“I don’t think I’ve ever seen her that angry,” I said.
“She has every right to be. Everything she said was true. I let my pride get the best of me. I thought I could find Billy and talk him into turning himself in.” His entire body shook, his voice uneven. “When I think what may have happened to you . . .”
I wrapped my arms around him. “Timothy, I’m fine, I’m safe. It was my idea to go up to the landing, remember? I can be just as stubborn as you can.”
He pulled my arms away from him. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I need to be alone.”
“Alone?” My eyes traveled around the room. How did he expect to be alone? The place was crawling with police and emergency workers. In addition to Chief Rose and her crew, county deputies had arrived since technically they were outside of Appleseed Creek’s village limits and the chief’s jurisdiction.
Timothy’s lips were pale. “I did it again.”
Hoping that he wouldn’t push me away a second time, I gripped his hand. It was ice cold. He had lost his gloves when he had tried to help Billy. “Did what again?”
“Paralyzed someone.”
I shook my head. “No. Is that what the EMTs said?”
“They don’t have to.”
Five burly EMTs carefully rolled Billy onto his back. After strapping him into place, they lifted him onto their shoulders and slowly picked their way over the littered floor and out of the factory.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Still inside of the factory, I waited a few feet away from Timothy as he recited his statement to Officer Nottingham. Over and over again he said that it was his fault, that he should be held responsible.
His determination to take the blame for Billy’s accident was tied to the guilt he felt for the fall that paralyzed Aaron from the waist down. Anytime Aaron joked about being confined to his wheelchair, sadness washed over Timothy’s face. Aaron forgave his best friend years ago, but I didn’t believe that Timothy ever forgave himself for what happened. The two had been working on a carpentry project on an upper floor balcony. Timothy, who was the expert carpenter of the two, told Aaron he had built the balcony wrong and that it would not hold. Aaron would not agree, and the two argued. The argument ended when Timothy dared Aaron to jump on the balcony to prove its sturdiness. Aaron did and fell twelve feet to the hard ground breaking his back.
Timothy wasn’t the only one unable to forgive himself over the accident. Deacon Sutter, Aaron’s father, was unable to forgive Timothy as well. Timothy believed all of the deacon’s animosity toward the Troyer family could be tied back to this one event. Billy’s fall packed more guilt onto his shoulders.
The ambulance—with sirens blaring, lights flashing, and Billy secured inside—was on its way to the community hospital in Mount Vernon. If it turned out that Billy’s injuries were more serious, like the broken back Timothy believed, he would be transported to a hospital in Columbus.
Officer Nottingham replaced the cap of his ballpoint pen. “Okay. I think that’s all I need to write the report.”
“Chief Rose doesn’t want to talk to us again?” My voice was hopeful. I didn’t want to be on the police chief’s bad side.
Nottingham pursed his lips as he glanced over to Chief Rose who picked through the scene with a metal rod. “No. And my advice would be to leave her be for a few days. She’s not happy with either of you.”
We found Danny outside of the factory holding onto Mabel’s leash. He handed it to Timothy. “I thought she should move around a bit. She was barking her head off when the cops arrived.”
Mabel leaned her body against Timothy’s leg as if she knew her master needed comforting. “Thanks,” Timothy said to Danny. “I’ll see you back at the house after I take Chloe home.”
We rode in silence back to Young’s so I could collect my car. Every time I opened my mouth to ask Timothy how he was, I thought better of it.
He turned into the parking lot, and all the lights were on inside the restaurant.
“Do you want to come over for dinner? We have a ton of food left from Becky’s Christmas party,” I said.
He shook his head.
“Okay. Good night.”
He reached across the bench seat and squeezed my wrist. “You know I’m not mad at you, don’t you?”
“Yes,” I said, knowing my lack of conviction would leave him unconvinced. Timothy smiled a little. He heard the doubt in my voice too.
“Seeing Billy fall like that brought back a lot of bad memories. Memories I thought that I had already dealt with.”
“You know Aaron doesn’t blame you for what happened.”
“Yes, I know, but I do.” He squeezed my wrist again. “That’s something I need to work out with Gott.”
Timothy’s comment made me think of my own personal demons: my mother’s death and my relationship with my father. If I didn’t deal with them, would they floor me like Timothy’s seemed to do? “I wish I could help you.”
“You already have. More than you’ll ever know.”
I kissed his cheek and patted Mabel good-bye before climbing out of the truck.
When I turned the Bug in the Quills’ driveway, I saw Becky and Tanisha move back and forth in front of the windows. Grandfather Zook must have brought Tanisha home from the Troyer farm. I was relieved. I didn’t want to go to the farm and answer the many questions the family must have.
In the living room, I found Tanisha and Becky twirling around the room to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Apparently, neither of them cared that Christmas was technically over.
Tanisha stopped. “Chloe, you’re home. Finally. What took so long?”
Becky’s straight white-blonde hair swung around her face as she spun around the couch. It had been cut to shoulder length.
