Vow of Silence Read online

  “Thank ya for lettin’ me help you, for not shuttin’ me out. For the last month, I’ve felt so lost and helpless. But comin’ here and talkin’ to Mr. Schwartz… It was hard, but at least I’m doin’ somethin’ to help find whoever did this. For the first time since Cassie died, I have hope. And I owe that to ya, Josiah.”

  She leaned over and hugged him. He tensed for a moment, but then his arms came around her and squeezed. She couldn’t resist turning her face into the side of his neck and taking a deep breath. What-ifs, possibilities, and sinful imaginations began filling her mind… Would his kiss taste the same? What would it be like to lie beneath him? She pushed the thoughts away.

  “I understand now…why ya do this,” she said, pulling back to look up at him.

  He regarded her a moment, his expression inscrutable, but she sensed regret when he stared at her. And maybe something more… Perhaps she wasn’t the only one experiencing this undercurrent of energy between them.

  She wished she knew his thoughts, but maybe it was safer if she didn’t. Josiah wasn’t the same man she once knew. He was darker, and no doubt experienced in ways she could never imagine. Once again, Hannah directed her thoughts back to the reason they were here, why Josiah was here. “Do ya think it’s a coincidence that Abby was goin’ to someone’s house when she disappeared? Just like Cassie.”

  “I don’t know. Every cause has an effect, and the devil is in the details.”

  She didn’t really know what that meant, but one thing she was sure of—the devil was most certainly here in Lancaster County.

  “It’s late. I should get you back home before it gets dark.”

  “What about the Hennessey’s? Shouldn’t we be goin’ there next?” Hannah might not have been sure about coming with Josiah when he’d initially asked for her help, but after meeting with the Schwartz, she saw the benefit in it and didn’t want to be left out.

  “What about Eli?”

  “He’s with Abel.”

  An uncomfortable silence settled in the car. Josiah reached forward and started the engine, then backed out of the driveway. Several minutes passed, and they were heading down the road toward the Hennessey’s farm when he finally spoke again.

  “Does he do that a lot? Help you out with Eli?”

  “He does now that Cassie’s gone. Abel owns a dairy farm, and Eli’s been helping him in the barn on the days I work.” Hannah wasn’t sure why she was compelled to explain or defend her position. Maybe it was to justify her own unease over Abel’s involvement in her life. She didn’t want Abel misinterpreting her acceptance of his help for something it wasn’t.

  “Are you going to marry him?”

  Josiah’s tone held the same tempered crispness it had the first time he’d broached the subject. Her gaze dropped into her lap. This was too personal, too uncomfortable. If there were any hope of something more developing between her and Josiah, then maybe it might be pertinent. But really, where could this go? Josiah was leaving as soon as the case was over—back to his life and, who knew, a girlfriend? Just because he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, it didn’t mean he wasn’t involved with someone. If she wasn’t careful, Hannah was going to get her heart broken all over again. And she had more than just herself to think about this time.

  Josiah seemed to take her silence as an admission.

  She glanced at him and noticed his white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel and the little muscle flexing in his jaw. He was angry, but not at her. Perhaps this whole situation was infuriating for both of them. Hannah’s pulse quickened, and the nervous flutter in her stomach returned. She didn’t want to have this conversation, but it was the second time he’d brought it up today. Exhaling a sigh, she answered him in the most honest way she could. “I don’t know, Josiah.”

  “Do you love him?”

  “Does it matter?”

  His expression darkened. “Of course, it matters,” he snapped.

  Her temper sparked just as quickly. Who was he to talk about the importance of love? It certainly hadn’t kept him from leaving her. And who did he think he was, walking back into her life, acting like he had a right to ask her these questions? If he wanted the truth so bad, then he could have it.

  Be careful what you wish for, Josiah Troyer…

  “No, I don’t love him. I’ve only loved one man in my life, and he broke my heart. Ya don’t have to love somebody to marry ’em. I need a man who can help provide for me and my son ’cause I can’t keep doin’ this all on my own. I’ve tried, and I’m failin’. I need someone who can be a good father to Eli. Love is a luxury I can’t afford.”

