Hidden (Amish Romance Mystery) (Amish Secret Widows' Society Book 2) (4 page)

Silvie nodded. “What do your
familye
think of you living here?”

“I don’t have much contact with them.”

Bailey’s face hardened as he spoke of his
familye.

“That’s sad,” she said.

“Why didn’t you move back to Ohio after your husband passed away?”

“This is my home now. I need to go forward with my life not backwards. I miss my
familye,
but I have the community here and they’re like my
familye.
The community will become your new
familye
too
.
If you stay, you’ll see what I mean.”

“Of course I’ll stay. I would have been baptized straight away only the bishop wouldn’t let me.”

Silvie looked into his eyes. She hoped that he would take hold of her hand again, but he didn’t. “I suppose the bishop knows that there will be some big changes for you and you might not like them.”

“
Jah
, I know. I know his reasoning.”

Silvie could tell by the way he looked into her eyes that he was smitten with her. She glanced at his lips and wondered what they would feel like on hers. “We should go.”

“All right, we’ll go.” Bailey stood up and held out his hand.

Silvie put her hand in his and rose to her feet.

“We will go back as soon as we go for another walk. It’s a shame to ignore this beautiful countryside.”

Seeing that Bailey still had hold of her hand and was walking away, Silvie had no choice but to go with him.

They walked for fifteen minutes and on their return to the buggy Bailey stopped still and picked up Silvie’s hand. “Silvie, I need to tell you that I want to kiss you. I know I can’t and I’m showing great restraint.”

Silvie looked into his face. He spoke with such sincerity that she knew that he was a
gut
man and one who could be trusted. A nervous sound escaped from the back of Silvie’s throat. She wanted to be held tightly in his strong arms. She forced herself to say, “We have to wait.”

He drew her hand to his lips and looked into her eyes as he pressed his warm lips into the back of her hand. The touch of his lips sent tingles spiraling through her body. She giggled nervously and pulled her hand away. “We must get back.”

He stood still watching her while she climbed into the buggy. “
Kumm
, Bailey.”

Bailey let out a noisy sigh, untied the horse and climbed into the buggy.

All the way back to her place Silvie regretted not kissing him.
What harm could a tiny kiss do?
It had been so long since she’d been kissed. She had kept away from
menner
since John died. Bailey was the first
mann
to hold her interest.

“Well, here you are.” Bailey pulled up the horse in front of Silvie’s door.

“
Denke
for a nice time, Bailey.”

With one strong arm, Bailey took hold of her behind her waist and pulled her quickly to him. Silvie did not resist and before she knew what was happening, his lips were softly against hers. He released her at once. “Forgive my boldness.”

Silvie made an attempt at a smile and shook her head. She quickly got out of the buggy and swallowed hard. “Bye, Bailey.”

He nodded his head and clicked the horse forward.

Silvie put her hand to her fast beating heart and hurried into the safety of her
haus.

Chapter 6.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance:

against such there is no law.

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Galatians 5:22-24

As arranged, the widows met once again and this time they were to hear what Ettie had found out from the internet, about Frank.

Emma was the first to speak. “What did you find out, Ettie? Anything?”

“It’s convenient that one of Frank’s relatives has researched the family history. Frank’s father was an art dealer back in the old country and before Frank came to join us he worked at an auction house in Chicago as an auctioneer.”

“What sort of auction house?” Emma asked.

“Seems to be an art auction house as far as I can tell. I looked them up and they don’t sell anything but paintings.”

“So, he followed in his father’s footsteps.” Maureen tried to lean back in the chair.

“It appears so,” Ettie said.

“Anything else, Ettie?” Silvie asked.

“
Nee
. I’ve asked the people in the community who knew him best and he never spoke of his life before he joined us,” Ettie said.

“Maybe someone thought that he had a valuable painting hidden or something. Maybe it was a stolen painting,” Maureen said.

“Excellent point, Maureen, but I already thought of that. There are too many to track though. There are many, many missing paintings from Germany during the war and there are many stolen paintings over the years from Chicago. So even if he did have a stolen painting, we would have no way of knowing which one he had.”

“It sounds all very far fetched,” Silvie said. “It could have just been random thieves after money. Remember that it’s often the most logical explanation that is the right one,” Silvie said.

