Amish Scarecrow Murders

by Samantha Price

  “Ex-fiancé,” he corrected himself. “And you did tell me that. Where did you say he is?”

  “I heard on the grapevine he’s staying with a friend of his in London.”

  “I’ll need you to come down to the station today to make an official statement, including that information. Hopefully, you might think of something else by that time.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  As he walked to the door, he called out over his shoulder. “Goodbye, Ms. Lehman,”

  “Wait!”

  “Yes?” he stepped back inside.

  “I thought I saw Eugene in town the other day. I was driving down the main road and thought I saw him. I was in traffic and pulled up as soon as I could. I went to look for him, but couldn’t find him anywhere.” She opened her mouth to tell him not to bother checking into him, but then closed it again. There was no point telling him anything. “Bye, Detective Kelly.”

  “That’s something you should’ve told me sooner. I’ll look into it.”

  “He’s in London staying with a friend.”

  He walked back over to her and pulled out his notepad once more. “What friend?”

  She opened her phone and gave him the details. Then Kelly left after giving her an irritated glare.

  When she was ready to leave, she was escorted to her car with police officers on either side of her. They asked her if she wanted to be driven somewhere, but she insisted she was fine to drive. By that time, the forensics team had arrived and Gabriel's neighbors had gathered to see what was happening.

  She got in her car, snapped on the seatbelt and immediately felt lightheaded. It might not be entirely safe to drive like that, but the alternative was staying close to the gruesome scarecrow. Not wanting the officers to see her looking shaky, she took a couple deep breaths to clear her head, started the car as she summoned all her inner strength and determination, and set off in the direction of Ettie and Elsa-May’s house. When she knocked on the door, she saw from her phone that it was only a little after seven. It felt like she'd put in a full day already. She hoped the sisters weren’t sleeping in.

  Ettie opened the door with Elsa-May peeping over her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  She shook her head and then the tears flowed. She covered her face with both hands in embarrassment at her outburst. Trained police officers don't cry. It was a good thing she’d left the force.

  “Come inside.” Ettie took hold of her arm and brought her inside while a concerned Elsa-May handed her a handkerchief.

  “Thanks,” she spluttered as she took the handkerchief. By the time she’d wiped both eyes, they’d reached the couch. She sat down feeling a little better for having cried out some of the stress.

  “What's going on?” Elsa-May asked as she sat down on her usual chair.

  Ettie sat down beside Selena and said to Elsa-May. “Give her a moment to catch her breath.”

  Selena sighed. “There was a scarecrow on my lawn this morning.”

  “What?” they both shrieked.

  “Yes. I couldn't sleep all night, and then when I finally gave up trying and decided to get up, I found out that there was a scarecrow on my front lawn.”

  “Like the ones in the fields?”

  “Jah, Elsa-May, that’s why she’s so upset.”

  “Yes, except it looked exactly like the one in the paper.” She wiped both eyes again and then looked down and folded the handkerchief.

  “Did you call the police?” Elsa-May asked.

  She nodded and then shook her head just as quickly. “No, I left that part out. I didn't know the scarecrow was there until after I heard all the sirens, and then the police knocked on my door. I'd heard the first sirens just after I had gotten out of bed. A neighbor saw it and they called them. Then Detective Kelly came. I told him I wasn't staying there, I was going to a bed and breakfast. That’s why I’m here. Do you know a good one in the area?”

  “Why don't you stay here?” Ettie asked.

  “No, I couldn't. I couldn't put you out like that. A bed and breakfast will be wonderful if you know of one. I'm not fussy. It just has to be small and clean, with a bed and a bathroom ... and Wi-Fi, preferably.”

  “There is one not far from here.”

  “Anyway, let's not talk about that now. We've got hours to find you accommodation. What did Detective Kelly say?”

  “I told him about my ex-fiancé because he asked me if anybody would be out to harm me. Then he asked why I was living where I was living and he said he was going to question both Gabriel and Eugene.” She sighed heavily. “And I have to go to the station to make a statement.”

  “Have you eaten?”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  “You can’t go there on an empty stomach. Elsa-May will make you some eggs.” When she felt her sister staring at her, she turned around and said, “It takes me three times as long to do anything with this sore back.”

