“And when is the wedding?” Ruth asked
“Not until the end of the year.”
“I had an idea you had something to tell us yesterday,” Ettie said.
Ava put her hand on her chest. “My heart was beating too fast to tell you. I thought I’d explode.”
“And where will the two of you live after you get married?” Elsa-May asked.
“In the house he’s been building on his parents’ land.”
“He’s been building that for a while. He’d better get a hurry on,” Elsa-May said.
“He has done a fair amount of work on it these past few months.” Ava turned to Ettie. “I hope you don’t mind me leaving the grossdaddi haus. Do you want me to find someone else to lease it from you?”
“I think I might sell it, rather than lease it. I’ve got plenty of time to think about that anyway.”
“You could get someone over to tell you how much you should expect to get for it if you do decide to sell,” Ruth said.
“It’s far too early for that, Ruth.”
“I have a very good customer who’s a realtor. She’s a very nice lady. Some would call her ‘pushy,’ but I guess that’s why she’s successful. Why don’t I see if she’ll come out to tell you how much the house is worth? It won’t cost you anything.”
Ettie scratched her neck. “I’ve been waiting on Jeremiah to do a few things around the place.”
“He’s almost finished, Ettie,” Ava said. “He’s only got those boards on the porch to replace now.”
Ettie chuckled. “I suppose he’s been using my house as an excuse to go talk to you, has he?”
Ava’s face lit up. “It was a good way for us to see more of each other.”
Elsa-May clapped her hands together. “Now, about this wedding. Have you chosen your attendants?”
Ettie said, “I think you’re too old to be an attendant, Elsa-May.”
Everyone sniggered.
“I wasn’t thinking of myself, Ettie,” Elsa-May said with a laugh.
“Two of my cousins are going to be my attendants, I hope. I haven’t even asked them yet. They’re going to be my next stop, and then, later today, my mudder and I are going to choose the material for the dresses.”
“Let me know if you want any help with anything.” Elsa-May stopped knitting and stretched out one of her hands. “I think I’m getting a bit of arthritis in one of my hands but it hasn’t stopped me knitting, so it won’t stop me sewing, if you need an extra pair of hands.”
“Denke, Elsa-May. We’ve got a lot of time, and I think that’s something my mother would like to do by herself. I hope I haven’t intruded, but I really had to tell you today because we’re running out of time before everyone finds out. I didn’t want you to be the last to hear the news.”
Ettie said, “That’s quite all right. We appreciate you coming over and telling us. We’re always happy to have news of weddings.”
Ava rose to her feet. “Well I better be going; I have to meet my mudder at home so we can go to her schweschder’s haus.”
After Ava left, Ettie noticed that Elsa-May couldn’t stop smiling.
“I can’t help feeling we’re partly responsible for their union,” Ettie said.
“I think so too, Ettie. It all started from the time we had them for dinner that very first time. They’re a gut match.”
“Jah, they are. Both are in their late twenties and never seemed interested in anyone else. I thought Ava might never marry,” Ettie said.
Ruth chuckled. “Just like me. It’s not so bad being on your own, but in the bad times I’ve always felt it would’ve been nice to have someone by my side. There haven’t been too many bad times, and I’ve got my friends. Like today; I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been there to help me, Ettie.”
Ettie leaned over and patted Ruth on her arm. “I’m glad I was there to help, and to be of comfort.”
Elsa-May pushed herself to her feet. “I’ll go and make us something to eat.”
When Elsa-May was out of the room, Ruth turned to Ettie.
“What is it?” Ettie said when she saw the look on Ruth’s face.
“There’s something I haven’t told you yet.”
“Well, tell me now.”
“When I wouldn’t sell to Rupert Bird, he said I’d be very sorry. What do you think he meant by that, Ettie?”
Ettie grimaced. “Jah, I remember you did tell me something like that. We should’ve told the detective.”
“He didn’t seem very interested in finding out more about Rupert Bird. And he might be right, Rupert might not have anything to do with anything.”
“He threatened you, Ruth. He can’t go around making threats to people.”
“Well, he did. And I told you I wasn't scared by what he said, but I really was.”
“Where’d you say his bakery is?”
“He’s an hour’s drive away at Harrisburg. It’s quicker in the car, but the bus would probably take an hour.”
“Would you be willing to pay him a visit? I’d go with you and we could ask him questions.”
“What about, Ettie?”
“You could make an appointment with him; maybe say you’re considering selling after all. Then, when you're face-to-face, tell him about the terrible thing that’s just happened and that’s the reason you’re thinking about retiring. Tell him you’re reconsidering his offer. Then say the name of Alan Avery and watch his face.”
“I’d be willing to go if you’re certain you don’t mind coming with me”
“Jah, of course, I will. When you mention Alan’s name, we’ll see what he does. Maybe he knows him and if he does he might say something.”
“What if he’s got nothing to do with it all?”
“Well then we would’ve gone on a nice trip. Let’s do it tomorrow. It’ll do us both good to get away for a day.”
“Get away where?” Elsa-May asked when she came back in with a tray of sandwiches.
Ettie told Elsa-May what they were planning.