“Becky, what happened to your hair?” I demanded.
She froze. “You don’t like it?” She touched the back of her head self-consciously.
“I—I—you cut your hair.”
Becky dropped her hand. “I told you that I wanted to. You said I should.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t say that you should. I said that it was up to you.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “So I made my decision. I told Tanisha about it, and she volunteered to do it.”
Tee’s brow furrowed. “What’s the big deal? She already wears jeans and makeup.”
“I know, but this is permanent. What will your parents say?”
Becky face flushed red. “It doesn’t matter what my parents think. This is my hair.”
“But you can’t take it back,” I said.
She stared me down. “Who says that I want to? Do you want me to go back to the Amish?”
“No, of course not.”
Becky crossed her arms in front of her. “Then what does it matter?”
I felt sick. “What about Aaron?”
Becky’s mouth fell open. “What about him?”
I removed my coat. “I thought you cared for him.”
“I do,” she said slowly. “More than you know.”
“He will have to leave the Amish to be with you. He will be shunned.”
“Chloe, you don’t have to tell me how the Amish world works. You think just because you’re dating my brother—who’s not even Amish anymore—makes you an expert.”
“No, I didn’t say that.” Her words landed like a slap across my face.
She scowled at me. “You don’t know how hard this is for me.”
I placed a hand to my throbbing forehead. I was too tired for this conversation. I could barely think straight.
“I can’t be who he needs me to be. I told you that.” Her voice had pitched up an octave.
My heart ached when I thought about what Aaron would suffer. “You need to tell him.”
“Don’t tell me what
to do. You’re not my sister.”
I lowered my voice. “I know that, Becky.”
She dropped her arms by her side and looked away. “I’m going to bed. I have to be at the restaurant early tomorrow. It’s my turn to bake the pies.” Then she turned and stomped out of the room.
I fell onto the couch. It was the first fight that I’d had with Becky. After my emotional day with Timothy and Billy, this was the last thing I needed. I narrowed my eyes. “Tee, I can’t believe that you cut her hair without checking with me first.”
Tanisha reared back. “Asking you first? Why would I have to ask you first? She’s an adult.”
“You don’t understand what a big deal this is for an Amish girl.”
“And you do?” Tanisha folded her arm. “Chloe, it’s just hair. Hair will grow back.”
I thought of the young women who had their hair cut through the spree of Amish haircutting a month ago. It wasn’t just hair to them. They would give anything for it to have never been cut in the first place. “You don’t understand.”
“Like you do? Chloe, I think Becky is right. You aren’t an Amish expert.”
I sucked in air. When I didn’t respond, Tanisha said, “I’m going home tomorrow as planned. I will see you in the morning. I promise not to cut anymore hair while I’m here.”
I let my head fall back onto the couch. “Tee, I’m sorry. I’ve had . . .” I let my voice trail off because I spoke to an empty room.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The phone rang before the sun rose the next morning. I grabbed for it on my nightstand. “Hello?” I croaked.
“Humphrey, good, you’re awake,” Chief Rose said. By her tone, I could tell that she was pleased with herself for waking me up.
I wished I had water for my dry mouth. “Is something wrong? Is Billy okay?”
“His name is not Billy. It’s Walter.”
I struggled to a seated position on the bed. “Fine. Is Walter okay?”
“That’s why I’m calling. He’s stable and sober. His leg is broken and the wound on his head is shallow. He’s lucky to be alive. The doctors think the fact that he was dead drunk worked in his favor. He was completely limp when he fell. Had his body been able to tense up, his injuries may have been much worse.”
I exhaled. “That’s great news.”
“Now that Walter is sober, he wants to talk to you and Troyer. He refuses to talk to me unless his lawyer is around.”
I wasn’t eager to see Billy again. “Tyler is his lawyer. I’m sure he will cooperate with you.”
“You’re not getting off that easy, Humphrey. He’s willing to talk to both of you without Hart there. You will listen to what he says and report back to me. You’re going to do this for me because you screwed up royally yesterday. Got it?”
“Got it.” I punched my pillow. “Have you called Timothy to tell him?”
“No. Troyer is on my punk list at the moment. I will leave that up to you.”
“How much longer do you plan to stay mad at him?”
“I haven’t decided. I might make him sweat until next year.”
“Next year is only five days away.”
“Don’t tell him that. Seriously, Humphrey, if anyone in this town should know the cost of a stunt like that, he should have. Give him the message.” She hung up.
“He knows,” I whispered. I called Timothy’s number from my cell phone. No answer. I repeated the message that Chief Rose gave me.
Gigabyte saw that I was awake and yowled into my face as if to say, Since your eyes are open, you must be able to feed me.
I rolled over on my side and covered my head with my pillow. “Go bother Becky,” I said in a muffled voice. “You won’t like what I give you anyway.”
He pawed at the pillow and yowled again, closer to my ear. His best Siamese screeches could crack glass.
I groaned. “Fine, but as soon as I’m done, I’m coming right back to bed.”
