Bloody Ties (Serenity's Plain Secrets Book 8)

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  I set the bottle down on the table. “I tried to find you and never succeeded. You knew where I was all along. Why not come back sooner? Even if you weren’t ready to face the Amish yet, you could have at least touched base with me. We were in the same boat—we’d both gone English.”

  Zeke’s eyes looked troubled and he quickly glanced away. Running his hand through his mop of hair, he stood up and crossed the small room. “It just wasn’t in the cards, Danny. That doesn’t mean I didn’t think about you. There were even a couple of times when I got in my car and headed this way. Before I crossed into Blood Rock’s town limits, I’d turn back around.” He sat down again. Zeke was always an anxious type of person, hardly ever sitting still for long. “I just couldn’t bring myself to come back—even for you.”

  “What about when your parents’ died?”

  Zeke deposited his bottle on the table and rubbed his face. “I felt terrible, but it wasn’t enough to get me to return.”

  I ran my finger up and down the cold glass of the bottle. “We’d both talked about leaving when we were young. I’d dreamed about driving cars and being in movie theaters. But it was an outsider—a pretty young woman—that got me out the door. Not long after I’d left, I regretted my decision, and I guess I’d questioned it right up until the day I met Serenity. It finally all made sense once she came into my life.” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “You were different. Sure, you were rebellious and all, but there was something else you longed for that I never understood. Something you couldn’t get in the community.”

  Zeke nodded in earnest. “That’s right. You were probably the only person who even noticed.” He glanced up. “It was the pursuit of knowledge. I wanted to learn and experience everything I could. The close-minded ways of the Amish didn’t suit me well.”

  I took a deep breath. “What have you been doing all these years?”

  Zeke grinned, looking like his old self. “I traveled for a while. Visited most of Europe and South America. I even made it all the way to Australia. Of all the places I traveled to, I had the most fun down under.

  “I had no idea you left the country,” I said.

  He took another swig of his beer and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “That’s one of the benefits of anonymity, I didn’t have to send postcards or get souvenirs for anyone.”

  Part of my curiosity was genuine. Zeke was my cousin and a close childhood friend who I’d just been reunited with. I’d be lying if I said Serenity didn’t have anything to do with my friendly interrogation. I was also preparing for her barrage of questions.

  “How could you afford all that traveling?”

  Zeke’s expression hardened. “A lot of questions. Are you learning my bio so you can serve up the information to your wife on a silver platter?”

  I swallowed. Zeke had always been very perceptive. “Ahh…”

  I didn’t get to finish my sentence when Zeke burst out laughing. “Lighten up. I’m just teasing you.” He settled into the chair. “I guess you can say I’m somewhat of a computer genius. I’m good at numbers.” His smile deepened. “That was a career path I couldn’t take if I’d stayed Amish.”

  “Are you an accountant?”

  “Something like that,” he said. Before I could find out more, he successfully changed the subject. “Did anyone else leave the community after us?”

  The question rattled me and I searched my memories. “John Yoder left a few months after you. Elayne Weaver was out not long after that.”

  “Elayne went English?” When I nodded, Zeke whistled. “Oh man, she was best looking girl I’ve ever known—both inside and outside the community.” He inhaled deeply, looking past me with hazy eyes. “What’s become of her?”

  “She’s a lawyer here in Blood Rock, working at the DA’s office.”

  “Whoa, a lawyer—really?” He smacked his lips. “I’m not that surprised. That girl had a lot of ambition. I remember how she used to have eyes for you and no one else. Even after she started courting Joseph, she still wanted you. I’m surprised you two didn’t hook up once you were both out.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “Or did you?”

  “No. I admire Elayne’s tenacity, but I never saw her the same way all the rest of you did. As far as Joseph, he married Katherine and they have a boatload of kids.”

  “How’s your sister, Rebecca?”

  “About the same as Katherine. She’s content as a wife and mother.”

  Zeke’s expression became thoughtful. “It’s hard to believe stern old Moses let you back into his life.”

