Danger in Plain Sight (35 page)

“That’s not true.” Donato produced a thin smile. “I agree, the state often takes too long to process requests, but in this case, Bredbenner hadn’t even attempted to get the necessary permissions. It’s not clear that he owns the land in question.”

That was a blow. Adam could sense the truth sinking in as well as the despair that accompanied it.

“What about our money?” Isaac raised the question. “Will we get our money back?”

Donato spread his hands wide. “So far, we haven’t been able to find the money Bredbenner took from his investors. Either he has a hidden bank account under another name, or he took it with him when he went. If he’s found and any of the money recovered, some repayment will be made, but it may take a long time for that to happen.”

He hesitated again, maybe expecting a reaction. There was none, at least not out loud.

“Well, now, I’m sure you want to know what efforts we’re making in that direction.” Donato spoke quickly, gesturing to Adam. “I’ll let Chief Byler discuss that aspect of it. If that’s all right.” He glanced toward the bishop, apparently remembering Adam’s words.

Bishop Amos nodded gravely.

Adam took his place at the front of the group, frowning at the brochures that still lay on the table. “As you may know, the police are actively looking for Eli Bredbenner. At the least, he has committed fraud. It is also possible that he has been involved in attacks on two people.”

A low murmur went through the crowd at that. Isaac and Mary Ann stared straight ahead, while Rebecca pressed her lips together, eyes downcast.

“If any of you have suggestions as to where Bredbenner could have gone, the police would appreciate your help. If you don’t care to speak to me, perhaps…” He glanced at Bishop Amos, who nodded.

“Ja. Tell me if you know anything.” The bishop’s face was grave. “You may feel that you don’t wish to be involved with the police, but remember that until our brother comes back and confesses his sin, he will not be right with God.”

Adam read reserve on some faces, but there were those in the crowd who nodded. He could only hope they were the ones who knew something.

“Are there any questions you’d like to ask?” He didn’t expect there to be, and there weren’t. He nodded and went back to join Donato.

“That’s it?” Donato’s eyebrows rose. “The last time I had to attend a meeting of victims, I was nearly deafened from the yelling and screaming and blaming that went on. Won’t these people miss the money Bredbenner took?”

“They’ll miss it, all right. But they’ll help each other. That’s the Amish way.”

“What I don’t get is how Bredbenner has managed to disappear so completely.” Donato sounded fretful. “I figured somebody as unsophisticated as an Amish man would trip up in a matter of hours.”

Adam found he was staring at the brochure Donato held in his hand.
Unsophisticated,
Donato had said, and the word triggered a train of thought. There was something…a vague thought teased at the back of his mind.

He took the brochure from Donato, turning it over in his hands. “Tell me something,” he said abruptly. “In all the files you went through, did you see any hint that someone else might have been involved in this scam?”

Donato blinked. “A partner? No, not at all. What makes you say that?”

Adam held up the brochure. “You said it. Unsophisticated. And yet the glossy brochures, the prospectus, everything we’ve seen has been exactly the opposite.”

“That’s true,” Donato said slowly. “Some of the paperwork I went through was computer-generated, but there was no computer at the Bredbenner house.”

“No. There wasn’t.” Adam’s mind raced, fitting pieces together. “If Bredbenner had a non-Amish partner, it would answer a lot of questions—the production of the paperwork, the fact that vehicles were used in the attack on Esther Zook and the shooting in Maryland, the use of a cell phone in an attempt to decoy Libby Morgan out of the hospital room. All those things would be difficult for an Amish person.”

The reluctance faded from Donato’s face, and he rocked back and forth, toes to heels, as if he wanted to dart into movement. “That makes more sense than anything else we’ve run into in the case. But who? I’ve been through those files with the proverbial fine-tooth comb and I assure you, there’s no clue to another conspirator.”

“There has to be. We’re looking for someone familiar with the area and the people. Someone who came into contact with Bredbenner in some way. Someone who has the business savvy to mastermind a scheme like this.”

Donato listened, head on one side like a robin eyeing a worm. “That makes sense, but I don’t see how you’re going to find out who it was unless we get Bredbenner and he’s willing to give up his partner.”

Adam glanced at Bishop Amos. A small group had surrounded him, talking quietly, with Isaac and his wife and mother among them.

“There’s someone else who might be able to tell us. Esther Zook.”

Esther, who was back at the farm right now, with Libby and the children. And one of his officers, he reminded himself. Joe Carmody was there tonight, and he was a bright kid. He wouldn’t let anyone get near them.

Somehow that didn’t reassure him as much as it should. He yanked his cell phone from his pocket.

“Who are you calling?” Donato watched him, dark eyes curious.

“The officer on guard at the farm.” Adam punched in the numbers, not sure himself what was driving him, just knowing he had to be assured that everything was all right there.

The cell phone rang. And rang. And rang. No one answered. Something had happened to Carmody.

* * *

ESTHER SEEMED A little more tired than usual, so Libby had her tucked up in bed before eight. Once there, though, she wanted a pillow behind her back.

Libby settled her and sat down in the rocker next to the bed. “Okay now?”

Esther nodded. “The children?”

“Leah is getting the little ones to bed. Your mamm and Mary Ann went with Isaac to the meeting.”

There had been no point in trying to keep what was happening from Esther. And maybe knowing about it would help her remember.

