by Alison Stone
Anna was surprised to see Tom Hanson step out of the driver’s side of the limousine and walk around to open the back door, allowing Mr. Christopher, Tiffany and Chase’s father, to step out. She saw a hint of long blond hair inside the limo. Mrs. Christopher.
“Maybe coming here wasn’t such a good idea.” Anna twisted her fingers, trying to tamp down her nervous energy.
“We’re fine. Chase Christopher must be coming home to see his sister.”
“Who’s the other man with him?” Anna whispered.
“Bradley Blakely, the sheriff’s son. He works with Chase. They went to college together.” He ran his hand down Anna’s arm. “They were all fraternity brothers.”
Chase took his father’s outstretched hand. His father gave him a hearty clap on the back. The men talked briefly before Mr. Christopher and Bradley climbed into the limo. Chase strolled over to Eli and Anna.
“To what does Apple Creek owe the visit of Special Agent Eli Miller?” Chase cocked an eyebrow. “I thought you left your backwoods way of life for the big city.”
Eli tipped his head toward the wreckage. “The plane crash.” He seemed to let his words sink in. “I hear your sister is doing better.”
Anna couldn’t make out Chase’s eyes through the dark lenses of his sunglasses. “Yes, she is. Thank goodness.” His brow furrowed over the top of the frames. “So, I imagine you’ll be leaving soon.”
Anna wrapped her hand around Eli’s elbow. His muscles tensed, but he didn’t say anything.
Chase seemed to be looking in her direction, but she couldn’t be sure. “You must be Anna Quinn.” She assumed he had seen her on the news. “Sorry about your brother. If there’s anything the Christopher family can do, let me know. We were fraternity brothers. Fraternity brothers always take care of their own.”
Anna narrowed her gaze at him. “Thank you.” She hesitated a fraction. “I understand you talked to my brother recently.”
Chase seemed to jerk his head back ever so slightly.
“What did you talk about? Did he tell you why he returned to Apple Creek?” Anna hated the desperation in her voice.
Chase plowed a hand through his thick hair. “Wasn’t he photographing the Amish for a coffee-table book?” He shrugged. “My job has me traveling like crazy. We really didn’t have a chance to catch up. I mean, nothing more than a quick conversation. I understand he and my sister were friendly.” He bowed his head slightly. “Thank goodness she wasn’t killed. She has a long recovery in front of her.”
“Chase—” Mrs. Christopher strode toward them, her high heels clacking on the cement floor of the hangar “—your sister is expecting us.”
Chase gave them a cool smile. “My family is waiting.” He started to walk away, then he turned back around. “Do you plan to have a service for Daniel? I’d like to attend.”
“I haven’t had a chance to plan it. I still have to take care of my brother’s things.”
Mrs. Christopher wrapped her hand possessively around her son’s arm. “I would appreciate it if you cleared out your brother’s things soon.” She narrowed her gaze. “I think it would be cathartic if you boxed everything up and donated it all to charity. You need to move on with your life.” She patted her son’s arm. “I could have Tom take care of it. This really must be horrible for you.” Her unusually smooth forehead failed to convey the right touch of sympathy. “Why delay the inevitable?”
“No, thank you. I’d like to go through my brother’s things myself.”
“Tom really wouldn’t mind. Just say the word.” She glanced up at her son. “Come on.”
“Let me know when the service is.” Chase gave her a thin-lipped smile.
Anna watched them climb into the vehicle. The limo made a U-turn and the back window slid down. Something in Mrs. Christopher’s blank expression made icy fear course through her veins.
* * *
Eli took Anna’s hand as she stepped over the trampled cornstalks at the site of the crash. They had struck out at the hangar and with the second search of Daniel’s apartment. No flash drive. No camera. Nothing. Anna couldn’t shake the dread that had descended on her after their visit to her brother’s crumpled plane.
Squaring her shoulders, Anna steeled herself for the site in front of her—the place where her brother’s plane crashed. Unable to tear her eyes away from the scorched earth, she wondered what her brother’s last thoughts were. Closing her eyes, she covered her mouth to stifle a sob.
Anna bowed her head and offered a quick prayer that her brother no longer suffered. That he was at peace. That she and Eli would find peace. That they both would find the answers they needed. She stole a glance at Eli as he walked slowly, flashlight in hand, searching the charred earth. Determination fueling her, she stepped forward, the stalks crunching under her feet.
The sun hung low in the sky. Something about the shadowy fields made the hairs on her arms stand up, and it had nothing to do with the accident. Or maybe it had everything to do with it. All around her, the land seemed to stretch forever, yet the stalks of corn closed in on her.
Anna joined Eli in crisscrossing the area. The beams of the flashlights were aimed at the ground. Eli reasoned that the light would bounce off the metal of a flash drive or camera, making it easier to find now versus in the bright sunshine.
Anna directed her flashlight at the damp soil. “You think my brother found something and someone wanted him dead?”
“I’m afraid so.” Eli bowed his head and swatted at his neck. “And based on recent events, I think they’re still looking for it.” Something in his tone made her look up. He grabbed her forearm, his eyebrows drawing together. “I don’t want you out of my sight.”