Elsa-May sat down in her chair. “Be careful. If he did have some involvement, you’re likely to be putting yourselves in danger.”
“We can’t sit around and do nothing, Elsa-May,” Ettie said.
“I certainly don’t feel safe going into the bakery before the staff get there now.”
“Nee, you shouldn’t do that.” Ettie explained to Elsa-May that Ruth used to go in early, an hour before her staff.
“Do you have enough staff so you can go to Harrisburg with Ettie?”
“I’ve got plenty of staff,” Ruth said. “I don’t need to be there. I’ll call my manager tonight and tell him I won’t be in tomorrow.”
“You’ve been given the ‘all clear’ to open tomorrow, then?” Elsa-May asked.
“The detective didn’t say I couldn’t. He gave me the key back.”
“Well, I hope they haven’t left a mess.” Elsa-May leaned down and picked up her knitting out of the bag at her feet.
“He did say that the insurance company found cleaners and they’ve already done their job. My manager will have to collect a key from me tonight. He doesn’t live far from me. I don’t like trusting anyone with a key or certain other things, but I suppose I’ll have to.”
“Will we go by bus tomorrow?” Ettie asked.
“That’s how I got there last time.”
“Then that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
“I don’t have Rupert Bird’s phone number; it’s in my office.”
“Well, we’ll have to surprise him, then,” Ettie said. “And that might be even better!”
Chapter 6
Early the next morning, Ettie took a taxi to Ruth’s house. The bus stop where they’d board the bus to Harrisburg was walking distance from Ruth’s house. Ruth stepped out her front door as soon as Ettie stepped on her porch.
“All ready?” Ettie asked.
“I think so,” Ruth said. “I’ve got the bakery organized for me not being t
here. I think they’ll manage, seeing I’m not really there on a Sunday either.”
“I’m sure they’ll manage.”
As they waited for the bus, Ruth said, “I hope this isn’t going to be a wasted trip.”
“If nothing else, it might eliminate him from our list of suspects. We know Alan Avery was murdered, and if he wasn’t there looking for cash, he was there for your bread recipe. There was someone else in your bakery with him, but who was it?”
“Jah, and Elsa-May was right about the weekly takings not making a dent in his debts. The big building he bought must have cost over three hundred thousand, and I’d dare say it would cost another two hundred at least to fit it out properly.”
Ettie nodded. “That is a big investment. And why would he do all that when he knows that you make the best bread in town?”
“You think he planned to steal the recipe from me all along?”
“It makes sense seeing that you refused to sell it to him.”
It was mid morning when they arrived in Harrisburg. When they stepped off the bus, Ruth said, “If my memory is correct, the bakery is not too far up this street.” They continued along the main road, and then Ruth pointed. “There it is. See that brown awning?”
Ettie stopped still, and squinted. “Jah. That’s it?”
“Jah, it is,” Ruth tugged on Ettie’s sleeve. “Come on.”
When they arrived at the bakery, Ruth asked one of the staff if Rupert Bird was in. Minutes later, a tall lanky man in his forties with a receding hairline hurried toward them. He held out his hands to Ruth. Then he pulled her in close and kissed her on both cheeks. “Ruth, I never thought I’d see you in my bakery again.”
“Hello, Rupert. I never thought I’d be here either.”
Rupert looked at Ettie.
“This is my friend, Ettie Smith. Ettie, this is Rupert Bird.”
Ettie quickly stuck out her hand so he wouldn’t kiss her. She was grateful that he shook it and made no attempt to lean in and kiss her.
“Morning, Mrs. Smith.”
“Everyone calls me Ettie.”
“Fine, call me Rupert. Please, come through to my office.” As they walked through the bakery out the back, he explained, “I’ve got new equipment that’s just been installed.” He pointed to the ovens.
“Looks good,” Ruth said.
Ettie thought it best to remain silent. She knew nothing of making bread in large quantities and lately had been experiencing problems making just one decent loaf.
All the way down, at the very back of the building, was Rupert Bird’s office.
“Have a seat,” Rupert said.
Ettie looked around at the couch and the two blue velvet chairs. She sat in a chair while Rupert sat on the couch. Ruth sat in the other chair facing Rupert.
“I take it you’re visiting me for a reason?” he asked Ruth as he leaned forward.
“I am. I’m considering retiring.”
A huge smile appeared on Rupert’s face. “Excellent. I never thought I’d see the day when you’d actually agree to sell.”
“I haven’t agreed to sell.”
Rupert frowned and tipped his head to one side. “Then why are you here?”
“I’m here because I’m thinking of retiring, but I haven’t fully made up my mind. A dreadful thing happened yesterday. A man was found murdered in my office.”
Rupert’s eyes grew wide. “That’s dreadful. Who was it? Was it someone you knew?”
“It was a customer of mine, a very big customer. He was a local man by the name of Alan Avery.”
Ettie stared at the man to see what he would do on hearing the dead man’s name. He merely blinked a couple times and stared at Ruth.
“I’m very sorry to hear that. I’m sorry that your decision to retire was prompted by such a dreadful and violent thing. Do the police know who did it?”
Ruth shook her head. “Not at this stage. They do have evidence coming through, and then they’ll find out who did it.”
