Plain Truth (Military Investigations) (5 page)

“May
Gott’s
will be done.”

Zach didn’t understand the comment. “You know Mary Kate?”

“Her parents have a home not far from here. We knew each other as children.”

Zach wondered if that friendship had continued into adulthood.

“What about the twins?” Levi asked. The concern in his voice was clearly obvious.

“They’re fine,” Ella assured him. “Thankfully, they were asleep in the treatment room, and the attacker left through the front door after accosting their mother.”

Levi let out a ragged breath. “I am relieved.”

“You know the twins?” Zach asked.

The Amish man steeled his gaze. “Twins are easy to recognize, Special Agent Swain. They have been getting treatments at the Children’s Care Clinic for some months now. I have a farm and work outside. Of course I have seen them.”

“What would you call your relationship with their mother?” Zach remembered the grandfather’s words about the Amish man who seemed much too attentive to his daughter.

“There is no relationship.”

“You haven’t tried to reconnect with Mary Kate?” Zach asked.

“A married man has eyes only for his wife.” He looked at Ella. “If you need my help, let me know.”

“Thank you, Levi.”

With a nod, he turned and walked back to his property.

Zach watched him enter his house. “There’s something Levi’s not telling us.”

Ella lowered her gaze, as if she, too, had something to hide.

Zach stared down at her. “Is there something about Levi that I need to know?”

“Of course not.” After an abrupt about-face, Ella pushed open the door to her clinic and stepped inside.

Zach glanced back at the Miller farm. A cold wind whipped across the expansive pasture area and along the road, picking up dust and blowing it in the air.

What was the truth about this Amish community and the doctor who had left her practice in Pennsylvania to move South? Was she being less than forthright? If so, why?

* * *

All her work had seemingly been for naught. Standing at the entrance to her clinic, Ella was overcome with despair. She had tried to create an environment where Amish children, used to the simple basics in their own homes, could be comfortable even when they were sick and upset. Surrounded by medical instrumentation and equipment, they could easily become wide-eyed and fearful, which only made their parents more on edge. The adults were often torn between their concern for their sick children and their own hesitation to trust the new doctor.

As she gazed at the disarray, Ella wondered what they would think if they saw the place in such a state of chaos. Her hard work up to this point and her dreams of what the clinic could be in the future had been all but dashed by the hand of a madman.

“Who would do this?” she asked, struggling to articulate even that brief question. Wrapping her arms around her chest, she glanced at the officers, who had stopped processing the crime scene and were staring at her.

Did they think she was becoming hysterical?

Zach entered the clinic behind her and touched her arm. Was he offering comfort or was he, too, afraid she might be ready for a breakdown?

“Who was the last person in here last night?” Ella demanded, feeling a swell of anger. She stared at Abrams. “Did you lock the door? Did you secure my clinic or did you leave the door open and vulnerable to the madman, who returned to find what he’d wanted the first time?”

They continued to look at her as if she were crazed, and perhaps she was—crazed with frustration at all that had happened.

Abrams stepped forward. “I asked one of my officers to make sure your clinic was secure. I trust he did as I directed.”

Officer Taylor moved closer. “The assailant could have had a key. You know he cut your power, ma’am. It wasn’t the storm that caused your outage. Someone tampered with your wiring. We got it working last night, and I checked your generator. The spark plug had been unscrewed. No wonder it wouldn’t engage.”

“So someone was prowling around here before the storm?” She shivered at the thought of the assailant stalking her and her clinic.

“Seems that way. Is there anyone who’d want to do you harm?”

“No, not that I know of.” She glanced at Zach, hoping he would offer some other reason for the attack.

“The young mother, Mary Kate Powers, might have some bearing on the case,” he volunteered. “Her husband recently returned from the Middle East. Her father is concerned about the Amish man who lives next door.”

“You mean Levi Miller?” Abrams asked.

“Levi wouldn’t have done anything to harm Mary Kate,” Ella was quick to point out.

“Why do you say that, ma’am?” the sergeant asked.

