A Dark Amish Night

by Jenny Moews

  He was burning the candle at both ends running down any leads on McVey, and trying to keep an eye on Hannah and her children from a distance. He got up early every morning to follow her as she walked to the bakery, and he followed her home every night to make sure she and the children were safe. He put his night crew on patrols checking her house several times every night. Then he would go home and get very little sleep thinking about Hannah. He’d spent most nights the last several weeks out in his garage working on that sign he carved for the bakery. Now that the sign was done, he was spending more and more nights at work.

  Of course Hannah knew nothing of his tailing her, and keeping tabs on her when he wasn’t tailing her, and Quinn had no intention of telling her either. But Quinn wasn’t the only eyes on Hannah and her family, and Quinn knew not all those watching her had the best of intentions. Finding out who was even now terrorizing Timothy was Quinn’s main objective.

  One thing Quinn was sure of, Timothy had been threatened, probably with his life or the life of his mother and sister. After years of being in law enforcement he was a good read of people. Timothy was scared. Scared enough to lie and run off looking for gold. Quinn suspected someone else was searching for that gold. Whether the gold was real or not was another matter. Today he planned to spend some time in the local library going over records of the area. He hoped to find a clue as to what really might be out there in those woods, and maybe that would help him crack this case.

  He was glad Hannah still had the radio handset he’d given her. As much as he looked forward to talking to her, he really needed some answers. He was, in a way, breaking his promise to go through Bishop Miller to talk to her, but he needed to talk to someone he could trust to give him some straight answers about Peter Yoder. There were a few missing pieces in this puzzle he was putting together. Hannah might be able to help him find some of those missing pieces.

  After spending the entire morning going over public documents, Quinn still had no answers. The librarian told him she knew the story, as most of the local townsfolk did, but she had never seen any actual records of there being lost gold near Willow Creek. Back at the office, Quinn pulled out the file Ollie sent him on Georgie McVey. He’d been over and over the file looking for anything that would connect McVey to this area. Then something jumped out at him. It was a copy of a letter that McVey had received while he was in jail. It was a letter from someone Quinn knew well.

  He slapped his forehead. Here it was, the missing link. It had been right in front of him the whole time. He grabbed his gun and hat off his desk then ran out the door. It was time to pay Pattie Sue another visit.

  “Good afternoon, Sheriff Ramsey. I wasn’t expecting to see you back here so soon. That coffee you bought for the office yesterday no good? Or did you just drink it up already?”

  “No, Pattie Sue, I’m here on official business. I got some more questions for you.”

  “Well, let’s get to it then. I got a shop to run and times a wasting.”

  “So, tell me what a good Amish lady, like you, is doing sending a convicted felon in prison like Georgie McVey letters and goods?” For just a flicker of a second Quinn caught a flash of panic in Pattie Sue’s rheumy old eyes. Just a fleeting moment and it was gone, replaced by the cool demeanor Pattie Sue was famous for.

  “So, what of it? I can be charitable if I want to. It ain’t nobody’s business if I am.”

  “Yes, but why Georgie McVey? How do you know him?”

  “How is that your business, Sheriff? I ain’t done no wrong by sending a poor lost soul like Georgie a few comforts.”

  “Okay, Pattie Sue, we can play this your way or we can play it my way. Your way, you keep skirting around the questions I need answers to, and then my way will be to take you down to the jailhouse and detain you until you start answering my questions directly. So, what’s it gonna be? I’m gonna ask one more time. How do you know Georgie McVey?”

  Quinn’s question was met with dead silence as Pattie Sue folded her arms across her chest, and in the way of the Amish turned her back on him as if to shun him.

  “That’s not going to work for you, Pattie Sue.” Quinn pulled out his handcuffs and walked around the counter Pattie Sue was standing behind placed the cuffs on her wrist, and began reciting her rights. “You have the right to remain silent…”

  “What! You can’t arrest me for sending somebody in jail letters and candy.”

