Читать книгу When Secrets Strike - Marta Perry - Страница 13

CHAPTER FOUR

“SARAH, THIS IS Norman Fielding, the investigator Mac sent over to talk to you.” Allison gave her a reassuring look as she made the introduction. “I’ll just get back to work while you talk.”

The fire marshal turned out to be a diminutive man, barely her height, with the kind of wiry build that suggested he’d go on forever. Sarah guessed him to be about her father’s age, with a thin, noncommittal face and a way of looking suspiciously over the top of his wire-rimmed glasses as he took down her name and address.

“Now, then, Ms....um, Miss Bitler, I understand you were first on the scene at the initial fire.” In his clipped tones the fact sounded almost like an accusation.

“Yes, that’s right. I saw the smoke when I was driving into town that morning.” As often as she’d been over it, she’d begun to feel as if she could tell the story in her sleep.

“That’s what I was told.” He darted a glance around the shop. Allison was at the counter a few feet away, occupied with the quilt files but within easy earshot, and several women browsed through the racks. “Maybe you’d rather we talked in private,” he suggested.

Allison flicked a frowning look in her direction.

“This is fine,” Sarah said, trying to appear more at ease than she felt. “My partner knows all about what happened that day.”

She thought Fielding seemed dissatisfied, but he didn’t raise any objection. Sarah took a couple steps closer to the counter, which forced him to do the same. As Allison had pointed out a short time ago, she had gained a lot of confidence in dealing with the Englisch from running the shop. Still, her stomach seemed to churn at the idea of being questioned by this stranger and having everything she said put down in his report.

“Were you on your usual route to town?” He looked at her over the frame of his glasses. “You were coming here, I suppose?”

“Yes, that’s right. And it’s the way I normally come.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’ve had a look at the area. That back road wouldn’t be the most direct route from your home to the store.”

Allison stirred, as if about to speak, but she didn’t.

“I drive a horse and carriage back and forth. There’s less automobile traffic on the road I take.”

Fielding gave a rather disparaging look at her plain navy dress and apron. “That’s an Amish thing, is it?”

Sarah nodded.

Allison took a step closer, and Sarah frowned at her. Nothing would be gained by challenging the man’s apparent ignorance of Amish customs. That is, assuming it was ignorance and not prejudice.

Fielding had moved on. “Now, about the smoke you saw. Can you describe it?”

Sarah blinked. How did one describe smoke? “It was just smoke. I thought it might be from someone burning trash, but it seemed too thick for that.”

“What color? Brown? Gray? Black?” He snapped the questions at her.

Determined not to let him fluster her, Sarah took her time, trying to picture in her mind the moment when she’d first seen smoke rising above the trees.

“It was dark,” she said finally. “Dark gray or maybe black.”

“What is the significance of the smoke color?” Allison’s curiosity had apparently gotten the better of her.

Fielding eyed her for a moment before deciding to answer. “Wood burns brown or lighter gray. Black signifies the presence of gasoline or some other accelerant.”

“But...” Sarah frowned, visualizing the scene. “There wouldn’t have been any gasoline stored in an unused barn. Anyone would know better than that.”

At least, she’d think so. Gus Hill drove a rattletrap old pickup that looked as if it were held together with binder twine, but surely he wouldn’t do something so foolish as to store gas in the barn.

Fielding made a noise that might have been agreement. “Did you approach the barn once you got there?”

“I checked the cottage first, looking for the caretaker, but it was empty. Then I went to the barn. I had to be sure the caretaker wasn’t inside, you see.”

Unlike Aaron, Fielding didn’t criticize that decision. “How could you see inside? Did you open the door?”

“No, I didn’t have to. The door was standing wide open.”

He nodded, and she understood now what he was thinking. Why hadn’t she seen it before?

“The doors are usually closed. I’ve passed that barn a hundred times and never seen them standing open before.”

“Why? I mean, what’s the point of the doors being open?” Allison didn’t bother to disguise her interest.

“Someone might have left them open to allow the air to get at the fire,” Sarah said. “That would feed the flames.”

“You seem to know a lot about it.” Fielding peered at her again.

Maybe she’d better not volunteer opinions so quickly, with the investigator writing down her words.

