by Alison Stone
Anna wondered a little guiltily if Mariam knew of the suspicions surrounding her brother. If she did, she didn’t let on. An urge to assure the dear woman her brother had nothing to do with her daughter’s disappearance almost overwhelmed her, but she decided not to spoil the mood.
“It’s so quiet here. Peaceful.”
Mariam nodded. “How are you doing, Anna? You have suffered a terrible loss.”
Weariness weighed heavily in her chest. “I’m fine.”
Mariam nodded, then examined the design in her fabric. Setting her project aside, Mariam rocked slowly back and forth in her rocker, a faraway look descended into her eyes. “You only met my Eli yesterday?”
Anna gripped the smooth handles of the rocker. “Yes.”
The corners of Mariam’s pale lips turned down. “That surprises me. I would have guessed you’ve known each other longer. You seem—” she seemed to be searching for the right word “—comfortable with each other.” Mariam waved her hand in dismissal. “I suppose it’s just as well...” She let her words trail off. “My heart longs for him to come home.”
“To return to the Amish life?” The words flew from Anna’s lips before she was able to call them back.
Blushing, Mariam picked up her project and guided the needle through the fabric. “I want to know that he’s okay. It would give me a measure of peace.” She lifted her gaze to meet Anna’s, a plea in her eyes.
* * *
The next morning was Sunday. Feeling uncomfortable in his own skin, Eli followed a half step behind Anna up the steps of Apple Creek Community Church. How she picked this one over the church across the street was a mystery to him. He supposed it had to do with the time of the church service.
“I don’t know how you talked me into this,” he muttered. “Is this what you and my mother were conspiring about last night? To get me back to church of some kind?”
“No, this is strictly for me.” Anna bowed her head, her long chestnut hair flowing in loose curls over her shoulders. “I need to go to church this morning to pray from my brother. Sometimes I get so caught up in the trials of life, I forget to lean on my faith.” Her voice cracked over the last few words. Immediately regretting his flippant attitude, he caught her hand and gave it a quick squeeze.
“And to pray for Tiffany’s recovery,” she added as she pulled on the large wooden door leading into the church.
Eli quickly reached around her and grabbed the wrought-iron handle. She smiled her thanks and brushed past him as they entered the foyer. He realized this was the first time he had ever been in a church building. Growing up in an Amish community, they worshiped in barns and homes, a throwback to the days of fearing persecution.
Anna slipped into a pew at the back of the church. In the quiet moments before the service started, Eli tried to recall one of the prayers he had memorized as a child, but he couldn’t focus. He was eager to get back to Daniel’s apartment and go through his things thoroughly. Maybe they’d find something they had missed, perhaps the photos.
Anna’s shoulder brushed his as they scooted along the polished wood of the pew to make room for another family. He couldn’t figure out how this woman he had just met two days ago had convinced him to attend a church service. No other woman had ever had this kind of influence over him. Her long lashes swept her smooth skin as she bowed her head in prayer. She was absolutely beautiful.
And your job is to keep her safe. Period. A harsh voice snapped him out of his daydream. And if the investigation continued on the track he suspected, she’d never forgive him for accusing her brother of hurting his sister. His shoulders sagged and he settled back in the pew.
A sharp clacking drew Eli’s attention toward the center aisle. Beth and Richard Christopher strode into the church, her heels sounding against the hardwood floor, their eyes straight ahead. Next to him, Anna’s face grew red. “It’s okay,” he whispered.
“Coming here was a bad idea. I had no idea this was their church.”
Eli reached over and touched her knee. “I think technically it’s God’s church.”
A quiet giggle bubbled from her lips. Warmth coiled around his heart.
A few moments later, the minister took the altar and led the congregation in prayer. Anna stood silently next to him while everyone around them joined in. When the song finished, the minister greeted the congregation.
“This is a glorious Sunday and we owe much thanks to the Lord. Our prayers have been answered. I have wonderful news this morning about Tiffany Christopher, a young member of our church, who as most of you know had been in a horrible plane crash. She has regained consciousness. Praise God.”
