A Simple Murder

by Linda Castillo

  Looking away, she drew up her legs and wrapped her arms around her knees. “When all that was happening, I dropped my cigarette between two bales of hay. I tried to get to it, but the bales were heavy, and Billy was still trying to … get at me, so I just left it. And I ran.”

  Katie stared at Mattie, her heart pounding, pain and guilt and doubt tearing into her like tiny, sharp teeth. “Billy came out of that barn before you did.”

  “After he left, I went back inside to make sure there was no fire and find that cigarette if I could. I looked for it. I swear to you, Katie, when I walked out of that barn there was no fire. There was no smoke. I figured Billy put it out. That’s the honest-to-God truth.”

  “It was an accident,” Katie said.

  Mattie shrugged. “I’m not even sure it was my cigarette that started it. I mean, Billy had matches. I saw them. He was so angry and cursing at me. As far as I know, he lit those matches and tossed them inside just to spite me.”

  “Why didn’t you tell the police?”

  Mattie’s eyes flashed. “Because I was scared. Billy was like a rabid animal, spitting and snarling. He said if I told anyone what happened, he’d wait until no one was around and finish what he started. I know it sounds silly now, but at the time … if you’d seen his face. I believed him. I still do.”

  Katie didn’t know what to say. Guilt nipped at her conscience. For not believing her friend when she should have. For pressing her when she should have been patient. Worse, she didn’t know how to make things right.

  “I believe you,” Katie said after a moment.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything from the start. I should have. But it was such an ugly thing.”

  “Not easy stuff to talk about.” Katie sighed. “What about Billy?”

  “I don’t know.” Mattie bit her lip. “I don’t know if he started the fire. Maybe he did. Maybe it was my cigarette.” She shrugged. “What if he does that to another girl? What if he doesn’t stop next time?”

  The weight of the questions settled uneasily on Katie’s shoulders. The truth of the matter was she didn’t know what to do. The line between right and wrong seemed crooked and gray. Not for the first time she wished she could talk to her mamm or datt or even Jacob. But, of course, she couldn’t.

  “Maybe we ought to just let things play out with the police,” Mattie suggested. “Maybe this is a lesson Billy needs to learn. Maybe he’ll be a better person because of it.”

  Katie thought about what Billy had done to her earlier in the day. Pushing her to the ground and damaging Jacob’s bicycle. After a moment, she nodded. “Maybe you’re right.”

  “The English police know what to do with boys like Billy Marquart,” Mattie added.

  It wasn’t the perfect solution, but it was the best one Katie could think of. She got to her feet. “I have to get back.”

  “Before someone misses you, sneaky girl.” Rising quickly, Mattie threw her arms around Katie. “Thank you for believing in me.”

  Closing her eyes, Katie hugged her back and tried hard to ignore the little voice in the back of her head telling her that wasn’t exactly the case. But it was close enough to the truth that Katie thought she could live with it.

  “See you at worship,” she whispered.

  “See you then.”

  * * *

  Three weeks later …

  The old draft horse whinnied softly when Katie dropped the flake of alfalfa into his hayrack. She was in the stall, brushing the animal’s coat when Jacob approached.

  “Did you hear about Billy Marquart?” he asked.

  Katie looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. “Billy who?”

  Jacob didn’t smile back. “He had juvenile court yesterday. The judge found him guilty of felony arson.”

  A sensation similar to nausea seesawed in her gut. “He’s going to jail?”

  “He got some kind of probation. And community service.”

  Katie still wasn’t convinced Billy had started the fire—a doubt that still kept her up some nights. But when she weighed the question of his guilt against the things he’d done to Mattie—and the damage he’d done to Jacob’s bicycle—she figured justice had prevailed, at least in a roundabout way.

  She stopped brushing the horse and turned to face her brother. “Hopefully he learned his lesson.”

  “I think there were lessons in there for everyone this time.” Jacob smiled at her kindly. “Come on, little sister. Let’s go eat breakfast.”

