Shadow of Shame: Book 1 of the Shadow series

by Barbara Goss

  “I want to believe you, Armstrong, I really do,” the sheriff said. “You see, I’m a member of Grace, and I heard your story last Sunday. I think you’re telling the truth, but I have to question you the same as anyone else. We have to keep records on this stuff.”

  “I’ll talk to Reverend Jeffries’s daughter. Which one was it?” the sheriff asked.

  “Ivy,” Jonas said reluctantly.

  “Tell me,” the sheriff said, “what do you think may have happened to Mrs. Kreider?”

  “I have no idea. I do know that Egan built a large, new house, and he isn’t even working. Where did he get the money to build a house, I wonder? And in order for Mr. E. to hire a child-minder, and keep the child-minder in supplies, he would most likely be the one collecting those huge amounts of money I was paying.”

  The sheriff nodded. “So he’d be the one to gain by doing something with Mrs. Kreider.”

  “Right. How else could he keep raising the amount and getting the money? My father, brother, and I planned to try and find him tomorrow. We missed him today.”

  “Interesting,” the sheriff said. “But don’t do anything like trying to find him. He might be pretty desperate now, and it could be dangerous. Let us handle it.”

  “How did you pay the payments?” the deputy asked.

  “I would put the money in an envelope, and put it into a small box on a shelf, in the shed behind the house, as I was directed to do.”

  “And you started getting letters increasing the amount, when?” the sheriff asked.

  “In June. I have the letters if you’d like to see them.”

  “Yes, I will need those,” he said.

  Jonas went into the house and came out moments later with a small bundle of papers. He handed them to the sheriff, who put them into his pocket.

  “We’ll do a thorough investigation, including a complete search of the Kreider home.”

  “Will you keep me informed?”

  “Certainly. I’m sorry for putting you on the defensive, Armstrong, but we have to question everyone fairly.”

  A noise from the stable caused them all to turn their heads toward it.

  “What was that?” the sheriff asked.

  Jonas walked over to the stable, stuck his head inside the door, and noticed an overturned metal bucket. He returned to the sheriff. “A bucket fell over. Do you mind if I excuse myself and check around? I can’t understand how the bucket might've tipped over on its own.”

  “Yep, we'll be on our way,” the sheriff said, and they both mounted their horses and rode down the drive.

  Jonas checked every inch of the stable, but found nothing that would have made the bucket turn over. He finally shrugged and went into the house.

  Ivy invited the sheriff inside. “How can I help you, sir?”

  “Good evening, miss. You’re Ivy, right?”

  Ivy was taken aback. “Yes.”

  “We just need some verification,” Smith said.

  “Won’t you have a seat?”

  The sheriff and deputy took a seat on the sofa, and Ivy sat in an arm chair. “How can I help?” she asked.

  “Jonas Armstrong said you were the one to identify Boyd Egan as the mysterious Mr. E. Can you tell us how you knew that?”

  “Certainly. He attacked me as we were walking into the barn dance. He’d never acted like that before, but he’d been drinking. I could smell it. He was acting strangely. Then he started trying to get personal with me, telling me to call him Mr. E. All of a sudden, Jonas grabbed him and threw him against a buggy. He started punching him. Quinn Iverson came and had to pull Boyd out of Jonas’s reach. That’s when Boyd started bad-mouthing Jonas. No one has seen Boyd since that night—until today, that is.”

  “Today?” the sheriff asked. “Where did you see him today?”

  “I was walking to the dry goods store from the hardware store and he pushed me between the buildings. He told me that Jonas did away with Mrs. Kreiter.” Ivy sighed. “I don’t believe a word of it. I think he’s just trying to get even with Jonas.”

  “We think so too, but we have to check.”

  “Would you call Jonas Armstrong a violent man?” the deputy asked.

  “No more than you would be if you saw a woman being attacked,” Ivy said. “Other than the day he went after Boyd, I've never seen him angry. He's a patient and caring man.” Ivy bit her lower lip. She had hoped Jonas wouldn’t hear about Boyd’s latest threat, but now it was out of her hands.

  “That’s all we need for our report. Thank you, Miss Jeffries.” The sheriff and deputy left.

