“No. We canvassed the neighborhood and came up blank. No one saw anything except the scarecrow after it had actually been put there.”
“Something must’ve interrupted him. Maybe it was God watching over me.” She hadn’t thought much about God in all this, hadn’t even thanked Him for sparing her life. “Isn’t there some DNA from the scarecrows, or do you think he’s wearing gloves when he makes them?” Selena hoped what she said made sense.
“We haven’t been able to find any DNA. Neither is there anything in the previous evidence from the murders in the seventies.”
She bit her lip. That was something she didn't want to hear. “Is there anything else I should know?”
“Just keep away from Gabriel’s house, and let me know where you are staying at all times.”
“Is everything alright?” a voice sounded from behind her.
She looked back at Ettie who was walking toward her.
“Is that Mrs. Smith I hear in the background?” he asked.
“Yes, it is.” She said to Ettie, “Everything’s okay, Ettie. I’ll be in soon.”
“We’ll keep your dinner warm.”
“Thank you.” Then Selena spoke to Kelly. “I was having dinner when you called.”
He chuckled. “Had I known that, I might have stopped by rather than call you since it's dinnertime. My wife always cooks me a good meal, but I'm rarely on time to eat my dinner with her.”
“Yes, I know what it's like.”
“That's right, you would.”
“I had a desk job, but I saw what it was like for the detectives.”
“I better let you go and get back to your dinner.”
“Thank you, Detective Kelly.”
Chapter 15
“Bad news?” Ettie asked, as she stood in the doorway watching Selena walk toward the house.
“Not all of it. The good news is that he found out for certain that Eugene’s in London.”
“Oh good.”
“The bad news is that they said the scarecrow was made the same as the other scarecrows.”
“Oh dear, that means …”
“Yes. I was supposed to be his next victim.”
“I do think you should reconsider staying here. There’s safety in numbers and Gabriel is next door too.”
“Hmm. Yes, I will stay, Ettie. Thank you.”
“Happy to hear it.” Ettie grabbed her hand and patted it, and then once they were inside, Ettie closed the front door.
Selena giggled. “I’ll get my things from the car when dinner’s over.”
“You won’t go by yourself. We’ll wait until Gabriel comes. He can get your things.”
As they walked to the kitchen, Selena asked, “He’s coming tonight?” Somehow the thought of Gabriel being there made her feel safe.
“I haven’t seen him for a long time and I think he’ll come to check on you.”
“He doesn’t know what happened yet, does he?”
“I’m not sure,” Ettie said.
Selena sat back down and Elsa-May pulled on two oven mitts, got Selena's dinner out of the oven and placed it in front of her.
“Thanks for keeping it warm.”
“It was the least I could do.”
Elsa-May and Ettie kept her company while she ate. Just as they’d finished their dessert of apple pie and cream, there was a knock on the door. Selena was immediately filled with fear and remembered she’d left her gun under the mattress at Gabriel’s house. It should’ve been the first thing she packed. In fact, she should be carrying it in her pocket for now.
“Who could that be?” Ettie muttered.
“Ask who it is before you open the door,” Elsa-May said.
While Elsa-May busied herself washing the dishes, Selena walked with Ettie to the front door.
“Who is it?” Ettie asked in a sing-song voice as she’d been instructed by Elsa-May.
“It’s only me,” sang Gabriel from the other side of the door.
He made both women laugh and Ettie unlocked the door.
His eyes belied the silliness as they focused on Selena. “How are you? I heard you had a horrible thing happen and I’m so glad you’re safe. I pray every day for you to be watched over.”
“Oh, thank you. Well, I’m okay, as you can see.”
“I’m so pleased.” He put his hand over his heart.
“Gabriel, do you think you could get Selena’s things out of her car? I won’t allow her to go outside in the dark by herself with what’s happened.”
“Sure.”
Selena fetched her car keys and handed them to him. “It’s the black bag in the trunk.”
He took the keys from her, and Ettie and Selena watched him retrieve her bag. When he arrived back on the porch, Ettie pulled him inside. “We must lock the door with all that’s been happening. Now, have you had dinner?”
“No, but I’m not hungry, denke.” He took off his hat and held it close to himself. Then his eyes met Selena’s. “I can’t believe what happened to you. I’m so sorry.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about.”
“It happened in my house.”
“It’s not your fault.”
He ran a hand through his thick hair. “I was questioned by the police.”
“What did they ask?” asked Elsa-May as she walked out of the kitchen.
“They wanted to know where I was last night, and on some other dates. The other murders were on the other dates, I’m guessing.”
“Don’t worry too much,” Ettie said. “They’re asking everyone. Let’s sit.”
As they walked a few steps to the living room, he said, “I’m not worried. I’m only worried about Selena.”
“I’m fine now. Just a bit shaken, that’s all.”
Once they were all seated, he asked, “Why you?”
“We were just trying to figure that out when you knocked on the door,” Ettie told him. “The other victims were all men.”
“And they were all killed,” said Elsa-May. “What if it was a warning and he never intended to kill her?”
Ettie frowned at her sister. “A warning about what?”