  Giving the horse a final pat, Katie left the stall, closed the door behind her, and walked with her brother into the house.

  ONLY THE LUCKY

  Alma Fisher held up the mirror and smiled at her reflection. She’d bought the lipstick and mirror two days ago at the Walmart in Millersburg. Since both are forbidden by the Ordnung, she’d tucked them under her mattress where her mamm wouldn’t find them. She especially loved the lipstick—it was shiny and pink and, according to her best friend, Irene, made her look like she was from New York City. Gazing into the mirror now, she had to agree.

  Of course the lipstick wasn’t the most important thing about the party tonight. She and Irene were going together, and later Alma was going to rendezvous with her beau, Aden Keim. Mamm and Datt didn’t approve of his car—or its radio—but then Aden was on rumspringa. As long as he didn’t bring the vehicle onto their property, he was allowed to pick her up. Usually, she just met him at the end of the lane. He would have picked her up tonight, but he had to work late.

  Alma didn’t care about any of that. She was in love and all she cared about was spending time with Aden. He was twenty years old—two years older than she—and he was the most handsome boy she’d ever laid eyes on. He was a hard worker. Not only did he help his datt on their farm, but he worked for a construction company in Millersburg and trained buggy horses on the side. Best of all, he was devoted to the church and planning to become baptized next year. Even her parents liked him—less the car, anyway.

  The thought of him made her sigh. Every Amish girl in their church district had her eye on Aden Keim. Alma almost couldn’t believe he’d chosen her. He’d been courting her since the fall. He was smart and funny—and he was the only boy who’d ever made her heart pound. Two weeks ago after a singing at the Borntrager farm, they’d shared their first kiss and it had been a zinger. Alma hadn’t told anyone yet, but she was going to marry him.

  She’d been hearing about tonight’s party for weeks now. All the Amish teenagers were talking about it. Irene had a cell phone her parents didn’t know about, and the news was all over social media; everyone would be there. The Amish boys on rumspringa with vehicles were carpooling and driving in from as far away as Geauga County. Rumor had it there would be plenty of Englischers there, too. It was going to be the best party ever.

  “Alma!”

  She turned at the sound of Irene’s voice, nearly dropping the mirror and lipstick. “I’m almost ready!”

  “Enough primping.” Irene’s eyes widened. “That lipstick looks good on you.”

  Alma couldn’t help it; she grinned. “Makes me look like I’m from New York City.”

  “An actress from LA.”

  Both girls fell into laugher.

  “Come on.” Crossing to her, Irene reached for her hand. “I want to be gone before Mamm and Datt get back. It’s going to be dark soon and we have a mile to walk.”

  Alma didn’t mind walking. If anything, it might help settle her nerves. She was so excited she could barely stand it.

  Hand in hand, the girls went through the back door and started down the lane.

  * * *

  It’s dusk in Painters Mill, Ohio. The freshly plowed fields are as black and rich as dark chocolate. The dozen or so redbud trees lining the fence in front of the Stutz farm are in full stunning bloom. Their lavender-pink flowers make for a spectacular backdrop against the massive bank barn as I drive past in my city-issued Explorer.

  My name is Kate Burkholder and I�
��m the police chief of this pretty little town, which is located in the heart of Ohio’s Amish country. Friday evening is usually one of the busier times for my small department, but the police radio has been unusually silent. In the last six hours I’ve made two traffic stops and issued one speeding citation to the sixteen-year-old driver I clocked doing eighty down Hogpath Road. I talked to the boy’s father afterward. Unfortunately, Doug Humerick thinks Doug Jr. is just “feeling his oats”and “acting like any red-blooded teenage male.” Humerick wasn’t there the night seventeen-year-old Jimmy Stettler wrapped his Mustang around a telephone pole, killing himself and his fourteen-year-old sister in the process.

