Solitude Death, An Amish Country Murder Mystery

by Sandy McKee

  “ At that point I was hoping that Sharon would come around and come back to me and still try to get most of the businesses and money. I had a couple plans where we could frame or blackmail her husband to divorce her and expect nothing. Either way, I just didn’t want to take any chances. I hate loose ends and I was so pissed at Sharon. We could have had a really good life together, no money worries and respect from people. She really blew it. I would have been good to her. I know people see me as a big joke carrying out groceries like some teenager.”

  “Van, I doubt that you’re capable of loving another human being. You’re a real screw up with a lot of issues and mental problems.”

  “Is that so doctor? Well I’ve had counseling in the service and in prison. They called it anger management or some bullshit, I told them what they wanted to hear and they passed me on. They tried to drug me too with antidepressants and other crap. All that did was make me a failure in the sack.”

  If I hadn’t been hogtied and fearing for what he’d do next, I could have felt a wee bit of sympathy for Van. I’d taught a lot of students with similar stories. For some of them, one strong mentor or developing faith made all the difference. I said a silent prayer and asked God to help me see Van the way that he did. I prayed even harder for someone to come by and rescue me from this nut.

  Chapter 15

  It was starting to get dark and I decided that I had better eat and drink something.

  There were still several pieces of pizza and two bottles of water left in the ATV box. I asked Van for the water and two slices. He untied my hands from the tree but kept them tied together at the wrists. I ate as much as I could stomach.

  O.K., this is it. Once it’s dark, I’m going. You’re going into the mineshaft. I’ve been in there and you can go back several yards. I’ll bet your granddaddy was a miner. Maybe you can channel him for a rescue. Now get up and get moving. He refused to untie my feet and made me hop into the mine. It was dark and damp and smelled like excrement. “I’m going to tie you to those timbers.” He motioned with a flashlight he found on the ATV. “You get too frisky, you’ll bring the whole mine down on top of you. You’re pretty smart, so I figure you’ll get loose somehow. I’m gonna tape your big mouth shut so there won’t be any screaming. I’ll even leave you a few slices of pizza in case you get the tape off your pie hole. Or maybe it will just draw the rats to you. Oh well, you won’t be able to see them. Good luck, Dana. It’s been real.”

  I glared at him, but it was lost on his back as he left the mine. At least I was alive I mused. I should have asked for a potty break after drinking the water. Fortunately teachers have some of the strongest bladders. I tried to come up with an escape plan, but feared bringing the timbers down on top of me. I tried to work my feet loose and rub the tape off with no success. It was dark outside and pitch black in the mine. I hurt all over and decided to pray. I recalled the prayer of Jabez in the Old Testament. It was one of my favorites and had served me well in many tight situations:

  “Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”

  I felt comfort in the prayer, knowing that God had answered his prayer and then continued praying for my mother and her well being. I eventually dozed off for what seemed like an hour or so. I woke up to the sound of dripping water and stones falling from the ceiling of the shaft. I felt certain something was moving around inside. I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs and thought I was going to pass out. I felt something furry scurry over my legs and thought it was eating some of the pizza. I heard an owl hooting nearby and prayed for daylight.

  Daylight finally broke. I could see slightly outside the dark shaft, and it looked like it was still raining. I continued to try to loosen the ropes on my hands and feet, making little progress. I noted that something had been eating at the pizza and was glad that I hadn’t been bitten. I figured that by now, there must be some people searching for me as well as Van. Hopefully they’d trace my last whereabouts to the school and would branch out from there. The ATV might have even left some kind of tracks, that is if the rain hadn’t erased them.

  I tried to think good thoughts and visualize some of my favorite places. I replayed my trip to Santorini and seeing Toby for the first time. He was a scruffy little fur ball that followed me through the narrow streets. Then I pictured the beautiful beaches on Sanibel Island in Florida where I loved to swim in the turquoise waters and pick beautiful seashells from the shore. Next I pictured a fall drive through the Berkshires and a winter slide down the mountain at Holiday Valley. Most of all I pictured my childhood home in Solitude and my mother’s worried face. I vowed to get back there and never stress out the dear woman again.

