Page 88 of Among the Innocent

“We’ll have to hurry to get into place before the meetup.”

Dalton had moved Willa and her family and pulled back the officer stationed at the house. He didn’t want John to get spooked. They skirted the town and headed toward the scattered Amish farms. At half past ten, he pulled the vehicle into a wooded area bordering Willa’s family home. Once in place, Dalton radioed the patrols watching the house to confirm there had been no activity around the farm.

“I sure hope he hasn’t found out about Willa coming to the station. If he has, he won’t show.”

Leah grabbed his arm and leaned forward in her seat. “Someone’s coming.”

Dalton radioed the officers. “Be ready. There’s a vehicle approaching.” The car slowly eased along the road with its headlights on. “If that’s him, he doesn’t know about Willa.”

“Come on. Turn in,” Leah murmured to herself. Almost as if on cue, the car slowed once it reached the drive. Headlights swept across the woods where they hid as the vehicle turned.

“That’s him.” Dalton hit the radio. “He’s stopping in front of the barn. Wait until he goes inside and then we take him.”

The man in the car got out and looked around as if expecting someone to materialize. “He’s nervous.” Leah watched the guy slowly open the door and step inside.

Dalton hit the mic. “Let’s go.” With weapons drawn, he and Leah left the cruiser and eased toward the barn. Half a dozen officers gathered near the door. Dalton jerked the door open, and the team rushed the barn. Men stood guard all around the structure in case their perp tried to flee.

Near the stacks of hay bales a man dug frantically, seemingly unaware of their presence.

As they edged closer, Dalton’s flashlight beam reflected his light brown hair. Just like the man Willa described.

“Hands in the air,” Dalton ordered.

The man whirled toward them.

“He has a knife. Drop the weapon!” Dalton shouted.

The man stared at the multiple guns pointed at him. “I’m not doing anything wrong.”

“I’m not going to tell you again. Drop the weapon.”

“All right. I’m dropping it.” The knife hit the ground.

Dalton rushed forward and kicked it out of reach. “Hands behind your back.”

The man seemed too dazed to react. “What’s this about, man?”

Dalton yanked his hands behind his back and cuffed him. “For starters, you’re being arrested for trespassing.”

“For starters? What do you mean?”

“We’re taking you into custody for questioning in the murders of two Amish women. And one Jonathan Stephens.”

“Murder?” the man shrieked in disbelief. “I don’t know anything about any murder.”

Dalton handed the man off to Henry. “Take him to the station and set him up in the interrogation room.”

“He doesn’t know anything,” Leah said once the man was out of earshot. She carefully bagged the knife. “He’s a patsy. John used him. This probably isn’t the murder weapon.”

“You’re right, but maybe he remembers something that will help us find out where John is hiding.”

Leah turned toward the hole burrowed into the hay. “What do you think he was looking for?”

Dalton went over to the hole and looked inside. “I have no idea. Hopefully, he’ll tell us. Until we know what’s going on, Willa and her family don’t come back here. They’ll be guarded at all times.” He glanced at the time on his phone. “Almost midnight. What kind of game is John playing?”

Leah pulled in a shaky breath. He saw her fear and kept her close as they returned to their cruiser.

John had carefully orchestrated the events of the evening. May have even been close enough to watch.

---