Page 103 of Sworn to Silence
“I swear to God I’ll have your job for this.”
Taking hold of the cable, he braces his legs against the side and drops into the hole like a rock climber.
“Tomasetti, damn it, stop playing games. I want to leave.”
No answer.
“Damn it! There’s nothing there!” I look around wildly. For a crazy instant I actually consider pulling out the cable and stranding him. Of course, I can’t do that. I’m going to have to deal with this. With what I’ve done. The secrets I’ve covered up all these years.
My entire life flashes before my eyes. My career will be ruined. My parents’ memory, their reputations, will be dragged through the mud right along with the rest of the Amish community. My brother and sister and nephews will suffer. I could find myself facing a grand jury. Worse case scenario, I could be tried and sent to prison for murder...
I rush to the pit and look down to see Tomasetti shove a piece of plywood out of the way with his foot. I can see the skull from where I stand. Dizziness descends. I feel sick and terrified. I can’t believe this is happening.
“What the fuck?”
Turning away, I press my hand to my stomach. I can’t cover this up. It’s over. The secrets end here. Nausea seesaws in my gut. I make it ten feet before I throw up. The thud of my knees hitting the ground surprises me. I’ve been knocked unconscious before, but I’ve never fainted. The swirl of confusion tells me I’m close now. Somehow I lose time, seconds or maybe even minutes, because the next thing I know Tomasetti is kneeling beside me.
I jolt when his hand touches my shoulder. I’m embarrassed and humiliated, but I’m not sure I’m finished puking so I don’t move. I don’t acknowledge him. I look down at my gloves in the dirt and I feel like crying.
“You okay?” he asks after a moment.
“What do you think?”
“I think you’ve got some explaining to do.”
I dry heave and spit.
He waits a moment before speaking. “Those remains. Do you know who it is?”
I close my eyes, squeeze them tight. “Yes.”
“Who?”
“Daniel Lapp.”
“Who’s Daniel Lapp?”
“An Amish man.”
“How long has he been dead?”
“Sixteen years.”
“How did he die?”
“Shotgun blast.”
“Do you know who killed him?”
“Yes.”
He pauses. “Who?”
“Me,” I say and the tears come in a rush.
CHAPTER 26
John had experienced a lot of bizarre moments in his years as a cop. He’d even partaken in a few he didn’t like to spend too much time dwelling on. This one took the cake. An admission of murder was the last thing he expected when he followed Kate Burkholder here tonight.