  I’ve just passed through the Tuscarawas covered bridge when my second-shift dispatcher hails. “Chief? You ten eight?”

  She’s asking if I’m in service. Smiling, I pick up the mike. “Last time I checked,” I tell her. “What do you need?”

  “Aaron Yoder is here to see you.”

  Yoder is a local Amish farmer who raises sheep and goats and does a little horse trading on the side. “Any idea what he wants?”

  “Not sure, Chief.” Jodie lowers her voice. “Said something about idle hands and the devil, so I thought I’d let you get to the bottom of it.”

  “I’ll be right there,” I tell her and hang a U-turn.

  * * *

  I arrive at the police station to find an Amish buggy parked in my reserved spot. Sighing, I pull up beside it, shut down the engine, and head inside. I find Jodie manning her post, speaking into the mouthpiece of her headset. She’s a pretty blonde, not yet out of her twenties, with zero interest in police work. But she’s good on the phones and fast on her feet when things get hectic.

  Aaron Yoder is sitting on the sofa against the wall looking uncomfortable and out of place. I went to school with Aaron, back when I was Amish. He’s a year or so older than me, more than a little eccentric, and is married with a boatload of kids. The Amish, ever fond of nicknames, call him Crazy Red. Aaron has bright red hair cut into the typical Amish “bowl” and an equally red beard that reaches nearly to the waistband of his trousers.

  My second shift officer, Chuck “Skid” Skidmore, is sitting in his cubicle, fingers pecking at the keyboard of his antiquated desktop.

  “Mr. Yoder,” I begin. “Guder nammidaag.” Good afternoon. “Was cann ich du fadich?” What can I do for you?

  “There are bad goings-on out at the Davenport place,” he tells me. “People coming and going. Buggies and motorized vehicles. Un shtoahris.”

  “What kinds of stories?” I ask.

  “There’s all kinds of talk. Some say the devil will be there. Schnell geiste.” Schnell geiste is an Amish term for “quick spirit” a phenomenon associated with unexplained drafts that scatter papers and slam doors. “Lightning will strike them all.”

  I’m not sure what to make of any of it. Before I can ask him to clarify, his eyes slide left and right and he lowers his voice. “Something bad is going to happen.”

  “Something like what?”

  He shakes his head. “I don’t know. But the young people are talking in quiet voices. Planning things. Out at the old spukhaus.” Haunted house. “Sis at gottlos zammelaaf.” It’s an ungodly gathering.

  “When is this event supposed to happen?” I ask.

  Yoder looks at me as if I’m dense for not already knowing this. “Tonight. Mitt-nacht.” Midnight.

  My eyes slide to the clock on the wall behind the reception desk. It’s nearly 8:00 P.M.

  The Amish man stands. “Sis en veesht ding.” It’s a wicked thing.

  “Thank you for coming in, Mr. Yoder.” Rising, I extend my hand for a shake. “I’ll head out to the Davenport farm and check it out.”

  He looks down at my hand, but makes no move to shake it. “Beware the schnell geiste, Kate Burkholder.” Giving me a final look, he turns away and walks out.

  Around me, the station has gone silent. Jodie is standing at the dispatch station, her mouth open. Having overheard, Skid emerges from his cubicle. An experienced cop, he’s no stranger to the occasional odd encounter, but his expression is nonplussed.

  “I guess that explains why they call him Crazy Red,” Skid says.

  “It is Friday the thirteenth,” Jodie puts in.

  When I frown at her, she quickly adds, “Not that I believe in all that superstitious crap. I’m just saying.”

  I turn my attention to Skid. “Have you heard any rumblings about something going on out at the old Davenport farm?”

  “Not a thing,” he says.

  “Chief?”

  Skid and I look at Jodie.

  She clears her throat. “I heard there’s going to be a rager out there.”

  Skid and I exchange looks. “A rager?” I ask.

  “You know, one of those wild Amish parties,” she tells us.

  “Where did you hear about it?” I ask.