His possessive touch sent a flush of tingles racing across her flesh. Apparently sensing her unease, he let go and the lines around his eyes softened. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Averting her gaze, Anna made a show of slapping at a mosquito on her arm. She quickly changed the subject. “Let’s search the area before it gets any later.”
The bent cornstalks crunched under Anna’s tennis shoes. Her eyes tracked the beam of the flashlight. Eli trudged forward and looped back the other way, both of their heads bowed. After about thirty minutes of crisscrossing the site and a little farther beyond, Anna plopped down, completely oblivious to the damp earth seeping through her pants. She hugged her legs to her chest and watched Eli continue the fruitless search. He had a look of determination. A look of a man possessed.
Hopelessness overwhelmed her. “We’re not going to find anything, are we?” She held up her palms. “It could be anywhere.”
Eli sighed heavily. “It’s not looking good.”
Anna scratched her forehead. “We don’t know if the photos are of any value. My brother didn’t give me much to go on in the email.”
Eli plopped down next to her, bumping her shoulder. “I’m not giving up on this.”
Anna rested her elbows on her knees. “I know. We have to find the truth.”
A crunching sound came from behind them. Eli scrambled to his feet and shone a flashlight in the direction of the noise. A young man, his eyes shadowed by a wide-brimmed hat, approached. He seemed to be looking past her to Eli. No, he was staring at an empty space. The crash site. His haunted look unnerved her. It took her a minute to recognize Samuel, Eli’s fifteen-year-old brother.
“Hi, Samuel.” Eli lowered the beam of his flashlight, sending the features of his brother’s face into darker shadows. He strode over and clapped his younger brother on the shoulder. “How’s it going?”
“Do you think he went to heaven?” Samuel’s question startled Anna.
“He is at peace,” Eli said, his tone convincing.
Closing her eyes, Anna prayed silently. Please let him be at peace.
“I
better go before Dat comes looking for me. I have chores.”
“Wait,” Eli called to his brother. His kindness toward his little brother reminded her of her own brother. Pressing her fist to her lips, she felt hollow inside. “Did you see the plane crash? You’re usually outside doing chores....”
Anxiety spurred her to her feet. She swiped at her damp jeans, her eyes intently focused on Samuel. His brown eyes grew wide. Anna couldn’t help but wonder if this was what Eli looked like when he was growing up in the Amish community.
Samuel tugged on the brim of his hat, shading his eyes. “I was walking from the barn when I heard a loud noise.” The boy looked up and gestured with his hands, like wings of a plane. “I saw a plane close. Closer than I’ve seen the other planes when they use the Apple Creek Airpark.” He had a faraway look in his eyes. “It made a horrible sputtering sound. The wings clipped a few trees before it hit....” His gaze dropped to the scorched earth. “I ran over in this direction.”
Anna’s heart squeezed. Hearing about her brother’s last minutes of life tore at her heart. The terror he must have experienced.
“Did you tell anyone what you saw?” Eli asked.
“No. Dat told us not to talk to the English coming to gawk at another man’s misfortune.”
Eli leaned over to meet the boy eye-to-eye. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. Did you tell Dat?”
“No.” Samuel stared in the direction of the crushed stalks as if reliving the moment.
“Did you approach the plane?” Anna’s pulse thudded in her ears.
“He...he—” Samuel pushed his hat up and scratched his forehead “—he was hanging upside down.” His eyes grew red. “All I could think about is how the Amish aren’t supposed to fly.”
“You saw him?” Anna nearly crumbled to her knees. She feared she wouldn’t hear his response over the whooshing in her ears.
“I need to go. Dat will be looking for me.” The teen turned and ran off, not answering her question.
Anna watched him disappear through the cornstalks. “Do you think my brother suffered?”
“It happened so fast.”
“Your brother seems troubled. I think he’s not telling us everything.” As a counselor, she had experience with kids in crisis.
“It had to be hard to witness an accident like that.”
“But why didn’t he speak up sooner?” She tried to soften the edge in her voice. “He saw the crash. Maybe there’s more he’s not telling us. He said he saw my brother.” Why did this give her hope? Her brother was dead. Nothing changed that.
“You don’t understand. The Amish are reluctant to get involved in what they consider English problems. I’ll talk to him later. He might be reluctant to talk in front of you.” Eli closed the distance between them and took her hand. “He’s entering a tough stage in his life. My parents will be encouraging him to get baptized. But as a young man, he’ll be tempted to explore the outside world.”
Anna’s mouth bowed into a small smile. “I suppose that’s why they don’t like you hanging around. You’re an example of the outside world.”
Something akin to hurt descended into his eyes. “I’m going to search the area one more time.”
Anna lifted her face to the sky. The sun had fully set and a million stars dotted the night sky, making her feel small. The crunch of Eli’s footsteps on the dried cornstalks floated back to her. She was glad she wasn’t alone.
* * *
Eli adjusted the knob on the lamp and the light grew brighter. He sat on the edge of the bed, exhausted but not quite ready for sleep. He had hoped to talk with Samuel this evening but couldn’t find him. He supposed his little brother was out in the barn tending to Red. He’d give him more time before he forced him to talk about the crash. They’d catch up at some point because they were sharing the same sleeping quarters.
