Accused (Amish Romance Mystery) (Amish Secret Widows' Society #3)

by Samantha Price

  Maureen giggled. “Ach, that little - naughty boy.”

  Silvie asked, “So what’s the plan, Elsa-May, where do we start?

  “Ettie, you go visiting people and see what you can find out. People like to talk to you.”

  “Okay,” Ettie said. “I’ll start visiting tomorrow and ask a lot of questions.”

  “Emma, you go and visit Crowley,” Elsa-May said.

  “Me? Why do I have to visit Crowley? Didn’t you say you were going to do it, Elsa-May? You’re the one he respects. I told you he makes me feel uncomfortable and guilty all the time.”

  “Just do it, Emma. The rest of us will spread out, visit people and ask questions without appearing obvious. Everyone in the community should recall the incident. We have to find out who the witness was and who the dead man was.”

  “You’re going back to Robert’s place tomorrow aren’t you, Angela?”

  “Jah, I am. In the afternoon,” Angela said.

  “Ask questions about the witness and the dead man. Find out if Robert knows anything about them and find out what other little things he might have forgotten to mention.”

  Angela nodded. “I will.”

  “Now, if we’re all done with that business, we’ve got dessert,” Emma said.

  Angela looked up to see Emma and Maureen carrying desserts to the table. There was a tall chocolate cake with pink and white marshmallows on top, chocolate slices, ice-cream and round chocolate balls covered with coconut.

  “Someone likes chocolate,” Angela said with a laugh.

  “Chocolate is a weakness of mine,” Emma said as she sat down.

  Maureen took a large knife and cut the tall chocolate cake into slices. “I hope no one here is watching what they eat.”

  “Not anymore,” Ettie said.

  After a large meal and an even larger dessert, the widows went home.

  “I’ll dry the dishes, Emma. That way we can talk,” Angela said.

  “Denke. How are you liking Lancaster County so far?”

  “Everyone seems really friendly. I like the countryside; it’s quite similar to back home.”

  “I heard you tell Elsa-May that you like Robert,” Emma said.

  “Jah. I don’t know what he thinks of me. A strange lady showing up at his haus expecting that he should know of me. It was the most embarrassing moment of my life.”

  “He’s a gut man, from what I know of him. He would have felt bad when he found out what Jacob had done.”

  Angela looked thoughtful. “He did.”

  “Seems to me as though Robert is always sad or distracted by something. Now I know more of what happened to his bruder, it all makes sense. Mind you I didn’t know the Geigers that well.”

  “I appreciate you letting me stay here, Emma.”

  “You’re doing me a favor. I like having company. I told Elsa-May you are welcome to stay as long as you want.” Emma took the opportunity to try and find out more about the cases Elsa-May had worked on in the past. Emma was involved in the Pluver case and the more recent murder of old Frank, but she knew that Elsa-May and Ettie had worked on many more cases with Detective Crowley. “You’re aware then of Elsa-May working on similar cases to try and solve them, and such?”

  “Jah, someone was murdered once, down my way, and Elsa-May helped with that,” Angela said.

  A smile spread across Emma’s face. “I see. I knew she’d done these things before.”

  “Don’t tell her I told you; she’s very secretive about these things. I don’t want her to be cross with me.”

  “I won’t tell,” Emma said.

  “My daed used to say that Elsa-May’s every bit as smart as a mann.”

  Emma raised her eyebrows and bit her tongue to avoid making a comment, although she couldn’t help but say, “I guess your daed would see that as a compliment.”

  “Very much so.” Angela laughed. “I guess he thinks that menner have to be smarter.”

  Emma vigorously scrubbed a saucepan. “Women are just as smart, I’m sure.”

  “Elsa-May said you might be married soon?”

  “Jah, to Wil Jacobson. He lives next door. You met him yesterday, didn’t you?”

  “Nee, I didn’t meet anyone,” Angela said.

  “That’s right; he left just before you arrived. Your taxi passed him just as he was leaving my haus.”

