Where Shadows Meet by Colleen Coble (15)

Reece stalked the roadside, kicking at dandelion blossoms and other blooming wildflowers. All he wanted to do was talk to Hannah, but she thwarted him at every turn. She never even gave him a chance to say he was sorry.

The kid was the key. He knew his wife, and she’d do anything for a child.

Her gentle nature had attracted him, but once he’d married her, he’d found her tough as shoe leather under that sweet smile. She had a way of defying him that most people wouldn’t notice because of its subtlety. Who would have thought she could have hidden herself away from him so completely for five years? She had to have had help.

But now he’d found her. He’d been so lonely without her. No one else looked at him with stars in her eyes. No one else turned to him for love and protection. She’d always made him a bigger man than he was. He wanted her to love him completely again. It was her duty anyway. The minute he’d met Hannah, he’d known she was the missing piece of his soul. If anyone could understand the demons that sometimes took him, it was her. She’d disappointed him, though. Sorely. But things would be all right again. He could explain, make her see he was only thinking of her and of their marriage.

He turned his thoughts back to the kid. Maybe they really could be a family. His head filled with notions of throwing a baseball on Saturday afternoons and taking her for ice cream. Fatherhood might not be so bad. They’d be the perfect little family. But he’d have to make sure this was the only kid. No more. He couldn’t handle a bunch of screaming brats.

Hannah hadn’t believed that he’d joined the Amish church. He really was trying. Their religion was a bunch of mumbo-jumbo to him, but at least he was giving it an effort. She should give him credit for making the attempt.

THE SMALL HOUSE radiated cleanliness. Hannah wondered about that. Most guys didn’t notice things like the soap dishes at the sink, but Matt’s were spotless. Did he have a cleaning service that kept this place up even when it wasn’t rented?

When she went back to the living room, Angie was stretched out on the sofa with her shoes off. Ajax lay beside her, his face a picture of contentment as she stroked his ears. Hannah dropped into the oversized chair and propped her feet on the ottoman.

“Nice place Mr. Detective Man has,” Angie said. “Fully furnished too. Wonder why he has a rental?”

“It’s pretty,” Hannah agreed. “It’s definitely a man’s place, though. The furniture is oversized and a little big for this room. No pictures on the walls. Nothing on the tables but lamps.”

Angie chuckled. “A woman’s touch would change that. Still, it’s nice. And everything is so organized in the kitchen.”

Hannah heard the sound of a vehicle, then a dog barking. Ajax’s ears perked, and he got off the couch and stretched before padding to the door. “I think he’s back.” She went to the door just as it opened.

Matt entered, lugging two cat carriers. His partner came behind him with two more. All four cats hissed when the dog barked. “It’s going to be a zoo,” he said, setting the carriers down on the tile floor in the entry. He appeared tense, and irritation hunkered in his eyes. “Have I mentioned that I hate cats?”

“Is that right?” It was all Hannah could do to keep a straight face. She knelt before the first carrier and opened the door. With a yowl, Spooky rushed out. Every hair on end, the black cat leaped over Ajax, who was crouched down peering into the cage. The outraged feline disappeared under the sofa.

“He won’t come out for hours,” Hannah said. “Maybe I’d better take the rest of them to the bedroom and let them out.” She lifted the carrier containing Marmalade and started down the hall. Matt followed with the other two carriers. “Thanks for getting them for me,” she told him.

He grunted in response, and her smiled vanished. “Look, I know it’s a trial to you. I’m sorry. You want us to go to a hotel or back to Aunt Nora’s?”

“No, you stay here. It’s just that I hate cats.”

“I think I heard that somewhere.” She smiled. When he didn’t respond, she gave a mental shrug. “Why do you have a rental anyway?”

“It was my first house. I got too good a deal to throw it away, so I’ve rented it out, and it’s paid off now. A good investment.”

“It’s a nice place. But I really don’t mind staying with Aunt Nora.” Hannah was dying to find out what her aunt knew, but she wanted to give Nora at least a day of grieving space. “Maybe we can go back in a day or so.”

“She said something about needing to tell you what’s been going on. But what’s her role in this?”

It was a piece that didn’t fit. “I wish I knew. Reece sent her the picture of the girl, and she mailed it on to me. Maybe he called her or something. Maybe he threatened her. Like you said, maybe he threw the Molotov cocktail in the window and she knows he did and why.”

He set the two carriers on the floor and opened them before answering. The cats poked their noses into the room before stepping daintily out onto the carpet. “I’m frustrated,” he said. “I’ve got no real direction on this murder. The guy who found the body was back at the scene today. I’ll follow that and see where it goes, but there’s no obvious motive.” He glanced at her. “I shouldn’t be saying anything about the case, but you’re easy to talk to.”

The warmth in his gaze brought heat to her cheeks. “Here I thought you hated me.”

“I’d like to,” he said softly.

The heat in her face kicked up a notch, and she looked away from the interest in his gaze. “About the murder. Maybe it’s a case of prejudice. The day I met Reece, some kids were throwing rotten tomatoes at me. He chased them off and took me for a soda.” If only she’d known then that his rescuer persona hid a controlling personality as well.