A frown formed between Esther’s brows. “Wish I could be there. Could help.”

“You’ve already helped.” Libby clasped her hand. “Without you, they might never have known that Eli Bredbenner was cheating people.”

The frown deepened. “How could he cheat—” her hand moved restlessly as she searched for the word “—the Leit.” She’d resorted to the Pennsylvania Dutch word, but Libby knew it. The Leit. The People, the Amish.

“That’s what so hard on everyone,” Libby said. “Bishop Amos is grieved, and I’m sure it’s even harder for Eli’s own ministers and bishop over in Paradise.”

“How…how did I know?” Esther’s voice was fretful. “Why can’t I remember?”

“It’ll come. Don’t push it. The whole situation is in police hands now, anyway. We can leave it to Adam.”

“Ja.” The frown vanished, and Esther studied her face. “You and Adam—”

Libby tried to manage a smile, but it wasn’t easy. “There’s not going to be any Adam and me. For a while I thought…” She let that trail off.

“I am sorry.” Esther’s voice was soft. “That is ser hatt.”

So hard. Yes, it was. “I’m all right.” She forced a confidence she didn’t feel into her voice.

“It will be as God wills.” Esther’s eyelids started to droop. “We are in His hands.”

“Yes.” She found comfort in the thought. “Ready to sleep now?”

Esther nodded, eyes closing. “You can outen the light.”

She did so, thinking how appropriate the phrase was. Standing for a moment at the window, Libby stared out at the dark. There was no moon visible, and ice had formed on the outside of the pane.

A circle of light moved across the yard, reflecting from the snow cover. The police officer had probably been checking the outbuildings.

Carmody was on duty tonight—just as he had been the night of Esther’s injury. He was young, but Adam had faith in him. He’d keep Esther safe.

There was probably no need to worry now, anyway. She glanced at Esther and then tiptoed quietly to the door. No need to worry. After all, Bredbenner was on the run, his crimes out in the open now. If he had any sense, he’d be far from here.

And his partner, if he had one? She paused at the bottom of the stairs, hand on the newel post. Surely the same applied to him. If he had any sense, he would run before the investigators found him.

She shivered a little and zipped up her sweatshirt. They’d been keeping Esther’s room toasty with a kerosene heater, but the downstairs of the daadi haus was chilly.

Chilly and quiet. Leah and her brothers and sisters were shut away with two closed doors between them. She and Esther were virtually alone.

Giving herself a shake, Libby hurried into the daadi haus kitchen. There was light there, and warmth from the stove. She’d make some hot chocolate…Mom’s remedy when anyone needed comforting.

She put the milk on to heat, adding extra. Joe Carmody would probably appreciate a mug of something to warm him up about now. It had to be cold work, prowling around out there in the snow.

Once the milk was warming and she’d found the chocolate and the mugs, she peered out the window, trying to spot the patrolman. There was no sign of his flashlight. He must have gone around the house. She’d have to catch him on his next pass.

A sound at the door startled her into spilling a few drops of hot milk on the counter. Not a knock exactly—a sort of scratching sound, grating on nerves that were already stretched.

It had to be Carmody, probably trying to avoid disturbing Esther by knocking. She went quickly to the door and twisted the dead bolt. She eased the door open a few inches.

Nothing. No one was there. Maybe one of the barn cats, looking for shelter? Libby swung the door wider, so that the light from the kitchen flowed out.

And saw him—a huddled figure, sprawled in the snow. “Joe!” Grabbing a flashlight from the hook beside the door, she ran to him, knelt next to him.

“Joe, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?” She touched his face, the warm skin reassuring her. Her fingers fumbled for his throat, finding a pulse, relief flooding through her when she felt it beating.

“It’s all right, don’t worry.” No idea if he could hear her, but she had to say it. “I’ll call for help.” She started to pull the cell phone from her pocket, only to hear a groan, sense movement.

She swung the light around, catching another figure in the snow, this one groaning, trying to move. She took a step toward him and froze, recognizing the dark brown beard. Eli Bredbenner. He and Carmody must have fought—

She had to get help. Pull the phone free, run for the house, call 911, lock the door, keep Esther safe—

She sensed, rather than saw, a movement behind her. Dodging, she flung up her arm to protect herself. Something struck her head a glancing blow, landing on her forearm, sending indescribable pain radiating through her arm. The phone went flying, and she stumbled forward. Eli must have been playing possum; he’d be on her in a second. If she could make the door—

She couldn’t. Hands grabbed her shoulders, sending pain surging through her arm. She cried out, trying to get away. She had to stop him, had to, couldn’t let him get to the house, Esther, the children—

Hands searched for her throat, still painful from the last encounter. She grabbed at them with her left hand, struggling, had to get away from him, feet slipping on the ice beneath. If she fell she’d be helpless, he’d finish her off and go after Esther.

Somehow she managed to keep her balance, keep the hands off her throat. His breathing was harsh in her ears, he was so close, the scent of him sharp in her nose, and then she realized where they were, why it was so slippery. They were on the icy slide the children had made. If she could knock him off balance she might have a chance.

She struggled, trying to kick him, unable to connect, feeling her own feet slip. If she fell, it was all over. Frantic, she threw herself backward against him. They fell together, and there was a sharp crack as he hit the ice.