  “That’s right, I do remember passing a buggy that looked as though it was coming from your place. Is he nice?”

  “He is. I’m blessed to have had two gut menner in my life. Why have you never married before now, Angela?”

  “Where I come from isn’t like here. There’s not many menner to choose from and they get snapped up pretty quickly. I’m quieter than the other girls so it made things that much harder for me. The other girls can talk to the boys easily. I never had any bruders, so I’m not used to boys. There was one boy I liked once.” Angela rubbed her neck. “I was too nervous to speak to the boys especially the ones I liked. Anyway, before too long, they were all married.”

  “That’s the disadvantage of a small community, I suppose.”

  “My Ant Elsa-May’s been telling me about Robert for a long time. I finally gave in and wrote to him and well… you know the rest.”

  Emma put the last saucepan in the cupboard and wiped down her long, wooden table in the kitchen. “All done; just a quick sweep with the broom and we can sit down.”

  “Let me do it, Emma.” Angela rushed for the broom and began to sweep the kitchen.

  “Denke, I’ll make us some meadow tea.” Emma put the kettle on the stove and got the tea ready. “Don’t fuss too much with the floor, Angela. I’ll wash it tomorrow.”

  Once the tea was poured, Emma carried the tea, chocolate cookies and her favorite chocolate soft centers out to the living room.

  “This is a nice big room, Emma,” Angela said as she sat on the couch.

  “Jah, it’s just as we wanted. Levi, my late husband built the haus for us.” Emma passed Angela the tea.

  “Will you live in Wil’s haus when you get married?”

  Emma sat down opposite Angela and put the pink flowered teacup to her lips and took a sip. The teacups had been a gift from Levi on the announcement of their marriage. They were far more fancy than the china she had been used to, which was plain white with maybe a small pattern. As she placed the cup down onto the saucer, she said, “We haven’t even decided that.” Emma looked around the room. “This haus reminds me of Levi. I wouldn’t want someone else to live in it, neither would I feel comfortable living in it with Wil, especially when he has his own haus on the next door farm.”

  Emma watched Angela bite into a chocolate cookie.

  “You know, now I say that out aloud I realize that’s what’s stopping Wil and I moving forward. I just can’t see where we could live,” Emma said.

  “That makes sense.”

  “Does it? Sometimes it seems as nothing makes sense to me. Nothing has fallen into place. Nowhere feels right for us to live.”

  “Perhaps you’re thinking ahead too much? I know it would be hard to leave this place, but it is after all just a haus,” Angela said.

  Nee, it’s not just a haus, Emma thought. Emma drew comfort from living in the haus that Levi had built for them. It was as if part of him was still there. Angela’s words seemed harsh. Emma studied Angela as she sat in front of her, nibbling on the cookie. She hadn’t meant any offence; Angela couldn’t know the feelings that she had for the haus or the comfort it filled her with.

  Angela looked up and caught her eye. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Emma.”

  “I’m not upset. I’m realizing just how attached I am to this haus.”

  Angela nodded sympathetically and passed her up the plate of cookies. Emma took a cookie and held it in her hand. What was the answer? Where would she and Wil live after they married?

  Angela broke through Emma’s pondering when she said, “Robert asked me to go back there tomorrow.”

 
Emma was pleased that they had arranged to meet again. “I’ll drive you there.”

  “Denke, would afternoon suit you? He’s hoping I’ll have some word from Elsa-May helping to clear his bruder’s name. I’m hoping we might have some information by afternoon.”

  Emma raised her eyebrows. “That seems a little hopeful since he’s gone two years with no information.”

  Angela gasped and covered her mouth. “I hope I didn’t give him false hope when I told him of Elsa-May’s abilities.”

  “We’ll all do the best that we can. Besides, it’ll give you reason to keep speaking to him.” Emma giggled.

  “Jah, I know it will.”

  “I saw when he brought you here this afternoon that he had the look in his eye that a mann has when he likes what he sees.”