  “How’s that different from normal?” Elsa-May muttered as she pushed herself to her feet. “We’ve just made coffee too. Would you like some?”

  “Yes please. I don’t know if I could eat, though.”

  “You should try. I’ll make us all some scrambled eggs and toast.” Elsa-May got up and walked to the kitchen and Snowy followed along behind her.

  Selena nodded. “Thank you. I told Kelly about seeing someone I thought was Eugene the other day. He seemed very interested—I thought he’d dismiss it.”

  “Me too,” Ettie said.

  “It was probably someone who just looked like him. It had to be.”

  “Is there a way you could find out?”

  “I can make some calls. I just didn’t want it to get back to Eugene that I was asking about him. I didn’t want him to get any false hopes or contact me again.”

  Elsa-May brought her out a mug of coffee. “There you are.”

  “Thanks.”

  “The breakfast won’t be long.” Elsa-May headed back into the kitchen.

  “Would you like us to come with you when you go to the police station?” Ettie asked.

  “No. I should be okay after a rest.”

  “We don’t mind,” said Ettie.

  “I’ll be okay.” Selena took a mouthful of coffee.

  “Can you make it to the kitchen?”

  “Yes.” Selena stood and then waited for Ettie.

  Ettie tried to stand by leaning on the walking stick and then she overbalanced and fell back into the couch.

  Selena smiled. “Can you make it to the kitchen?”

  Ettie giggled. “Maybe not.” Selena put her mug down on the coffee table and then helped Ettie to her feet; together they walked into the kitchen.

  When they sat down at the small circular table that nearly filled the sisters' kitchen, Selena said, “I’m just so shocked by everything.”

  Elsa-May turned around from the stove. “Yes, it would’ve been dreadful, but Gott spared you.”

  Selena nodded. “He did.”

  “I do wish you’d stay here. Would you think about it at least?” Ettie asked.

  Selena nodded. “I’ll think about it, but what would your bishop say about me staying here?”

  “He’ll understand. He was a good friend of your grandfather and you’re in trouble.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Was he that good of a friend, Elsa-May?”

  “I think so.”

  Selena said, “I’ll go to the police station first and then make up my mind, if that’s okay.”

  “Whatever suits,” Elsa-May said as she divided scrambled eggs onto three plates. She turned around and picked up a plate heaped with freshly toasted bread, setting it on the table beside the butter dish and a couple jars of jelly.

  Chapter 14

  After Selena had made her statement, she returned to the sisters' house. Ettie and Elsa-May had managed to talk Selena into coming back there for dinner.

  They were just about finished eating the dinner when her cell phone rang from within her
bag that she’d left in the living room.

  “Whoops, I'm sorry! I should've turned my phone off inside your house.”

  “That's okay,” Ettie said.

  “You better answer it.”

  She rushed to the other room and saw it was from Detective Kelly. “It’s Kelly,” she called out. “I'll take it outside.” She rushed outside and managed to answer before he hung up. “Yes, Detective Kelly?”

  “Good evening.”

  “Hello. Do you have news for me?”

  “You haven’t told me where you’re staying.”

  She glanced back at the house. “Ettie and Elsa-May have invited me to stay at their place. I’ll most likely do that, for tonight anyway.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m sorry, everything’s been a blur. I meant to let you know. Is there anything else?”

  “Well, we found out Eugene Ryer is definitely in England. We didn’t get to speak with him but we confirmed his flight information.”

  She was relieved. “Thank you. I didn't think he was here, but I thought it was worth mentioning. I’m sorry for wasting your time over it.”

  “It’s good that you did. As I said, we have to check everything out.”

  “I appreciate that. Have you talked with Gabriel yet?” She hadn’t seen him all day and she wondered why.

  “We have, and a few others. One thing you should know is that the scarecrow matched the others.”

  “It did?”

  “Yes, quite definitely. I’ll keep you updated.”

  When he ended the call, she wrapped her arms around herself as a chilly wind swept up. She walked a little further away from the house and then called the detective back. “Sorry to bother you. It’s Selena again. Are you any closer to discovering who might’ve put the scarecrow there? Did any of the neighbors see anything?”

  “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.