Page 71 of Among the Innocent

“Not really. I’ve gone over them twice. It appears Justine just started seeing Jonathan two weeks ago.” She handed him the records.

“And according to Eva’s phone conversations, he’s been here at least two months. He could have come back to kill Ellis and then left again, returning as the tenth anniversary got closer.” Dalton scanned the page she’d given him. “Where’s he staying? And how is he able to survive? He’d need money. Even if both his vehicles were stolen, he’d still have to find a way to eat. Buy gas.”

Leah had thought the same. “There’s been no reported break-ins or robberies. Someone could be giving him money, or he’s stealing it.”

She suddenly remembered the missing money at Marge’s and felt sick. She told Dalton about the envelope. “I assumed Marge just misplaced it or some kids broke in and stole it, but what if it was John? Maybe when he left the envelope with the bullet enclosed, he stole some of Marge’s money too.”

Dalton slowly rose and crossed the room. “You think Marge let him in?”

“It’s possible. She’s trusting and ...” Her condition was worsening.

“What about farm and ranch work?” she said when the idea popped in her head. “Most pay their day workers in cash.” It would be a perfect way to obtain money for someone looking to keep their identity secret. “Some of the Amish hire extrahelp during the busy times.” Which meant there would be no way to call the farm owners.

“There are an awful lot of farms around St. Ignatius, and we’re stretched thin as it is.” They couldn’t afford to waste manpower on what could prove to be a dead end.

Like Dalton, she couldn’t let go of the two dead women in Wyoming. “I’ve been thinking about the Wyoming connection and our Jane Does. What if our killer was in jail or hospitalized in that area? The women were probably runaways. Easy kills.”

Dalton nodded. “I’ll check in with law enforcement in the area and see if there are any prisons or hospitals around where the murders happened.” He rubbed a hand down his tired face.

“You look like you could use some coffee,” she said.

He smiled. “Sure. I need a little more acid in my stomach.”

She chuckled. “I’ll get it.”

She returned with the two coffees. Through a window she could see the late-afternoon breeze rustling through the trees near the station. In the distance, long shadows reached their tentacles across the valley below the Mission Mountains.

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they? When I lived in Denver, I was surrounded by mountains and yet I rarely took the time to appreciate them.”

Leah looked at him curiously. “Do you miss living in the big city?” Though the case pressed in around them, just for a moment, she wanted to have a simple discussion that had nothing to do with John.

Dalton laughed. “Not at all. My roots will always be here in this country.”

She knew exactly what he meant. “I felt the same way whenI went away to college even though Missoula wasn’t exactly huge. I couldn’t wait to get home.”

“I guess we’re both small town people. Allison was just the opposite. She loved everything about Denver.”

A comfortable silence fell between them.

“When was the last time you visited your family?” she asked softly.

“About six months ago for the holidays. Isaac and I went hunting together. We haven’t done that in years—not since Harrison’s death. It felt strange, but I’m glad we went.”

“Do they know you’re here?”

Dalton shook his head. “Not yet. I’m sure by now my family here will have heard. As soon as the case is over, I’ll go see them. Hopefully be able to give them the answers they need at last.” He faced her. “And you. You and I both need answers if we’re ever going to be able to move on. I think God brought us together for a reason.” The look in his eyes hinted at so much more than just the case.

“You really believe that?” Leah’s faith had been faltering for a long time. She’d been angry with God for taking her family. Now, with two innocent women dead and Justine’s life threatened, she questioned how God could allow so much pain. Her father’s and mother’s walk with God had been a shining example to Leah growing up. They believed everything that happened was God’s will and for his purpose. But how could a benevolent God wish for so many people to die?

“I do,” he said sincerely. “But it wasn’t always the case. I grew up not believing in anything. After Isaac and Rachel took me in, I saw how God was there in every part of their lives, and I wanted that for myself. I don’t think I would have been ableto survive Harrison’s death—and my wife’s—if it hadn’t been for clinging to God and his promises.”

While Dalton had run to the shelter of God’s presence in his time of trouble, Leah had done the opposite.

“I wish I could reach that place.” She was so tired of blaming God. It had taken almost a year after the murders to be able to sleep in her bed and not curl up inside the closet with the light on. Just as long to stop expecting John to show up at Marge and Ellis’s house and kill everyone.

Dalton touched her cheek, and Leah closed her eyes, her heart beating a crazy rhythm against her chest.

“You have to find a way to let go of the anger, Leah. Because it will eat you alive if you don’t.”

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