  “It wasn’t easy, I’ll tell you that. Serenity was a factor. She’s done a lot for the community and our people respect her.”

  Zeke’s eyes narrowed a tad, making the hair on the back of my neck rise.

  “I hear she’s one hell of a cop—that she solves every case she’s on. Is that true?”

  “Where’d you hear that?” A wave of discomfort flowed through me.

  He shrugged. “People talk—even in the city. Serenity’s made quite a name for herself. Hard to believe when she’s stationed out here in sticks. She must be special.”

  Something about the way he spoke, quietly and carefully, made me sit up straighter. How well did I really know my cousin? With sudden clarity, I realized I didn’t know him at all anymore.

  “She’s a damn good law officer. Her instincts are spot on, and she isn’t afraid to put her own life on the line to solve a crime.”

  “So, she’s a good cop—one of the ones who’s on the up and up?” Zeke asked.

  It was a strange thing to ask. “Of course. Serenity is the most honorable person I know.”

  Zeke sprang to his feet again, and began pacing. “Then you’re a lucky man, Daniel. A woman like that is hard to find.” I didn’t get a chance to respond. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “This is an important call, Daniel. I have to take it.”

  Getting the not so subtle hint, I quickly rose. “Do you need a ride tomorrow? I’d be happy to swing by and take you into town to get a rental.”

  Zeke shook his head. “No worries. I have it under control. The rental company will bring one out in the morning.”

  His tight posture told me he wanted me gone.

  I left the house with a raised hand and sour stomach. The entire encounter hadn’t just been unsatisfying, it had been downright strange.

  Climbing into the Jeep, I was beginning to feel the same way my parents did. Maybe it would have been better if Zeke hadn’t come back.

  6

  Serenity

  Darkness had finally fallen beyond the diner’s windows. The day seemed longer than usual. Taking a bite of my bacon cheeseburger, I met Bobby’s curious gaze. After I swallowed, I sipped from my cola and sat back.

  “I’m not Elayne’s moral advisor. She can date whoever she wants,” I finally said.

  Blood Rock’s coroner pushed his glasses back. His gray hair was messy and his shirt rumpled. Judging from his appearance, he’d had a tiring day as well. “Do you think it’s a good idea for our assistant DA to get involved with a new police recruit?”

  “Especially one who’s a known cheater?” Todd chimed in.

  I shot Todd the death stare and he quickly looked down at his chicken tenders. Why did everyone care so much about Elayne’s love life?

  “Ryan’s not a bad guy.” Todd cleared his throat, but didn’t look up. I ignored him. “He went through a bad spell, and CJ was a casualty. In the end, it worked out perfectly. She’s thrilled to be marrying Joshua Miller. They never would have met if Ryan hadn’t done what he had.”

  “You’re defending him?” Todd dared to speak up and I swiveled in his direction. Staring straight back at me, he plowed on. “I didn’t think you were a believer in fate and destiny. And I never thought you’d stick up for a man who couldn’t keep it in his pants.”<
br />
  Todd’s fierce look made me laugh. I popped a French fry into my mouth and turned back to Bobby. “Actually, I don’t usually care about men’s sexual exploits, as long as they don’t physically abuse a woman. Ryan isn’t that kind of guy. He’s paid the price for his stupid behavior, and CJ’s happily moved on. If she can forgive him, I certainly don’t have a problem doing so, and neither should either of you.”

  Bobby made a huffing sound. “I wasn’t talking about his exploits with women. My concern about his involvement with Elayne is that there’s obviously more going on with the man than meets the eye.” His bushy brows arched. “I think you know more about why he’s here and aren’t filling us in on the details.”

  Bobby had been the town’s coroner for decades. Not much got past him.

  “Yeah, it makes no sense that he’d leave his cushy detective job in Indy to join our little department in the country.” Todd’s square chin jutted forward and he rubbed his buzzed head.