He gave me a pleasant meow and hopped to the floor. I swore the cat understood English.
Tanisha was in the kitchen drinking coffee. She gave me a small smile. “I guess I’m not totally accustomed to the trans-Atlantic time change yet. I’m sure I will be just in time to fly back to Italy.”
“Probably so.” I removed Gig’s cat food from the cupboard. The tawny-colored animal wove in and around my ankles, purring as if two of his feline lives depended on it.
“Chloe, I just want to apologize for last night. I didn’t know you would be so upset or that it was such a big deal. I gave Becky the haircut she wanted. I didn’t know there was anything more to it than that.”
“I know. It’s as much Becky’s fault. She knows what a haircut meant for her.”
“Can she really not go back to the Amish?”
“I don’t know. I know that she doesn’t want to go back, but if she doesn’t, Aaron will be the one who will have to make the tough choice about leaving.” I sighed and set Gig’s food dish on the floor and turned back to Tee. “I’m not upset that Becky cut her hair. If that’s what she wanted to do or felt that she needed to do, I supported her all the way. I was upset because you did it.” I smiled sheepishly. “And I might be a little jealous that I wasn’t here.”
“Ah,” Tanisha said and pointed to a nine-by-twelve envelope on the table.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Becky’s hair. She said that you thought she should donate it to charity, like Locks of Love.”
I smiled. “I did. I’m glad she remembered. It will be a blessing to someone who needs it.” I sat at the table and picked up the envelope. It was already sealed and addressed in Becky’s handwriting. “Becky’s so angry with me. I need to apologize, but I won’t see her until she finishes work later this afternoon.”
“We could go there and talk to her.”
I shook my head. “Aaron will be there. I don’t want to have the conversation in front of him.”
Tanisha set a mug of coffee in front of me. “Extra milk, just how you like it.”
“Thanks.” I curved my cold hands around the ceramic surface.
“Enough about Becky and her hair.” Tanisha grinned. “I have a few hours left here. What should we do?”
Chief Rose’s instructions to visit Billy in the hospital came to mind, but it was too early in the morning to do that. “Are you up for some sleuthing?”
“Oh my, yes. I think that is just what the doctor ordered.” Her brow wrinkled. “Why did you come home so late last night?”
I took a deep breath and told her about my near-death experience.
Her eyes widened. “Why didn’t you tell me yesterday?”
“Because of everything that was happening with Becky. I didn’t want to add to the drama.”
Tanisha stirred a fourth spoonful of sugar into her coffee. “Are we going to talk to this Billy guy?”
“No, we’re going grocery shopping.”
Tanisha added a fifth scoop of sugar. She wasn’t a big fan of coffee. “Groceries?”
I nodded. “To pay a visit to your good buddy, Jason Catcher.”
Tee grimaced as she sipped from her mug and made a face. “Will I have to sit on him again?”
“Not this time,” I promised.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Evergreens and plastic holly decorated the entrance to Appleseed Marketplace. Beside the collection of grocery carts, a pink tinseled Christmas tree stood crookedly in its stand. Tanisha pulled a cart from the line. “Is that a pink Christmas tree?”
“Yep.”
“I love this place.” She beamed. “I feel like we have suddenly walked back into the time of black-and-white television and rotary phones. I bet I could find some fun gifts here for my Italian friends. They will think it’s a hoot.”
The market smelled like over-ripe vegetables
and dirt. I grabbed a second shopping cart from the stand. It was part of my cover.
The market was a no-frills experience in one large room. There was a deli counter in the back, a display of Amish-made products from pies to relishes next to that, and the rest of the space was dedicated to produce. Two checkout counters stood by the front door. A bored-looking woman in a jingle bell Christmas sweater rang up a customer. Christmas was over, but I guessed she wasn’t ready to say good-bye to her holiday sweaters just yet.
I wondered if Jason would be at the market today. I didn’t know his schedule, so we could have been wasting our time. My concerns flew away when I spied a tall, gawky kid with sandy-colored hair stacking oranges in the produce section.
“There he is,” I whispered to Tanisha.
Tanisha held a jar of pickles in her hand. She glanced at Jason, then placed the jar in her shopping cart.
“What are they for? You aren’t going to take them all the way back to Italy, are you?”
“Why not?”
The image of broken glass and pickles all over Tee’s clothes in her checked luggage came to mind. “What if the jar breaks?”
“It won’t break,” she said confidently.
I shrugged. “If you say so.”
She leaned close to me. “Do you think Katie dated this guy? I thought the Amish and English weren’t allowed to do that.”
“They’re not. This could be a good motive for murder.” I ducked behind a display of cookies. “He’s not going to be happy to see us.”
She pushed the shopping cart forward. “Then this should be fun.” She rolled the cart and came to a stop beside Jason. “Jason, long time no see.”
Jason froze, an orange in his hand suspended in the air over his pyramid. “You!”
Appleseed Creek Trilogy, Books 1-3 Page 74