  “Social media, mostly.”

  “Did it cross your mind that it might be a good idea to let someone here at the PD know about it?” I ask.

  Her eyes flick from me to Skid and back to me. “I didn’t think it was important. I mean, I thought everyone knew about it. Besides, it’s just going to be a bunch of people listening to music and drinking. Right?”

  “What could possibly go wrong?” Skid mutters.

  Feeling … old, I smile at my young dispatcher. “Old man Davenport passed away a few years back. Find out who owns that land now and get me their contact info, will you?”

  “You got it,” she says.

  I glance at Skid. “You game for a trip out there?”

  He grins. “Hopefully that damn black cat I saw lurking outside the front door is gone.”

  I roll my eyes. “Oh brother.”

  But I’m not sure if he’s kidding.

  * * *

  The Davenport farm is located a couple miles south of Painters Mill on a little-used stretch of asphalt that dead-ends where the Apple Creek Bridge washed out during a flood a decade ago. I think the property is still owned by the Davenport family, but no one has lived there since the old man died. His children are scattered all over the United States, and none of them have any interest in farming. The place has been left to the years and the elements.

  I stop the Explorer at the mouth of what had once been a gravel lane. The gravel has long since been pulverized to dirt and overtaken by weeds as high as a man’s waist. But the once-tall undergrowth has been crushed by the recent passage of a vehicle.

  “Someone’s been here,” I say as I make the turn.

  “A lot of someones,” Skid returns.

  There’s just enough light for me to see that the front pasture is heavily treed; the house and barns are set back a ways. Neither is visible from the road. I make the turn and we bounce over ruts and softball-size rocks. Past a tumbling-down fence. We’ve only gone a few yards when Skid spots the hand-painted sign.

  No drugs.

  No underage drinking.

  “Why do I have the feeling no one’s going to pay attention to that sign?” I say.

  “Because neither of us would have paid attention to it when we were teenagers,” he replies.

  The lane curves right and the old homestead looms into view. The farmhouse is a two-story frame structure with white paint that’s gone gray and a rusty steel roof with several missing shingles. The back door hangs at a precarious angle. Every visible window has at least one broken pane. A large bank barn looks out over the fields at the rear of the property. The siding is the color of old bone. The big sliding door is gone and someone has stacked the wood into a pile that looks suspiciously like a future bonfire.

  In the open area between the house and barn, someone has cut the grass. A huge meat smoker throws puffs of baby-back-ribs-scented smoke into the air. A travel trailer is parked a few yards from the smoker. An Amish man in his early twenties stands on the steel steps, a can of beer in hand, smoking a cigarette, watching us.

  “Must be our host,” Skid
says.

  I park a few yards from the trailer and keep my eyes on the young man as I get out. He comes down the steps and meets us midway between my vehicle and the trailer. “Help you?” he asks.

  I identify myself and show him my badge. “What’s your name?”

  “Wayne Miller.”

  “You have an ID on you, Wayne?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Twenty-two.”

  “Uh huh.” I look around, noticing the generator parked at the end of the trailer, a cooler the size of a Volkswagen, and the string of lights still coiled and laying on the ground. “I understand there’s going to be a party out here,” I say amicably.

  “Don’t know nothing about no party,” he mumbles.

  I nod, look around, and motion toward the smoker. “Ribs smell good.”

  He glances at the smoker and actually sniffs the air. “Just smoking some meat for me and my friends.”

  “How many friends?”

  “A few.”

  “You have permission to be here?” I ask.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  I give him a hard, lingering frown, and he looks away. “If I call the owner, he’s not going to tell me you’re trespassing, is he?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  I turn and start toward the Explorer. Behind me, I hear Skid say, “Have a nice evening,” and it makes me smile.

  “That kid is up to no good,” Skid says as he slides in.

  “Judging from the size of that smoker and the cooler, he’s got a lot of friends.”

  “Not to mention that generator and all those coiled lights.”