  The day dragged on and the rain seemed to continue. I was cold and damp and beginning to dread another dark night in the shaft with my furry friends. Van really seemed to know how to tie secure knots, probably from kinky sex, I mused. I kept looking around for anything that I could use to cut through the thick rope. There were some rocks, but they were all out of my reach. I was toying with the idea of chancing pulling on the timbers to free myself when I thought I heard some voices outside. I tried to scream, but with the duct tape nothing came out. Suddenly a furry little creature came running up my leg. Before I had the time to be frightened, I realized it was Toby! He started licking my face. Then he noticed the pizza and helped himself to that. I tried to motion with my head to him to go get help. I even gave him a soft kick to move out. Before long, the voices got closer and someone with a flashlight was entering the mine with a barking little dog, named Toby. I recognized my little brother’s silhouette as he flashed the light on me. “Thank, God!” he exclaimed. “Remind me to kill you once I get you safely out of here.”

  He cut the ropes and mused about leaving the tape in place. I took it off myself and gave him a big wet kiss on the cheek. “I’ve never been so happy to see you. Is Mom O.K? Phil, I was actually minding my own business, well pretty much, when I ran into Van on the run from the law.”

  “I know, Sis. When Mom called me she said you’d been at the school teaching a class. And yes, Mom’s fine. She’s tougher than we think, but she’ll be a lot better when she sees you.”

  “What about Van? Have they found him? He took off when it got dark on the ATV. He claims he’s headed to Cuba! What a jerk!”

  Last time I checked in, they hadn’t found him. The police figured he’s probably armed and dangerous and have really discouraged people from going out and searching for you. I kind of figured the route you’d have taken from the school and borrowed an ATV. You can thank Toby for leading me to you. He must have picked up your scent.”

  “Well that, or the scent of the pizza that Van left for me,” I laughed. “I can’t wait to get home and take a hot shower.”

  “I think you had better touch base with the police first. They really need to apprehend Van before he hurts someone else.”

  “Well if it’s any help, I told him to follow the creeks. He’s really pretty dumb…like most criminals.”

  Phil drove us home on the borrowed ATV. Mom was out on the porch waiting when we pulled up. I ran to her and we hugged, both crying. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I never meant to worry you like this. I promise to get my act together.”

  Mom insisted on riding along with Phil and I to the state police barracks where I wrote out a statement and answered endless questions. I remembered that I had the names of the trouble making teens on a slip in my pocket and gave it to the police too. They got a little pissy when I refused to tell them who gave it to me, but overall they were actually pretty nice to me considering how most law enforcement types feel about us sleuth types.

  By the time we got home, I was dragging. A hot shower and some comfort foods including chicken soup, rice pudding and chocolate chip cookies, brought to the door by Helen helped restore my spirits. I crawled under the covers hugging my buddy Toby and thanking God for prayer
s answered. Phil insisted on staying at the house just in case Van circled back and decided he needed to shut me up for good.

  I woke early Sunday morning. Phil was cooking bacon and eggs, and I felt starved.

  “We took a vote,” smiled Mom. “We’re not going to church today. I think God will understand and you need some rest.”

  I nodded in agreement. I’ll be content to do the Sunday crossword puzzle and watch the Steeler game. I slept almost the entire day.

  Chapter 16

  Monday

  I felt like a new person by Monday morning. I insisted that Phil go home and that we’d be fine. “Despite the murder, I don’t really think Van is all that dangerous. The only reason he’s armed is because of my stupidity. He’s just running scared. He’s bound to be found soon.”

  “O.K., Dana. Would you just please stay out of it? The police will find him soon, without your help. Just lay low and take care of Mom.”

