Secrets in the Grave

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  “And her baby. The child must be buried, too,” Hannah said.

  “Of course. When both of them are buried.”

  Hannah whirled away, trotting up the steps after her mother.

  Serenity scowled at me and Bobby. We took a step closer together as Todd joined our group. “Are you kidding me?” Serenity whispered.

  “As I’ve told you before, nothing is simple or straightforward with the Amish,” Bobby said, tilting his head. He twirled the end of his gray mustache between his fingers.

  Serenity lifted her hand and pointed to her fingers as she talked. “We have a young pregnant woman. She’s not married. She dies under somewhat strange circumstances and her family doesn’t want to talk about it.” Her gaze settled on me. “Sound familiar?”

  “Maybe she died of natural causes.” I paused to look at Bobby. “It happens sometimes, doesn’t it?”

  Bobby nodded. “Sure it does. If the pregnancy develops somewhere other than the uterus, a rupture can occur that causes internal bleeding and death, but that usually happens much earlier in a pregnancy. Beth indicated that the fetus looked to be around four months along. It’s odd that a catastrophic event would take place at that point in the pregnancy.”

  “What if something like this happens to Heather?” Todd interrupted.

  We turned to look at him. He was pale and frowning.

  Bobby rested his hand on Todd’s shoulder. “Heather has been seeing an obstetrician on a regular basis since the very beginning of conception. Trust me, her doctor would know by now if she had any problems with the pregnancy or the baby. She’s in good hands.” Bobby dismissed him and turned back to Serenity. “Usually, if a mother dies in the process, it’s early in the pregnancy or at the end when a full term baby is delivered and there are complications. This woman’s death is mystery.”

  “How long will the autopsy take?” Serenity asked.

  “I’ll get right on it. I should have some information for you by tomorrow. The state lab’s analysis of this cup—” Bobby held it up. “—will take a couple of days with a rush order. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that parsley tea is a known herbal abortifacient.”

  “Parsley can cause miscarriage?” Serenity said with wide-eyed disbelief.

  “It’s a primitive treatment that’s been used for centuries to induce menstruation and bleeding,” Bobby stressed.

  Serenity glanced around the room. Aaron was still seated at the table, but his head was turned toward us. Several women were making their way to the stairway and a small group of men were gathered on the porch beyond the screened door.

  “Whoa, wait a minute, ladies,” Serenity called out. Todd walked to the front of the line, blocking the staircase. All eyes turned to Serenity. “Jeremy, over here.” Serenity motioned to the young deputy.

  Jeremy squeezed in between the women. “Yes, ma’am,” he said when he reached us.

  “Where was the body when you arrived?” Serenity asked.

  “Upstairs. She was on a bed,” Jeremy replied, blinking.

  Serenity looked in Bobby’s direction and the old man started toward the stairs. “I’m on it.”

  Serenity flicked her finger for Todd to join the coroner.

  When it was just Serenity, me and Jeremy, she asked, “Where was the fetus?”

  “Wrapped in a towel beside the body.” Jeremy took a breath. “Raymond and Beth bagged them together.”

  Serenity sighed. “Get these people out of here. Only family members in the house.”

  I spoke up. “Ah, Serenity. Everyone here is probably related in one way or another.”

  Serenity rolled her eyes, but sighed in understanding. “Okay. Only the mother and sister are allowed to stay. Clear the house.”

  Jeremy hesitated on the balls of his feet. “Is this a murder investigation?”

  “I sure hope not, but until we know for sure, we’ll treat it like it is,” Serenity replied.

  When we were alone, Aaron rose from his chair. Serenity held up her hand, stopping him. “Give us a minute, please.”

  I followed Serenity into the adjoining room. There was a small burgundy couch and two tan chairs in the small space. I glanced back through the open doorway at Jeremy as he herded the Amish women from the house. They argued quietly with him while he ushered them along. I certainly didn’t envy his job.

  “What do you know about all of this?” Serenity demanded.

  Her accusing tone made my stomach clench. So much for, “Hi dear, how’s your day going?”