“Anyone who burns trash knows that much,” she pointed out.

He made another note on his pad. “Could you tell where the flames were concentrated when you first got there?”

Sarah tried to put herself back in the jolting buggy, urging the frightened mare up the lane. The image rose in her mind.

“The two back corners,” she said without hesitation. “At first I thought it was just one, but then I saw the other burning, too. I remember that’s how it appeared at first, and then after I’d checked the cottage and looked again, the whole back was in flames.”

“Moving fast?” He tilted his head to one side, his eyes intent, looking like a robin that spied a juicy worm.

Sarah shivered. “It seemed so to me. When I looked in the front to see if anyone was there, the flames seemed to race toward me across the floor in kind of a narrow path.”

Fielding made a satisfied sound and jotted a few more words in his notebook. Then he snapped it shut decisively. “Good. That’s all for now, but I might want to talk to you again.”

Sarah couldn’t imagine what else there was to say, but she nodded. “I’m usually here during the day and home in the evening.”

“Don’t take any trips without letting the police know,” he said shortly, then headed for the door like a man in a hurry.

Allison waited until the door had closed behind him before she spoke. “Condescending jerk,” she muttered. “I’d have told him a thing or two about his attitude, but I knew you didn’t want me to.”

Sarah shrugged. “He probably hasn’t been around the Amish much.”

“That’s no excuse for rudeness,” Allison snapped. “You are a witness, not a suspect.”

“He probably thinks everyone is a suspect.” She frowned, uneasy. “I hope he doesn’t stir up trouble.”

“What was all that about, anyway? You seemed to understand the importance of where the fire was when you first saw it, but I didn’t.” Allison pushed a wing of coppery hair behind her ear.

“When I drove up the lane, the smoke was coming from the two back corners.” Sarah visualized the scene again. “I didn’t even realize that until he asked me the question. Don’t you see? An accidental fire wouldn’t start in two different places at the same time.”

“So that means someone started it.” Allison considered the idea for a moment. “Well, we’ve suspected it all along, so I’m not exactly shocked.”

“It means more than that,” Sarah said, her voice dragging as she saw the implications. “It means that the fire had been started a short time before I saw the smoke. So when I reached the barn, the arsonist couldn’t have been far away.”

“You didn’t see anyone? No, of course not, or you’d have said.” Allison answered her own question.

“Not a glimpse.”

Sarah had a sudden image in her mind of a faceless figure lurking in the woods, watching her run toward the barn, and her stomach turned over. He’d been there, whoever he was. He could have seen her, and she’d never known it.

* * *

“CAN WE GET any treat we want?” Lena tilted her head to one side and gazed up at Aaron as they entered the sunny interior of the coffee shop across the street from Blackburn House late in the afternoon. “A doughnut would make my arm feel better.”

Anna gave her little sister a skeptical look. “Shots don’t hurt after they’re over,” she pointed out.

“Lena was a brave girl when the doctor gave her the shots,” Aaron said peacefully. “And you were very patient to wait. So you each get a treat, so long as you promise to eat your supper when you get home.”

“I promise, Daadi,” Anna said quickly, and Lena nodded vigorously.

Ella, the cheerful Amish widow who ran the restaurant, came to the counter as they approached. “My, look at these two big girls. What brings you to town today?”

“I got my shots so I can go to school this year,” Lena announced. “And we get to have a treat.”

“That is a special event,” Ella said. “It deserves a special treat. What will you have?”

While the girls pondered, pressing their faces against the glass case to debate the merits of crullers and peanut butter doughnuts, Ella glanced at him. Her perpetually flushed face was concerned.

“Have you heard? The man from the state police is in Laurel Ridge to look into the fires. And none too soon, I’d say. The damage—”

Aaron shook his head, glancing at the girls. They’d had enough trauma in their young lives with losing their mother. He didn’t want them losing sleep fearing a fire.

Ella, stricken, snapped her lips closed and seemed to be trying to think of something else to say. He saw that Anna was watching her, apprehension lurking in her blue eyes.

“Anna and Lena. How nice to see you today.” The door closed behind Sarah, and she advanced on his daughters, smiling. “What are you doing in town?”

