Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries Box Set 6 Page 7

  “We were at Nell's house just now and Jeremiah sent me to fetch you.”

  “What is it? Is it the boppli?” Elsa-May asked.

  “Nee. They were digging by the house at Rose Cottage and uncovered a body.”

  Elsa-May let out a wail. “What?”

  Ettie covered her mouth with her hand. It was just what she’d feared.

  Elsa-May stared at Ettie. “It’s just what you said.”

  Ettie nodded, speechless.

  “Nell’s asking for the both of you to come.”

  “How did you come to be there?” Elsa-May asked.

  “We were there visiting her. We weren’t at the funeral and we missed the dinner she had.” Ava sighed.

  Ettie rubbed her arm. “Are you all right, Ava?”

  “Jah. I’m okay.”

  Ettie turned to her sister. “Come on. We’ll have to lock Snowy inside.”

  “But what if he—”

  “We can't worry about that now. We can clean it up later.”

  After they locked their dog in the house, the elderly sisters headed outside with Ava.

  “I do wish Jeremiah hadn't sent you out like this by yourself.” Elsa-May climbed into the buggy.

  “I'm upset, naturally, but I'm perfectly fine. Jeremiah’s helping John comfort Nell. She's near to hysteria, the poor woman.”

  “Oh dear. I suppose it was awful living there the whole time thinking about where he was, and then to find out he was right there, near her the whole time.”

  “Where was he found exactly?” Ettie asked.

  Ava took hold of the reins and clicked the horse forward. “I'm not sure. I just heard a man yell out. We were having a cup of tea with Nell, and Jeremiah ran out to see what the commotion was. He soon came back in with John. John told his mother what they found. Jeremiah sent me to get you, figuring he might be needed to help.”

  Chapter 11

  When the three ladies arrived at the house, Elsa-May and Ettie stepped down from the buggy. They saw several men talking at one side of the house, and then they saw Jeremiah walking out of the house toward them.

  “Have the police been called?” Elsa-May asked Jeremiah.

  “Jah, they’re on their way. Are you okay, Ava? Here, let me help you down.”

  She took his hand and stepped down from the buggy. “I’m fine.”

  Ettie looked down at the road. “They’re taking their time getting here if we arrived before them.”

  “John’s only just called them now. I’ll tend to the horse, and you go in and see Nell. She’s not well.”

  “I’ll stay outside,” Ava said.

  Ettie and Elsa-May made their way into Rose Cottage and found Nell sobbing into a tea towel at the kitchen table. John was beside her doing his best to comfort her. They both looked up at the sisters when they came into the room.

  “I’ll go outside and wait for the police, Mamm.”

  “I'll be all right now. Don't go too far.”

  He gave his mother a little hug around the shoulders and then walked out of the room.

  Ettie didn’t know what to say. “Oh, Nell. You must’ve had an awful shock.”

  “It’s dreadful. Absolutely awful.”

  “Tell us what happened.”

  She shook her head. “I knew it. I knew he was dead. Who could’ve killed him? I just don't know who could've done it.”

  “You didn't notice anything strange about the haus, or something different right after his disappearance?”

  She was silent for a moment and closed her eyes. When she opened them she shook her head. “Not a thing. Everything was perfect, everything was in its proper place...well, apart from …” she faded off.

  “Apart from...?” Ettie leaned forward.

  “It’s just that I noticed a few tools were scattered here and there. Jedidiah was so adamant about always putting tools away in their proper place.”

  When Ettie heard a car, she stood up and moved to look out the window. It was the police. And behind the squad cars, Kelly was pulling up in his car. Ettie had to get to Detective Kelly and tell him that the body belonged to the man they’d been asking him about. That is, if he hadn’t figured that out already.

  Ettie turned to face Nell. “If you don’t mind, I’ll speak with the detective. He’s the same one we’ve already spoken with about Jedidiah.”

  Nell nodded and Ettie went outside. She stayed back, not wanting to get in the way, but as soon as Kelly had taken a look at the scene she wanted to know what he thought. Besides that, she had no desire to see Jedidiah's remains.