“Random thieves don’t kill people though, Silvie. Thieves run if they’re seen. They don’t usually turn around and kill people,” Elsa-May said.

“Wil’s going to have Frank’s body at his
haus
for the viewing and everything. Frank’s sons don’t want to be involved in the funeral,” Emma said.

“Why don’t we clean Frank’s
haus
and that way we can look for clues?” Ettie said.

“Great idea, Ettie,” Elsa-May said.

“The police have combed right through it, doubt there will be any clues left,” Emma said.

“
Jah
, but we have to start somewhere,” Elsa-May said.

As they were getting into their buggies, Silvie shared with Emma that she went on a buggy ride with Bailey.

“Silvie, I know he’s handsome, but he’s not even properly one of us yet. Don’t you think you should wait?” Emma asked.

“I should, I know, but it’s hard.”

Emma nodded and said goodbye to Silvie. On her way home anger welled up within her. Wil had to know of it because he would have use of one of Wil’s buggies. Emma called in on Wil on her way home.

Wil answered the knock on his door. “Emma, come in.”

“I would prefer to speak out here.” She spoke in a low tone so Bailey would not hear her. “I just heard from Silvie about her time with Bailey.”

Wil nodded.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit soon for him to be taking someone for a buggy ride? What would the bishop think of that?”

Wil remained silent, so Emma continued, “Bailey’s been entrusted into your care. Can’t you take anything seriously, Wil?”

Wil rubbed his forehead. “I know what it’s like when you love someone, Emma.”

Emma scoffed. “Love? They’ve only just met.”

“What about us?” Wil asked.

“I’m not speaking of us.”

“You never want to speak of us, Emma.”

“It’s things like this that make me unsure about you, Wil, if I have to be truthful.”

Wil raised his eyebrows and stepped closer to her. “What do you mean?”

“I need someone in my life who’ll be stable and solid and not do things without thinking. You surely did not think things through if you gave Bailey a buggy to take Silvie out. What about Silvie, what if she gets hurt?”

“Sometimes people have to take a chance, Emma. That includes you. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’ve some things to do before I turn in for the night.”

“What? Like a silly invention?” Emma bit her lip as soon as she said it. She went to say sorry, but Wil spoke before she had a chance.

“Goodnight, Emma.” Wil closed his door.

Chapter 7.

 
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Matthew 6:25-27

Emma arrived early at Wil’s home the day of the funeral, as did Maureen. They were fixing the food for the people who would want to return there from the cemetery for a light meal. Maureen and Emma decided on cold-cuts coleslaw and two hot dishes. Meals after a funeral were never a lavish affair.

The bishop and the ministers were the first to arrive. It wasn’t long before there were rows of buggies outside Wil’s
haus.

“Look at everyone, Maureen. I’m glad Wil decided to have the service held here because Frank’s
haus
would have been far too small for all these people.”

Maureen looked out the kitchen window. “Well, we’ve done all we can do in here for the time being. Let’s go and greet some people.”

The two ladies left the kitchen and went into the living room where everyone had gathered. The minister, rather than the bishop gave a short talk on life and death. Explaining that it was all a cycle, birth death and it was a natural thing that everyone has to go through.

Maureen and Emma sat next to each other and Emma saw that Maureen’s eyes misted over and Emma knew that she was thinking of her late husband. She squeezed Maureen’s hand. Emma coped with her own grief by trying not to think too much of Levi. It was hard but she kept as busy as she could rather than face the pain of her loss. Emma could only keep reminding herself that Levi was in a better place.

After the viewing everyone got into their buggies to follow the funeral buggy to the cemetery.

After prayers were said, the coffin was lowered into the ground. Emma looked up and noticed Elsa-May and Ettie standing next to Silvie. Wil and Bailey were standing in a group with some of the men.

Emma and Maureen knew that they would have to be the first to leave so they could go back to Wil’s
haus
to get the meal ready. As they both turned around they saw that Bob Pluver had been standing directly behind them. Emma immediately got the chills. Bob Pluver was such an odd character.

“Hello, Maureen and Emma,” Although he addressed Emma as well, his eyes were focused the whole time on Maureen.

“
Ach
, hello, Bob.” Maureen glanced across at Emma. “Um, did you know Frank very well?”

