. Recalling the letter in her hands, she folded it and slid it into the pocket of her apron where she’d normally carry her service weapon.
What she wouldn’t give to have her gun on her now! While she didn’t revel in the idea of using a weapon against anyone, she knew that if she had one, the chances of needing to use it would be slim. Most criminals she’d dealt with had surrendered when looking at the gun in her capable hands.
However, since she didn’t have it, she’d have to rely on her other skills and her wits.
Her nerves were stretched taut as the person running stopped at the first door. Was it Evan Stiles? Had he come back to finish her off? There had been no sightings of him since yesterday when he tried to strangle her in the emergency room. A man that large should have trouble disappearing.
There was another sound. He was opening the first door. If he went in, maybe she’d be able to run outside. She had little hope that it would work, but it was her only chance at the moment. When she heard him step into the room, she gently opened her door and watched as a man entered the room across the hall.
It was now or never.
Kate opened her door wider and flew toward the stairs. Instantly, the man shot out of the door and grabbed her, slamming her back against the wall.
Her breath was knocked from her, but only for a second. As she lifted her head, her gaze locked with his.
Her hear
t was lodged in her mouth as she stared up at her captor.
Gary Lloyd leered down at her. She’d never forgotten anything about his appearance. He was an extremely handsome man, one of those men who never seemed to age. His blond hair was thick and wavy and fell just below his ears. His eyes were a light blue, so pale they were almost gray. He also had the longest natural lashes she’d ever seen.
And that smile, that bright glint of even teeth that looked so sincere and sympathetic. It was all an act. He was a man without a conscience.
His eyes widened. The grin on his face sent a shudder down her spine.
“Well, well. Katie Bontrager all grown up.”
When he lifted a hand to touch her face, the part of her that had frozen came to life. With a scream of rage, she lifted her hand and rammed it up into his handsome face. She didn’t have a gun, but she knew how to fight.
Gary was unprepared to face a woman who knew how to defend herself. With a cry as the heel of her hand hit his nose, he backed up and tripped, falling down the stairs.
The front door crashed open, bouncing back against the wall, and Lieutenant Greer charged in, followed closely by Abram. With a cry, she flew down the steps and flung herself into Abram’s arms. He held her as she sobbed out her relief and her fear. When his arms tightened, she could feel that he was shaking. She allowed herself a minute or two in his arms before backing away and wiping her eyes.
“I’m okay. Honestly. Just shaken up, mostly. Where’s Marshal Delacure?”
“I’m right here.” The marshal marched through the door, her gaze stormy as she took in the man moaning on the floor. “This isn’t Evan Stiles. Any idea who he is? I didn’t get a good look at him earlier, but I’m assuming he’s the one who ambushed me. He hit me from behind.”
“Yeah, I know him,” Kate grated out. “I would know that face anywhere. His name’s Gary Lloyd.”
Abram was instantly at her side again. She knew he’d seen Gary and recognized him. When he took hold of her hand in silent support, she held tight, grateful for his steady presence to help her focus. She took a deep breath. Did she want to do what she needed to do? Once she started, there was no going back.