  “No, Pattie Sue, I am placing you under arrest for suspicion in the murder of Eric Hershberger. Again, you have the right to remain silent…”

  A Dark Amish Night

  Chapter Sixteen

  Hannah just got Ruth Anne and Timothy to bed when a persistent knock came at her door. The only person who would dare knock at her door at this hour was Quinn. Her heart leapt in her chest. She’d wanted so badly for him to not listen to her, to not stay away even knowing that it was the best for her children. It broke her heart to walk away the last time, and she was terrified she would not have the strength to turn him away again. She wondered if Quinn had decided not to wait until she contacted him on the radio. With shaking hands, she opened the door.

  “Bishop Miller, what’s wrong?” Bishop Miller and Martha stood on her porch. “Please come in.” Hannah let them in and led them to her kitchen table. “Let me make you both some coffee.”

  “There’s no time for coffee, Hannah, Pattie Sue has been arrested and I thought you might be able to tell me why since you see her every day in the bakery.”

  “No, I’m sure I have no idea why. When did this happen?” Hannah tried hard to remain calm.

  “Just this evening, Sheriff Ramsey sent a deputy to my house. It seems Pattie Sue will not speak to anyone but me. I’m headed to the jailhouse now. But I stopped here first hoping you could tell me what happened.”

  “Oh no, please let me go with you. Maybe Pattie Sue will talk to me. Martha, would you mind staying with the children? They’re already sleeping, but I would hate for them to wake and find me gone.”

  Martha looked to her husband who nodded his assent. “Yes, I’ll stay with the children.”

  “Thank you. Let me get my coat and I’ll be ready to go.”

  Hannah and the Bishop were greeted at the jailhouse door by one of Quinn’s deputies. They took the Bishop right away to the detainment area, but told Hannah she would have to wait in the lobby. Hannah sat down and glanced towards the detainment area, hoping Quinn would come out and talk to her. She did not have to wait long. She stood up when Quinn entered the lobby area. Her heart lurched when she saw him striding towards her.

  “Hannah, what are you doing here? You have to leave. We’re only questioning Pattie Sue right now and I can’t give you any more information than that.”

  “Why is she even here, Quinn? How could you arrest Pattie Sue? Surely an old woman like her has done nothing so wrong that she would be arrested.”

  Quinn put both his hands in his pockets to keep from touching Hannah. He wanted to hold her or at least comfort her by touching her. “Hannah, listen to me. I can’t tell you anything right now, but your being here is putting our investigation in jeopardy. You have to go home, now. Who’s with the children?”

  Hannah leveled her gaze right into Quinn’s eyes. “My children are with Mrs. Miller. They’re fine and I’m not leaving here until you tell me why you have arrested Pattie Sue.”

  “If I tell you this, you have to promise me that you’ll leave right now and not say another word about it to anyone.”

  “Fine, as soon as I know what’s going on I’ll leave. Now tell me why have you taken Pattie Sue?”

  “I’ve taken her into custody on suspicion of murder, Eric’s murder.”

  Hannah gasped.

  Pattie Sue sat with her long black cape around her. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap. A full black bonnet obscured her face. Her head hung down and she was completely silent. This was her position since she’d been brought into the jailhouse and set down in a locked room
at a sparse table. She had not spoken a single word except to ask for Bishop Miller. One deputy stood in the corner keeping her under close watch. He opened the door to let the Bishop in.

  The Bishop removed his hat, placed it on the table then addressed the deputy. “Would it be permissible for me to speak to my constituent alone?”

  “Fine, I’ll be right outside if you need anything.”

  When the deputy left, the Bishop pulled up a chair and sat next to Pattie Sue. “Pattie Sue, you want to tell me what’s happening here.”

  Pattie Sue’s voice came out in a croak. “Bishop Miller I must confess. I’ve been keeping a secret from you and everyone else since the day I first came to live here when I was thirteen. I am not Amish. I never was.”

  Quinn guided Hannah to a chair very careful not to actually touch her.

  “Quinn, this just can’t be. There’s no way Pattie Sue killed Eric. It’s just not possible. Please tell me this isn’t true. Surely you don’t believe it’s true.”