  When Kelly came finally came around to the front of the house he saw Ettie. “Don't tell me this is your man who went missing?”

  “It is.”

  Kelly pulled a face. “We still have to go through the necessary steps to officially identify him. Where can I get hold of his relatives for DNA samples?”

  “He doesn't have any close relatives, and not many distant ones.”

  “That’s no good. We’ll have to go down the road of dental records.”

  Ettie hoped Jedidiah had been to a dentist, otherwise it could be difficult to identify him. She kept quiet about that, not wanting to upset Detective Kelly. Not when he was being nice for a change. “His clothes?”

  “Covered in dirt. It appears to be work pants and a plain shirt. No ID.”

  “Nell's in the house. Mrs. Graber, I should say, if you want to speak to her. She's very distressed. Do you have to speak to her right now?”

  “I'll just ask a couple of questions, if she's not too distressed.”

  “We’ll find out. Follow me.” Ettie walked to the front door. As soon as they were at the door, she turned to the detective. “Do you remember the whole story?”

  “I do.”

  “Well?” Ettie stared at him, prompting him to repeat it.

  His lips pressed together showing his disapproval. “She was never married to Jedidiah Shoneberger but he bought this place, put it into her name, then disappeared. Never to be seen or heard from again. She lived here and then married Abraham Graber.”

  “That's right.” He had been listening. Ettie showed him inside. “Nell, would you be able to answer some questions? This is Detective Kelly.”

  “Oh, Ettie said you’ve been helping her. Thank you.”

  “Mind if I sit down?” Kelly had his hand on the back of a chair.

  “Please do.”

  “We’ll leave you to it,” Elsa-May said.

  Nell grabbed her hand. “No, please stay with me.”

  “Is that all right?” Ettie asked.

  “Sure,” Kelly said as he sat down. He went over the facts with Nell and she told him everything she’d already told Elsa-May and Ettie. “That should do it for today, but I’ll need to ask you more questions later.”

  “Okay.” She nodded.

  “Do you have people who can stay with you?” Kelly asked.

  “Yes, I'll have one of my granddaughters stay with me for a few days. They do a good job of looking after me.”

  The detective nodded. “That's good. The technicians will be working here for a few more hours. I don’t want anyone crossing the police tape, even after they've finished.” He turned shot Ettie a look.

  “I don't want to go anywhere near it.” Tears welled once more in Nell’s eyes.

  When Detective Kelly was finished, Ettie walked him out of the house. “What do you think?” Ettie asked him quietly.

  He scratched behind his ear. “We need to find out who his enemies were.”

  “Does that mean you want our help?”

  “'Help' is a strong word, but I would like you to keep asking questions. You’ve got a much better reach into your Amish community than I could ever have.”

  “You didn’t find a gun or anything like that?”

  He shook his head. “We weren’t that lucky.” When another car pulled up, he looked over. “Ah, that’s the medical examiner now. I’ll need to speak with him.”

  Et
tie followed the detective. “Now we've got some direction. Now we know he was killed for certain. We just have to find out who did it and why.”

  Over his shoulder, he said, “I'll talk to you soon, Mrs. Smith.” Kelly picked up his pace, so Ettie headed back to Nell.

  Ettie and Elsa-May stayed with Nell for the next few hours until Gloria, Nell’s oldest granddaughter, arrived.

  Chapter 12

  Ettie and Elsa-May had gone to the Sunday meeting the next morning to find that Nell wasn't there, and John and his family weren't there.

  As the sisters walked back into their house after being brought back by Jeremiah and Ava, Elsa-May said, “Nell’s taking this really hard. If only we could make her feel better in some way. She's obviously still very upset about the whole thing.”

  “And who wouldn't be? I can't think of much else that could happen that would be worse than a thing like this.”

  “Me either.”

  A short time later, Ettie was sitting down and resting from their big day at the meeting when she saw Maizie pull up in a buggy. “We’ve got a visitor, Elsa-May.” She opened the door and waited for her. “Maizie, this is a surprise. Come inside.”