  “I don’t know anything.” I threw up my hands.

  Serenity wasn’t convinced. She leaned in closer, her eyes narrowed. “Why were you here with your mother?”

  I drew in a deep breath. Only once before had I felt such strong emotion for a woman and it had been the worst mistake of my life. I couldn’t deny that I loved Serenity, but I was still wondering if we’d be together in the end. The damn woman had a solid brick wall around her that I couldn’t penetrate no matter how hard I tried. She didn’t trust me.

  “Father and Ma wanted to talk to me about Jonas Peachey—”

  “The medicine man?”

  “Yes. He moved into town right about the time we were doing the arson investigation in Poplar Springs.”

  “Yeah, I know. The bishop paid me a visit early on. He wanted me to run the man and his family off or something. It was weird. He didn’t give me any actual reasons for his intense discomfort with Mr. Peachey. He was keeping secrets, as usual.” Serenity scoffed.

  I didn’t know whether to frown or chuckle. Serenity’s lips pressed tightly together.

  “Why didn’t you mention this to me a long time ago?”

  Serenity shrugged. “It didn’t seem important at the time.” She shifted her feet. “I thought it was just Amish drama—nothing the authorities needed to be involved with.”

  I half-laughed, shaking my head. “Since I used to be Amish and these are my people, it should have occurred to you that I’d be interested. Hell, you should have wanted to share the information with me.”

  Several emotions passed over Serenity’s face. Anger flashed and turned to reluctant contriteness.

  “Sorry. I got busy with other things. Can we talk about it now?” Serenity’s eyes glittered with hopefulness.

  “I guess we have no choice.” Serenity’s pretty face darkened with hostility and I added, “Ma told me that there have been some strange healing practices going on in the community lately. She was concerned that things might get out of hand. She wanted me to talk to you about it.”

  “I can’t arrest people who haven’t committed a crime yet,” Serenity pointed out.

  “Would it make you more inclined to do so if you knew that Jonas had visited the Kuhns family several times in recent weeks? And that Jonas’ wife died in childbirth?”

  Serenity pulled her little notebook out of her pocket. “Go on,” she said.

  3

  SERENITY

  I stared across the table at Bishop Esch, my mind swirling. “Robyn Peachey, Jonas’ wife, was your sister?”

  “She was the youngest child in my family. That’s why I’m so well acquainted with Jonas,” the bishop said.

  The Amish man was tall and thin. His long beard was mostly white, as was his hair and his bushy eyebrows. His black hat, coat and pants made him look like the harbinger of death. I still remembered him standing over me as I had lain bleeding and bruised on the dirt floor of the abandoned barn. He was a vigilante leader—a scary guy. But for all that, I’d managed to come to a truce with him, although it was awkward at times.

  The bishop leaned further across the table on his elbows. “I was visiting Robyn and her girls at their home in Ohio when she died.”

  “Was her death similar to this one?” I pointed straight up, indicating where Fannie Kuhns died.

  The bishop frowned. “She was in labor when it happened. Her daughter survived.”

  I glanced at my notes. “The girl would be about ten years o
ld now?”

  “Yes, that is correct.”

  I glanced at my notes. “And your brother-in-law takes care of his two youngest girls, Verna and Esta?”

  Bishop Esch shook his head. “Jonas may live in the same house, but it’s his sister, Ada Mae, who cares for the children. Always has, since Robyn’s death.”

  My eyes strayed to Daniel as I organized the relationships of everyone we’d been discussing in my mind.

  “So. Jonas Peachey came to the Kuhns’ home on several occasions to provide medicinal relief to someone this month? That’s all you have?”

  “Isn’t that enough, Sheriff?” His eyebrows rose.

  “I’m afraid it’s all circumstantial.” The bishop slumped in his seat at my words. My gut tightened and I went out on a limb. “Let me interview a few more people and get the autopsy and toxicology reports back.” I didn’t flinch when I met Bishop Esch’s hard gaze. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep an eye on Jonas.”