  Angela’s face brightened. “You think so?”

  Emma smiled at the look of delight on Angela’s face. “I do.”

  Angela breathed in and let her breath out slowly. “I’ll sleep well tonight.”

  Chapter 6.

  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

  Hebrews 11:6

  Emma was woken by a shaft of light entering her bedroom from where her two curtains met in the middle. She had forgotten to close the gap the night before. She always woke at the slightest light. Most nights before she went to bed, she would adjust her curtains so they would blanket the morning light. Too late – she was already wide-awake.

  As she stretched her hands over her head, she recalled that today she had been designated by Elsa-May to visit her very least favorite detective. She had to go that morning because she had told Angela she would drive her to Robert’s haus in the afternoon. Emma got out of bed and hurried to get her chores done so she could make an early start, figuring that Crowley would get into his office at around nine.

  The morning hours passed quickly for Emma and now she stood outside Detective Crowley’s office, knocking tentatively on his door.

  “Come in,” Crowley said.

  She stepped through the doorway and he rose to his feet when he saw her. “Mrs. Jacobson?”

  “Nee, it’s Mrs. Kurtzler.”

  “Yes, of course, I was getting confused with Wil Jacobson. So you haven’t married Mr. Jacobson yet?”

  Did the detective know that she was conflicted over the prospect of marrying Wil so soon after Levi died? Could he possibly be that good of a detective?

  “Detective, with all due respect, I did not come here to discuss my marital status.” Emma silently reprimanded herself; she knew that was a silly thing to say if she was to keep him on side. But he seemed to have a way of getting under her skin. Why would he call her Mrs. Jacobson? He knew her name very well and Emma knew for sure and for certain that he had an excellent memory.

  A smile softened the detective’s sharp features. “Have a seat.” He motioned to the chair in front of his desk.

  They sat at the same time.

  “What brings you here then, if it’s not to discuss your marital status?”

  Keep calm, he’s trying to bait you again, Emma cautioned herself. “Elsa-May sent me.” Emma knew that the detective respected Elsa-May, so she congratulated herself on thinking to use her name.

  The detective leaned forward. “I’m listening.”

  “Do you remember a case some years ago involving an Amish man called Ross Geiger?”

  “I do. Strange case that one. The body was tied to a cross.”

  “That’s the one,” Emma said pleased that he remembered it.

  “What of it?”

  “Elsa-May sent me to ask you who the witness was and who the dead man was.”

  The detective rubbed his left ear. “I recall the accused man died in a buggy accident shortly after he was granted bail.”

  “Yes, he and his wife, before he could clear his name. Before proper investigations could take place.”

  The detective bit on the end of a pencil. “So, that’s what this is about? Elsa-May is looking to clear his name?”

  Emma nodded. “Were you working on the case?”

  “No, but I knew about it. It should all be on the computer.” The detective turned his attention to the computer on his desk. He pressed a button and tilted the screen to face him. After a few moments and a few clicks, the detective asked, “How long ago? What was the accused’s name again?”

  “Roughly two years ago and his name was Ross Geiger.”

  “Got it. Here we go. The dead man was never identified, but we do have his DNA records, dental records, body measurements and fingerprints. He did not fit the description of any missing person at the time or since.” The detective looked at Emma. “The dead man had no criminal history because his fingerprints weren’t in our database.”

  Emma nodded. “Does it give a description of him?”

  The detective turned back to the computer screen. “Five foot ten inches, light brown hair, brown eyes and no identifying marks or scars. He was wearing dark blue jeans, brown leather boots and a blue shirt with a collar.”

  “What does it say about the witness?” Emma asked.

  “Mrs. Kurtzler, you know I can’t give you sensitive information like that. But, if you should happen to overhear me talking to myself as I’m looking at the computer, then I wouldn’t be breaking any rules.” The detective looked again, at the computer screen. “The witness was, or I should say is, Juliana Redcliffe.” The detective was quiet for a moment as he read the information. “She said she couldn’t sleep that night and went for a walk down by the river. She heard a noise and looked through the undergrowth to see Ross Geiger hit the man in the head with a large stone several times then he tied him to a wooden cross.”