  “Hannah…” Quinn wanted to wrap Hannah up and hold her, but this was not the time or place. He purposely kept his hands in his pockets and took a step back. “Look, Pattie Sue knows something she’s not telling us. I had to bring her in for questioning, and arresting her was the only way to get her here. If she cooperates I’m sure we’ll be able to release her, but until then, I just don’t know. You understand now that you have to leave. You being here compromises the investigation.”

  Confusing as this all was for her, Hannah could see the logic in what Quinn was telling her.

  “Yes, you’re right. I should leave.”

  “Jess, I need you to take Mrs. Hershberger home and stay outside her place. I’ll come and relieve you when I can.” Quinn had almost forgotten that he and Hannah were not alone.

  “Sure thing, boss.” Jess stood up from where he’d been sitting and went for his hat and jacket.

  “Okay, Hannah, I’ll be by to talk to you in the morning, and I hope I’ll have some more to tell you.”

  Hannah and Quinn gazed into each other’s eyes. There was an unspoken bond between them. It was not necessary to say anymore. They understood and trusted each other.

  “Pattie Sue, your story is not news to me. Your father told my father about you and your family many years ago. I know that you were adopted into the faith when you were in your teens. That makes you as Amish as any of us. Being Amish isn’t in the blood, it’s a choice. A way of life one chooses to live, and your life has been a fine example of all that is good about our way of life. Since you chose to be baptized into the church as an adult, you’re as much Amish as I am. And as for you sending a few letters of comfort to a man in need while he was in jail, I think that was very charitable of you, but you have to tell the Sheriff what you know about Georgie. That is the law.”

  “I think I can do that now, Bishop. Can I truly be forgiven for all I’ve kept from everyone?” In a rare moment for Pattie Sue she voiced what had been her worst fear. That she would be shunned for having contact with an outsider.

  “Pattie Sue, the plain folk only shun a person to bring them to repentance. It is meant as a punishment only to help those who have lost their way. I see your letters to a prisoner in jail as a charitable act not as one deserving of punishment by shunning you. You’re absolved of any wrong doing on that account. You must not withhold any information on Georgie to the Sheriff. You have to tell him what you know so you can be absolved of any wrongdoing in the eyes of the laws of the English and of God.”

  “Yes, I’m ready to talk now. Will you stay with me?”

  “Of course I will stay, Sister.”

  Quinn missed Hannah the moment she walked out the door. Dear Lord, how am I ever going to live without that woman? I have to find some way to make this work. I’m in love with her. The question is; what am I prepared to do to keep her?

  “Hey, Boss, the Amish lady says she’s ready to talk.” One of his deputies broke Quinn from his thoughts.

  “Well let’s not keep her waiting then.” Quinn put on his best poker face. It was time to get down to business with Pattie Sue.

  “Pattie Sue, I need an official statement from you on just what your relationship is with Georgie McVey. Are you prepared to answer that?”

  “Yes, Sheriff Ramsey. Georgie McVey is my brother.”

  Quinn was taken aback. He had been prepared for a number of answers, but that was not one of them. “Your brother? So, he’s Amish like you are?”

  “Well, neither one of us were actually Amish. This is a really long story, Sheriff.”

  “Take your time and tell me everything. We got all night.”

  “My father was not a good man. He was a thief and a liar and he was very adept at both. Georgie and I were just children he was still practically a baby when our mother passed. I’m older than Georgie by almost five years, and I always felt responsible for him, but when my mother got sick, I became mother to Georgie full-time. Jack McVey was an on and off again father. He was gone more than he was around, but when Mama died he came back for us. I know now that he came back to keep Mama’s family from taking us. He only wanted us for leverage to get my grandparents to pay him so they could have custody of us. Mama’s family was wealthy. When she ran off with Jack her father disowned her. I never met my grandparents. My mother never talked about them. I only know what Jack told me about them after she was dead.” Pattie Sue took a sip of water from a plastic cup and continued her story. The telling of her story was like a huge burden being lifted from her and it took her back to her youth. All those old feelings of insecurity and fear came rushing out of her as she talked and talked, bearing her soul.