“I don’t know.”
“Elsa-May, why don’t you put the kettle on?”
“Nothing for me,” said Gabriel. “It keeps me awake.”
“You don’t have to have kaffe, you can have hot tea,” said Elsa-May.
He shook his head. “I have an early morning.” He stood up. “Are you sure you’re okay, Selena?”
She nodded. “I’m okay.”
“Good.”
“Selena, why don’t you walk Gabriel out?”
“Sure.” She rose to her feet and smiled at Gabriel.
While Gabriel and Selena stayed talking at the door, Elsa-May said to Ettie, “You shouldn’t push them together.”
Ettie’s mouth dropped open. “I’m not. It’s just that I can’t get up fast because of my—”
“I know, because of your back. It’s become a convenient excuse for everything.”
“I can’t help being injured.”
“I know that, but …”
"You do recall whose dog I was letting out when this happened, jah?"
Elsa-May gave a sheepish nod.
Selena felt safe in Gabriel’s company, even though it was dark outside. He was so big and tall, and dependable and she was sure no harm would come to her with him nearby. When they were on the porch and out of sight of the two elderly ladies, he placed his hat on and then he rubbed her shoulder.
“Are you sure you’re okay.”
She giggled. “You’ve asked me a million times already. I’m shaken, but I’m still alive.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if something happened to you.”
“Well, nothing did.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner. I was helping my friends build a fence. I’ve got to be up early to help them again tomorrow. You’ll be safe here.
I’m only next door. I’ll sleep with one eye open.”
She laughed. “I’m pleased I decided to stay. I was going to book in at a bed and breakfast, but they were insistent I stay here.”
“Good.” He looked down into her eyes.
“Good night, Gabriel.”
He gave her a nod. “G'night, Selena.” He turned around and walked down the porch steps.
When she walked back to the door, she looked at him again to see that he was just outside the picket fence and had just latched the gate behind him.
She closed the front door and made sure to lock it.
“He’s gone?” Ettie asked.
“He has.” She walked over to the couch and saw two pillows, sheets and a quilt piled on a chair in front of the couch where Ettie sat. “Are these for me?”
“Yes. Would you like me to make the couch up for you?” Ettie asked.
“When she says, 'me,' she means me,” Elsa-May said from over the top of her knitting.
Selena smiled. “It’s okay. I can do that. Thank you.”
“Now, come and sit by me, Selena, and tell me something happy. Let’s not think about scarecrows anymore tonight.”
“Okay.” She sat down beside Ettie and told her about happy memories of her childhood when they vacationed by the seaside.
Ettie and Elsa-May then entertained her with stories of what they used to get up to on their farm when they were growing up. Their light-hearted conversion worked a treat, and Selena felt much better after the sisters had gone to bed leaving her alone. With Snowy staring at her from his dog bed, she made up the couch. As soon as she finished the job by spreading out the quilt, Snowy jumped up and lay down on one end.
Selena smiled. “You can be my watchdog, Snowy.” She didn’t know if he was any good at that kind of thing, but she certainly felt better staying at the house with the sisters for company and Gabriel next door.
Chapter 16
Selena couldn’t sleep that night, but it wasn’t because the couch was uncomfortable and it wasn't that she could barely move her legs because of Snowy spreading himself out. She couldn't stop wondering and worrying about who could’ve wanted her dead.
She’d only just drifted off to sleep when she heard a loud banging sound. In the groggy land of half-asleep and trying to wake, she heard footsteps and clattering along the floor, and then voices.
She sat up to see Gabriel walking into the house, and noticed the clattering was Ettie’s walking stick.
“I’m sorry to come here so early,” Gabriel said as Ettie led him further into the house.
Selena pulled the quilt up higher over herself. She was only wearing an oversized T-shirt.
“Gabriel’s heard something,” Ettie told her.
Selena knew from their grim faces that another person had been killed.
“What is it?” Elsa-May asked as she walked out of her bedroom.
Gabriel took off his hat, and said, “It’s Laine Schrock. She’s dead.”
Elsa-May froze in place. “How?”
Gabriel glanced over at Selena as though he didn’t want to speak in front of her. “It’s another scarecrow killing. I just heard about it when I went to hitch my horse at the Troyers’. I’m sorry, that's all I know, and I have to go right away. I’ve got a job that’ll last the whole day. Will you be okay, Selena?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Why don’t you come here for dinner tonight, Gabriel? Selena is staying with us for a couple of nights.”
His face lit up. “I’d be delighted.”
“We’ll see you at six-sharp,” Elsa-May said.
“I’ll be on time, shaved and showered.”
Elsa-May frowned at him as he turned and headed to the door.
“That’s good,” Ettie commented as she walked him out. She stood and watched him walk out the gate and was just about to close the door when she saw a car coming their direction. Being situated on a no-through-traffic road, they didn’t see many cars on their road. It was Detective Kelly’s car, she was certain of it.
“Here comes Kelly,” she called over her shoulder to Elsa-May.
“He’s early.”