  “I'm troubled about something, Ettie. I didn’t want to mention it to you at the meeting.”

  “Who is it?” Elsa-May called out from the kitchen.

  “It's Maizie,” Ettie yelled back.

  Elsa-May came out of the kitchen drying her hands on a cloth. “Maizie, what's the matter? You look dreadful.”

  “I feel dreadful.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I hate to say what I'm thinking out aloud. But, since you’ve been asking about Jedidiah and I know you’re trying to put the pieces together, I thought I should tell you what I think about how he died.”

  “Wait until I make the tea, then,” Elsa-May said. “You will stay for some, won’t you?”

  “I will. I don’t even want to speak the words I’ve come to say.”

  “Practice saying it in your head before you say it out loud,” Elsa-May said. “I’ve got a pot of hot tea almost ready. Ettie and I were just about to have some.”

  They followed Elsa-May into the kitchen and then the three of them sat around the small circular table. Ettie leaned over and poured the tea for the three of them.

  “Sugar or milk?”

  “Just a little milk,” Maizie said, and Ettie pushed the milk jug toward her. She poured a little into her cup and stirred it. “There. That's fine.”

  Maizie slowly took a sip of tea and then carefully replaced the cup onto the saucer. “Lovely, denke.”

  “Now, what's this dreadful thing you have to tell us?” Elsa-May asked.

  Maizie swallowed hard. “I figured out what happened.”

  “What happened to Jedidiah?”

  “Jah. I know who might have killed him and I hope I’m wrong.”

  “Who did it?” Ettie asked.

  “I hate to say it, but I think it might've been Abraham. I couldn’t tell my husband something like that about his bruder, and I couldn’t tell Nell, but it makes sense.”

  Elsa-May drew back quickly. “Abraham?”

  Maizie nodded. “It makes sense,” she repeated. “He never allowed anybody to do any digging around the house or the rose garden. Nell told me that herself. You see, if anyone had been helping Abraham repair the place, they would’ve stepped on the body in the rose garden because I heard that Jedidiah wasn't buried that far down. Do you see what I mean?”

  “Maybe Abraham just liked his roses,” Ettie said, hoping that was the reason.

  “You didn't see what he was like when anyone went near that garden. I don't like to think of it, but it might be true.”

  “Why would Abraham kill Jedidiah?” Ettie asked.

  Elsa-May shook her head. “I can’t imagine him killing anyone.”

  “Abraham liked Nell too. The two men liked Nell and she chose Jedidiah. When Jedidiah disappeared, Abraham was there to comfort her. Do you see where I’m headed with this?”

  “Do you really think that Abraham would be capable of doing it? Killing is against the ten commandments. Thou shalt not kill,” Elsa-May said. “I just can’t see it.”

  “Nee, I don't think he’d do it. Not in my head.” She tapped her knuckle on the side of her head. “Not the Abraham I knew, but what if he had an evil, dark side no one ever knew about?”

  “Nell knew him better than anybody and she doesn’t think this, does she?” Ettie asked.

  “She’s said nothing. I couldn't bear it if I found out that he’d done this dreadful thing, so I can imagine how she’d feel if it were true. It would’ve been better if Nell had never asked John to start on those repairs. They should've kept well away from the rose garden.”

  Ettie didn't know what to say. She was certain Abraham wouldn't have done something so dreadful. “Weren’t Abraham and Jedidiah friends, along with Moses? I'm certain I remember them being friends.”

  Maizie nodded. “They were. Anyway, I just thought I should tell you. Then I can feel better.”

  “Denke. I’m glad you told us.”

  Ettie and Elsa-May both walked her to the door. Then they waited until she drove her buggy away before they looked at each other.

  Elsa-May sighed a long sigh. “Well, what do you think?”

  “It’s too horrible, but I must admit it crossed my mind,” Ettie said.

  “Me too.”

  “I suppose we can’t rule it out.” Ettie stood and watched Maizie’s buggy getting smaller.

