A Dark Amish Night

by Jenny Moews

  Hannah gasped and started to protest, but the determined look on Quinn’s face kept her from it. It took a few minutes for what Quinn had just told her to sink in. Her children were being watched. Not one of them was safe. Quinn was right; she needed him closer than ever now. Hannah would just have to put her own feelings about Quinn aside. The sooner he found Eric’s killer the safer her children would be. How could she stand in the way of that?

  Quinn did not miss the look of terror that crossed Hannah’s face as the realization that she was being watched set in.

  “Okay, then we need to let the church deacons know you want to stay out here to look for Eric’s killer. They’ll want a chaperone to stay with us.”

  “A chaperone? Really? I’ve never seen an actual chaperone.” Quinn laughed out loud.

  “Quinn, this is no laughing matter. The children and I could be shunned and outcast forever. I would never do that to Timothy or Ruth Anne. Think of what it would mean for them to be stripped of their community and heritage permanently.”

  “No, I suppose you’re right, that will not do. Tell me what we need to do to make things right with the church deacons.”

  “Well, I think we should go into town and meet with Bishop Miller as soon as possible. You can tell him what you know, and we’ll go from there.”

  “Okay, let’s go meet Timothy at the school and then we can go to the Bishop’s. Let’s walk over to the cabin and get my squad car. It’ll be much faster than the buggy.”

  Less than an hour later, after picking up Timothy from school, Quinn pulled his squad car into the Bishop’s front drive. The Bishop stood on the front porch with a perplexed look on his face, but he welcomed his guests nonetheless.

  “Hannah, is something wrong? Why has the Sheriff brought you here?”

  “Bishop, the Sheriff has found something out by my farm and we both need to speak with you. Is Sister Miller here? I was hoping she could watch the children for me while we speak.”

  “Yes, yes let me get Martha to look after the children and we can talk privately in my office.”

  Hannah and Quinn waited in the Bishop’s office while the Bishop took Timothy and Ruth Anne into the Kitchen so the Bishop’s wife could watch over them.

  “I must say I’m a bit surprised to find a new computer here. I thought Amish folk didn’t have computers or even electricity.” Quinn gave Hannah a puzzled look as she sat in the chair closest to the Bishop’s desk.

  “There are some among us who have computers, but the church deacons have ruled in our Ordnung that computers like all technology should only be used to benefit the community as a whole. The Bishop’s computer belongs to the community and is used by the church deacons to help the community with things like purchasing equipment and in staying in touch with other Amish communities.”

  “Yes, I can see the merit in that, but what about the electricity needed to run the computer? Why do some of you have electricity and some don’t?”

  Hannah smiled. “It’s not that we can’t have electricity. It’s that the plain folks, or Amish as you call us, choose to live this life. We are New Order Amish and our Ordnung states that we are allowed to have electricity and running water to our home. Some choose not to have electricity because electricity connects us more closely to the English way of life. There are some plain folk who feel that electricity weakens our bond we have with each other thereby weakening our community. However, the Bishop has a responsibility to watch over the entire community and he has to run things like e the computer to help keep those in his care safe and healthy.”

  “I think I can see what you’re saying. You know, some of my best childhood memories are the ones where on stormy nights the electricity would go out, and without a TV to entertain us we would gather around the fireplace to tell stories and play games. It makes sense that without digital distractions we connect more with each other. I guess we call that real face time these days. So are there different types of Amish besides New Order Amish?”

  “There are several different sects. Old Order Amish have several different branches. But they tend to live in the larger Amish communities up north. Those sects don’t allow for things like electricity and phones, but they don’t live in Oklahoma where the living conditions are harsher. It’s almost impossible to live and work the land here without electricity and tractors.” Hannah stopped talking when the Bishop entered the room.