  I had anticipated this conversation and I was prepared. “You know how it is in the big city, Todd. Not everyone gets along or is on the same page. The workload and bureaucracy for law officers is a lot more stressful than it is here. Besides, up until a couple weeks ago, he’d hoped to reunite with CJ. That didn’t work out, but he decided to stay anyway.”

  Todd shook his head and wagged his finger. “No, no, no. No guy is going to stick around and watch their formal girlfriend get married.”

  “I tend to agree with Todd on this one,” Bobby said.

  Irritation began to crawl its way into my head. “Look, we have more important things to discuss than Ryan and Elayne getting it on. I could care less who either of them sleeps with, so drop it.”

  Bobby leaned back as he twirled the end of his mustache with his fingertips. Todd couldn’t keep his mouth shut if his life depended on it.

  In a low voice, he said, “Do you really think they’re already having sex?”

  I rolled my eyes and then searched the almost empty diner. It was approaching nine o’clock and Nancy was wiping down the countertop. The servers were beginning to gather the ketchup and mustard bottles to fill them for the next day, and if I cocked my head just right, I could hear the lively banter coming from the kitchen where the cleanup crew worked.

  Reluctantly bringing my attention back to my first deputy, I hissed, “Can you just shut up, please?”

  Todd was opening his mouth for a comeback when Bobby intervened. “Children, let’s move on to the newcomer.” I flashed Todd a dirty look before settling my gaze on Bobby. “What do you know about him?”

  “You mean besides being a shitty driver?” Todd grumbled the words out.

  I took a deep breath and didn’t turn my head his way. “Zeke Bachman, short for Ezekiel, is Daniel’s cousin. He left the Blood Rock Amish when he was around nineteen and up until today, he hadn’t been seen by anyone in the community, including his mother who died a few years ago. He doesn’t even show up on the system. He’s never owned a house, taken out a car loan or voted. Since he grew up Amish, there’s no school records. He’s never been issued a passport, but funny thing is, David said the man’s traveled extensively abroad. He’s a ghost. If I hadn’t seen him in the flesh and shaken his hand, I would think he didn’t exist.”

  “You talked to Daniel about him?” Todd leaned in. His voice had lost all combativeness. He was back to his usual nosy self.

  “Briefly on the phone. He mentioned that Zeke was some kind of accountant, but didn’t give me any details or a name of a company he worked for.” I twirled the straw in my cola. “It’s all kind of weird.” Glancing between my friends, a sliver sliced through me. “I don’t like the guy. He gives me a bad feeling.”

  Bobby finished off his coffee and set the mug down softly. “That’s troubling. Your instincts are usually accurate. The last thing the Amish need is a trouble maker in their midst. Maybe you should keep an eye on Mr. Zeke Bachman.”

  “Oh, I intend to.” I glanced around the diner feeling paranoid and lowered my voice even further. “Bobby, do you know anything about the Moretti family?”

  “The Indy mob?” Bobby said.

  I nodded.

  Bobby’s features scrunched. He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes before pushing them back into place. “Back in the seventies when I was still a fledgling coroner, I did a short stint in Indianapolis. It was like the Wild West back then. Mobsters mingled freely with common folk and politicians. You had to tread lightly, and I did my part. For the most part, I kept out of their way.”

  “For the most part?” I chuckled, glancing at Todd. His eyes were wide with curiosity.

  “At that time, it was the DeLuca family running things. I remember one summer in particular where they kept the morgue extra busy. Bodies came in on a daily basis. Between turf wars and thinning out disloyal associates, the murder rate in the city soared. No one cared too much about the bodies piling up. They were mostly nobodies with their own wrap sheets. The police looked the other way. Some feared reprisals and others were paid off. You know how it goes.” Bobby glanced at his watch and paused to take a breath. “Things were business as usual until the mayor’s eighteen-year-old daughter went missing. Her body was found on the edge of the river a week later. The death was ruled an accidental overdose, but the mayor and everyone in the department knew it wasn’t that cut and dry. You see, the girl was dating one of the DeLuca boys. And that arm of the Midwest mafia was beginning to import a lot more cocaine from Mexico. Some of the stuff turned out to be tainted. A dozen or so drug related deaths were reported that same week.” Bobby’s gaze drifted out the window. “Well, the mayor, who’d let everything slide in the past, was beyond distressed. He had enough and ordered the precinct to begin hauling in DeLuca family members.”