  I nodded. I had no idea where Van was anyhow. I’d given the police everything I knew, including the possibility that he might seek out some old girl friend to shelter him. I suddenly thought of his cousin, Violet, the minister’s wife. I doubted that she’d be so foolish, but decided I’d better give a call and make sure the police were aware of the connection.

  The phone rang just as I was about to make the call. It was Ralph saying that I could pick up the Jeep. I told him that I’d be there sometime that day thinking I’d bum a ride from someone. I decided to take Toby for a walk hoping I’d run into someone willing to give a lift to a lady in distress.

  As we strolled down Solitude’s main street, once part of the Great Shamokin Way, an ancient Indian trail that linked the Allegheny and Susquehanna Rivers, I spotted a police cruiser parked by the bakery. Trooper Pierce was coming out with two coffees and a bag of donuts. “Hey, Dana,” he called. “I was just coming by your house.”

  “Whatever it is, I didn’t do it. I’ve been home minding my own business. What’s up?”

  He motioned me to sit down at one of the outdoor picnic tables. “I hope you like your coffee with plenty of cream, and I’m betting that mutt of yours enjoys sweets. I just thought I’d bring you up-to-date with the search for Van White. You’ve been through a lot and at least one policeman admires your grit.”

  I grinned at him while giving Toby a donut hole covered with sprinkles. “It’s been a real adventure. I thought you guys would have found him by now.”

  “I don’t need to tell you how thick the woods are around here. We did find your all terrain vehicle this morning. It was stuck deep in the mud in a stream that feeds into Big Bass Creek. People constantly overestimate the power of those four wheel drives. When they haul it in we’d like you to look over it and see what’s missing. You should be able to pick up your Miata in a couple days too. They should be done going over it.”

  “Good, I’m down to a kayak and a rusted out ten speed for transportation. So I guess Van must be on foot. I was wondering if you knew about the minister’s wife being his cousin. She and he were friends.”

  “We’ve interviewed her and are watching the parsonage. I don’t think she knows anything. We’ve had lots of calls with people thinking they saw Van in everything from Amish women’s garb to hunting suits to state police uniforms. Nothing has panned out. He could be miles from here or still holed up nearby. It’s frustrating. Do you have any ideas, Dana?”

  I couldn’t believe a police officer actually wanted my opinion and damn I didn’t really have one, for once. I scrambled for something half intelligent to say. “ There are lots of old hunting camps around where he could hide out. Or, I wouldn’t be surprised if he charmed some older lady into giving him shelter or a ride out of the area. Speaking of charming and older women, could I get you to give me a ride out to Ralph’s Garage to pick up the jeep? Maybe someone around there knows something.”

  We finished our coffee and donuts and headed out to Hungry Ridge. The Jeep looked wonderful and I wrote a check and thanked Ralph for getting the job done so quickly. I introduced Ralph to Trooper Pierce who asked him if anyone around there had heard or seen anything.

  “I haven’t heard anything useful at the club although it’s all they’re talking about.” Replied Ralph. “But if that guy’s armed and tries to break into someone’s house or garage, they’ll shoot first and then ask questions.”

  It felt good to have a vehicle again. I decided to stop by Fannie’s on my way home. There was something comforting about visiting my old grade school. Things seemed so simple and safe back in 1960. Being around Fannie was also comforting. She had a goodness about her that made me seek her company.

  When I arrived at Fannie’s things were not calm. Elizabeth had started teaching the children and they were on a recess break. Kids were running and laughing all around. I spotted Fannie walking through the yard with her two grandchildren. I hailed her and she smiled and waved me over. “Dana, How are you doing? I heard that you were almost killed pursing that murderer! I blame myself for telling you about Constance and the diary and such. I should have kept quiet.”

  “Are you kidding? You’re my hero. If it wasn’t for you, I doubt that the police would have solved the case yet. I just tried to get things in motion. It’s the most fun I’ve had for a long time. Now they just need to locate him.”