“He’s here to tell us about the murder, I guess,” Selena said. “I should throw some clothes on. I'll be in the bathroom for a few minutes.”
“What kind of mood does he look like he's in?” Elsa-May was fully dressed already and made her way to her usual chair.
Ettie watched as he got out of the car. She turned around and said to Elsa-May. “He’s not looking very happy.”
“Oh dear, I hope it's not something that we've done.”
“I’ll quickly change into my day clothes.” Ettie found some sudden speed even though it hurt her back. She didn’t want to miss a word of what Kelly had to say. Abandoning her walking stick, she passed Selena, who was heading to the bathroom, and as she walked along the hallway she was pulling off her nightgown. She tossed it on the bed as soon as she reached her room, then pulled on her dress, piled her long hair into a hairnet and lastly, put on her prayer kapp at the same time as she pushed her feet into her slippers. She reached the front door just as Kelly got to it. She stood looking at him, waiting for him to speak.
“I hate to tell you this, but someone else has been murdered.”
“Laine Schrock,” she stated.
His eyebrows shot up. “How did you know?”
“We heard from Gabriel who heard from—”
He raised his hand telling her to stop. “I know news travels fast in your community, but I didn’t realize it was quite this fast.”
“Come inside. We’ve got Selena here too, as you probably know.”
Kelly sat down on his usual wooden chair in their living room, and Selena was now fully dressed and sitting on the couch.
Elsa-May said, “We know Laine Schrock, or we knew her, I should say. We knew her as Laney. We’re good friends of her family. She left the Amish. Let me see now ...”
Ettie tapped a bony finger on her chin. “That would've been about twenty years ago now. Isn’t that about right, Elsa-May?”
“I think so. Her family members don't talk about her now. I don't even know if they've been in touch with her.”
“They’ve been informed just now. I’ve just come from their home.”
“How are they taking the news?”
“Not too good as you can imagine. They had been hoping and no doubt praying that she’d return to the community. Now that possibility has been stripped away from them.”
“Should we visit them, Ettie?”
“Yes, is it alright if we do that?” Ettie looked directly at Detective Kelly.
He slowly nodded. “They might tell you something they didn't tell me.”
“That's not why we want to see them. They’re good friends of ours.”
Kelly sighed. “Do what you can to find out what you can by asking within your group of folk. This is now worldwide news, and you can imagine what pressure that brings on me. Three murders and Selena’s attempted murder.”
“I wish we could help more,” Ettie said.
“Well, there is something you could do for me.”
“What?”
“I could get you in to see Cedric."
“Who?” Elsa-May asked.
“There is one suspect whose information I left out of that file.”
“You mean there were three suspects?”
He nodded.
“That’s not fair.”
“Quiet, Elsa-May, let’s hear what he has to say.”
“His name’s Cedric Bloom. He’s serving time, that’s why I didn’t think he’d be a person of interest, but he could possibly be involved in the first murders. You see, he wasn’t allowed to marry the woman of his choice because she couldn’t, or wouldn’t, leave the Amish. She passed away soon after that. And, just weeks after her passing, her father was killed. He was the first of the scarecrow murders—the original ones.”
“Hmm, a murder of revenge, but if it
was him, why go on to kill others?”
“Hate? Some kind of self-justified revenge? Who knows what goes on in the mind of madmen—serial killers? Did you know that the term serial killers wasn’t used until the seventies?”
Ettie shook her head. “No idea.”
“Yes, I knew that,” Selena said. “I remember it was someone in the FBI who named it that.”
“Now, Detective Kelly, are you thinking that these murders—the new ones and the old—are related? Even though there were two distinctly different methods used for the killings? And, also the scarecrows were made in the recent ones, rather than stolen from the fields like in the first murders.”
“If I had all the answers to every question, Mrs. Smith, the case would already be solved.”
“Ettie knows you don’t know enough to solve the case yet, she’s just asking your opinion—whether you have evidence to suggest whether they’re the same killer?”
Ettie was pleased her sister appeared to be on her side for a change.
He shook his head. “It sure would make it a lot easier if we knew for sure. That’s why I’d love it if you two could visit this man.”
“Is this one of those tree branches you were talking about, Detective?” Elsa-May smirked.
He smiled. “That’s right. I want you both to visit him and see what he’ll tell you.”
“Why us?” Ettie asked. “Are we going to be used as some kind of bait?”
“He won’t be able to get at you since he’s in prison.”
“Yes, I suppose. Why us, if he hates the Amish?”
“Humph. He’ll tell you far more than he’ll tell law enforcement. That’s why. You’ll be wearing a wire so we can hear every word of what’s going on. I’ll give you information about the woman he wanted to marry and you might even know her.”
“Name?” Elsa-May leaned forward.
“Rita Hershberger.”
“Ettie, I think that’s Dulcie’s granddaughter.”
“It could be.”
“See? You’ve got something you can speak to him about already.” He leaned forward and stared directly at Ettie. Pungent aftershave wafted under Ettie’s nostrils reminding her of a mixture of gasoline and over-ripe berries. “Will you do it?” he asked.
Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries Box Set 7 Page 22