Matt stashed the carriers in the depths of the closet and backed out. “It’s possible. But murder is a far cry from pranks.” His tone went back to impersonal.

“Arson isn’t a prank,” she pointed out. “Remember those fires that took place before Mamm and Datt died? When you’re a farmer, that’s your livelihood.”

They walked to the living room. The back door was open, and Hannah could see Angie outside throwing a stick to Ajax.

“Did they ever figure out who was behind the rash of attacks?” he asked.

“No. This was about a year before my family was murdered. Before you got on at the sheriff’s department.”

“I’ll check out the old records. Maybe there will be a lead.”

She gestured to the couch, then curled up in the chair. “Have you reopened the investigation on my family?”

“It was never closed—it just went cold. But yeah, I’m trying to look for similarities. I always thought Long had to have an accomplice.” Her lips pressed together, and he knew who she thought that person had to be. “Tell me again about that night.”

“Reece was late that night. So late that I was attacked in the bridge.”

His head jerked up. “I never heard about that. What happened?”

“He got there in time to run them off.” A slight smile lifted her lips. “Always the rescuer.” She wanted to tell Matt her suspicions about Reece, but maybe it was anger and bitterness, not truth, that made her wonder if Reece could have been her parents’ killer. The more she’d thought about it over the years, the more convinced she’d become.

She eyed Matt. Would he even believe her? “I’ve wondered if Reece had something to do with the murders. Especially after he began to demonstrate his violent side.”

“Long was seen making the cookies,” Matt said.

“What about the symbol on the wall and the quilt?”

“What about it?”

“How did that relate to Cyrus? And what was his motive?”

He shrugged, but uneasiness flickered in his eyes. “I don’t know. We never found a motive or a connection to the peace symbol.”

“Well, I researched it. Wait here a minute.” She got up and went to the bedroom, where she dragged out the folder she’d kept all these years. When she got back to the living room, she opened it and flipped through it. “Here. I found the symbol and the Greek word. The word was anathema.”

“Anathema. Weird word. What’s it mean?”

She knew what it meant firsthand, but she kept her tone cool and clinical, though it took major effort. “It’s a person or thing cursed and devoted to destruction. It can also be a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication. Early on, the Catholic Church adopted the word anathema to signify the exclusion of a sinner from the society of the faithful, but it was pronounced mostly against heretics. And it can mean something that is completely destroyed for the glory of God. I think it’s someone who hates the Amish.”

“And the peace symbol?”

At least he was listening. She flipped to another page and pointed to the symbol. “It’s a peace symbol, like you said. But it’s also called Nero’s Cross. In this case, I think it’s meant as a warning to Christians. Nero used it to symbolize the destruction of Christianity. I think the killer meant it as a warning to exterminate my family.”

His eyes widened. “You mean the symbol we use for peace began as a hate symbol against Christianity?”

She nodded. “It was a visual representation of the way Nero crucified Christians upside down.”

Distaste twisted his mouth. “That’s sick. How did a hate symbol become associated with peace?”

“I don’t know, but let’s get back to the murder. It fits, Matt. Our people have been victims of misguided people for centuries. I don’t expect you to understand.”

His hand closed on the folder. “Can I look at this stuff?”

She didn’t want to let it go. It was the accumulation of years of searching. “Just be careful with it. Could you make copies and get it back to me tomorrow?”

He rose with the folder in his hand. “I’ll go one better. I’ll go to the office and make copies and bring it back tonight.”

He was more perceptive than she’d realized. And kinder than his gruff voice let on. She remembered Reece had taken credit for getting the younger man on at the sheriff’s department. “You knew Reece on the force, right? You were partners?” she asked.

Matt went toward the door without meeting her gaze. “I knew him.”

She caught up with him in the hall. “How well did you know him?”

“Well enough, but that has nothing to do with the investigation.”

Her warm feelings toward him vanished. “It might if it interferes.”

“I’m a professional. My personal life doesn’t intrude on my job.”

She stood her ground when he started to step past her. “If that’s true, then what are you hiding?”

He folded his arms across his chest. “It’s not a big deal, okay? He was a foster kid that my grandmother raised. He came back to visit her sometimes, and I met him there. I was a punk kid with an attitude, and he tried to help me.” His frown deepened. “Which made it hurt all the more when he ran off with you without a word and stole my gun.”

Hannah didn’t hide the surprise in her voice. “Trudy Beitler is your grandmother? Reece talked about her a lot. He said she was wonderful.”

“Have you met her?”

Hannah shook her head. “Her daughter Irene was my mother’s best friend, though.”

“Irene’s Englisch.”

“My mom was Englisch.”

“You’re kidding!”

She shook her head. “She met my dad when she was eighteen. Actually, Irene introduced them. Mamm always said he was worth more than any TV set.” She smiled at the memory. “It doesn’t happen very often. The Amish are always a little doubtful that anyone who has lived in the world can make that change, but my mom showed them.”

“Did you ever meet my aunt Irene?”