“He and Mary Kate knew each other in their youth. I believe they were close friends.”

The cop looked puzzled. “Amish and English, as they call us, make for an unusual friendship.”

“They were young, Sergeant Abrams. That hardly seems strange to me.”

“Yes, ma’am, but Mary Kate would have gone to Freemont High,” the sergeant said. “Levi Miller would have received his instruction at the Amish schoolhouse.”

“They could still be friends even if they didn’t go to school together,” she insisted. “The Landerses live in this area. Amish children roam the fields and think nothing of walking great distances. They don’t have the fear that keeps some of the town children from wandering far from their homes.”

Ella looked at Zach and then back to the Freemont officer. “As you probably know, the Amish children work hard, but when their chores are finished they’re free spirits. I can see Mary Kate getting to know Levi as a youngster.”

“Yet her father seems to harbor a grudge against Levi,” Zach interjected.

“Landers holds a grudge against a number of people in the local community,” Abrams volunteered. “He’s known as a grumpy old man.”

“Are you saying his animosity toward Levi should be ignored?” Zach asked.

“Hardly.” The sergeant shook his head. “We’ll take everything into consideration, but I’m not going to falsely accuse anyone based on what a crusty old codger has to say.”

As Zach and he continued to discuss the case, Ella rubbed her neck. Her head pounded and her body ached from the attack last night. Ibuprofen would help, but she didn’t want medication, she wanted to breathe in fresh air and feel the sunshine on her face. A more holistic approach to healing.

“If you’ll excuse me for a minute, I’ve got a patio out back,” she said. “I just need some air.”

Rubbing her temple, she hurried into her kitchen and out the back door. She had expected warm sunshine, but was instantly chilled by a stiff wind that blew from the west. Wrapping her arms around herself, she stared into the wooded area behind her house, seeing the fall colors and the branches swaying in the breeze. Overhead, geese honked, flying in a V formation. If only she could fly away from the chaos like them and find a peaceful spot to land that would calm her troubled spirit.

Movement caught her eye and she glanced again at the woods. What had she seen? An animal foraging in the underbrush?

Or...

Ella narrowed her gaze and took a step back as if subconsciously recognizing danger. Her heart lurched. She turned and ran for the protection of her house. Tripping, she fell on the steps.

A sound exploded in the quiet of the day.

A ceramic flowerpot shattered at her feet.

Another shot was fired and then another.

She screamed, stumbled up the porch stairs and reached for the door.

Zach was there, pulling her inside to safety. He shoved her to the floor and slammed the door. “Stay down.”

“A man,” she gasped, her pulse racing, a roar filling her ears. “In the woods. He—he had a rifle...”

Zach lifted the curtain ever so slightly and stared through the window.

The two policemen raced into the kitchen. “Gunfire?”

Zach pointed. “The doc saw a man at the edge of the forest.”

“A dirt road runs parallel to the tree line.” Sergeant Abrams motioned to the younger officer. “We’ll head there from opposite directions.”

Abrams radioed for more squad cars. “There’s a shooter in the woods behind the Children’s Care Clinic. We need to search the area and set up roadblocks. Someone needs to check the wooden bridge that’s along that road, as well.”

Zach locked the doors when the two officers had left, racing away in their squad cars. The sound of sirens filled the air as more Freemont police responded to the call.

Ella huddled against the wall in the corner, while Zach kept watch at the windows. The tension that lined his face spoke volumes about the danger, but she didn’t need to look at him to know that the situation had escalated.

What she realized made her tremble with fear. Last night, the police were looking for an assailant who had broken into her clinic and attacked two women.

Today that assailant had become a killer.

And the person he wanted to kill was her.

FIVE

“W
e found spent rifle casings at the edge of the tree line,” Sergeant Abrams said, holding up the evidence bag to Ella, when he and Officer Taylor returned to the clinic.

Seeing the casings made her feel even less secure.

“Looks like thirty caliber.” Zach stepped closer and studied the back of one of the rounds. “They’re 30-30 to be exact.”