  Chapter 13

  Ettie had taken up her knitting again after the visit from Maizie. She was sitting in the seat by the window to keep an eye on what was happening in the street. Then a familiar white car came into view. “Elsa-May, it’s Detective Kelly.”

  “What do you think he’s found out?”

  “You think he’s found out something?”

  “I do.”

  Ettie put her knitting down. “At this rate, we’ll never get the knitting finished and ready for the hospital.”

  “It’ll be late. Perhaps we could start with a few less than I told them, and make it up later.”

  As soon as Ettie opened the door, Kelly said, “I’ve got news.”

  “Ah, I was right,” Elsa-May called out.

  “You better come in and tell us,” Ettie ushered him into the house before the neighbors could see him there again. She didn't want them to wonder why a detective was at their house so often. “Elsa-May just made a lovely cinnamon cake. And by just, I mean last night, so it’s fresh. Would you like some?”

  He rubbed his nose. “I don't mind if I do. No one can match your cakes or your sister’s either.”

  Ettie gave a little giggle, but she knew they weren’t the best bakers in the community.

  When Kelly was seated in their living room with a plate of cake and a cup of tea, he began, “Yesterday, I did some digging.”

  “What did you uncover?” Elsa-May asked.

  “Digging at Rose Cottage?” Ettie asked, imagining him with shovel in hand behind the police tape in the rose garden.

  Kelly laughed. “I mean, I looked into some things a little deeper.”

  “Ettie knows that. She’s not that daft.”

  Ettie kept silent. She’d keep to herself what she’d thought.

  He raised his eyebrows and glanced at Ettie. “Good to know. I tracked down Jedidiah’s old boss, Edgar Upton. Jedidiah worked for him on a pretty consistent basis. Jedidiah also worked with others, but Edgar was his main employer. I uncovered something that I believe to be significant.”

  “What’s that?” Ettie asked.

  “Edgar had a moderately successful drywall business and in his spare time he was involved in crime. He’d been in and out of prison for years. Two months here, six months there—”

  “What kind of crimes?” Elsa-May interrupted him.

  “Robberies, break and enters, that kind of thing. He was also a police informant for your o
ld friend, Detective Crowley. Turns out this man, Mr. Upton, was the cause of five men in a bank robbery syndicate being arrested and doing time. With Edgar's information, these men were caught red-handed.”

  Ettie tried to connect the dots. “What does that have to do with Jedidiah?”

  “Ah, well, I’m getting to that. It’s a long shot, but where there’s a disappearance there’s often a link to criminals. I’m thinking there might have been a case of mistaken identity. I’m only about to tell you this because all of the people concerned are dead except for Edgar.”

  “Do go on.” Elsa-May sat on the edge of her chair.

  “Edgar gave up the information I just mentioned, he begged the authorities to put him into witness protection, but the powers that be didn’t think it was warranted. After all, these men were bank robbers and they had no history of violence. What if one of these men put out a hit on Edgar, and Jedidiah got in the way somehow? It could’ve been a case of mistaken identity.”

  “I see,” Ettie said, running the scenario through in her mind.

  “And have you spoken with this Edgar man?” Elsa-May asked.

  “I have questioned Edgar Upton. He lives in a retirement home. He’s elderly but he does have all his faculties. However, Edgar Upton is keeping quiet on the whole thing. My gut tells me he knows more than he’s letting on.”

  “Could we talk with him?” Elsa-May asked.

  “I’m just putting the idea forward as a possible scenario of what could’ve happened to your friend, Jedidiah. Can I ask if you’ve come up with any possibilities of your own?”

  Ettie shook her head. Things were going slow. They didn’t have any possible suspects yet.

  “More tea?” Elsa-May said leaning forward and picking up the teapot.

  “No, thank you. I've had quite enough tea today.” He took another bite of cake.

  Ettie knew not to ask him which nursing home Upton lived in because he'd ignored Elsa-May's question. Kelly wouldn't have told her anyway, and she knew Elsa-May was thinking the exact same thing. “Is that all you found out? Did you find any unidentified bodies, or bodies that were unclaimed back then?”