Page 48 of Sworn to Silence
“Hello, Katie.” Sarah wears a navy dress with a black apron and a heavy winter cape. Her blonde hair is parted severely at the center and drawn into a bun at her nape, all of which is covered by the traditional Amishkapp. She’s two years older than me, pretty and expecting her first child in just over a month.
Rising, I round my desk, pull out the visitor chair for her and close the door.
“Have a seat.” After an awkward moment, I ask, “How are you feeling?”
It’s an uncomfortable question. This isn’t the first time Sarah has been pregnant. There have been three times that I know of. Each time she’s miscarried late in the second trimester.
She smiles. “I think it is God’s will that I have this baby.”
I return her smile. She’ll be a good mother; I hope she gets the chance.
“Did you drive the buggy into town all by yourself?”
She nods, her gaze flicking away briefly, and I know she’s here against her husband’s wishes. “William is at the horse auction in Keene.”
“I see.” Waiting, I watch her struggle with some internal conflict I can’t quite identify.
“I talked to Jacob,” she says after a moment. “He told me you went to the grain elevator. That Daniel Lapp may be alive.”
“It’s only a theory.” I can’t keep my eyes from sliding to the door to make sure we’re not overheard.
She continues as if she didn’t hear me. “All these years we believed he was with God.”
God. The word burns away the last of my patience. I want to tell her the son of a bitch who raped me is burning in hell where he belongs. “Even if he’s dead, I doubt he’s with God.”
“Katie.” Her eyes meet mine. “Someone was in the barn. Three days ago.”
The hairs at my nape prickle. “Who?”
“I do not know.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“I was milking and heard the hay chute door slam. When I looked, no one was there. But I saw footprints in the snow.”
“Were the tracks made by a man?”
“I think so. The shoes were large.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”
“At the time I did not think it important. But now...” She averts her gaze, then looks back at me with nervous eyes. “Do you think it could be Daniel? Is he back and killing?”
To consider the possibility that Lapp is not only alive but a possible threat to my family adds an edgy new dimension to the situation. “I don’t know.”
“What if he is angry with us for what we did and seeking revenge?” She lowers her voice. “Katie, I do not wish to burden you with my fears, but I believe the time has come for you to tell your English police about Lapp.”
I flinch. “No.”
“You do not have to tell them...all of it.”
“No.”The word comes out more harshly than I intend, but I don’t take it back. “Don’t ask me to do that.”
Sarah’s gaze remains steadfast on mine. “What if Daniel returns? What if he tries to hurt me or William?” She sets her hand on her swollen abdomen. “I have this child to think of now.”
Dread curdles like sour milk in my gut. I try to think of some way to reassure her. But I have no words. Leaning forward, I take her hand and lower my voice. “Sarah, listen to me. Jacob believes Daniel died that day. I think so, too.”
“Then why were you looking for his body?”