Eli’s gaze locked with Anna’s.
“Please continue to pray for her complete recovery. We welcome her parents here this morning. Let us pray.” After a slight pause, the minister added, “Let us also pray for the young man who perished in the crash. I understand he was new to our small town. May he find eternal peace.”
Eli waited until the quiet reflection was over before he whispered into Anna’s ear. “I hate to do this to you, but we have to go.”
A vertical line appeared between Anna’s brows, but she didn’t argue. They slipped out of the church. “What’s going on?” she asked as soon as they were outside.
“If Tiffany is awake, we need to talk to her right now. While her parents are still in church.”
* * *
“Do you think they’ll let us in to see her?” Anna’s insides twisted into knots. Part of her was afraid of what she’d learn from Tiffany about her brother. But deep in her heart, she knew he had nothing to do with Mary’s disappearance.
“Yes. I may have to tell them it’s official FBI business, but they’ll let me in.”
“Is it official FBI business?”
“I’m FBI and it’s important to me.”
Anna nodded and swallowed a lump in her throat, deciding not to force the issue further. “I don’t know if I can do this. I’m not very good in hospitals.” Her grandmother had already been in frail health when her mother had died, so she couldn’t take in her orphaned grandchildren. Less than a year after Anna’s mother was killed, her grandmother lingered for three weeks in the hospital before dying.
Outside the ICU wing, Eli cupped Anna’s shoulders. “I want you to stay outside the room near the nurses’ station. I’ll go in and talk to Tiffany.” He raised an eyebrow and seemed to try to read her thoughts. “Are you okay?”
Anna waved her hand in dismissal. “Fine. Just not a fan of hospitals.” She shrugged. “But who is, huh?”
Eli nodded, pinning her with his intense brown eyes. “We don’t know what kind of shape Tiffany’s in, so don’t count on anything. She may not be able to talk to us.”
Anna nodded in understanding. Leaning an elbow on the counter at the nurses’ station, she watched Eli approach Tiffany’s bed. She had a clear view through floor-to-ceiling windows. The area was filled with quiet chatter, subtle beeping and the occasional squeak of a nurse’s sneaker against the shiny linoleum.
Tiffany opened her eyes and blinked a few times when Eli approached. She wore a look of confusion on her pretty face. Anna understood why her brother may have been attracted to her. Tiffany’s gaze seemed to drift past Eli and land on Anna. Lowering her eyes, Anna felt like she had been caught gawking. Her heart rate kicked up a notch.
When she lifted her gaze, Tiffany pointed a shaky hand, tubes and tape attached, at her. Eli turned around and nodded. He came to the door of the hospital room. “Tiffany’s a bit out of it, but she wants to see you.”
“Me?”
“Apparently she recognized you from a photo in Daniel’s apartment.”
Anna struggled to find words. Eli took her hand and led her into the room. Tiffany lay back on her pillow, her eyes tracking Anna’s movements.
A small smile pulled at the corners of Tiffany’s mouth.
“I’m Daniel’s sister, Anna.” Tiffany seemed very frail underneath the thin hospital blanket. “How are you feeling?”
Tiffany’s forehead creased. “I’m just glad to be here. Time will tell.” The young woman’s eyes drifted toward the window. “I’m sorry about Daniel. He was a really nice guy.”
“Thank you.” Eli stood close behind Anna, providing much needed moral support. “Do you know what Daniel was up to recently?”
Tiffany dragged a shaky hand across her mouth. “He liked to take photographs.”
Anna glanced up at Eli. There had to be more to it.
“Was he doing anything more? Was he looking for something?” Eli asked. Anna could tell he was being careful with the questions, but he kept glancing toward the door, making her even more nervous. She wondered how long they had before her angry parents showed up.
Tiffany scrunched her lips. She seemed to be struggling with a decision.
Anna took a risk and covered Tiffany’s hand with hers. “You can’t hurt Daniel now. Please tell us if you know anything.”