“
Jah
I did.”

Emma had to fight the smile that was trying to spread across her face. It was clear that he had a liking for Maureen because this was the most she’d ever heard Bob say unless he was talking farm business.

“Were you friends with him, Bob?” Maureen asked.

Bob nodded.

“
Gut
friends?”

“I’d say so.” Bob folded his arms in front of him and leaned back.

“Did you visit him much?” Emma asked.

“I visited him every Thursday.”

Emma realized that Bob must have been at Frank’s
haus
on the very day that he died, but this was hardly the time or the place to ask him questions. She would have Maureen ask him questions tomorrow.

“He was a nice man,” Bob said slowly.

“
Jah
, he was a nice man. I didn’t know him well, but I’m sure he was a nice man,” Maureen gave him a big hearty smile revealing the slight gap in between her front teeth. “If you can excuse us, Bob, we have to go and prepare the meal back at Wil’s
haus.
You’re very welcome to come join us, Bob.”

Bob smiled at Maureen. “
Jah
I’ll come,
denke
.”

As they hurried to the buggy, Emma said, “That’s the most I’ve ever heard him say. I think he’s sweet on you. He couldn’t take his eyes from you and also that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him smile. He looks a different person when he smiles.”

Maureen smiled and hunched her shoulders. “He’s a sweet boy.”

Emma thought she could think of a few other descriptions for him other than sweet, but she kept her opinions to herself. “He’d have to be our age, wouldn’t he, Maureen?”

Emma was in her late twenties and Maureen was in her early thirties, Emma was sure of that.

As they travelled back to Wil’s
haus
, Emma said, “Be careful then if you don’t want an admirer, Maureen.”

* * *

Silvie was still at the funeral. Bailey had been on her mind every second of every day she looked for him and saw him talking to some people. She walked over so she would be close to him, hoping that he would speak to her. As soon as Bailey saw her he excused himself from the couple he was speaking with.

“Hello, Silvie.”

His smile melted her heart. “Hello. What did you think of your first Amish funeral?” Silvie asked.

“Pretty much the same as the other funerals I’ve been too. Not too different.”

There was an awkward silence as Silvie searched for something to say.

Bailey leaned into her and spoke softly, “I enjoyed our buggy ride.”

Silvie nodded and felt her cheeks heat up. She knew she was blushing and she hoped that Bailey did not notice. “Me too.”

“Do you know everyone here?” Bailey asked.

Silvie looked around. “
Jah
, I think I do. Or at least I’ve seen all these people before. I may not be able to tell you all their names. I would’ve expected Frank’s sons to be here and they don’t appear to be.”

“
Nee
. Wil told me that the sons said they wouldn’t be coming to the funeral. They asked Wil to look after things.”

Silvie raised her eyebrows in surprise at his sons being so disinterested in their father that they could not even go to his funeral.

Bailey spoke softly. “It seems a little odd, doesn’t it? That they don’t even want to go to their father’s funeral, to pay their respects?”

“It is very odd. Maybe they feel awkward because they left the Amish; they might feel they have no place here.”

“Maybe. Wil said they hadn’t visited Frank for some years,” Bailey said.

“
Jah
, that’s what I heard.” After a small silence, Silvie said, “I’ll see you at Wil’s
haus
then.” Silvie turned and walked away. She could feel Bailey’s eyes on her as she walked. She dare not turn around.

* * *

There were some hundred folk gathered at Wil’s
haus.
Emma kept herself busy in the kitchen in an effort to avoid Wil. When the people had nearly all gone home, Maureen, Silvie and Emma stayed back to clean up afterwards.

Emma looked out the kitchen window and saw that Wil was outside saying goodbye to some people. She took her opportunity. “We’ve nearly finished. Do you two mind if I leave you to finish off?”

Both girls looked at her as though they wondered what she was up to. Any other time she would have wanted to stay back to have more time with Wil. She did not want to share with them that she’d had a little tiff with him. “I’ve got some things I need to take care of at home,” she explained.

“Of course, go,” Maureen said.

Emma wrapped a portion of left over meat for Growler and slipped out the back door and hurried home.

As she opened her front door, Growler was sitting there as if he was waiting for her. “Hello, I brought you some meat.”

Growler meowed and walked toward her.