  “Does that sound odd to you, Detective? That someone would go for a walk alone in the woods if they can’t sleep? Do people do that? Especially a woman alone at night?” Emma asked.

  “Sounds odd, but how is someone to say that she didn’t go for a walk?” The detective kept his eyes fixed on the screen. “It happened two miles away from Ross Geiger’s house and five hundred meters from the witness’ house.”

  “And where’s that?”

  The detective lowered his head and looked up at Emma, and said, “What?”

  “The witness’ house.”

  The detective leaned back in his chair. “This is a murder. Only a trained professional should stick their nose in.”

  Emma stared back at the detective and held his gaze for some time.

  “All right, I’ll speak to her today. If she still lives there,” the detective said.

  Emma wriggled in the chair. “Could you possibly do it this morning?”

  The detective cocked his head to the side and frowned. “It’s an old case. What’s the rush?”

  “Well, you see. We really want to clear Ross Geiger’s name for his son. He’s becoming a handful to look after and Ross’s bruder is taking care of him and Angela, who’s staying at my place, was writing letters to…”

  “Spare me the finer details, I’m sure they’re very interesting – to someone.” He looked back at the computer. “Yes, we have Robert Geiger’s details here, on file. It would appear he’s been to see us several times.” The detective stood up. “I’ll talk to the witness and then come to see you. Do you still live at the same place?”

  “Jah, still the same haus.”

  As Emma was walking out of his office the detective called after her. “Mrs. Kurtzler.”

  She turned to face him. “Please, call me Emma.”

  The detective smiled. “Do you still have that fat cat?”

  Emma smiled at the thought of Growler. “Yes, I’ve still got Growler. He’s part of the familye now.”

  A look of amusement crossed the detective’s hard face. It was the detective who suggested that Emma take Growler to live with her after his owner had been murdered. At the time Emma hardly had a choice, it was
take Growler or the detective was going to have him put to sleep. Or was he? That’s what the detective said that he would do at the time. She remembered distinctly that the detective said that he’d call animal welfare and have the cat put to sleep if she didn’t take him. Was he bluffing? He seemed interested in Growler’s welfare. Emma shook her head. She’d never know what went on in the detective’s head.

  Chapter 7.

  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving,

  and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

  Psalms 95:2

  Emma drove her buggy back home, pleased with the fact that Crowley was going to question the witness. It was still early in the day and Emma knew that Angela would not expect her back for some time, so Emma pulled up her buggy outside Wil’s front door. Wil came out to meet her.

  “Emma, I was just about to put some kaffe on.”

  “Lovely, I’ll have one, denke.”

  “You sit here and I’ll put the hot water on to boil.”

  Emma sat on the white porch chair and looked out across Wil’s farm. What a coincidence it was that they both owned farms adjacent to one another. He’d been a gut friend to her late husband and she knew without a doubt that Levi would whole-heartedly approve of the two of them getting married.

  Wil fell into the seat next to her. “What’s on your mind, Emma? I can tell something is.”

  Emma smiled. Wil could read her like a book. “You still want to get married next wedding season, don’t you?”

  “Or as soon as the bishop can marry us and as soon as you are willing.”

  “It occurred to me that I’ve been hesitating because of my haus. Because it was the house Levi built for us to live in.” Emma studied Wil’s face and noticed that he did not look happy. “Wil, don’t be like that. I need to speak to you about these things. I want to be able to tell you all things that trouble me.”

  “Jah, Emma, we need to discuss these things. I know that. I didn’t realize how you felt about the haus.”

  “I don’t know what to do about the haus. I mean, where do you see us living?” Emma nibbled on the end of her fingernail. She had nearly beaten the habit, but every now and again she realized she was chewing her nails.