Abrams nodded. “Someone was holed up for a period of time, judging from the way the underbrush was trampled down. Could have been the guy from last night. He hides in the woods and watches for the doc to return, only he can’t see the parking lot in front of the clinic.”

“So he didn’t see squad cars parked there and didn’t realize law enforcement was on-site,” Zach mused.

“That’s what I’m thinking.” The sergeant scratched his chin. “If he didn’t find what he wanted last night, he could have waited for the doctor to return.”

“You’re sure he was after me?” Ella rubbed her hands together, trying to dispel her nervousness.

“Seems that way, although we can’t be sure,” the cop said. “Folks who commit crimes aren’t always the smartest people. He might have another reason to be lying in wait. We’ll process the prints we took earlier and see if any are on the shell casings. We might find new prints that match what we lifted last night. That would mean the attacker came back. If not, we could be dealing with two independent crimes, although that doesn’t seem likely.” He looked at Zach. “Anything come to mind?”

“Never say never.”

Abrams nodded. “That’s exactly the way I feel.”

The two Freemont officers headed for the door. “We’ll increase patrols in this area and keep our eyes open in case the shooter returns, but we’re finished here for now,” Abrams said. “We’ll stop by Mr. Miller’s farm and talk to him. Join us, Special Agent Swain, if you have time.”

Zach nodded. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll talk to Levi a bit later. If he happens to reveal anything of value, I’d like to be notified.”

“Will do.” Abrams turned to Ella. “Might be a good idea to install dead bolts and even an alarm system, Dr. Jacobsen. A watchdog would be a deterrent to crime, as well. Keep your cell charged and near you at all times. You might want to move to town until this case is solved.”

“I’m staying here, Sergeant Abrams. My patients need to know where to find me. I wouldn’t be much good to them if I was holed up in a hotel in town. Besides, I refuse to run scared.”

“I wouldn’t call that running, ma’am. I’d call it being prudent and safe.”

The cop shook Zach’s hand and nodded to her. “I’ll be in touch, Dr. Jacobsen. Don’t hesitate to call us if you think of anything that might have a bearing on this case.”

“I’ll be sure to do that.”

The officers left the house yet again. Ella stood at the window and watched as they climbed into their patrol cars. Then, letting out a deep sigh, she turned her gaze to the Miller home.

Levi’s wife, Sarah, was a sweet young woman, though somewhat reserved. Ella hoped that everything that had happened wouldn’t upset her unduly or cause her more worry. The baby was due in three months. Hopefully, the birth would be uneventful, but the last thing Ella wanted was for the young wife to be distressed.

Zach stepped to her side and followed her gaze. “You’re worried about Levi?”

“I’m more concerned about Sarah and their baby. They’ve requested genetic testing, but the results won’t come back for some time.”

“Do you suspect a problem?”

“There’s no way to tell until I hear from the lab.”

“Could the Miller baby have the same condition as the twins?”

Ella nodded. “It’s a possibility.”

Zach started to say something, but her office phone rang. She reached for the receiver.

“Children’s Care Clinic. This is Dr. Jacobsen.”

“It’s Nancy Vaughn, Ella.”

The director of the research center where Quin had worked.

“Is something wrong, Dr. Vaughn?”

“Actually, I’m calling to make sure you’re all right. A reporter from the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
asked for a statement about the medical symposium this Friday. He wanted to know if Dr. Jacobsen’s widow would be attending. I haven’t heard from you and thought there might be a problem.”

“You don’t need me there, Dr. Vaughn.”

“Quin’s death hit us hard, as you know, Ella. We were in the midst of gathering data and coming up with our final determination. Now that the studies have been completed, we want to recognize Quin.”

“I hardly think that’s necessary.”

“Don’t keep us from honoring one of our own, Ella.”

“No, of course I wouldn’t do that.”

“Then it’s settled. You’ll come to Atlanta and be with us this Friday. Freemont is only two hours from the city. There’s no reason to stay away.”

Ella picked up the embossed invitation. “Perhaps I’ll come for the symposium...”