The young woman sighed heavily. “He seemed obsessed with the disappearance of Mary Miller. I don’t know why.”
“He didn’t say?” The eagerness in Eli’s voice mirrored her own emotions.
“No. I figured he was going to do a feature on the story with photographs.”
“How did you meet Daniel?” Eli asked.
“He came by the house looking for Chase, but my brother was out of town. He travels a lot for work.” Tiffany rolled her eyes. “The all-important family business.” She coughed. Eli stepped around Anna, picked up the water from the bedside table and held the straw to her mouth. She took a few sips. “I told Daniel I had an interest in photography and we started hanging out.” Tiffany gave them a watery smile. “I thought he was cute and so different than a lot of the boys my mom tries to fix me up with. At first I just lied about liking photography. But his enthusiasm for it was contagious.”
“Where were you going on Friday morning?” Anna asked.
“To see you. He was worried. He said you hadn’t answered any of his calls. He hadn’t taken his plane up in a while. He figured we could take a short trip to Buffalo.”
The email suggested he had been flying to see her but having it confirmed made her feel even worse. She crossed her arms.
Tiffany shrugged a thin shoulder. “I tagged along at the last minute. I thought it would be fun to shoot some photos from the plane. I’m sure my mom was shocked when she learned I had been in a plane crash. I told her I was going shopping with a friend. Once I recover, she’ll probably kill me for lying to her.” Tiffany laughed.
“I’m sure they’re just thankful you’re going to be okay.” Eli set the cup of water back down on the table. “Did Daniel have his camera with him on the plane?”
“Yes. He never went anywhere without it.”
Anna rubbed her forehead, wondering where the camera was now.
“Did Daniel ever catch up with Chase?” Eli glanced at the clock on the wall. The church service would be ending soon.
“Yes. Once he stopped over to see me and Chase was home. They went outside to talk, so I didn’t hear the entire conversation. But he was obsessed with something that happened when they were in the fraternity. He wouldn’t tell me.” Tiffany’s voice grew soft. She started coughing again and tears ran down her cheeks. Eli grabbed a tissue from the bedside table and handed it to her. Her cough subsided. “They were arguing. Chase was telling him to leave well enough alone.”
“Do you know what he meant by that?” Anxiety sent chills up Anna’s spine. Eli had mentioned his sister went missing during the fraternity’s rush week.
“Do you know if their argument had anything to do with my sister’s disappearance?”
Tiffany’s eyes widened. “Goodness, no. My brother is a lot of things, but he’d never hurt someone. Not physically. I know Daniel was obsessed with Mary’s disappearance, but I never even considered they might have been arguing about that.” She narrowed her eyes. “Chase was going on and on about how fraternity brothers always looked out for one another. He is big into that fraternity stuff. Chase was a legacy. My dad belonged to the same fraternity.” Tiffany scrunched up her nose. “If only Chase would be as loyal to me.”
“Why do you say that?” Eli handed her a second tissue.
“I went to college and earned a business degree, but Chase edges me out of the family business every chance he gets. And my parents haven’t been much help. My father won’t address the issue. And my mother has always favored Chase. Must be a firstborn thing.”
Tiffany curled her lip. “My mom thinks a worthy career aspiration is to become a trophy wife. Like her. She brags she hit pay dirt when she met my dad.”
“What did your parents think about you hanging out with Daniel?” Eli locked gazes with Anna. Anticipation charged the air as she waited for the answer.
“Let’s just say he wasn’t exactly husband material.” Tiffany coughed. “Who cares? We were just enjoying each other’s company.” She looked up at Anna. “Your brother was a nice guy. He spoke often of you, Anna. It was obvious you guys were close.”
They had been close once. Anna put her hand on top of Tiffany’s. “Thank you.” She gave the young woman a quivery smile. “Thank you,” she repeated.
Eli squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll let you sleep, Tiffany.” He put his business card on the table next to her bed. “Call me if you remember anything else.”