  Ingrid had Sundays off, so Jonas had to scramble to get them both ready for church, their first week at Grace. Zoe was able to dress herself now, so he laid her clothes out for her on her bed. He made a hasty breakfast, and waited for his father and Caleb who were to accompany them. His father reported that Phoebe wouldn't be going with them that week as she wasn’t feeling well.

  They all squeezed into the buggy. Jonas tightened Zoe’s hat; it was sleeting, and he didn’t want her getting sick. He was so proud of the way she looked today. She wore a red dress with white lace trim, and a white coat that someone had donated. She looked adorable. No one would be able to resist her. He sat her on his lap, and kissed her plump cheek. “I love you Zoe,” he said.

  “I love you too, Papa,” she said.

  They all walked into the church together, and Jonas had to admit, despite the great introduction by Reverend Jeffries, he still felt nervous. He warned himself to stay calm if anyone should offend him or his daughter in any way.

  They stood in the doorway of the sanctuary, wondering where to sit, when Ivy hurried over.

  “No back row for the Armstrongs. You’re all coming up front with me.” Then she stooped to hug Zoe.

  “My, Zoe, don’t you look pretty!” she said.

  Zoe smiled. “I dressed meself.”

  “Good job! C’mon.” She took Zoe’s hand, and George, Caleb, and Jonas could do nothing but follow Ivy as she led them to the very first pew.

  After they were seated, George leaned over and whispered to Jonas, “I’ve been coming to church for forty years and never sat in the front row.”

  “I guess this is what you call a baptism by fire,” Jonas whispered back.

  Ivy sat on the far left, with Zoe between her and Jonas, and George and Caleb sat on the far right.

  Zoe was all eyes. She spun around and looked at the lady behind her, and said a loud, “Hi,” to the lady sitting there. Ivy tried to pull her back, but the older woman behind them patted Zoe’s hand.

  “You must be Jonas Armstrong’s daughter. I’m Mrs. Warner.”

  “I’m Zoe.”

  “I’m pleased to meet you Zoe,” Mrs. Warner said.

  Ivy smiled at Mrs. Warner and mouthed a thank you.

  Jonas thought the service was similar to Trinity’s, but he had to admit—Hiram Jeffries gave an excellent sermon.

  At the end of the service, Reverend Hiram Jeffries announced, “I’d like you all to meet Jonas Armstrong, our new director of music. Stand up, Jonas, so everyone will know who to complain to if they don’t hear their favorite song.”

  Jonas stood and turned to smile at the congregation.

  Hiram continued, “And I want everyone to meet Miss Zoe Armstrong, Jonas’s daughter.”

  Ivy had Zoe stand on the bench and face the people. They all smiled warmly at her, so she returned the smile, and even waved. Several women said, “Aww,” in unison.

  Jonas wondered how anyone could not fall in love with the child.

  “I have one other announcement to make,” Hiram announced, “and this is one I couldn’t be prouder of or happier to announce. My daughter, Ivy, and Jonas Armstrong are betrothed, and will marry on February the fourteenth. I’m happy to become Jonas’s father-in-law, but thrilled that I’ll soon be Zoe’s Gram Papa.” Then he proceeded to give the benediction and dismissal.

  After church, Hiram and Lavinia invited George, Caleb, Jon
as, and Zoe home for Sunday dinner.

  During dinner, plans for Christmas were being discussed. “Have you thought about a Christmas for Zoe?” George asked Jonas.

  “I‘ll buy gifts for her, if that’s what you mean.” Jonas said.

  “I mean you have to make the day special. Your mother always popped corn, and made this delicious candy from molasses. These are the kind of memories that Zoe will always remember,” George said.

  Hiram said, “I agree,” and then he, George and Lavinia all told stories of their Christmases.

  Jonas thought he’d run this Christmas thing past Thelma. Surely she’d have some ideas about how to make Christmas memories special for Zoe.

  He already knew what his gift to Zoe would be, but he didn’t know what to give Ivy. Maybe Thelma could help him there, too.

  Lavinia said, “I’m taking Zoe upstairs to show her Rose’s dolls. C’mon, Zoe.” She took Zoe by the hand, and led her up the stairs. Violet and Rose followed them.