Lena, distracted, began to repeat the story of her injections. She even insisted on pushing her sleeve up so Sarah could see her bandage.

“You’ll be all ready for school, won’t you? And you’re so lucky.” She reached out a hand to draw Anna closer. “Because your sister is going into third grade already, and she knows everything there is to know about first grade. She can tell you all about it, ain’t so, Anna?”

Anna brightened, clasping Sarah’s hand. “Ja, that’s right.”

Aaron watched, smiling a little. What a shame it was that Sarah had never married. She’d certain sure have made a good mother, seeming to understand his kinder by instinct. He’d never pictured Sarah, of all people, being a maidal. But when he thought about who she might have married, the question stymied him. Was there anyone he’d have thought good enough for his friend?

Still chatting to them about school, Sarah got the girls settled at a table, and Ella brought them their doughnuts.

“Ach, I’m sorry,” the widow said softly, when both women came back to the counter. “I wasn’t thinking, that’s for sure. You don’t want the little ones worrying about somebody starting fires.”

“No harm done,” Aaron said. “Sarah distracted them.” He smiled at her. “What brings you to Ella’s? A late lunch?”

Sarah shook her head. “Ella has promised me a quilt her great-aunt made—for our display. So I came to pick it up and save her a trip.”

“I have it here for you.” Ella dived behind the counter and emerged with a quilt wrapped loosely in paper. “It ought to have the binding mended or even replaced, but I’m too busy in the shop to find the time.”

“It’s lovely,” Sarah said, turning back the paper to reveal a Log Cabin design, its deep colors faded to a mellow tone. “We’re happy to have it to show.” She held it so he could see.

But Aaron wasn’t especially interested in quilts, at least not at the moment. “I heard the state police fire marshal talked to you already.”

She nodded, a shadow coming over her face. He saw her glance at his arm, obviously knowing he’d been burned, but his sleeve covered it. “I guess he’s going to talk to everyone who was at the fires. He seemed convinced, I thought, that the one I saw had been deliberately started.”

“I’m not surprised. We’d figured it out already. I just hope he can find the person who’s doing it before it gets any worse.”

Sarah clutched the quilt against her, as if for comfort. “It’s terrible, wondering who it could be.”

Aaron wanted to reassure her, to say that nothing bad would happen. But how could he? None of them knew that for sure.

“We’re keeping watch,” he said, fearing it wasn’t enough. If someone was out there looking for a chance to set a fire, he’d find one.

The bell on the door jingled as a customer entered, and he recognized that cousin of Mrs. Everly’s. She hurried to the counter, and he stepped politely out of her way as she nodded at Sarah and set an oversize purse on the counter.

“A loaf of cinnamon raisin bread for my cousin,” she said to Ella. “She says she’s hungry for it.”

“Right away.” Ella beamed, happy to have her baking expertise noticed.

“How is Julia today, Donna?” Sarah asked.

“Not as good as she thinks.” The woman shook her head, pressing her thin lips together. “Like this cinnamon loaf. By the time I take it to her, she’ll have forgotten she asked for it. I’m telling you, she gets more and more confused every day. I don’t know what I’m going to do with her.”

Sarah’s gentle face seemed to tighten. “I didn’t find her confused when I visited her,” she said.

“Yes, but you’re not there every day, like I am,” the woman said quickly. “You don’t know. And much as I hate to say it, having visitors just makes her worse. Anything out of the ordinary is upsetting. All I can do is keep her as quiet as possible. People should be more understanding.”

“Julia always enjoys chatting when I come by.” Sarah said the words carefully, keeping her tone mild.

But Aaron knew his Sarah well enough to recognize the annoyance lurking in her eyes, and it surprised him. Obviously her caring extended well beyond her own family.

That shouldn’t be a surprise, he told himself. Sarah was a woman now, and those qualities of kindness and caring she’d shown as a child had grown with her.

“Yes, well... I think I know my cousin best.” Seizing the loaf of bread from Ella, the woman flounced off.

Sarah looked after her, worry lines forming between her brows. “Julia didn’t seem nearly that bad the last time I talked to her. If Donna is right...” She let that trail off and shook her head. “Maybe Allison and I should drop in on Julia. She’s wonderful fond of Allison because of her friendship with Allison’s grandmother.”