  “Oh yes, the police have been around here a lot passing out fliers and asking questions. Surely someone knows something. What do you think?”

  I imagine he just travels at night. He’s smart enough to law low during the day. Maybe he’s found someone willing to hide him. I’m just not sure.”

  “Well I hope he gets arrested soon. We all really appreciate all the work that the police and you too, Dana, have put into this. It’s been a real nightmare. At least a lot of the violence and threats have died down in the last few days.”

  We walked and talked until her grandchildren got restless and she took them into the house. We had some tea and sat on the porch until I headed home to fix some lunch for my mother and I.

  My mother seemed nervous and very anxious when I came in the door. “Dana, I just can’t sleep thinking about that murderer on the loose. The police aren’t having much luck finding him. Why don’t you and I see if we can track him down? You’re smart and I’ve got nothing to lose. Where should we start?”

  “Let’s start with some lunch first, Mom. O.K. if I heat up some of the Shepherd’s Pie? Then we can do some brainstorming. I want to find him too, but I don’t have any sound theories worth exploring. Maybe you can help me come up with ideas. Just don’t tell your son. He loves to worry about us.”

  “Oh, I know, dear. I do love that boy, but he forgets that I made it through two world wars, a great depression, your dad’s drinking and a few other crises. We’ll be fine. I’ve had more fun since you moved back than I’ve had in years.”

  I grinned and gave my mother a big hug. “How about pouring us both some iced teas? Maybe after lunch we can take a little ride in the jeep.”

  As if on cue, Helen entered as we sat down to eat. I assured her that we had plenty and invited her to join us. We talked about little else than Van’s whereabouts.

  “Your mother and I have been running around this area since we were tykes. I remember that during Prohibition, there were all kinds of stills hidden back in the woods. My grandfather had one. He also had a shack he stayed in when he was busy making booze. I’ll be a lot of those places are still standing.”

  I nodded. “I was thinking about old hunting camps. Some of them set empty until November and deer season. Van would know that and could break in one and hide out indefinitely. He’d probably find plenty of food and booze too.”

  My mother spoke up. “There are a lot of abandoned cabins down at the old park. They’re still standing but they haven’t been rented out in over a decade. And my dad was the foreman for the gas company. Sometimes he’d take me along to check on the wells. We’d ride his old company jeep along the right of ways that were well of
f the beaten path. He used to show me old caves. He said when he was a boy, people would actually live back in the caves. That could also be a good hideout.”

  “Plus all the abandoned mines. Why don’t we just take a ride around this afternoon and see if we can see any evidence of anyone having disturbed any places visible from the road?”

  We cleared the table and everyone, including Toby, piled into the jeep. I grabbed a camera just in case we saw something worth recording. I toyed with the idea of taking a weapon, but decided it was not necessary and too risky. I’d just gas it and peel out if we spotted anything dangerous.

  My mother reminded me of the best way to get to the road that went through the old abandoned park on Big Bass Creek. She and Helen started reminiscing about their teenage days at the park. “We used to have so much fun here,” giggled Helen. “We both met the guys who would become our husbands here, but we had a good time with a lot of others young men too.”

  “I’m not sure I want to hear this,” I joked. “Let’s just focus on finding Van.”

  There were five brick cottages still standing but in very poor repair. Windows had been broken out and doors were rotted. “Who actually owns these?” I asked.

  “I heard it was a niece of the owner, Walt Hendrikson, who passed away some time ago. The niece supposedly lives out in Oregon and has little interest in the place. It’s a shame, it used to be so nice here,” said Helen.

  We each gazed closely at each structure, trying to see any evidence of habitation. It looked like there had been several drinking parties held around the cabins, judging by the number of beer cans. “The grass doesn’t look like it’s been cut, and I don’t see any evidence of anyone tramping it down recently. I don’t think anyone’s been here.”