Page 24 of Among the Innocent

While she listened to the one-sided conversation, Leah noticed a pile of mail on the counter. Since Ellis’s passing, she’d taken over managing the finances for Marge. She’d do a quick sort-through to make sure there wasn’t anything urgent.

“Thanks for the information, Sheriff,” Dalton said before ending the call.

Leah looked his way with an envelope in her hand.

“The sheriff’s people spoke to Caleb Wagler and confirmed his alibi. He wasn’t involved in what happened.”

Leah wasn’t really surprised. She remembered the family and Caleb. They were simple, hardworking people who she didn’t believe were capable of harming anyone.

She returned to sorting the mail. Something grabbed her attention at the bottom of the pile. A letter. No postage or return address. The envelope had Leah’s name scribbled across the front. She dropped it as if it burned her fingers when she noticed the familiar handwriting.

“What’s wrong?” Dalton must have seen her reaction and noticed the writing. “If that’s from him, he could have left DNAevidence behind.” He immediately radioed CSI then pulled out a set of latex gloves and carefully opened the envelope.

A spent shell casing was all that was enclosed.

“A .38. Same as what killed Ellis.”

Dalton didn’t miss the connection. “Probably taken from the crime scene.” The killer wanted to make it clear he had ended Ellis’s life.

Leah’s attention riveted to Marge quietly sitting in her chair, unaware of the nightmare coming their way. There were times when Leah was almost envious of Marge’s fading memories. Many times she wished she could erase hers from her mind and her heart.

He pounded his fist against the dash. Screamed at the top of his lungs. Eva. That foolish girl had gone to the police. Eva knew his secrets about Beth, and she’d gone to speak with Leah and the new man. Had she turned on him? He had to find out. Though he’d told her to meet him tonight, this couldn’t wait.

“Stupid,” he shouted and whipped the truck onto the road again. He wouldn’t let Eva ruin his plans. As he drove past the police station again, he stared at it and almost spat remembering the one who had held the chief’s position before. A slow smile spread across his face. He enjoyed taking lives. Especiallyhis.

Dust billowed up behind him as he entered the community. He’d have to be careful. The police had someone stationed at the Zook place and they were watching the Miller barn. But he knew a back way into Eva’s place in case they were staking it out.

He hated everything about the Amish, including their simple ways. All lies.

He parked on the backside of Eva’s property where it intersected with a small gravel road mostly used by Amish buggies. Trees hid the road from the house. No one would spot him here. Late afternoon shadows clung to everything. He got out and waited. Soon, Leah would find the bullet he’d deliberately left for her. She’d fit the pieces together and know the truth. The thought of her pain pleased him, and he couldn’t wait to inflict more. He climbed from the truck and leaned against it.

A few minutes later, Eva came through the trees, her smile confirming she had looked forward to seeing him.

He kept his anger in check. There was a problem, but he’d fix it.

She leaned in to give him a hug. He hesitated before gathering her close.

“I wanted to see you,” he said when she pulled away.

Eva giggled. “Gut. I wanted to see you too. I don’t have long. Mamm is working in the living room on her quilt and mybrudersand daed are in the field. I told her I would take care of the animals before helping her. If I’m gone too long, she will come looking for me.”

He grabbed hold of her wrists and squeezed them tight. She deserved the discomfort.

“Ouch! You are hurting me.” A wounded look replaced her adoration.

He loosened his hold slightly. “I can’t wait to see you tonight.”

“I’m not sure I can. Mamm is growing suspicious. She noticed me speaking with you before. Why can’t I come to your home?”

His anger churned into an internal storm. Somehow, he kept it under control. “Because I don’t really have a home yet. I’m staying with friends.”

She accepted his answer without questioning him further. “Where do you want to meet?”

He had her. She was his. The thought of returning to the place where he’d ended Beth’s life thrilled him, but the cops were watching. He couldn’t do what he wanted to Eva there. “Meet me here. We’ll go to the bridge. It’s quiet there.”

Eva hesitated. “The police asked me about you.”

Alarm bells went off. “They did? What did you say?”

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