“Don’t look so worried. Maybe the woman is exaggerating.” Aaron brushed Sarah’s hand with his, wishing he knew how to remove the stress from her face. “You don’t have to take care of the whole world, you know.”

Her lips seemed to tremble for an instant, and then she pressed them together. “If someone needs help, I can’t pretend it’s not my concern,” she said.

No, he supposed she couldn’t. It wasn’t in Sarah’s nature to ignore her responsibility to a neighbor, no matter who that neighbor happened to be. And he wouldn’t want to change one thing about her. His little playmate had grown into an admirable woman, and that fact battled with a startling need to protect her from discomfort.

* * *

SARAH FOUND HER thoughts returning to Julia Everly that evening. Washing dishes while Grossmammi dried and Mamm put things away, she felt more than usually thankful for family. Grossmammi would never have to think of growing old alone. She’d live and die surrounded by those who loved her, unlike Julia Everly.

Julia had friends, of course, acquired over a long life, but her tart tongue had sometimes isolated her. And Donna Edwards, a several-times-removed cousin, was apparently her only family.

Mamm flicked the dish towel at her. “What has our Sarah so silent tonight?”

“Ach, I was just listening to the two of you.” Mamm and Grossmammi had been chatting away as they always did, and no one listening to the love flowing between them would think Grossmammi was Mamm’s mother-in-law, rather than her mother.

“You listen to us every day of your life,” Grossmammi said. “You are fretting. Is it about the fires?” She lowered her voice on the last word, as if hating to say it aloud.

“No, well, not at the moment, anyway. I was thinking about Julia Everly. I ran into Donna today, and she says that Julia’s memory is failing her. I thought Julia was fine when I talked to her, but Donna seemed convinced.”

Grossmammi listened to her account of Donna’s words, her gray head tilted to one side like a tiny snowbird. Never more than an inch or two over five feet, she’d shrunk in recent years. But her eyes still held their sparkle, and her fingers had never lost their cunning with a needle.

“It does sometimes happen that a person might perk up for a visitor but show more loss to the one who cares for them every day,” she said when Sarah had finished. “Your grossdaadi was like that, remember?”

Sarah nodded. “But we were all around, so it was as if he had company all the time, ain’t so?”

Grossmammi chuckled. “That’s certain sure. And he loved it.” Her smile faded a bit. “Julia doesn’t have any kin except for Donna, so I’ve heard.”

“Donna said Julia would be better off if people didn’t drop in to see her, but that seems so wrong to me. Julia enjoys visitors. I’d think she’d be better off with more, not fewer.”

Mamm opened her mouth as if to say something and then frowned, shaking her head a little. “If her doctor thinks that...”

Her words trailed off as she glanced toward the window over the sink. “Someone’s coming. That’s Allison’s car, ja?”

Sarah put the last pot in the drainer and dried her hands. “I hope nothing’s wrong. She didn’t mention stopping in tonight.”

“I’ll put the kettle on.” Grossmammi hustled to the stove. “Allison always likes a cup of my mint tea. She says it’s soothing.”

In another moment Allison was coming in the back door, too much at home in the cozy kitchen to need to knock when she spotted them through the window. Greeted with hugs, she was soon ensconced at the long maple table with a steaming cup of mint tea, while Mamm tried to persuade her to have just a sliver of blackberry pie.

“A tiny, tiny piece,” Allison agreed, laughing. “I know what your slivers look like.”

“There’s nothing wrong, is there?” Sarah poured tea for her grandmother, as well, before sitting down.

“No, but I had an idea. You know, about needing to raise more money for the fire company.” Allison’s green eyes lit with enthusiasm. “We have to do something. I talked to Ellen, and she agrees with me.”

“We heard about Aaron getting burned,” Mamm said. “That’s bad. The boys should have what they need to do the job, ain’t so?”

“That’s what I think.” Allison sparkled, obviously sensing an ally. “Nick says they really need a new truck, as well. Their pumper is on its last legs, so they’ve been saving up to buy a good used one.”

“I don’t think there’s anything—” Sarah began, but Allison interrupted her.