Scrubbing a hand across his face, he yawned. At home, he would have flopped down on the couch and channel surfed until his mind numbed into oblivion and sleep stole over him, even if temporarily. Despite having grown up in an Amish home, he had quickly grown accustomed to modern conveniences. And mind-deadening technology.
With nothing but silence to keep him company, his thoughts drifted. Eli had been a dutiful son his entire childhood. The day Mary disappeared, he had prayed and prayed for her safe return. Two days later, when Mary’s bed was still empty, he decided God was not a merciful God. Right then and there he abandoned his plain ways. The only time he found peace over the years was when he was absorbed in a case, helping some victim or their family find closure. The only way he would find true peace would be when he solved Mary’s case.
His father cleared his throat. Eli snapped his attention toward the door. “Will you take a walk with me, Eli?” Abram asked.
Eli followed his father through the kitchen, grabbing his coat from the hook on the way out. The cloudless night afforded him a view of a million stars. In the city, light pollution drowned out the crisp view of the stars. The stillness here was peaceful as long as he didn’t let his thoughts get in the way.
Abram walked toward the barn and Eli followed, knowing his father would tell him what was on his mind when he was ready. He slowed by the barn door and turned to face his son. “The plane has been cleared away from our fields.”
“Yes, they didn’t waste any time.” A dark line furrowed his father’s brow. “I thought that would make you happy. You’ll be able to finish harvesting the corn for feed.”
“Nothing about this situation makes me happy.”
Eli bit his lip, knowing better than to argue with his father. “Are you anxious for me to go?”
“Son, we never wanted you to leave in the first place. You made your choice.”
“I did. And I made the decision before I was baptized.” There was no reason for his family to shun him. That was reserved for baptized members who turned their backs on the Ordnung, the set of Amish rules that governed their community. By shunning wayward members, the Amish hoped they’d see the error of their ways. Yet returning home for Eli had never been the same. He’d never be fully welcomed. He could see disappointment in his father’s eyes and hurt in his mother’s. And he was never encouraged to stay long. He didn’t want to get his parents in trouble with the bishop. The Amish set themselves apart for a reason. There were too many distractions and temptations in the outside world.
“I know.” His father angled his head so the brim of his hat shadowed his eyes. “We miss you, son, but we have to be careful. Your mother heard talk in town. The bishop thinks we are too tolerant of your visits.” Abram’s voice grew quiet. “And ever since your arrival, Samuel seems agitated. He admires you and I fear he’s curious about your way of life.”
Abram ran a hand down his beard. “Samuel has been venturing into town. I’m not sure who he is visiting. He seems to have taken a liking to Isaac, but I fear Samuel might want to explore the world like Isaac did.”
“I will see what I can find out.”
“Thank you.” Abram squared his shoulders. “And I think for your own peace of mind, it’s time for you to let Mary go. Until then, you’ll never find peace.”
Eli tried to relax his clenched jaw. “I can never let her go. I have to find answers.”
“What if those answers lead to Daniel Quinn? Justice is not for this world anymore. Can you live with hurting Anna? She is blameless in all this.”
“I have to find the truth. It was my fault Mary disappeared. I should have never let her out of my sight.”
“It’s not your fault.” His father’s voice was stern.
Eli’s throat closed around his grief.
“We have forgiven whoever took our Mary. We don’t want anyone else to be hurt.”
Eli’s grief shifted into anger. “No one has been arrested.” He had grown tired of having thi
s argument with his father.
“It doesn’t matter. We have forgiven him. I have faith Mary has found peace. And we are at peace with our forgiveness.”
But the ever-present pain he always saw in his mother’s eyes revealed something perhaps his father was unwilling to accept. His mother may have proclaimed her forgiveness, but her eyes radiated the pain of a mother who has lost a child.
“You cannot come into our home and continue this hunt. It serves no purpose.”
“Someone has to pay.”
“Retribution is not our way.”
“Father, didn’t you love your Mary?”
Abram took a moment before speaking, his eyes heavily shadowed, but Eli noticed his lips trembled. “A father loves his children.”
“Then how can you forgive so easily?” Especially when I have not been able to forgive myself.
NINE
Anna splashed cold water on her face, then patted it dry with a towel. The linens smelled of fresh air, unlike any scented detergent. She was grateful Eli’s family allowed indoor plumbing because she had learned that not all Amish communities did. She yanked the clip from her hair, letting it cascade down her shoulders. Leaning close to the mirror, she pressed on the flesh under her eyes. The dim light from the oil lamp in the bathroom did nothing to help her appearance, yet it accurately reflected how she felt. Tired, drained, exhausted. The weight of the world on her shoulders.
With her small overnight bag in hand, she tiptoed down the hallway to her room, hoping she wouldn’t run into anyone. As she neared the top of the stairs, she heard voices floating up from the sitting room. Curious, she wanted to go see who it was but felt underdressed in her T-shirt and cotton pajama pants. She lingered at the top of the stairs.
“Sorry to stop by so late. I only now heard about the horrible accident,” a woman said, her voice shaky, older perhaps.