  “Fuck…” he growled, and again she flinched at his profanity.

  Josiah dragged his hand through his short hair, leaving it messy like the men on the cover of those magazines she tried not to notice when she stood in line at the grocery store.

  “Please don’t swear,” she chastised softly. “It makes me uncomfortable.”

  “I’m pretty sure there isn’t much about me that wouldn’t make you uncomfortable, Hannah.”

  He was probably right, and she could read between the lines of that statement. She was simple and sheltered—inexperienced. And Josiah was…well, not. So then why was his comment sparking her curiosity. One thing was for certain, these eight years had done nothing to dull the attraction between them, despite their concerted effort to ignore it.

  “Do you have a family in Minnesota?”

  He shook his head. “It’s just me and Dex.”

  His response should not have pleased her as much as it did. “A girlfriend?”

  He hesitated to answer, seeming to contemplate how much he wanted to tell her. Her anxiety spiked as she waited for his response. Surely, he must have someone. Look at him…

  “I was in a relationship that ended a few months ago.”

  Blast the relief slithering through her veins and the jealousy that needled her at the thought of someone else having what she’d always wanted. “I see…” she replied softly. Don’t ask him what happened. “What happened?”

  He shrugged. “She couldn’t handle my job. The long hours, my dedication… She wanted to be the most important thing in my life.”

  “And she wasn’t?” Hannah pressed.

  “Not even close… I guess she sensed it, too. It’s probably why she gave me the ultimatum—her or the job. I obviously chose the job. Looking back, I was probably a pretty shitty boyfriend.”

  “How long were you together?”

  “Two years. We lived together for six months.”

  “Did you love her?” Why was she torturing herself with these questions? What did it matter? It wouldn’t change anything. The car began to slow as they approached the Hennessey’s farm. She wasn’t sure if she was disappointed or relieved that this conversation would be ending.

  “I don’t think so. I wouldn’t have chosen my career over her if I did.”

  Hannah wasn’t expecting that answer, or the hope that took flight in her chest. Was he trying to tell her something? That it wasn’t too late for them? That for the right woman he’d give up his career? Would she let him do that, knowing how much the world and its victims needed him? And then reality splashed over her like a bucket of ice water. “What did you choose over me?” The words left her lips before she could call them back. Did his answer really matter? What’s done was done.

  Josiah parked the car then turned to look at her. He held her eyes with such intensity she forgot to breathe. “I did choose you.”

  What was he talking about? He didn’t choose her. He left her. He broke her heart and didn’t even offer to take her with him. Before she could point out the obvious and call him a liar, he opened the door and got out of the car. She bailed out after him and rushed to catch up with him before he reached the house. By the brisk, determined steps of his long stride, she could tell he was upset.

  Their conversation was officially over.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “That wasn’t very helpfu
l, was it?” Hannah didn’t have to be a homicide detective to know the interview could have gone better.

  Josiah shut the car door and started up the engine. “No, it wasn’t. You didn’t mention Mrs. Hennessey has Alzheimer’s.”

  “I didn’t realize it was so advanced. It’s too bad her husband didn’t see Abby. Maybe she never arrived. She could have disappeared any time after leaving the church.”

  Josiah backed down the driveway and was busy watching the rearview mirror when something blue caught the corner of Hannah’s eye. “What’s that?”

  He hit the brakes, and she was out the door before he could shift the car into park. Jumping out, he jogged after her.

  “It’s a corn maze,” she commented, stopping at the entrance of the field. Hannah bent over to get a closer look at whatever had caught her attention. “There…in the stalks.” She pointed into the field. “You see that basket with the bright blue cloth liner?”

  “Yeah, I see it. Wait here.” Josiah carefully stepped inside the field and stopped near a larger area of downed stalks. “Sonofabitch…” he murmured. “This is where he grabbed her, and no one saw a thing because he took her out through the back of the maze.”