“And the dinner following,” the director insisted. “I want you there. It’s a black-tie event, so that’s a good excuse to get a new dress. I’ll look forward to seeing you.”

“I’m not sure.”

“I won’t take no for an answer.”

Nancy Vaughn was like that.

Before the director could hang up, Ella quickly added, “Did you review Quin’s data on the Amish Project? I’ve looked through most of his notes, but I can’t find any discrepancies.”

“Discrepancies? Why are you questioning his work?”

“I’m not, but something bothered him, as I told you when we last talked. He was concerned about the response of twin patients who were given the treatment.”

“There were no problems, as I already told you.”

“But—”

“No buts. We’ll see you Friday.”

The director disconnected before Ella could say anything else.

She sighed as she hung up the phone, and then looked up to see Zach staring at her.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, nothing’s wrong. My husband’s research center is discussing their findings on CED.”

“The disease the twins have?”

Ella nodded. “I called the director when Mary Kate first brought the girls to the clinic.”

“It sounded as if you were concerned about something your husband found.”

“Quin was intense, especially when he was working toward a breakthrough. He became more and more upset about some results that he couldn’t understand. He kept saying the Amish twins held the answer.”

“You’re not talking about Shelly and Stacey.”

“No, there were other cases. Three sets of twins that hadn’t responded the way he had hoped.”

“You mentioned his notes on the Amish Project?”

“That’s what the CED study was called. The director, Dr. Nancy Vaughn, never wanted work taken home. There’s always a worry that some other clinic will get access to the data and use it as their own.”

“Stealing data for scientific gain or for financial compensation?” he asked.

“Probably both, although I don’t think Quin ever worried about his work being stolen. He was more concerned about why the treatment he had developed wasn’t effective.”

“The director couldn’t offer any answers?” Zach pressed.

“She has a lot on her mind and seemed surprised the last time we talked about Quin taking his notes home. I assured her he was careful to keep his files secure.”

“You’ve gone through his notes?”

“And found nothing.”

“Does that seem strange to you?”

Ella weighed her words. She didn’t want the special agent to jump to the wrong conclusions. “Quin’s entire focus was on his work, especially close to his death.”

Zach stared at her. “Does that mean he turned his focus away from you?”

It wasn’t a question she expected. “I didn’t say that.”

“But it’s what you didn’t say.”

She shook her head, suddenly flustered. “You’re reading more into my statement.”

“Am I?”

She dropped the invitation onto her desk and bent to pick up some of the scattered papers.

“I’m sorry if I upset you, Ella.”

“It’s not you.” She let out a deep breath. “It’s everything that’s happened.”

“You’ll feel better once the clinic is back in order. I’ll help you.”

“I don’t need help,” she insisted, although she did. But right now she was so confused and worried. Would her life ever get back to the way it had been?

“Perhaps you don’t, but I’m not leaving you alone with so much to do,” Zach insisted.

“You sound as strong-willed as my husband.”

Instantly, she regretted her remark. Zach wasn’t strong-willed, and he wasn’t anything like her husband. When she looked at Zach, she saw compassion and understanding in his gaze.

At least she thought she did.

Or was she as wrong about Zach as she had been about Quin?

* * *

Zach encouraged Ella to sit and direct him as he cleaned up the clinic, but evidently, she didn’t trust him to get it right, because she insisted on doing everything herself. At least she let him install the dead bolts she had bought some weeks earlier but hadn’t taken out of the shopping bag.

She had a toolbox filled with the basics, one that might have belonged to her husband. Although if the tools had been his, then Quin Jacobsen hadn’t been much of a handyman. Still, Zach found what he needed and soon had the dead bolts installed.

He checked her windows, relieved to find double-paned glass and substantial locks that would be hard to pry open.

“Sergeant Abrams mentioned a security alarm,” Zach reminded Ella, after securing the doors and checking the windows. “Even the most basic, easy-to-install wireless system, would be an excellent safeguard.”

She cocked her head and frowned. “And if the alarm goes off, who comes to my rescue?”

“The alarm service calls the Freemont police.”

“How long would it take them to respond?” she asked.