  Ivy took Jonas’s hand. “She’s leaving us alone for a reason. I need to talk to you.” She led him to the sitting room.

  Jonas smiled. “Will I get a kiss after the talk?”

  Ivy smiled coyly. “It’s very possible.”

  Ivy sobered. “I saw Boyd yesterday.”

  “What?” Jonas couldn’t believe it.

  “He pulled me aside on the street, and insinuated that you were a violent man. He said you did away with Mrs. Kreider as well as Minnie. I think he just wants to split us up.”

  “He went to the sheriff with that story, too.” Jonas shook his head.“We went to his house, but he wasn’t home,” Jonas said. “We were going to try again, but the sheriff warned me to let them handle it.”

  “The sheriff? He spoke with you about it, too?” she asked.

  “I was thoroughly questioned about it. He seems to believe me, thank God. I don’t know what I’d do if I were arrested for this after I'd finally gotten rid of my guilt, and been accepted by the town.”

  “That was my worry, too. I also told the sheriff everything. I hope they find him. He scares me, Jonas.”

  Jonas put his arms around her. “We can only pray about it now.”

  With only days before Christmas, Jonas finally remembered to ask Thelma how they could make Christmas memorable for Zoe. Thus far, Christmas had consisted of dinner at his father’s with Caleb and Phoebe. This year he had to do something special.

  “We always had mincemeat pie and chocolate drops,” Thelma said. “Maybe some fish for dinner, or a nice duck.”

  “We’ve all been invited to my father’s, so I'm not worried about dinner. We’ve invited the Jeffries family, too,” he said. “I just need to make the day special for Zoe.”

  “I’ll make some chocolate drops and a mincemeat pie. You can enjoy them on Christmas Eve or Christmas night,” she said. Jonas thought she'd felt honored that he’d asked for her opinion. “And you must hang a stocking from the mantle, for St. Nick to fill.”

  “What with?” he asked.

  “Candy and a present or two,” she said.

  “What should I get Ivy?” he asked.

  “Now that’s a tougher question,” she said, scratching her chin. “Does she like to read?”

  “I think so. She mentioned it once.”

  “How about a book, or a box of sweets?” she said. “Oh, I have just the thing! Buy her jewelry. Women love jewelry.”

  “Thanks, Thelma.” Jonas gave her a bear hug, and Thelma swatted him away.

  As Christmas approached, amid the excitement of St. Nick and gifts, the town buzzed with the news of Zoe being Baby Jesus for the play. To Ivy and Jonas’s delight, everyone loved the idea.

  Jonas bustled around town buying his gifts. He actually felt excited about the giving of gifts. His family had never exchanged gifts, and he couldn’t wait for Zoe and Ivy to open what he’d purchased.

  He walked by the general store and noticed a sign in the window, “Colored and Indians Welcome.” He smiled. Even Mr. Simmons had gotten into the Christmas spirit. Either that, or more than likely, his sales had dropped so low, he had to change his ways.

  Ivy came to pick up Zoe for the play rehearsal. They’d had a covering of sleet earlier in the week, but so far no snow had fallen, and everyone hoped for a white Christmas. He’d told Zoe about St. Nick and she worried how he would get there on his sleigh if there wasn’t any snow. Jonas told her St. Nick would come in a buggy.

  “Ivy, I’m sorry,” he said when she came for Zoe. “I was planning on going along tonight, but Otto Prinkley wants to pick up the horse he bought for his daughter.”

  “That’s fine,” she said. “This way you’ll enjoy the play even more, not having seen it already.”

  “I should be back with her in an hour or so.” Ivy took Zoe’s hand. “Kiss Papa, and we’ll go now.”

  Zoe wrapped her arms around Jonas, “I love you, Papa.”

  Jonas squeezed her. “I love you, too, Zoe. Be a good girl for Ivy.”

  Zoe left with Ivy.

  Ivy put Zoe into the buggy and covered them both with a heavy blanket. She steered her buggy down the rutted path toward the road. After she’d driven about a quarter mile on the road to town, she saw that a strange buggy had blocked the road. She slowed and was about to proceed around the obstruction, when someone rushed out from the bushes, and grabbed Zoe.

  “Hey!” she yelled, “Stop!” She wasn’t sure, but she thought it looked like Boyd Egan.