“Oh, I know we can’t do everything at once, but it seems to me if we get the ball rolling, more people will understand the need and become involved.”

Mamm nodded. “That makes gut sense. Sometimes folks just have to be pushed a little.”

Sarah eyed Allison cautiously, wondering what notion she had come up with. It was sometimes a bit unnerving to have such a go-ahead Englisch partner. Allison never seemed to see obstacles, only opportunities.

“What were you thinking we might do?”

“Well, we’re already planning the antique quilt display for the shop, and I’ve been working on some ways of publicizing it. What if we expanded the idea? Got hold of a bigger place to have it, and turned it into a quilt festival? I just read an article about one out in Ohio that brought visitors in from all over, and made a lot of money besides. You know how quilters are—they can’t get enough. A display of antique quilts, combined with a sale of quilts and quilted products, demonstrations, maybe even some workshops on different techniques... I think with the right publicity, we could make much more money for the fire company.”

Before Sarah could catch her breath at this grand expansion of their original idea, she realized that both her mother and grandmother were nodding eagerly. Was she the only person who saw any flaws in that plan?

“But...that’s a very big job. It will take ages to plan and put together—”

“Not that much if we all work together.” Allison waved away her objection. “It’s all in the organization. I’ve worked on big design expos several times, and the crucial thing is to decide on a date and a place and start getting the promotion out.” She studied Sarah’s expression for a moment and smiled. “Trust me. I do know enough not to dream too big. But even a small one-or two-day event will draw in quilters ready to spend money.”

Mammi nodded. “Look at the Englisch who come to the quilters’ group and class at the shop. They wouldn’t hesitate to travel—why, some of them will drive half a day just to visit a big fabric store or see a quilting demonstration.”

“You girls aren’t going to leave us out,” Grossmammi declared. “What can we do?”

After another half hour of talking, Allison had several lists drawn up, and Sarah’s head was spinning. It was a fine idea, and she didn’t doubt her partner’s ability to plan it out. What did set her stomach churning was the thought of what Allison might decide Sarah should do. Her friend seemed to think Sarah was as brave as she was.

“Goodness, look at the time,” Mammi said, standing. “The boys should be getting to bed.”

Allison gathered her lists together. “I shouldn’t have kept you talking so long, but your input was invaluable. I’ll start working out the plans tonight, and with a little luck and a lot of cooperation, we should be able to put this on by the end of the summer.” She looked at Sarah and her lips twitched just a little. “It’s going to be fine. Don’t worry.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Sarah said with mock solemnity. “I’ll get a flashlight and walk out with you.”

The air was still when they stepped outside into the dark, and the sky was spangled with stars. Not a single cloud marred the view.

“If only it would rain,” Sarah said softly. “Everything is so dry.”

“I know.” Allison fumbled in the pocket of her bag for her car keys, and they jingled, the sound carrying in the still night. “But maybe knowing the state police are investigating will scare the firebug into hiding.”

“Maybe.” Sarah wished she could believe that, but somehow she thought he wouldn’t be so easily deterred. “But it seems to me anyone who sets fires for fun isn’t right in the head.”

Allison gave her hand a quick squeeze and then slid into the car. “I know. That is the scary aspect of it. Good night. Take care.”

Sarah stood where she was while Allison turned around, and then watched the taillights until the car disappeared onto the road at the end of the lane.

It was so quiet, the darkness so intense, that it was a relief to see the lights from the Whiting place. Jim had put a pole lamp in back, bathing the area between the house and the first of the outbuildings with its glow. But his barn, like theirs, was dark.

She took a few steps, holding the flashlight loosely in her hand, but not bothering to switch it on. As her eyes grew used to the dark she could make out the lines of each of Daad’s buildings—chicken house, brooder coop, corncrib, barn, a couple sheds. All of them wooden, all of them vulnerable. As long as she was outside, she might as well take a walk around now to be sure all was secure.

Sarah glanced to her left. Across the fields in that direction lay the King farm, and she could just make out the glimmer of the twin silos. Aaron or his daad could be out right now, doing the same thing she was. Nobody would be sleeping well until the firebug was caught.

