Evil in My Town by Karen Ann Hopkins

Author:Karen Ann Hopkins [Hopkins, Karen Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781097850174
Published: 2019-05-16T22:00:00+00:00

20

Serenity

“I want to talk to these boys.” I stared at Aaron Esch with narrowed eyes and my jaw set.

The bishop chuckled as he smoothed his snowy colored beard down with his hand. “I’m afraid this is community business.” His bushy brows arched. “Unless there’s another reason you’re here, Sheriff, and you’re not being truthful with me.”

The old man always made me squirm a little bit and I hated the feeling. He was a master at subtle intimidation. Although he’d never attended a university or even received an education past eighth grade, he was one sharp cookie.

My gaze drifted over to the small group of teenagers gathered under the one dim lantern in the center of the barn. Taylor stood close to Daniel’s side, and Toby and Reuben were quietly talking to the boys.

When I looked back at the bishop, I was calmer. No one was injured. I would find out more from my niece than any of the Amish anyway.

I lowered my voice. “Taylor is my niece, and I’m not happy to discover her in this same barn that your men held me captive in last year.”

“You’re quite mistaken if you think I’m happy to find the girl here. When our children mingle with outsiders, nothing good ever comes from it,” he said.

“For once we agree, but I’m going to get to the bottom of this, Aaron. Don’t be surprised if you see me in the next few days.”

“I would expect just that,” the bishop said. He touched the brim of his hat and strode away.

Daniel guided Taylor over to me. I searched her face and saw only fear there.

“Are you cold?” I asked her.

She nodded, averting her gaze.

“Daniel, please take her to my car. I’ve got this covered.”

His mouth twitched. “I see. Will you be coming home anytime soon?”

I paused to think. “I have to stop by the office. Toby and I are meeting with Bobby and Todd.” A thought occurred to me, and I cringed inwardly when I added, “Do you mind dropping Toby off at the department before you go on home? I want to talk to my niece alone.”

A tight smile spread on his lips. “Do I really have a choice?” He rolled his eyes. “Sure thing.”

Reuben caught up with Daniel and whispered something to him. He motioned for his daughter to follow.

Toby lingered by my side. “Does this have anything to do with the Swarey situation?”

I eyed the Marshal. He was either grasping at straws or very perceptive. I was betting it was the latter.

“That’s what I’m going to find out. I have my suspicions, though.” I leaned in. “Why don’t you try to pull up a picture of Charlene Noble—maybe something from social media.”

He twirled the end of his Doc Holiday style mustache. “Did your private talk with Rebecca shed any light on her disappearance?”

“Naw, not at all. But her little girl saw a woman with Erin Swarey at the gas station at the edge of the community.”

“Really?” He drew the word out slowly. “Then we might have a witness that Charlene was in Blood Rock.

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