  Daniel and I left the bishop whispering to James Hooley in the corner of the kitchen. There were two groups of people waiting in the yard and Jeremy was standing at the base of the steps, guarding the entrance to the house. To the right were about a dozen men and to the left were the same number of women. Children of all ages sat across the front lawn. They all seemed to be waiting for something to happen. A line of buggies was parked along the driveway.

  “Did Bobby and Todd manage to sneak by us while we were talking to the bishop?” I asked Jeremy.

  He blew out a sigh of relief at our appearance. The young deputy was an excellent cop, except when dealing with the Amish. He was terrified of them.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He nodded vigorously. “Bobby told me to tell you that he’d collected everything he needed and that Todd took photos of the room. He’d see you back at the office. He wanted to get started on the autopsy right away.”

  Daniel nudged my arm and I looked at him. I wasn’t exactly short at five foot five, but I always had to crane my neck when I stood too close to Daniel’s six five, muscled frame. His dark brown hair curled messily around his head, and his brown eyes were anxious.

  “I don’t see Jonas Peachey.” He continued to search the crowd.

  “Jeremy, did the blue-eyed man, the one who the bishop pointed out earlier, slip away?” I asked, drawing out the question, dreading his answer.

  Jeremy swallowed, glanced around and looked back at me. “I’m sorry, ma’am. They’re all dressed the same and having those beards, I can’t tell them apart.”

  I took a calming breath. I got it, but it annoyed the crap out of me. “They are different when you take the time to really look at them. Some are tall and some are short. They have varying lengths and colors of beards.” I paused and motioned at the crowd with my hand. “If you look closely, they’re not all wearing coats. Some have blue shirts and others are wearing tan ones. It’s not that difficult, and one last thing.” Jeremy looked sullenly at me like a dog kicked off the porch. “For the hundredth time, stop calling me ma’am. Serenity will do.”

  “I’m sorry, ma—Serenity. I will…try.” Jeremy stumbled over the words.

  I waved him away. “Go ahead and open the house up to the community.” I turned back to Daniel. “Do you have any idea where Jonas Peachey’s farm is?”

  “I sure do.” Daniel grinned.

  As I followed Daniel’s springy step to his Jeep, I got the distinct feeling that he was excited about a brand new mystery to solve.

  I hoped that it would keep him preoccupied and we wouldn’t have to continue our conversation from this morning any time soon.

  “How well do you know this guy?” I asked, gazing out the window at the neat farmhouses and the dark earth of the cropland surrounding them.

  The sun was all but gone and with the cloudy, darkening sky came the strong scent of dampness on the cooler air. I kept my sunglasses on anyway. I didn’t want Daniel to read my thoughts through my eyes.

  “I met him on a few occasions when I was a kid. Robyn is a distant cousin of mine. To the Amish, cousins are as important as siblings, even if they’re second cousins once removed. I spent a lot of time when I was growing up traveling around from one Amish settlement to another to see my parents’ extended family.”

  “What did you think of him back then?” I titled my head sideways to study Daniel’s profile. His nose was strong and straight. His sunglasses kept me from reading him as well.

  “Honestly, the man scared me. He has real powers.”

  “Powers? Can you elaborate?” I couldn’t keep the pitch of my voice from rising at the absurdity of the conversation.

  Daniel chuckled. “All right. I know this probably sounds crazy to a scientific-minded person like yourself, but there are people who are gifted with the ability to heal others.”

  When I grunted, he hurried on, “Now wait a minute. My mother has been blessed that way. Granted, her powers aren’t as strong as Jonas’, but she’s healed before.”

  “Are you serious? You don’t really believe in all that charlatan nonsense.”