  Chapter 15

  Ivy didn’t know what to do first. Instinct made her jump out of the buggy and run after them. The man whom she’d thought might be Boyd ran to the buggy that blocked the road, put a now-screaming Zoe onto the seat, and sped away.

  Ivy ran back to her buggy and tried to follow, never considering it could be dangerous for her if she caught up with them. She couldn't let that buggy out of her sight. Her heart raced, and she felt a panic attack coming on. Why would he want Zoe? The poor child must be petrified. She didn’t realize that tears were also rolling down her face until the chill in the air nearly froze them on her cheeks.

  The buggy ahead of her rounded a curve, but it had disappeared by the time she got there. There was a fork in the road. One went into town and the other to the north end of town.

  It was dark, and she could no longer see a thing down either road. She slouched in the seat and prayed.

  Feeling a bit more in control, she decided to take the road toward town. If Boyd hadn’t taken this road, she could at least report the kidnapping to the sheriff before having to break the news to Jonas.

  When she reached town, she saw Peggy and Quinn walking near the church, and she halted her buggy.

  “Are you going to the church?” she yelled to them. They nodded, and she shouted,“Tell them Zoe and I won’t be there. Someone blocked the road, and when I slowed down a man grabbed Zoe. I think it was Boyd. I’m going to the sheriff’s office now .”

  “Wait,” Quinn said, “I’ll go with you.” He turned to Peggy. “You run to the church and let everyone know, and have them all pray. Pray really hard.” Quinn jumped into Ivy’s buggy and he rode with her to the sheriff’s office.

  They walked into the sheriff’s office only to find neither the sheriff nor the deputy there. Her heart felt as if it had dropped to her toes. A young man she didn’t know was sitting behind the sheriff’s desk.

  “I need to see the sheriff,” Ivy cried.

  “It’s an emergency,” Quinn added.

  “I’m sorry. He and the deputy are out on an important call,” the man said. “They left me in charge. My name's Pickens, Herbert Pickens.”

  Ivy began to cry on Quinn’s shoulder. He patted her back. “I feel devastated, and Jonas will be heartbroken,” she cried. “I feel responsible, even though there was nothing I could do. He left his most precious possession in my care, and now she’s gone.”

  “It isn’t your fault,” Quinn said. “Do you suppose he took her to his home? I know where he
lives.”

  “Would he take her to such an obvious place?” Ivy asked. “Would he hurt her?”

  “He might take her there because, as far as I know, I’m the only one who knows where he lives. I don’t know whether he’d hurt her or not. I guess it depends on how desperate he is.”

  “We have to find him,” she urged.

  “No. We need more than just you and me. It could get ugly if he’s there,” Quinn said. “Let’s get Jonas, and maybe Caleb.”

  Ivy prayed the whole ride to Jonas’s house.

  Jonas, and Quinn rode on horseback in the direction of Barn Road. Caleb followed in his buggy. Jonas was frantic. He kept telling Quinn it was his own fault, and that he was being punished for his past.

  Ivy had stayed at Jonas’s house in case someone should bring Zoe back.

  They were stopped by the sheriff before they could reach the house.

  “Is that you Jonas?” the sheriff said.

  “Yes. Someone’s taken my daughter, and Ivy thinks it was Boyd. There’s a light on in that house, and I’m going in to get her.” Jonas slid off his horse.

  “Whoa!” the sheriff said, putting his hand on Jonas’s chest. “You aren’t going anywhere. We’ll handling this.”

  “Please tell me what’s going on. Is Zoe all right?”

  “Calm down, Jonas, and I’ll tell you,” the sheriff said.

  “We found some evidence at the Kreider home that led us here. There was no one here so we staked out the house from those trees yonder. Boyd drove up in the buggy about a half hour ago with a very hysterical child—”

  “Zoe! Dear Lord!” Jonas cried. “She must be terrified. I have to get to her.”

  “Let me finish,” the sheriff said. “I have a posse of ten men, and we have the house surrounded. Egan says if we make a move he’ll—keep calm, Jonas—he says he'll hurt the child.”

  Jonas was having trouble breathing. “So you’re doing nothing?”

  “We're trying to think of a way to get into the house—”