Page 49 of Among the Innocent

Eva had made it as far as the house. Maybe she thought she could lock the door behind her. “From the note, she obviously had doubts about him. Why did she still choose to go with him?”

Dalton shook his head. “I wish I knew. Sam, take one of the crime scene techs with you to the house and collect the evidence.” He glanced around at the activity taking place inside the barn. “Our people have this. Let’s go speak to the Zooks.”

They returned to the SUV, where Dalton radioed the deputy to let him know they’d be there soon.

As they approached the Zook house, the deputy got out and told them the family had been awake for a while.

Leah glanced at the home lit with lanterns. The family was to bury their daughter soon. Now, they would be told about another murder.

Leah thought about the struggle that had taken place not far from here. How frightened Eva must have been. No one knew the nightmare Eva had gone through except her killer.

It was almost four in the morning. The Amish would be beginning their chores soon. How long before the rest of the community found out that someone else had died? Even though Eva’s family was sequestered in their home, she and Dalton would need to speak with them soon.

Josiah opened the door before they reached the porch. He stepped back to let them inside. “He’s killed again.” A statement rather than a question.

“I’m afraid so.” Leah confirmed the awful truth.

“My daughter is in the kitchen. If you do not mind, we will speak in there. The living room is prepared for Beth’s funeral.”

Though it was still early, Miriam hovered over the stove, preparing the family’s breakfast. Katie sat at the table, her hands clasped together in her lap. She glanced up as they entered. The fear in her eyes reminded Leah of herself. As if her entire world had been shattered.

Miriam whirled from the stove, nervous hands fluttering in front of her apron. “What has happened?”

“I’m afraid it’s Eva Hostetler,” Dalton told her. “She was killed earlier.”

Katie whimpered and covered her face with her hands.

She slipped onto the bench beside Katie. “Did you see something, Katie?”

The little girl’s shoulders quaked.

“Katie, you must tell her,” Josiah said in their language.

The child lifted her head, her face ravaged by tears. “I-I saw him.”

Surprised, Leah glanced at Dalton. “Who did you see?”

“The man who Beth was seeing. I was feeding the chickens and I saw him walking in the woods behind the Miller place. I watched him until he disappeared.”

If he kept going that way, he’d eventually reach the abandoned house where Eva was found.

“When was this?” Leah asked the child.

“Yesterday,” Katie said tearfully.

“Did you see his face?”

Katie scrubbed her hand across her eyes. “Jah. It was the same man I saw Beth talking to before ...”

Leah put her arm around the child’s shoulders. “Thank you, Katie. You did good. This will help.”

“But he had a beard,” the child whispered. “He looked like that man you showed me before, only he had a beard.”

“What if he comes back?” Miriam exclaimed. “What if he realizes our Katie saw him? She could be in danger!”

“The deputy will be stationed outside your home,” Dalton assured the family. “Please make sure he is with each of you when you go outside. We can’t be too careful.”

With a sniff, Miriam turned back to the food she was preparing.

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