  “I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” Daniel said, smacking his hand on the wheel. “When I was around eight years old, I was riding double with my friend Lester Lapp—Mervin’s father—on a newly broke colt. I didn’t realize the maple tree we’d stopped beneath had a hornet’s nest in it. When we heard the buzzing, it was too late. The stings on my neck and arms weren’t nearly as bad as when that colt went into a bucking fit. We fell off and Lester hit the tree. Ma heard our screams and came running from the house. I was already up and had dragged Lester away from the tree and the bees, but he wasn’t moving. Blood was mixed in with his blond hair.” Daniel took a deep breath and shook the memory loose before he continued. “I’ll never forget how I held my breath while Ma laid her hands on Lester. She was murmuring that he was still with us—that he hadn’t left his body yet. Then she began praying. They weren’t ordinary words coming from her mouth, not entirely German or English. It was a language that I’d never heard before. Her eyes glazed over and her words turned into a constant stream of strange mumblings. The wind picked up around us and I began moving my own mouth, praying to God not to take my best friend away.

  “A moment later, Ma fell over and I moved around Lester’s prone body to reach her. She was asleep. That’s when Lester opened his eyes and asked what happened. Ma slept a lot the rest of the week. She wouldn’t talk about the incident in front of us kids.”

  My heart was racing by the time he stopped talking, but I didn’t want to believe. “In hindsight, don’t you think that maybe Lester was simply unconscious from the fall and he woke up naturally?”

  “What about Ma?” Daniel asked.

  “Maybe some kind of induced hysteria, I don’t know. It’s easier to believe that she lost her mind for a moment than she actually used supernatural powers to heal Lester.”

  “There are things in this world that can’t be explained. I know what I saw and what I felt. It was real,” Daniel said with sureness before he turned onto the winding gravel driveway that led up a hill to a blue farmhouse with a wraparound porch. Most Amish homes were white. Seeing the different color set the immediate tone that these weren’t ordinary Amish people.

  “All that aside, if Jonas is supposed to have healing powers, why would he use those gifts to harm people?”

  “That’s what we’re going to have to figure out. Healers don’t always just use their own bodily forces to cure people. Oftentimes, it’s their knowledge of herbs and different plants that give them the ability to make teas, oils, tinctures and poultices that do the healing. This kind of knowledge is passed down from generation to generation and is more powerful than even the laying of the hands, sometimes.

  I absorbed his words as he parked the Jeep and turned off the engine. When he looked at me, he was frowning.

  “Be careful with Jonas. Even if you don’t believe that he has powers, he is crafty. Keep your guard up the entire time you’re around him, and for heaven’s s
ake, don’t—”

  “Drink or eat anything,” I cut him off, smirking.

  “I’m not kidding,” Daniel said with a sterner voice.

  I couldn’t resist. I leaned in and kissed his lips. At first they were stubbornly unresponsive, but when my tongue tried to push them apart, they loosened and opened hungrily. This part of our relationship was more than okay. It was his pestering about other things that gave me fits.

  A thought occurred and I pulled back. He groaned, but released me.

  “If Jonas Peachey is so scary, then how does he get any business?”

  Daniel chuckled as if I were either stupid or naïve. I bristled.

  “He may be a strange man, but he has a gift. If your child were sick, wouldn’t you do anything to save him or her? Besides, you’ll see for yourself. He’s a charmer.”

  All I could reply was a weak, “Maybe,” as I clutched the door handle and stepped out.

  “Are you ready?” I asked with deliberate slowness.

  Daniel met my gaze and smiled. “I’m fine. You’re the one who has no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”

  A shiver passed through me. I wouldn’t say it out loud, but I was afraid he was right.

  4

  SERENITY

  Scented candles burned on the fireplace mantle, and dim light shone through the small windows. I sat beside Daniel on an uncomfortable Shaker style wooden bench and across from Ada Mae. It was hard to tell her age at a glance. The hair poking out from beneath her white cap was auburn and her eyes were green. She was slender and straight backed, but like other middle-aged Amish women, the gray hairs at her temples weren’t colored. Her oval face was makeup free, exposing a few discolorations and wrinkles. The resemblance to her brother made me squirm. They shared the same sculptured high cheekbones, straight noses and slant at the corner of their eyes. Her wandering eyes told me she had a busy mind. She was more composed than I expected her to be, almost as if she’d been expecting our visit.

  “Are you sure you don’t want a cup of coffee or tea?” she repeated.