Tiffany nodded and then sank deeper into the pillows. “I will.”
EIGHT
An oily scent hung in the air at the airplane hangar, reminiscent of the crash scene. Anna drew in shallow breaths and said a quick prayer, hoping the rescue workers had overlooked Daniel’s camera or a USB flash drive among the wreckage. If Daniel had brought his camera, like Tiffany said he had, where was it?
When they rounded the corner, the twisted metal of her brother’s plane rested on a tarp in the far corner of the hangar. Anna gasped and pressed a hand to her chest. She thought she had been prepared to see it again. Blinking rapidly, she spun around to face the wide opening of the hangar, to take in the brilliant blue sky, to settle her raw emotions.
Eli gently placed a hand on the small of her back and she stiffened. “Why don’t you hang back here? I’ll search the plane.”
Anna plastered on a smile. “I’m fine, really.” Her gaze drifted over the twisted heap that was once her brother’s pride and joy. Tears burned the back of her nose.
“You don’t have to be brave. I’m here.” She lowered her gaze to the floor, but when he touched her arm, she was forced to meet the tender look in his eyes. “I can search the plane.”
Their gazes lingered for a moment before she closed her eyes and gave him a curt nod. “I have to do this.”
“Okay then. We do it together.” Eli’s hand slid down her arm and his fingers intertwined with hers. “Okay?” he whispered, squeezing her hand. The scent of his aftershave tickled her nose and she smiled, suddenly calmer.
When they reached the wreckage, Eli released her hand. “Let me peek inside.” He rested one foot on the metal frame and glanced over his shoulder. “The sheriff said they didn’t find anything in the cockpit. They may not have noticed something small like a flash drive if they weren’t looking for it. I can’t imagine they’d overlook a camera.”
Please God, let us find something. Anything. Anna walked around to the other side of the plane and leaned in, resting her hand on the cool metal, almost afraid to touch anything. The hangar was eerily quiet. No one else seemed to be around. Anxiety had her ready to jump out of her skin. Anyone could have had access to this plane. It sat in the middle of an unsecured hangar in the heart of cow country. Had so
meone else already been poking around? The same person who broke her car window and stole Daniel’s jacket?
“Watch the broken glass and sharp metal,” Eli said.
She double-checked the placement of her hands, then continued to scan the cockpit. “It could be anywhere.” If it existed at all.
The sound of footsteps echoed across the expansive hangar. Anna looked up to see a man walking toward them with a clipboard. Eli greeted him warmly. “Anna this is Tim Gardner with the FAA.” Eli turned back to Tim. “I didn’t realize you’d make it out here so quickly.”
“I did it as a special favor for you.” Tim clapped Eli on the shoulder.
“Thanks. Have you had a chance to look at it?” Eli asked.
“Just finished going over it a few minutes ago. Must have been in the main office when you two strolled in.” Tim looked down at his clipboard, then back at Eli. “I’m going to have to take some of the parts in for teardown, but my gut tells me someone tampered with the plane’s engine.”
“What—” her voice cracked “—are you saying?”
“I’m still investigating, but I’m afraid your brother’s plane may have been sabotaged.”
All the blood rushed from her head. She blinked back the white dots clouding her vision. Eli’s solid hand on the small of her back grounded her. “Someone killed my brother?” she muttered, flattening her hand against her stomach. Her worst fear was realized.
“I’m real sorry about your loss.” Tim gestured with the clipboard. “I’ll finish this report and get back to you.”
“Thanks.” Tim strode toward the office.
The deep rumble of a small plane vibrated through the shell of the hangar. A sleek jet taxied to the outside of the hangar. A black limousine she hadn’t noticed before sat on the Tarmac. “Who’s that?” she shouted over the roar of the engine. The hot air swept her hair back from her face.
Eli tented his hand over his eyes. He seemed to tense as the stairs on the plane popped out and a man appeared at the door. The man seemed to regard them for a moment before nodding in their direction. A second man followed him down the stairs.