Maureen leaned closer. “Looks like a contract for the sale of your land, but was the land in your name as well as Levi’s?”
“Jah, Levi had the land put into my name as well, as soon as we married.”
Maureen took the flashlight from her and had a closer look. “Weird. Anything else?”
“Here, shine the light on this one,” Emma instructed.
As Maureen shone the light on the papers, they both looked at each other as soon as they read the names, Emma and Levi Kurtzler. “It looks like it’s a contract for the sale of my land.” Emma looked into Maureen’s face. “I never ordered a contract.”
“Take it with you and let’s keep looking.”
It was hard for Emma to look since there was only one flashlight and Maureen had it. Emma went closer to the window because there was a little light coming in from a street lamp, behind the blinds. As Emma made her way behind the desk toward the window, something caught on her foot and she tripped over letting out a squeal on her way down.
“Hush, Emma.” Maureen turned the flashlight toward Emma’s face and it was then that the light lit up something large on the floor next to her.
Emma gasped and jumped to her feet and ran to stand behind Maureen who trembled as she held the flashlight with both hands. “I think it’s a person.”
“Is it, is it a person?” Emma asked.
Maureen took a step closer and touched the lump on the floor with her foot. There was no reaction. She reached an outstretched hand so the flashlight would be closer. The light shined on a face. Maureen gasped. “Jah, it’s a person, but I think they’re dead.”
Chapter 7.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;
but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 13:13
“Quick, Maureen, we have to check to see if he’s still alive.”
Maureen was speechless and stood still, like a statue.
Emma snatched the flashlight from Maureen’s hands and shone the light on the face of the body once more, only to see that it was Henry Pluver. “It’s Pluver.” Through her plastic gloves she could tell that his neck had no pulse, she checked his wrist as well, although the neck would be the better source of information, she was sure. “He’s dead, for sure. And it’s Henry Pluver.”
Maureen gasped. “What will we do?”
“Get out of here, of course. Then we’ll call the police.”
Emma pushed the contract for her property down the front of her dress, grabbed Maureen’s arm and hurried her outside the building. “Now, remember, Maureen, we have to walk up the street as if we’re having a nice walk, and nothing more.”
Maureen’s eyes were wide, like saucers.
“Well, maybe just pull your bonnet down over your face.” Emma pulled Maureen’s bonnet forward so it hid the majority of her face.
They got in a taxi and went straight to Elsa-May’s haus.
“We should call the cops and let them know,” was Elsa-May’s first response when she heard the news.
“Shall I go and phone them from the public phone down on the corner?” Emma offered.
Elsa-May shook her head. “Nee, I’ll call them from my cell phone.”
“Your what?” Emma nearly choked. The Amish were not to have technology such as phones. Some had phones in their barns and some had a telephone in a shanty outside their haus, but no one had a cell phone, no one that she knew of, until now.
“Cell phone. I just use it for emergencies such as these.”
Did she just say emergencies such as these? How many dead bodies has she had to call the police about? Emma realized her mouth was open very wide as she looked at the elderly lady in disbelief. “How do you even know how to use a cell phone?”
Elsa-May tipped her head slightly to the side. “Easy; it came with instructions.”
“Elsa-May we’re not supposed to have the outside world coming into the home,” Emma said, trying to abide by the unwritten rules of the Ordnung.
“I’ll use it outside then.”
Emma was a little too flustered to argue. “Well, what will you say to them?”
“I’ll say there’s a body in an office in town.” Elsa-May pressed a button on her cell.
Ettie spoke up. “Why don’t we just wait until they discover it in the morning? Emma can call there just after nine. By then the place will be swarming with cops and she can gather information. Maybe get friendly with one of the cops.”
Elsa-May was silent for a time. “You know, Ettie, I think you’ve just had your first good idea.”
Emma looked at Ettie; she wasn’t sure if what Elsa-May said to her schweschder was a compliment, but by the look on Ettie’s face she certainly had taken it as one. “Wait, I have to go back there?” Emma thought the idea a bad one.
“Of course you do. The man’s been killed just after telling you he can’t lease your land anymore, you find a contract for the sale of your farm – of course you have to go back there.” Elsa-May switched off her cell phone and placed it back in the sideboard drawer. “What was he doing in the vulture’s office? You need to find all these things out.”
Ettie touched Emma lightly on her arm. “Jah, dear. You have to go back there and get all the information you can.”
“What will I say that I’m doing there?” Emma swallowed hard.
Maureen spoke up, “You could say that you’re there to speak to Mr. McAllister about selling your farm. I mean, say that you’re thinking of selling and you want to talk it over with him.”
“I’m a little scared. What if someone saw us there?” Emma asked.
Ettie shook her head. “Nee don’t worry about it. No one would have seen you and besides you didn’t kill him, did you?”
Emma shook her head.
Elsa-May said, “See, nothing to worry about. Besides all Amish look the same to the Englischers. If someone saw a couple of Amish ladies just deny it was you. They can’t prove anything. Ettie, hitch the buggy and take these two girls home; they look like they need a gut night’s sleep.”