  “Excuse me for taking so long. I wanted to make sure the children got a cookie from my special stash.” Bishop Miller was known for his soft spot for children. He and his wife had only one daughter and that daughter was no longer a part of the Amish community. His daughter’s departure from her family showed in the quiet sadness that could be seen in the Bishop’s eyes if one looked closely. Hannah new very little of the Bishop’s daughter, Margaret, who was a few years older than Hannah, but she did remember there was once a time when Margaret had been engaged to Eric.

  “So, Hannah, what has happened, and how does it involve the Sheriff?”

  Hannah spent the next half hour explaining how it looked like Eric’s death was no accident and now she feared for Timothy because he was a possible witness to murder. The Bishop listened patiently until she got to the part about someone watching her from the woods around her house.

  “This is very dangerous situation. The Sheriff is right; you need to move into town as quickly as possible. Until then we will find others who can stay with you and the children to keep you safe. Sheriff Ramsey, while I appreciate your willingness to protect Hannah and her children around the clock, surely you must understand that it is completely out of the question for an English man, such as yourself, to be staying on Widow Hershberger’s farm.”

  “Bishop Miller, I don’t intend to stay on the farm if you can find someone more appropriate to stay with Hannah around the clock. I’ll stay close by. Until we can get Hannah and the children moved, it’s imperative we have someone with her and the children, always. Plus, I’m going to have to call the Feds in on this. That campsite needs to have a forensics team go over it for evidence. Until those things happen, I intend to stay close.”

  “Fine, I’ll call a special meeting of the church deacons and we’ll discuss our options.”

  “Bishop, I mean you no disrespect, but please remember I am conducting a murder investigation here. The fewer people who know about the details the better.”

  “I understand, for the time being I will ask only that we find someone to stay with the Widow Hershberger to help her as she prepares to move into town. You’ll have to be discreet about your investigation, though, if you intend to stay close as you say.”

  “I will do my best, but you should know I have questions that need answers and I’ll be directing those questions at some of those in your community.”

  “I expect that you will. You’ll get complete cooperation from our community, Sheriff.”

  “That’s good to know. Thank you Bishop.”

  Quinn left the Bishop’s place without Hannah and the children. The Bishop was adamant that Hannah would be in the care of her community around the clock. Without having to watch over the Hershbergers for a time, Quinn decided it was time to pay a couple of persons of interest a visit. His first chat would be with Pattie Sue.

  “Good evening, Pattie Sue.” Quinn tipped his hat to the Amish matron behind the counter as he entered the Mercantile.

  “Good evening yourself, Sheriff Ramsey. How can I help you? Looking for anything in particular?”

  “No not a thing, but a who. I came to talk to you, Pattie Sue.”

  “All right then let me lock up the store. It’s past closing time and I just put on a fresh pot of coffee in the back. Go on back and pour yourself a cup and I’ll be right with you.”

  Quinn followed his nose to the back of the store and through a curtained off hallway to the percolating pot of coffee. He found himself in Pattie Sue’s living quarters. Neat as a pin and a picture perfect grandma’s parlor. Why am I not surpri
sed? Quinn leaned on the counter top of Pattie Sue’s kitchen area and waited for her. She didn’t keep him waiting.

  “Well, Sheriff what can I do for you?” Like another Amish woman Quinn had spent time with, Pattie Sue wasted no time getting to the point.

  “I wanted to ask you some questions about the night Eric Hershberger passed away.”

  Pattie Sue poured herself a cup and sat down at her table where she motioned for Quinn to sit across from her.

  “I wondered when someone was going to come asking. Besides the boy, I figure I’m may have been the last person to have seen Eric alive.”

  “So he was here then on that night?”

  “Yes, he dropped off a pie that Hannah made for me. He didn’t stay long said Timothy was asleep in the buggy and he still had some deliveries to make for Hannah before he headed home.”

  “And about what time was that.”

  “Hmmm, I guess it was around seven or seven thirty.”

  Quinn watched Pattie Sue very carefully. She didn’t flinch or bat an eye. She was telling the truth, but a gut feeling told Quinn she was leaving something out. “So, what kind of pie was it?”

