Page 25 of Among the Innocent

“Nothing.” She didn’t look him in the eye.

“What did they want to know?” He took a threatening step closer.

Her eyes grew fearful. “They asked if Beth was seeing someone other than Caleb. They know about you.”

His hands fisted. “Really? What do they know?” His tone remained remarkably calm. He’d gotten good at hiding the monster inside when it served his purpose.

“Only that Beth was sneaking out to meet someone. Her sister saw her. But she wasn’t certain what you looked like. They showed me the necklace you gave Beth. Like the one you gave me.”

Her hurt tone sickened him.

“That’s because Beth found the necklace before I could give it to you. She thought I bought it for her. It would have been rude to tell her differently. Besides, I bought you a far prettier one.”

She brought the necklace from her apron pocket and touched it lovingly. “Jah, it is so much better than hers.”

It amazed him how easily she’d betrayed her friend. “Did you tell them anything about me?” A hard edge entered his tone. Eva would not mess this up for him.

“I would never tell them anything,” she fervently assured him.

“Do you think I would hurt Beth or you?”

She hesitated one moment too long. “No, of course not.”

He forced another smile. If the police continued to question Eva, she would break. He’d have to eliminate her soon.

“Good, then meet me here at around eleven. I have to go now. Make sure you don’t tell anyone about tonight.”

She grabbed his arm as he turned toward the truck. “Wait.”

He swung back to her. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” Her anxious expression cleared, and she slowly smiled. “I—I will see you then.”

Because she still had doubts, he tugged her closer and kissed her. “I like you so much better than Beth,” he murmured against her ear.

She pulled back and whispered breathlessly, “Really?”

“Really.” He let her go. “You should head back. Don’t want your mother getting suspicious. Now don’t forget about tonight.”

She was all his. “I won’t, I promise. I cannot wait.”

He chuckled as she skipped toward the woods. Once she was out of sight, he drove down to the end of the dead-end road to turn around. In the distance a set of horses pulled a plow. Eva’s father and brothers were working the field. Several pointed his way, and he quickly left, his heart racing. If Eva’s family noticed the type of truck he drove, they might report him when she was gone. “Foolish!” he shouted to himself. He’d have to be more careful. He couldn’t get caught. Not before it was time for him and Leah to meet one final time.

Six

There’s no sign of her,” Dalton said after checking the time on his phone again. Past 2:00 a.m. They’d set up early. Had watched the upstairs bedrooms go dark and waited in case Eva ignored Leah’s warning and slipped out to meet John. They had been sitting here for hours without any sign of movement. “I don’t think she plans to meet him tonight. Maybe you got through to her after all.”

Dalton checked in with the tribal officer watching the Zooks’ place. “Any activity there?”

“No, sir. It’s been quiet all night. No activity at the Miller’s barn either.”

“Copy that,” Dalton said and ended the call. He turned his head sideways against the headrest and watched Leah stifle a yawn. It had been an emotional day, starting with the discovery of Beth Zook’s body.

She caught him looking and bit her bottom lip. “I think you’re right.” Her voice held a breathless catch that had him curious. Dalton wondered what her life had been like since her family’s deaths. He’d lost Harrison. She’d lost everything.

The spent shell matched the one from Ellis’s murder. The killer had wanted them to tie the shell to Ellis.

“Did Ellis own a .38?”

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