“Jah, Elsa-May.”
Emma was concerned by the late hour. “Nee, we’ll get a taxi.”
“Nee, it’s no problem. I’ll be two minutes.” Ettie left the three women in the haus and went to the barn.
“I should help her,” Maureen said as she walked out the front door.
“Elsa-May, sometimes I feel that you’ve been involved in things before, with the flashlight, the rubber gloves and all.”
“Let’s just say, we look after our own.” She gave Emma a wink. “We’ll get to the bottom of this mess, don’t you worry.”
Emma studied the capable old lady. Somehow she believed her words, but Emma was worried at exactly what they would uncover. She hoped that Wil had nothing to do with whatever was going on.
Chapter 8.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
It was just as Ettie had said it would be. The place was crawling with police when she arrived there at nine a.m. the next morning. Emma walked up the stairs and found that the vulture’s office had police tape across the door. People in white coats were brushing things; Emma assumed them to be looking for prints.
“Can I help you with something?”
Emma turned to see a solidly built man. His appearance was such that Emma immediately recognized him to be a policeman or some kind of detective since he was wearing plain clothing. “I’m looking for Mr. McAllister.”
“He’s not here.”
“What’s happened in there?” Emma pointed toward the office. Just as she did so she noticed a girl in the corridor crying.
“The forensics team is combing the office.”
Emma gasped in a suitable manner. “Forensics? Did someone die?”
The detective studied Emma carefully. “I’m afraid so. I stationed someone on the door downstairs. How did
you get up here?”
“I didn’t see anyone down there. I just walked up here. So did Mr. McAllister die?”
“No, it wasn’t McAllister. It was someone else, but we can’t release the name, until we inform the family.” The detective pulled a small notepad and pen from his pocket. “And what’s your name?”
“My name is Emma Kurtzler.” Emma lowered her voice, “Is that girl all right?”
“She’s Mr. McAllister’s secretary. She’s the one who called us. We’ve got a policewoman on the way to interview… to look after her.”
Emma could not take her eyes off the young girl, who Emma guessed to be in her early twenties at the very most.
“Simpson, can you take Liza Weeks downstairs?”
A uniformed police officer stepped out of the office and guided the girl down the stairs.
The detective turned his attention back to Emma. “And what business do you have here?”
“Mr. McAllister has asked me a couple of times if I want to sell my property. I’ve just come here to talk about it.”
“Was he expecting you?”
“No, he wasn’t expecting me. I just thought I’d call in and talk to him about it. He gave me his card, see?” Emma pulled out the vulture’s business card. Emma tried to think quickly. How could she possibly get some information out of the detective? “How did the man die? I assume it was a man?”
“Yes, it was. We think it was foul play so far, but it’s too early to tell.”
“You mean, like murder?”
The detective nodded and turned his attention back to his small notepad. “And where can you be reached? Do you have a phone number?”
“I don’t have a phone at all.”
“What’s your address?”
After she rattled off her address, she asked the detective, “Do you know where Mr. McAllister is?”
“No, I don’t. I will need to ask you some questions later.” He looked her in the eyes and leaned forward. “Don’t leave town.”
“Me?” Emma’s hand flew to her throat. “Why would you need to ask me questions?”
“I can tell you that the man who was killed was an Amish man. You turn up here today first thing, and you’re Amish – maybe there’s a connection.” The detective rubbed his chin.
“He was an Amish man?” Emma tried to act distressed. “That’s awful.”
“Yes, any murder is awful.”
Emma nibbled on a fingernail as she always did when she was nervous. “I might know him then, if he’s from around here.”
“I suspect you might know him.”
Emma took two steps back. “Well, I’ll leave you to it.”
The detective looked at his notepad and repeated her address.
“That’s correct,” she said before she turned and walked away. When she got down on the sidewalk, she tried to steady her fast thumping heart. That did not go very well. She was sure she was a suspect now, from turning up like that first thing. That had to be a bad idea. Ettie would be upset to find out that her first good idea was not a good idea at all.
Emma went straight home without speaking to any of the widows. They hadn’t exactly given her the best guidance since she was now most likely the main suspect. As soon as Emma put her foot on her porch she noticed that Wil was walking down the road directly to her haus. She waited for him.
“Hello, Wil.”
“Hi, Emma. You’re out and about early this morning, aren’t you?”
“I’ve just been into town, to McAllister’s office and I didn’t see him because the police were there.”
Wil stopped still. “What for?”
“It seems that someone was murdered in his office.”
Wil scratched his chin. “Who was it?”
“They wouldn’t tell me the name, but they did say it was an Amish man.”
“Really? I wonder who it could have been. Murdered, did you say?”
“Jah, they think it’s murder, but the detective I was talking to said it was too early to say for sure.”
“What did McAllister say about it?”
“Let’s sit in the kitchen.” Once they were both seated at the kitchen table, Emma said, “I didn’t see him. I don’t know if the police even know where he is. The detective is coming here today to ask me some questions.”
Wil reached out and grabbed Emma’s hand. “You? Why’s he coming to ask you questions?”