  “A, uh, fruit-cream pie one of Hannah’s best. Why?”

  “Oh no reason just wondering ’cause I buy baked goods from Hannah as well. She’s an awesome cook.”

  “That she is. You know, it looks like Hannah is going to open a bakery up right here in my old storeroom.”

  “I’d heard something like that. I have just a couple more things to ask you. Do you know if Eric had any enemies? Anyone you can think of who might want to hurt him?”

  “No, Eric Hershberger was a good Amish man. Took good care of his family and worshipped the Lord. No person in this community would wish any harm on him that I know of.”

  “Okay, one last question, well two really. How long have you lived here in Heaven?”

  “My parents moved here when I was about thirteen. I’ve lived here since. I’m now sixty so you do the math.”

  “So you’ve lived here over thirty years, and in that time have you ever known anyone to camp out in the woods alone near Willow Creek?”

  “I can’t say that I’ve ever known anyone to go camping in that area. It’s mostly just woodlands and tick filled brush back in there. I’d never want to go up that way. Willow Creek, huh, that’s by where you found Eric isn’t it? Not too far from his farm. Did you find something else up there?”

  “Well I can’t really say right now, Pattie Sue, but I’ll let you know when I can.” Quinn stood up to leave. “If you think of anything else please let me know.”

  “I’ll do that, and Sheriff. You will find who did this, right? Because I’m assuming by your questions that Eric’s death was no accident.”

  “All I can say is that if someone did harm Eric, I will find them.”

  “Good.”

  Quinn left Pattie Sue’s with more questions than answers. But if the old gal was telling the truth, he at least had a starting point for a timeline now. The coroner’s report stated that Eric’s death occurred sometime between nine and ten o’clock that night and he was alive at Pattie Sue’s place at seven or seven thirty. What could have happened to Eric in the two hours after he left Pattie Sue’s? Quinn was determined to find out, and right now he had a campsite to stake out.

  A Dark Amish Night

  Chapter Seven

  Quinn made it back to the campsite at just past nightfall. From across the fields he could see that Hannah’s little home was dark, indicating she was not home, and most likely was not coming back tonight anyway. Good, I won’t have to worry about Hannah or the children running into whoever has been hiding out back here.

  Garbed in camouflage hunting gear and armed with some night vision googles he picked up at the office, Quinn lay low in the brush just outside the campsite perimeter. But for the last hour he’d seen nothing but a few squirrels, some raccoon, and one pesky armadillo. Not mention the ticks, flies, and mosquitos buzzing around. He was one snake away from calling it a night. It looks like our suspect has abandoned his camp. I wonder what spooked him.

  Quinn stood up from the brush and stretched out his tall frame. All his muscles were starting to bunch up and ache. He could see Hannah’s dark house across the field and wondered where Hannah and the children were. He was relieved that they were somewhere safe, but something tugged at him. He missed seeing Hannah and Ruth Anne, and yes, the petulant Timothy, as well.

  Protective instincts were not unknown to Quinn, and he shrugged off his longing to see the little Hershberger family as a part of his innate need to protect those in his jurisdiction. Wait; is that a flashlight coming from inside Hannah’s house? He moved out onto the edge of the field to get a closer look. Yes, it looked like someone was using a flashlight to get around inside the house.

  Leaving his spare gear behind, Quinn pulled his handgun from its holster and started to run across the field to the house. He kept the night googles on to help him move swiftly in the dark.

  Clip clop, clip clop, in the distance Quinn heard a buggy coming up the road. Oh no, Hannah’s home and the suspect is in the house. A shiver of fear ran down his spine as Quinn ran faster, praying he would reach the house before Hannah did. Across the field, he could see the flashlight moving around in the upstairs windows now. If I shout to try and warn Hannah the suspect could run and I’ll lose him, but if Hannah makes it to the house before me and goes inside... The thought was not worth finishing. The buggy pulled up in front of the house and the flashlight upstairs went out. Quinn was still too far away to stop Hannah from taking the children inside. Whoever was in the house appeared to now be waiting in the dark for Hannah.