  Josiah carefully retraced his steps and pulled his cell from his pocket. “This is Detective Troyer, I need a forensics team out to Robert and Dorothy Hennessey’s farm in Churchtown. I’ll send the address shortly. Tell them I think this is where Abigail Schwartz was abducted.”

  It wasn’t long before the farm was flooded with police officers. Three cars and a forensics van blocked the driveway. Yellow crime tape created a ‘do not pass’ perimeter near the entrance to the field. Hannah stood by Josiah’s car, watching as he took command of the team. He issued orders, overseeing the retrieval of the basket and blue cloth. Many photos were taken, and she overheard talk of footprints and mold casting.

  “Mrs. Adams…”

  Hannah turned to see an officer approaching. It took her a minute to recognize the man. She was better with faces than names, but his was forgettable, one of those that blended in with a crowd. He was neither attractive nor unattractive, just lacking definable qualities. He looked surprised to see her. When he got close enough, she glanced at the engraving on the pin fastened to his pocket. “Deputy Mills…” That’s right, now she remembered. He’d been one of the officers who searched Cassie’s room after she died.

  “How are you?” he asked.

  Hannah shrugged. “I’m all right, I guess. But it’s not easy.”

  “No, I’m sure it’s not. Do you know the Hennesseys?”

  “Not really.”

  “What are you doing here, then?”

  “I umm…” She stalled, not sure how much she should say about her cooperation with Josiah. “I’m here with Detective Troyer.”

  That earned her a raised brow. “Really…?”

  She shifted uncomfortably. It wasn’t what he said, it was how he said it and the way he watched her with that scrutinizing stare that discomforted her. She cast an anxious glance toward Josiah, worried she might have said something wrong, and was surprised to find him watching her—or maybe it was the deputy he had his eye on, since that was where his glare was aimed.

  Josiah interrupted the man talking to him and said something dismissive as he brushed past, leaving the guy holding a clear plastic bag with a white handkerchief inside it.

  “Hey, Mills…”

  Josiah’s voice was a sharp bark across the lawn that drew more than one set of eyes in their direction. His steps were clipped and determined, his expression dark as he approached. Nothing about this man resembled the Josiah Troyer she’d known.

  “What part of secure this scene did I not make clear?”

  She was taken aback by Josiah’s rudeness, and almost said something to him, but the look he shot her told Hannah not to interfere. For whatever reason, he did not like Deputy Mills and was making it clear he did not want the officer anywhere near her. Was it jealousy, or something more?

  “Yes, sir…” the deputy growled, with so much contempt, the fine hairs on the back of Hannah’s neck rose.

  “What did he say to you?” Josiah demanded once the deputy was out of ear shot. He gripped her arm, fingertips possessively curling into her biceps as he stepped closer—too close for what was proper.

  “Josiah, people are watchin’ us…”

  “I don’t give a shit. I want to know what he said, Hannah.”

  His gruffness and foul language offended her. She’d asked him before not to speak that way in front of her, and his disregard for her feelings made her angry. “Don’t ya be talkin’ to me like that, Josiah Troyer. You’ve got no call to be touchin’ me in public. Ya know the rules and what’s proper. Now, let go of me.”

  Seeming to catch himself, he released her and reached up, dragging his fingers through his hair. Exhaling a sigh, he leaned against his car when the clomp of horse hoofs coming to a stop on the road pulled their attention. From where she stood, she couldn’t see who climbed down from the buggy. The setting sun was in her eyes, and she raised her hand to shield them, trying to make out the approaching man.

  “Deacon Schrock…”

  “Good afternoon, Hannah. I was on my way home and noticed the police cars. Is everythin’ all right with the Hennesseys?”

  “Ja, they’re fine. Deacon Schrock, this is Detective Josiah Troyer. Detective, this is Deacon Schrock.”