Emma was a little shocked at his touch, but left her hand where it was. “The man who was murdered was Amish and I went there this morning so they think that there’s a connection.”
He let go of her hand and threw back his head. “Nonsense, there’s hundreds of Amish in town every day.”
“I suppose they have to follow every lead.” Emma nibbled on her fingernail.
“That’s nonsense.” Wil shook his head. “Why did you go to see McAllister anyway? Have you changed your mind about selling?”
“Nee, not really. I just wanted more information from him, that’s all. Maybe find out how much it’s worth.” He does seem concerned about me selling, Emma thought.
“I’ll stay with you ‘til he comes here.”
Emma shook her head. “That’s not necessary, Wil.”
“Jah, I think it is necessary. You’re a woman alone, Emma. and I’ll not have you bullied.” Wil was insistent.
“He’s a policeman, or a detective; anyway I don’t think that he’d bully me.”
“You can’t be too careful with these things. You need someone to protect you now that…” Wil looked away from Emma’s face.
“It’s all right, you can say it. Now that Levi’s gone.”
Wil looked into her face once more. “He would’ve wanted me to look after you.”
“Denke, Wil.”
Two hours later a police car pulled up. Emma hoped that no one in the community would see the police car in front of her haus, otherwise she would have to answer too many questions.
The detective got out of the car and looked up at Emma and Wil who were standing outside the front door. Emma noticed that there was a uniformed policeman in the driver’s seat who stayed in the car.
“Hello, Mrs. Kurtzler.” The detective looked up at Wil. “You Mr. Kurtzler?”
“No, I’m not. Mr. Kurtzler is deceased.”
The detective stood in front of Wil and Emma noticed they were exactly the same height.
“Oh, I see. Who would you be?” The detective asked with an unpleasant blunt tone.
“William Jacobson, I’m Mrs. Kurtzler’s neighbor and good friend.”
Emma sensed tension between the two men. “Come inside Mr… Oh, I don’t think I got your name this morning.”
“It’s Detective Crowley.”
Once they were inside Emma showed him to the kitchen table so they could sit. “Would you like a cup of tea or a cup of coffee, perhaps?”
“No.” He looked at Wil. “Would you excuse us? I’d like to ask Mrs. Kurtzler some questions in private.”
Wil pulled out a chair and sat at the table opposite the detective. “No, if you don’t mind I’ll stay.”
The detective clasped his hands on the table. “Actually, it would be better if you didn’t stay.”
Wil leaned slightly toward the detective. “It might be better if Mrs. Kurtzler got a lawyer. Then you wouldn’t get your answers straight away, but if I stay, I’m sure Mrs. Kurtzler would be agreeable to answer your questions right now.” The two men continued to glare at each other.
The detective was the first to look away. “You can stay then, as long as you keep silent.”
The detective took a small notepad and pen out of his pocket. He noisily clicked the end of his pen and turned to look at Emma who was rattling around making tea. “I said, no tea for me, Mrs. Kurtzler.”
“I’m just getting some for myself and Wil. I can still answer your questions while I’m making the tea.”
The detective sat with his back very straight and said, “The man who was
murdered was Henry Pluver.”
“No, not Henry.” Wil’s voice boomed loudly.
The detective looked directly at Wil. “You know him?”
“Yes, of course I do. I just saw him the other day. He leases my farm right next door and he leases Mrs. Kurtzler’s farm too.”
“He does?” The detective turned to Mrs. Kurtzler.
Emma nodded. “That’s right. Oh, I need to sit. It’s so unexpected.” Emma abandoned the idea of making tea and tried to look suitably shocked and shaken.
Wil scratched his head. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a murder within the community.”
“Did Henry know Mr. McAllister?” Emma hoped it was a gut time for her to start asking questions. Maybe it was a gut idea to have Wil there after all.
“We’ll know more of that soon. How long have you been widowed, Mrs. Kurtzler?”
“Just weeks,” Wil answered on her behalf.
“I’m sorry, to hear that.” The detective’s response showed no hint of sincerity.
Emma looked into her lap and nodded slightly.
The detective scratched something in his notepad while he asked, “And how long has Mr. Pluver been leasing your farms?”
“A good five years, I’d say.” Emma got in quickly so Wil wouldn’t answer all the questions. The detective had come to speak to her and Emma did not want to annoy the detective any further. She hoped that the detective would not ask whether Pluver was happy to continue leasing. Thankfully he didn’t. It would only look bad for her if he found out that Pluver did not want to lease her land any longer. Maybe that would be enough to give her a motive for doing away with Mr. Pluver.
“Tell me, detective. Have you located Mr. McAllister yet?” Emma wondered if she should tell him that she was there and she was the one to discover Pluver’s body. But that would also implicate Maureen and she was sure that Maureen would want to keep silent on the matter. Besides it looked as though she was enough of a suspect already and it wouldn’t look good that she had been untruthful from the start.
“Yes we have. He was late in the office today. He couldn’t believe what had happened in his own office. He said there was a key missing, a key from his drawer.”
The Amish Widow (Amish Romance Mystery) (Amish Secret Widows' Society Book 1) Page 6