Page 18 of Among the Innocent

Eva knew more about this man than what she’d told them. “Your mother said the last time you spoke to Beth was at the church service. Is that true?”

Eva’s worried gaze shot to the door as if she was expecting her mother. “It is true. We didn’t speak of anything unusual, just the things young girls talk about.”

On a hunch, Leah pulled out the evidence bag holding the necklace she’d tucked inside her pocket. She showed it to Eva. “Do you recognize this? Did Beth tell you who gave it to her?”

Eva’s eyes flashed surprise. “I had no idea she had a necklace.”

“Did he give you one too?”

Eva shook her head in denial. “I don’t know what you are talking about. The Amish do not wear jewelry.”

The conversation down the hall grew closer. Almost out of time. “What about Caleb? Was Beth having problems with him? Did he know about this Englischer?”

Eva rose and backed away. “There were no problems, and I cannot say what Caleb knew.”

Leah stood and pulled out a card with the police station’s number along with her cell phone number. She dropped it into Eva’s apron pocket. “Call me if you want to talk more. Eva, if you know this man, he’s dangerous, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

A second later, Gertrude entered the room with Dalton. His attention went to Leah, who shook her head slightly.

Dalton faced Gertrude. “Mrs. Hostetler, if you or your daughter remember anything, please get in touch.” Gertrude’s only answer was a displeased sniff.

He and Leah stepped outside into the growing afternoon clouds. Leah waited until they were inside the SUV before she answered the questions on Dalton’s face.

“She knows something, but she’s not talking, at least not yet. And I believe she and Beth may have been seeing the same man. Eva recognized the necklace. I think he gave her one as well. He may be playing the two against each other.”

Dalton shifted toward her. “That had to put a strain on their friendship.”

“I doubt Beth knew about it.” Leah’s mind worked through the tangled details so far. “At some point, we’ll have to speak with Caleb Wagler.”

“Agreed.” Dalton started the engine and headed back down the drive.

“I don’t believe Eva will speak to us further, and it has nothing to do with Beth. She’s protecting this man.”

Dalton’s hands tightened on the wheel. “If he’s the killer, she’s in danger. We have to find a way to reach her. I’d hoped she’d open up to you without her mom present.”

“Me too. I’ll take another run at her. Maybe I can catch her without her mother again. Somehow, I’ll find a way to convince Eva to trust me.” The only question was how.

Dalton looked her way. “How are you holding up?”

She shook her head. “I still can’t believe this is happening again.” The words came out on an unsteady breath.

“I’m sorry it is, but we’ll figure it out, I promise.” The determined look on his face made her believe he would do everything in his power to make it happen. More than anything, she wished she could stay here in the safety of this vehicle with Dalton. Let someone else play John’s ugly games. But she couldn’t, because she was the one he ultimately wanted, and she’d waited ten years to make him pay for destroying her life.

Dalton parked outside the station. He’d caught glimpses into the real Leah Miller’s personality throughout their time together. He believed there was so much she hadn’t told him about that night, and he wanted to beg her to trust him. Yet how could he ask for trust when he had his own secrets?

“Leah, wait.” He stopped her when she would have gotten out. She slowly faced him with her hand still on the door. For a second, he thought about telling her everything. He wanted to, but they weren’t there yet. “I’m sorry you’re having to go through this again,” he said instead. Those soulful eyes holding so much pain got to him. “It’s going to be okay.” And it would, because he’d make sure of it. Yet to get to okay, they’d have to go through a whole lot of bad.

For a moment, the killer stalking her was the last thing on his mind. This woman had gone through more than anyone should have to experience, and it wasn’t anywhere close to being finished.

“I hope you’re right,” she murmured and brushed a hand over her eyes and got out. She headed inside the station without him.

Dalton blew out an unsteady breath. He understood why he felt a strong connection to Leah, but was it simply the past they shared? In many ways she reminded him of his wife. He hadn’t been able to save Allison from the cancer that claimed her life. Would he be able to save Leah?

The station was alive with activity when he entered. Beth’s death was the biggest case the force had seen since Ellis’s death.

Dalton stopped in front of the dispatch station, where the flamboyant Sugar Wallace manned the controls. “Anything new on the case?” he asked the woman with piled-high red hair and nails to match.

Sugar abruptly put a caller on hold. “No, but you got a call while you were out.” She handed him a slip of pink paper. The message was from Mark Sorenson.

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