“How did he come to be in your bakery?”
“We don't know. The police believe he was after the weekly cash. Although, he didn’t know we’d banked the day before.”
Rupert nodded. “Times are tough for a lot of people these days.”
“It appears so.”
Rupert stood, walked over to his filing cabinet and opened the top drawer. “I’ll just go over some details with you. Most of them we’ve discussed before.”
“I don’t recall discussing any details with you before.”
“Well I’ve had a contract drawn up. It’s not the final contract; it’s just a mock up at this stage. I had it drawn up some time ago. It’ll have to have some things changed, but it’s something we can work on together if you decide that you do want to go ahead and sell.”
He handed Ruth what looked like a five page contract.
“Thank you, I’ll look through it.”
He sat back down. “Are you talking to other people?”
“I do have others who’ve offered to buy me out. I thought I should talk to everyone before I make a final decision. There’s one man who lives in Lancaster County who’s got an Amish small goods store and he plans to roll out a hundred more stores across the country over the next five years.”
“That is a lot.”
“Yes. It is.”
“He’s obviously got more money to offer you than I do, but something tells me that money isn’t the most important thing to you. Something in my heart is telling me you want to sell to me.”
Ettie could see Ruth was struggling with what to say. “Ruth must make a business decision with her head and her heart.”
“I can tell you, Ruth, that I’ll give you all the credit for your bread. I’ll even name it after you and have your face on the packaging.”
Ruth shook her head. “No. I wouldn’t like my likeness on a bread bag, or anywhere else for that matter. I’ve never had my photograph taken.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend. I forgot many of the Amish don’t like to have their photos taken.”
“Some don’t mind, but that’s not the way I was raised.”
“Ruth, is there anything I can do or say to convince you to sell to me? What do I have to do to have you sell to me?”
“I don’t think there’s anything. I wanted to come here again to see what your operation is like now. We didn’t leave on very good terms last time.”
“You’re right and I apologize for that. I’m too hot headed for my own good sometimes. My wife tells me that all the time.”
“Well, thank you. Now that we’ve had another meeting, I’ve got something to think about.”
“Thank you for coming out all this way to see me. Do you have to head off right now? Can I take you ladies out to lunch somewhere?”
Ettie and Ruth looked at each other. “Yes, we do have time before the bus returns don’t we, Ruth?
“If you can spare the time, we’d like that,” Ruth said.
“Excellent. I’ll just tell my staff where I’m going.” He rushed out of the office and Ettie noticed an open laptop computer on his desk.
She headed over to it.
“What are you doing?” Ruth hissed.
“Shh. Watch the door. Tell me when he’s coming back.” Ettie pushed a couple of buttons and the Internet browser was activated. “Where’s Ava when you need her?” Ettie muttered. “This is different from the last computer I tried.”
“He’s coming, Ettie.”
Ettie managed to sit back down just before Rupert saw that she’d been standing up.
“Okay. I’m all ready to go. I know a nice restaurant not far from here. I’ve been looking for an excuse to go back there.”
Chapter 7
After they’d put their meal orders in, Rupert Bird said, “It must have been awful to have someone murdered in your bakery.”
“Yes, it was. He was murdered right in my office. I found him in the morning when I went in.”
; Ettie said, “We’ve got very good detectives in our town; they always find the guilty ones.”
“Always get their man, do they? Like the Canadian Mounties?”
“Like the what?” Ruth asked.
“Canadian Mounties they’re the police in Canada. That’s their slogan, they always get their man.”
Ruth nodded.
The waitress set thick slices of sourdough bread on the table.
“No bread is as good as yours, Ruth. That’s why I’m desperate to get my hands on your recipe.”
Ettie stared at him while he was talking to Ruth and wondered just how desperate he was. Was he desperate enough to kill for it? What if he’d been in an arrangement with Avery? Avery could have misunderstood what Ruth had said about her prized possession being in the bureau. He might have told Rupert he knew where the recipe was hidden. When they opened the bureau, all that they found was a big old Bible. That brought Ettie to consider the knife. If the knife wasn’t one of Ruth’s, that meant that the second man had to have brought it in with him, although it was possible it had been Alan's. That could make it a pre-meditated murder.
“What do you think, Ettie?” Ruth asked.
“Excuse me? I didn’t hear that, I’m sorry.”
The waitress bought their meals. Rupert had ordered a steak, and Ruth and Ettie had ordered salads.
Ruth continued, “Rupert was just saying we should stay overnight and watch his bakery in operation tomorrow morning.”
Ettie knew that Ruth was looking for her to come up with an excuse. “I’m afraid we can’t. I’ve got my sister ill at home. She’s not long out of the hospital and I’ll have to get back in time to make her a meal.”
“Sorry to hear that. Nothing serious, I hope?”
“They thought that it might be, but it wasn’t. She still has to be watched carefully, though.”
“Maybe some other time,” Ruth said, smiling at Rupert.
“I’m glad we’ve been able to talk on friendly terms again, Ruth. Especially after my outburst last time you were here.”
“No one’s perfect, Rupert. It just shows you’re very passionate about bread.”
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