  I knew the story. I pushed my plate away and slumped in the booth, losing my appetite.

  Bobby continued. “That little bit of pressure on the family set off two weeks of murder and chaos in the city. In the end, six police officers, two undercover detectives, and the mayor himself were dead. The feds came in but were unable to do much damage control, except make the arrests of a few lower level soldiers. Over time, another family rose, unseating the DeLuca’s, and the drug business turned to heroin. The prostitution rings and gambling raged on for a time until other gangs chipped away at the mob’s territory.”

  “Wow, I didn’t realize the mafia still had any clout. Now the Moretti family is in charge?” Todd asked.

  Bobby nodded solemnly. “They outsource a share of the business to local groups and even the cartel. But they’re still around, operating in the shadows and making a ton of money.”

  “Ryan says Zeke Bachman is a known player in Indy. He isn’t exactly sure how deep the connection is, but he was visibly disturbed to see Zeke here in Blood Rock,” I said.

  “That’s very interesting.” Bobby continued to twirl his mustache.

  “Sheriff, can I have a word?”

  I startled and looked up. Jerome Wilson was standing there, still in uniform and appearing fairly relaxed.

  Bobby took it as his cue to say goodnight and scuttled out of the booth, letting me know he had an early morning and a stack of files on his desk to organize. Todd was more reluctant to leave. I had to slide out of the booth and flick my hand to get his butt moving.

  “Sure, we were just finishing dinner,” I replied.

  Todd’s smile was friendly when he passed by the other officer, slapping the man on the back. “You’re doing a great job,” Todd said before he winked at me and headed for the counter.

  Jerome motioned at the place Bobby had vacated and I nodded for him to sit down. The man had impeccable manners and smooth voice. With his dark skin, it was difficult to tell if what Todd had said made him blush, but his eyes gave his humble response away. He looked mighty proud of the compliment.

  “What’s on you
r mind?” I asked.

  Jerome didn’t blink much. The small smile that erupted on his face was a little too confident for a newbie.

  “There was an incident the other day I’d like to discuss with you,” he said pleasantly. I nodded for him to continue. “Your man, Ryan, and I disagreed on procedure during a call—”

  I stopped him with a raised hand. “Ryan isn’t my man. He’s an officer in the department, just like you.”

  Jerome’s smile became even more indulgent. “No need to dance around the facts, Sheriff. Ryan Donavan used to be your partner in Indianapolis. He’s your friend, and that’s why I referred to him as your man.”

  Jerome’s speech pattern wasn’t exactly Midwestern, although he was trying hard to sound like he’d grown up in Cincinnati, Ohio. At least that’s what he put on his application and the background check had checked out. I wasn’t a betting woman, but I’d put money down that Jerome had spent a significant amount of time in the northeast. My roommate in college was from Boston, and her best friend from New Jersey would occasionally visit. I had more than my share of New England voice lessons. It didn’t really matter where Jerome had picked up the tiny northern accent. It was his condescending tone that bugged me.

  I crossed my arms on the table and exhaled slowly. There were too many men getting on my nerves lately. I worked to keep my voice as amicable as his. “Ryan told me all about it. You two have different styles of handling matters. I don’t see that either direction was wrong, so let it go.” I set my mouth firmly. “I’m not reassigning you a new partner at this time. Our department is too small to shift officers around because of personality conflicts. You might learn a thing or two from Ryan, and vice versa. Make it work, and you’ll be a better cop for it.”

  A look of admiration passed over Jerome’s face, but it was gone so quickly, I thought I might have imagined it.

  “Officer Donavan is an undisciplined cop. I’m sure you already know that, but it doesn’t bother you?” he pressed.