Page 46 of An Evil Heart
“All I can tell you is that it’s an open investigation. We’ve not made an arrest. The most important thing I need right now in order to do my job is information.”
Grimacing, she nods.
I send a pointed look toward the house. “I wouldn’t ask to speak with Emily if it wasn’t important.”
“Sitz dich anne.” Sit yourself there. She motions toward a picnic table beneath a big elm tree in the side yard. “Might do her some good to be outside, I guess. Get some fresh air and sun. I’ll go fetch her.”
Nearly ten minutes pass before I hear the slam of the screen door. I glance over to see Emily shuffle down the steps and start toward me. There’s a gauntness about her that hadn’t been there before. Angry-looking patches of acne glow red on her forehead and chin. A greasy-looking strand of hairhangs from akappthat isn’t quite clean. She moves as if in slow motion, her eyes as dull as tarnished brass.
“Hi.” I rise when she reaches me. “How are you holding up?”
“Okay.” She slides onto the bench seat across from me, her shoulders sagging.
“I know this is a tough time, so I won’t keep you.” I reclaim my seat. “I understand you were involved with Gideon Troyer before you started seeing Aden.”
Her eyes widen and she looks around as if looking for a place to run. “Oh… well.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her. “You can talk to me.”
“W-we went out a few times. You know, to a frolic or singing. That sort of thing.”
Singings are social gatherings for Amish teenagers, usually held after morning worship. Unmarried young people gather, sing songs, and socialize. During summer months, they might set up volleyball nets and both girls and boys play.
“How serious was your relationship?” I ask.
“It was… I mean… I don’t think it was that serious.”
It’s an indeterminate answer. Is she uneasy discussing Troyer because he’s the bishop’s grandson? Or because she two-timed him? “I know who he is,” I tell her. “Anything you and I talk about today, I’ll keep confidential if I can, okay?”
Another swallow followed by a nod.
“How serious was the relationship?”
“We liked each other just fine.”
“Who broke up with whom?” I ask.
“I quit him. I mean, Gideon was nice, but when I met Aden…” Shesighs as if remembering. “I just knew he was the one. Mamm and Datt liked him better, too. They thought Gideon was too old for me.”
“Was Gideon upset when you broke up with him?”
“Well, he wasn’t very happy. More hurt than angry.” Her brows knit. “I think he understood.”
“Was there a period of time when you were seeing both boys at the same time?”
Color infuses her face, confirming what I’ve already been told. “I tried not to do that, but Aden was so… good to me. And Gideon… just kept coming back…”
“Were there any problems between Aden and Gideon?”
She looks down at the tabletop. “Gideon might’ve been a little jealous. I mean, at first. But he’s that way. Strong, you know. Like hisdawdi.” Grandfather.
“Were there any fights or arguments between Gideon and Aden?” I ask. “Anything like that?”
“Not that I know of.”
Glancing down at my notebook, I change gears. “Emily, last time I was here, we talked about Aden and Vernon Fisher.”
“Ja.”