“She saw me in a store one day and came up to ask if I was Patty’s daughter. I didn’t know who she meant for a minute. Everyone I knew called Mamm Patricia. Irene told me about their friendship. I saw it in action a few minutes later when Mamm saw her and came to chat. Mamm was so glad to see her. She even shared some news no one else knew but me and Datt.Were you and your aunt close?”

He shook his head. “Nope. She raised my sister, Gina, though. Your mom didn’t ever go see her?”

So did he understand the pain of losing parents too? “Datt would have been upset with her, and Mamm never wanted to rock the boat. Her parents were dead and her only sister had moved to Maine, so there was no Englisch family left in town. My mother left that life completely behind her.”

“Her friendship with Irene too?” Matt asked.

“I guess so. She wasn’t part of my life growing up. Does she still live here?” Maybe she’d reach out to Irene, find out more about her mother’s life.

“Yep. In the same house.”

“Did you live with your grandmother instead of your aunt?” she asked, curious if he’d answer the question.

He shrugged. “When I was eight, my dad hanged himself. My mom decided she wasn’t cut out for motherhood and vamoosed. I haven’t seen her since.” His voice crackled with hostility. “My aunt couldn’t handle a rambunctious boy.”

Her maternal heart gave a pang. “A child should know his mother. Matt, have you learned anything about the girl in the picture?”

He grabbed hold of the doorknob. “When have I had time to look? I’ve been chasing after your cats.” His gaze shuttered. He opened the door and exited.

She stared after him. Why wouldn’t he help her find the child? His demeanor changed every time the subject came up.

THE OLD PICKUP caught air over the potholes in the road. Reece forced himself to slow down. The old truck couldn’t take that much abuse. The Schwartz farm was just over the next hill, and he could barely make out its windmill from here. But his target this evening wasn’t Hannah. He pulled to the side of the road and watched the neighboring house.

Ellen Long had to be home, because her black car was in the driveway. He’d wondered why she didn’t go to Moe Honegger’s funeral. Had she remarried? He’d never heard. A light flickered on in a downstairs room as twilight fell, additional confirmation that the woman was inside. Reece let the truck roll forward and turned in behind the Saturn.

A dog barked at the loud screech the truck door made when he opened it, but it didn’t come to challenge him. Too bad. He was in the mood to kick something. Nothing had gone as planned so far. Hannah wasn’t staying at her family farm, and he’d lost track of her. He hoped Ellen Long might shed some light on the situation. Of course, all he really had to do was grab the kid, but it wasn’t as easy as he’d thought. Taking her from under Matt’s watchful eyes would be difficult. Besides, things weren’t quite in place. It was one thing to grab the kid and Hannah, and another thing to escape with them before Matt ran him to the ground.

He couldn’t tell himself why it was so important that he find Hannah. After all, once he had the kid, Hannah would come to him. But his soul craved the sight of her. He’d been lonely the last five years, and not a day went by that he didn’t long for her. He saw himself in her eyes as strong and powerful. Only Hannah had ever truly loved him. She was the linchpin that kept his life together. After she left, everything had gone sour for him.

And he’d blown it. But he’d be gentler this time. He’d keep her with him forever.

He jogged to the side door and knocked hard. From inside he could hear the murmur of the television. He knocked again and finally heard the shuffle of feet on the floor. The white door opened, and a woman peered out. If he hadn’t known it was Ellen Long, he wouldn’t have recognized her. She wasn’t the fashion plate he remembered. Instead, she wore paint-stained sweats. A rubber band caught back her blond hair, and she wore no makeup. Her feet were bare.

“Yes?” she said in a tone that suggested she wanted to get back to her TV.

“Hi, Ellen, how are you?” He put on his most winning smile but also slipped his foot in the door so she couldn’t close it. It was a good thing he did. As recognition swept over her face, she tried to slam the door. “I’d like to talk to you for a minute.”

“I have nothing to say to you,” she spat. “You left town with that little Amish tramp.”

His muscles tensed. “Don’t talk about Hannah like that. You got what you wanted. Your husband out of the way.”

“What good was that when you left me?” Her voice thickened with tears. “I’ve missed you, Reece. We used to have some good times.” She slumped against the doorjamb. Her hard gaze softened. “It’s been a long time. You surprised me. Want to come in?” She reached out and touched his face.

What had he seen in this woman? He realized he’d used her, but right now she disgusted him. Being around Hannah’s purity had spoiled him for women like this. He recoiled. “I don’t think so, Ellen. Did you know Hannah was back in town? Have you seen her around?”

Her eyes glittered, and her mouth twisted. “Can’t keep your wife under control?”

“We’re separated,” he mumbled. “Look, just answer the question.”

“No, I haven’t seen her.” She gave a pointed stare at his foot. “Now get your boot out of my doorway and leave me alone. Unless you want to come in after all? Just once for old times’ sake?”

He wasn’t even tempted. She needed a lesson about respect. Reece clenched his fists and moved toward her, but a car slowed in front of the house. He glanced behind him and saw its turn signal flashing. There was no time to teach her a lesson. He sent a warning glare her way, then stomped back to his truck and accelerated away. Maybe a cruise through town would turn up some clue as to Hannah’s whereabouts.