  It was the summer of nineteen-seventy-five when Mama passed. She’d been sick for months. Eat up with cancer was what the doctor said. When Jack came back, she’d already been dead for a week. I was doing everything I could to keep Georgie and myself fed and together. The child welfare services were coming to take us when they finally located Jack. I was thirteen and Georgie was eight.

  Jack took us to our grandparent’s house and made us wait in the car. I’ll never forget sitting out in the long driveway of that mansion. Me and Georgie were dying of thirst in the heat. After a while Jack came out of the house and kicked the car. I’d never seen him so mad. He cursed and told us both to shut the hell up. He said we were good for nothing and even our own grandparents didn’t want us. He didn’t care that we were soaked in sweat, thirsty, and starving.

  Later that night, he drove us back to the mansion. He told us to wait in the car, again. When we protested he threatened to beat the tar out of us if we didn’t keep quiet. So we sat in the dark. We were too scared and hungry to do anything else. It wasn’t long before Jack came back to the car. He was carrying a duffle bag full of loot. Jack bragged that he had cracked a safe and found several solid gold bars. For once he seemed real pleased and even took me and Georgie to dinner at Denny’s. I was so hungry I didn’t care what was in the duffle bag.

  The whole time Georgie and I ate, Jack kept talking about how we were rich now and he was gonna buy us a new house with a swimming pool in a new town. He said he was taking us to Oklahoma. He had friends in Tulsa that were going to help us sell the gold.

  Georgie was so happy about that swimming pool. He told Jack he’d be real good if he could just have that new house with the swimming pool. I knew somehow that we’d never get that house or the pool. I just didn’t care. It was so easy to let an adult be the parent for a change. I was happy to let Jack be the Dad. I hoped for it so much that I just wanted it all to be true.

  When we got ready to leave, Jack heard a police radio going off in the parking lot, something about a robbery on Oakhurst Lane, and to be on the lookout for a man driving a yellow Ford Pinto wagon. We were in a yellow Pinto wagon. It hit me then that Jack had robbed our grandparents and the cops were right outside. Jack panicked. He grabbed Georgie and me by the hand and shoved us into the car real fast.

  For the next several days,
we drove and drove. I remember when we crossed the Oklahoma state line. I hoped that meant we would be stopping soon. Then we ran out of gas. Jack said he was out of cash and needed to find a phone. It was a pitch black night outside and we walked for what seemed like miles down an old dirt road. We came across a creek and stopped to rest. Jack left me and Georgie there at the creek. He said he would come back for us. He hid the duffle bag with the gold in it and walked off.

  Georgie was frightened. I sang to him and told him stories. We held each other all night. I’d never been so scared. We waited and waited for Jack to come back.

  The sun came up and almost a whole day passed before Georgie started crying about how hungry and sick he was. I touched his forehead. He was burning with fever. I knew we couldn’t wait any longer. I don’t know how I found the highway again but somehow I did. I was weak from carrying Georgie and from not having eaten anything for days. I collapsed at the edge of the paved highway. I don’t know how long we laid there at the side of the road; all I remember is the clip-clop sound of horse hooves and then being placed in a black buggy.

  When I came around I was in a soft bed covered with bright quilts. Paul and Lily Hollenbeck found us on their way to an Amish community. They said they were moving to Oklahoma from Ohio to start a new life, and Georgie and I could stay with them until we found our family. I was tempted to lie to them, but in the end I just told them the truth. Our mother was dead and our father had left us to die. I told them how our father was on the run and that no one, not even our own grandparents wanted us. After we’d been with Paul and Lily for a couple of weeks, they came to me and told me that our father had been killed while trying to rob a house in a nearby town. At least they believed it was him. I knew it was. I waited for several days before I told Georgie. He’d been real sick and almost died. Lily nursed him back to health and for that I was so thankful to her.