  “Jessup’s son…” At Josiah’s raised brow, the deacon added, “Small community, word travels fast.”

  “Then you know why I’m here.”

  His warm smile faded. “Sadly, I do. It’s a terrible thing that’s happenin’—”

  “Yes, it is. I planned to stop by and visit with you, but since you’re here, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

  “Whatever I can do to help.”

  “Did Cassie Beiler or Abby Schwartz ever say anything to you about not taking their baptismal vows?”

  The deacon looked surprised by the question. His gazed darted to the activity near the corn field then back to Josiah. “No. Neither of the girls said anythin’ to me about that.”

  “But they were attending the instruction classes? You were meeting with them, correct?”

  “Yes, every Sunday before service.”

  “Were you at the church when Abby dropped off the preserves for the bake sale the day she disappeared?”

  “Yes, I was helpin’ organize it.”

  “Did you see her? Can you tell what time she left? Mrs. Hennessey doesn’t remember Abby being here.”

  Again, the deacon’s gaze strayed to the corn field. A troubled expression came over his face. “Was she taken here?” He gestured to the officers and yellow band of tape across the field entrance.

  Josiah nodded. “I believe she was. What time did you last see her, Deacon Schrock?”

  “At four-thirty, when I dropped her off here.” He paled and took a step back, bracing his hand against Josiah’s car. “I should have waited for her to—”

  “You dropped her off?” Josiah cut in sharply.

  “It ain’t your fault,” Hannah assured the deacon, shooting Josiah a scowl for snapping at him.

  “She’d dropped off the food for the bake sale and was walkin’ from the church… I was leavin’ and offered her a ride.”

  “Did you see anyone around here? Anything that struck you as strange?” Josiah pressed.

  “No… I…I don’t rightly think so.”

  Josiah could have done a better job at disguising his disappointment. The deacon was upset enough as it was. The last thing he needed was to feel worse about the situation.

  “Deacon Schrock, would ya be willin’ to bring me home?”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  “Hannah…” Josiah started to protest but she cut him off.

  “It’s okay, Josiah. Take your time and finish up here. It’s late and I need to get home. Abel will be returnin’ soon.” She turned to leave with the deac
on and then stopped. Glancing back, she told him, “Oh, and you didn’t have to be so rude to Deputy Mills. He was just askin’ me how I was doin’ since he was one of the officers at the house after Cassie died.”

  …

  He’d made a mistake… The white handkerchief was missing. He must have dropped it in the cornfield when he’d captured his last dove and hadn’t realized it until he was gathering his supplies to collect the next addition to his masterpiece. He’d hoped to slip into the field and correct his careless error, but he was too late. Police combed the area. Crime tape quarantined the entrance. There would be no getting in or out undetected.

  Damn Josiah Troyer… That cop was quickly becoming a pain in his ass. Why was Hannah there? Was he adding another player to their game? And make no mistake, this was a game—a game of cat and mouse, a game of wits… Only he was playing for keeps, and it appeared Detective Troyer was cheating. His MVP would give the detective a homecourt advantage. If Troyer wasn’t careful, he might just decide to level the playing field.

  Hannah didn’t fit his profile. Her purity was her protection, but he wasn’t above taking an alternate course to derail the detective’s investigation. None of them realized how close they danced with death. How easy it would be to pluck any of them from the flock and make them disappear. But he would swallow his pride—for now—and remain in the shadows, watching the detective hunt for the monster in their midst.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The sun had gone down by the time Deacon Schrock’s buggy pulled to a stop in Hannah’s driveway. His introspective silence concerned her, she could image the self-damning thoughts that must be going through his head. She’d been there herself not so long ago and still battled the guilt every day. He blamed himself for leaving Abby, just like she blamed herself for sending her sister to her death. Could Saul Heinz be the killer? Josiah seemed to think it was a possibility. Was she too trusting? Was her refusal to believe it was him self-preservation over common sense? Should she be wary of the man who’d been an invaluable friend since Jacob’s death?