“As long as it takes them to respond to a 911 call. The idea is for the alarm to warn you if an area of your house, namely a window or door, is breached. In the middle of the night, you could sleep through someone trying to get into your clinic. The alarm would alert you.”

Ella stared at Zach for a moment and then nodded. “I see your point. The receptionist who works for me is married to an electrician. He might be able to install a system.”

“The sooner the better,” Zach added.

“What if the Amish decide I’m not someone they want treating their children?”

He didn’t understand her logic. “Because they’ll see the alarm system?”

“Yes, and because of the shots that were fired today. Am I being foolish?”

“Only if you don’t think of your own safety. The Amish may not even hear about the break-in at your clinic or the shooter in the woods.”

She sighed as she picked up a pile of files and returned them to the cabinet. “Obviously you haven’t been around the Amish. Even without modern conveniences like telephones and social media, news travels.”

A key turned in the door, surprising both of them. Zach stepped protectively in front of Ella.

The woman who pushed her way inside was dressed in light blue scrubs that covered her full figure. The embroidered emblem on her uniform read Children’s Care Clinic. Evidently the newcomer—in her midforties, with rosy cheeks and pink lipstick—worked for the doc.

The nurse opened her arms and headed straight for Ella. Zach had to step aside to keep from being run over.

“I’ve been so worried,” the woman gushed. “The police stopped at my house. They took my fingerprints and wanted to make sure I hadn’t given the clinic key to anyone. Why didn’t you call me?”

She wrapped Ella in a warm embrace.

“I’m fine, Wendy. You shouldn’t have worried. I planned to call you, but somehow time got away from me.”

“You were hurt and fought for your life? That’s the story I heard.”

“I wasn’t injured, but Mary Kate Powers is in the hospital at Fort Rickman with a gunshot wound.”

The woman pulled back, her eyes wide. “I had no idea. Tell me the twins weren’t hurt.”

“They’re fine and staying with their grandparents.”

Seemingly, the newcomer posed no threat. Zach stepped closer, and Ella introduced him to Nurse Wendy Kelsey.

“You’re from post?” she asked, after hearing “CID” in the introduction.

“That’s right.” Zach nodded. “I’m working with the Freemont police. How did you learn about the attack?”

“The cop who took my prints said someone broke in and attacked Ella.” Wendy patted her chest as she glanced at her employer. “I called your cell but couldn’t get an answer. I decided to drive here and see if I could find out what happened.”

“Someone ransacked the clinic this morning. Special Agent Swain is helping me tidy the clutter.”

Wendy stuck her purse in one of the cabinets and hung up the sweater she was wearing. “Why don’t you fix yourself a cup of tea and let me get to work.”

Ella visibly relaxed. “That sounds perfect. Thank you, but I’ll brew some coffee and be back with cups for everyone.” She turned to Zach. “You take yours black?”

“Black and strong.”

Ella headed to the hallway that led to her residence and returned ten minutes later with three steaming cups. The hot brew was exactly what Zach needed.

He and Wendy quickly cleaned up the remaining items, and the nurse had the place looking even better by the time he had finished his coffee.

“I’ll call the patients who have appointments and see if they can come another day,” she said. “In fact, I suggest the clinic remain closed through the weekend and open again on Monday.”

“Our Amish patients don’t have phones, Wendy. How can you contact them?” Ella asked.

“The twins were the only children scheduled for today. I’ll call their grandmother and cancel their visit and reschedule the other non-Amish patients. Thankfully, you don’t have any appointments with Amish patients for the rest of the week.”

“That’s a good idea.” Zach glanced at Ella. “The case may be solved by Monday. Plus it gives you more time to heal and gain your strength.”

“You might be right.” She stepped closer to the nurse. “I stopped by the Landerses’ house this morning and checked on the twins. They’re both doing well.”

“You’ve made a difference in those girls’ lives.” Wendy turned to Zach. “If Ella hadn’t diagnosed their condition, they wouldn’t have survived. That assured many of the local folks, when they saw the twins improve.”