  Quinn had no other choice he pointed his gun up into the air and fired two warning shots, just as Hannah exited the buggy. Within seconds he heard Hannah scream and watched a dark figure run out the backdoor and into the dark. He was aimed and ready to fire, but thought better of it knowing that Hannah was out there with her children. He couldn’t risk accidently shooting one of them. Lowering his gun he ran the rest of the way to the house.

  “Hold your fire. Hold your fire. We have women and small children here.” A male voice unknown to Quinn called out from the darkness in front of the house. Quinn raised his gun and again and ran for the buggy. Hannah was hiding with the two children and another woman underneath the carriage.

  “It’s all right Hannah. It’s me, Quinn.”

  “Quinn, did you hear the gunshots? Do you know where they came from?”

  “Yes, its fine. I fired the shots to warn you so you wouldn’t go in the house. I want you to stay right where you are so I can check out the house and make sure it’s safe before you go in, okay? Who else do you have here with you?”

  “Abe and Millie Troyer, they’ll be staying here with us for now until we can get moved into town. What’s going on that we can’t go inside?” Hannah’s voice was shaky as she spoke into the dark from under the buggy, and Ruth Anne was starting to cry.

  “Just hold that thought, Hannah, and I’ll tell you everything after I make sure the house is secure.” Quinn tried his level best to sound reassuring and he called out for Abe. “Abe Troyer, this is Sheriff Ramsey, where are you?”

  “I’m right behind you, Sheriff.”

  Quinn looked over his shoulder to see Abe standing a few feet behind him. “Okay, I need you to stay out here with the women and children while I search the house. Don’t try to go in until I come back out for you?”

  “Sure thing, Sheriff, we’ll wait right here.”

  Using his night vision googles, Quinn searched the entire house and found nothing out of order except Timothy’s room. The boy’s bedroom was in complete disarray. Several thoughts ran through Quinn’s mind about why only this bedroom was touched, but he had to focus on getting Hannah and the children in the house and out of the dark. The suspect was still out there somewhere nearby, if he was still on foot.

  “Okay, everything looks clear. You folk
s can come on in.”

  After everyone was in the house Abe worked to unload his and Millie’s things from their buggy and to put their horse in the barn. Quinn pulled Hannah to the side and told her to ask Timothy to stay downstairs with Ruth Anne for a minute while he showed her Timothy’s room.

  “Oh, Quinn! What happened in here?”

  “Shh, Hannah, I don’t want to alarm Timothy. But someone was in your house tonight and they were looking for Timothy. There is no other explanation.”

  “No, you’re right. I don’t want my son to see this. It’ll scare him. Help me put things back together before he comes up, please.” Hannah was frantic as she started to run around the room and put everything back to rights again. She was on the verge of hysterics and began to cry.

  “Why, why would someone do this? Quinn, we have to protect my boy. We have to protect him. I can’t lose him too.”

  Quinn sensed Hannah’s fear and pain and he pulled her close to him. “Hannah, I promise you. I’m not going to let anything happen to you or your children. I promise I’ll not rest until I find who killed Eric and threatens Timothy. Please trust me.”

  Hannah knew she should pull away, but it had been so long since someone held her just to comfort her, and with Quinn she knew she was safe. She could trust Quinn with her children’s lives and her own. So for just a few moments she allowed herself to rest in his arms. Then she pulled away and wiped away her tears. “Thank you, Quinn. Thank you for being here for us, and for watching out for us, but I better get this room put back together before Timothy comes up here to see it.”

  Quinn felt empty when Hannah pulled away. He knew she was right to do it, but still it made him ache, and the loneliness he was usually able to keep at bay slammed him in the chest full force. He tamped down on his emotions expertly and started putting Timothy’s bed back together. “Yes, you’re right, Hannah, let me help you.”