“Over to your saucer, then.” The cat followed Emma to the saucer at the back door. Growler appreciated the meat. Emma smiled as she watched him eat it. Even though she did not like cats she was beginning to see why some people did. It was nice to come home and have someone waiting for you even if it was a cat who ignored her most of the time.

Emma filled up the kettle and placed it on the stove. A nice cup of meadow tea would be just what she needed. As she rinsed out the cup in the sink, she remembered that day at Frank’s
haus
when she found him; there were two cups in the sink. Why would he need two cups? He must have had a visitor there that day and it must have been someone that he knew. If someone had come to steal from him, he would not sit down and have a cup of tea with him.

Finished with his meat, Growler jumped on the chair next to her and looked at her. “You know something don’t you, Growler. What did you see that day? If only you could speak.”

* * *

The very next day Emma knocked on Detective Crowley’s door.

Detective Crowley stood up behind his desk. “Mrs. Kurtzler, what brings you here this fine day?”

“Hello, detective, it’s about Frank.”

He pointed to the chair opposite his desk and sat down. “Have a seat.”

As soon as Emma sat down, she said, “I just thought I’d mention that there were two cups in the sink at Frank’s
haus
.”

“Yes, I noticed that. We had those cups tested and that’s where we found the poison.”

“So, he was poisoned?”

“Yes. Why are you only just telling me about the two cups now?”

Emma’s heart started to race. The detective always made her feel as though she were guilty. “I only just remembered, only just this very morning.”

“Have you been withholding any other information, Mrs. Kurtzler?”

Emma knew quite a bit, but thought she’d keep quiet about Bob being there the very day of the murder. She was sure that Bob was no murderer. Bob was a little odd, but not a murderer. “Frank had ongoing disagreements with his neighbor, Thomas something or other. His last name escapes me for the moment.”

“Yes, Thomas Graber; he’s known to the police.”

Emma tilted her head slightly to the side. “He is?”

Detective Crowley nodded. “Let’s just say we’ve had dealings with him over other matters. What else have you found out?”

Emma was surprised that the Amish
mann,
Thomas Graber, would have had previous dealings with the police. “Did you find any prints on one of the cups that didn’t belong to Frank? I mean the one that the other person might have drunk from?”

Crowley shook his head, then pushed back in his chair and let out a deep breath. Did the detective think that she was wasting his time?

“Mrs. Kurtzler, what’s the real reason you’ve come here?”

“To tell you about the two cups. You said if I think of anything to let you know.”

“Mrs. Kurtzler, Emma, I have to tell you that I do not need your help to solve a crime.”

Emma gasped and jumped to her feet. “I’m tying to be of help. You told me to come to you if I thought of anything and that’s what I’m doing.”

The detective stayed seated and interlocked his fingers in front of him. “It’s funny that I come across you again, in another murder case. Would that be fate or destiny?”

“I thought I might be able to help you, that’s all. Seeing that I was the one who found him and I’m looking after his cat, and all.” Emma knew she was not making any sense. Why did she mention Frank’s cat? “I’ll be going now, then.” Emma walked straight out of Detective Crowley’s office without saying goodbye to him.

She was glad that she did not mention the fact that Bob was there the day that Frank died. Bob was not one who was good with words, and he would never be able to explain himself to the police.

All the way home, Emma felt sick in the stomach.
Why is that detective so mean all the time? He always finds the very thing to say that would upset me.

The next morning Emma called in on Wil. She knew it would be awkward to see him. She was not ready to speak of their disagreement.

Emma took a deep breath when he opened the door. “Can you give me the keys to Frank’s
haus
? The ladies and I want to go and give it a
gut
clean.”

“
Jah
, I’ve got a spare key. I’ll fetch it for you. Do you want to do that today?”

“Both Maureen and Silvie aren’t working today, so today suits all of us.”

Wil rubbed his chin. “Do you think it will be safe? They haven’t found who did it, you know.”

“Jah
, it’ll be safe with the five of us. Elsa-May and Ettie are going too.”

Wil went around the corner into the kitchen and then came back with the key and handed it to her. “Emma, can we talk?”

“Not now, Wil.”

The widows met at Frank’s
haus
at noon, as they had planned. Maureen was to arrive as soon as she talked to Bob Pluver.