Taking a firm grip on her courage, Sarah advanced toward the chicken house, switching on the flashlight but keeping the beam lowered. No point in stirring up the chickens when they were in their roosts for the night.

In the instant after she’d turned it on, she heard a sound—quick, low, unidentifiable. Her fingers tightened on the flashlight.

Don’t be ferhoodled, she lectured herself. You wanted to help patrol. You’re not going to back out now because you imagine things, are you?

She listened, but the sound wasn’t repeated. It had probably been one of the hens, disturbed by the unexpected light. She advanced on the henhouse, keeping the beam of her flashlight low, but aiming it into the dense shadows around the building. Nothing. Besides, if any stranger were that close, the hens would certain sure be making a racket.

Sarah moved slowly around the other outbuildings, checking each one. Daad had taken to padlocking any that could be easily locked, making her search easier. All was serene, the dry grass rustling under her feet.

Just the barn now, and her steps quickened. She’d been tempted to leave Molly out in the field tonight, but hadn’t liked to give in to the fear. Still, she’d be glad to double-check to assure herself that the mare was safe.

A sudden sound from the side of the barn made her freeze, and her heart was suddenly pounding so hard she could feel it in her chest. Biting her lip, she raised the torch, remembering in the same instant the promise she’d made to Aaron.

If you hear something, don’t try to deal with it yourself.

But she wasn’t sure. And she couldn’t go running for Daad when it might be nothing but a bird or a bat.

“Is someone there?” Somehow the sound of her own voice was reassuring. “Hello?” She aimed the light, saw something move in the shadows, and drew a breath to yell.

“Sarah? It’s just me.” Jonah King stepped into the circle of light. “You’re not going to scream, ain’t so?”

She managed a chuckle. “No, but I came close. What are you doing here, Jonah?” Aaron’s teenage brother was physically very like Aaron had been at that age, but he had a quick, changeable personality that meant you were never quite sure when he might take offense at something you said. Aaron had always been the same as he was now—steady, calm and dependable.

“I’m taking my turn to patrol.” Sure enough, Jonah sounded a bit prickly. “Daad acts like I can’t be counted on to do it right.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t think that,” she said, hoping to dampen the teen’s irritation. Jonah was at the age to be at odds with his daad, she supposed. It was hard to imagine her little brothers hitting that point, but no doubt they would. “I’m glad you’re here,” she added. “That means I don’t have to go in the barn alone.”

His slight figure seemed to straighten. “Sure, I’ll go with you. Aaron says you shouldn’t be out patrolling, anyway.”

“He does, does he?” She already knew that, but felt a surge of annoyance that Aaron had spoken to young Jonah about it. “It’s just as much my concern as anyone’s. Besides, I want to make sure Molly is okay.”

Jonah swung the door open. “You wait here while I take a quick look,” he said, a note of importance in his tone.

Sarah bit back the response that sprang to her lips. Let Jonah have his moment of masculine strength—he could probably use it if he was on the outs with his daad.

“Denke, Jonah.” She waited while he stepped inside, shining his own flashlight around the barn before gesturing to her to come in.

“Everything looks okay,” he said. “I’ll just check the loft.”

While he clambered up the ladder, she moved to Molly’s stall, crooning to her softly. The mare came to have her muzzle rubbed, whickering.

“That’s my good girl,” Sarah murmured.

Jonah scrambled down a few rungs and then jumped the rest of the way, too impatient to take every step. “All clear,” he said. “I’ll wait and close up for you.”

“I’m ready now.”

She gave Molly a final pat. Jonah seemed intent on showing how competent he was, so she let him close the barn door and double-check the latch.

Daad wouldn’t think of putting a padlock on the barn. In the event something did happen, a minute or two spent opening it could be crucial in getting the animals out. She shivered despite the warmth of the night when she thought of the cows that had been trapped in Ben’s barn.

“Thanks again,” she said, once they were outside.

Jonah nodded, switching off his light. “No problem.” With a long, easy stride, he headed off toward the lane.

Sarah watched until the darkness swallowed him up, uneasiness stirring. If Jonah was heading for home, why was he going that way? It would be much shorter to go across the fields. Shaking her head, she went back into the house.