The Amish Witness

“I am sorry if I upset you, Mary. But I am confused.” Again he turned his focus on Elizabeth. “Why is asking a simple question so difficult to answer? If Hannah loved it here as much as you say, if you are as close as sisters, then why hasn’t Hannah returned with you?”

“Because Hannah’s dead.”

Mary gasped. “What? Hannah died?” She placed the platters back onto the table and sank down into her chair.

Elizabeth’s words caused a heavy silence to descend on the room for several seconds.

Thomas, appearing surprised and chagrined, spoke more softly. “I am sorry you lost your friend. That must have been very difficult for you.”

“She was so young,” Mary said. “You never told me she was ill. I would have told you to bring her home. I would have helped care for her. When did this happen?”

Elizabeth knew she’d have to tell them the details. She should have told her mother last night, when she showed up on her doorstep unannounced. But she’d played mind games with herself, pretending that if she didn’t say the words out loud then they wouldn’t be true.

She folded her hands together again and braced herself. “Hannah wasn’t ill, Mamm. She was murdered.”

Neither Mary nor Thomas spoke, they simply glanced at each other then back at Elizabeth and waited.

Her thoughts did a somersault through her mind. How much should she tell them? How much was their right to know versus her desire to dump this heavy burden on other shoulders, too? With every passing second she was certain it had been selfish to come home and bring a potential danger with her. What had she been thinking?

She hadn’t been thinking. She’d simply known the Amish community always took care of their own, and her love of that community, her need for their guidance and their help, had brought her home.

“Tell us what happened.” Thomas’s calm tone soothed her. His strength gave her courage.

“Hannah and I had just rented a condo together. I was helping move some of her things. I came in the back door and—and...”

Mary reached over and clasped Elizabeth’s hand.

Elizabeth glanced back and forth between her mother and Thomas. She only saw empathy and kindness looking back. She inhaled deeply then continued the story. “I saw Hannah lying motionless on the floor of the kitchen. A man was bent over her, his hands around her throat.”

Mary cried out and offered a quick prayer.

“Go on, Elizabeth.” Thomas’s entire demeanor offered her encouragement and strength.

“I screamed when I saw what was happening. The man stood up and raced toward me. I turned and ran as fast as I could. He almost caught up with me but I got away.”

“How?” Mary asked.

“I learned how to drive while I was gone, Mamm. I jumped in my car and drove away.”

“And Hannah?” Mary asked.

“I called the police and then doubled back to the complex. Shortly after I got back, I saw them carry her body out on a gurney to the coroner’s van. There was nothing more I could do for her so...” She threw a glance between them. “I came home.”

Mary got up and threw her arms around her daughter. “As you should have.” She tilted Elizabeth’s chin to look at her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I should have,” Elizabeth replied. “I’m sorry, Mamm.”

“Now I understand.” Thomas’s voice caught both women’s attention. “The man who attacked you in the barn. He murdered Hannah and he followed you here.”

Elizabeth nodded.

Mary gasped again. “Is that who you were looking out the window for this morning?”

Elizabeth hugged her mother tightly. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I never should have come home.”

“Nonsense.”

“You don’t understand, Mamm. I have brought danger home to you, to this community.” Elizabeth sprang to her feet. “I need to leave.”

Mary caught her hand and stopped her. “Leave? Where would you go? What would you do? You cannot face this terrible thing alone.”

“Mary is right.” Thomas gestured to the seat Elizabeth had vacated. “Sit. Have another cup of coffee. We’ll talk and together we’ll decide what the right thing is to do.”

“Thomas.” Elizabeth’s eyes pooled with tears. “The man knows I can identify him. He can’t afford to let me get away.”

“What do you think he will do?” Mary asked. “Do you think he will try to kill you, again?”

“Ja, Mamm.” Elizabeth lowered herself back into her chair. “And anyone else who tries to help me. That’s why I have to go. I was wrong to come and it would be wrong to stay.”

“It is wrong to leave.” The iron steeliness crept back into Thomas’s voice. “Running is not the answer to problems. I would have hoped you’d have learned that lesson by now.”

A heated flush painted her cheeks. She knew his words had a double meaning. She hadn’t run away before. She had chosen to leave. For him. For his happiness. But she knew he couldn’t know that.

“I won’t be able to live with myself if anyone gets hurt because of me.” Her eyes pleaded with him to understand.

“No one will get hurt. The Amish community takes care of its own and you are still one of us, Elizabeth. We will talk to the bishop and ask his guidance. Everything will be all right.”

“Thomas is right. The bishop will have sound advice.” Mary sat down again. “Don’t worry. Gott will protect us.”

“He didn’t protect Hannah.” Elizabeth regretted the words the moment they left her lips.

“You must not question Gott,” Mary said, reprimanding her. “It was His will that Hannah be called home. And we must place this problem in His hands. He loves us. He has a plan for our lives. Whatever happens it will be His will. Trust Him, Elizabeth, always.”

She lowered her eyes in chagrin. “I do, Mamm. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”

“Finish your coffee.” Thomas gestured to her mug. “Tell us everything. We will make a plan to keep you safe.” Thomas’s resolve remained solid and steady.

Elizabeth dared to relax a moment, to allow someone else to help her carry the burden. The ghost of a smile crossed her lips as she looked at Thomas. He had always been there for her. He was there for her now. But she couldn’t miss his thundercloud expression as he said one more thing.

“This plan, Elizabeth, will not include running away.”

THREE (#u885f5f77-bf10-524b-8be4-42401bc115ef)

Elizabeth moved quickly through the barn toward the rear exit.

“Where are you going?” Thomas stepped out of the shadows.

She startled and spun in his direction. “Don’t creep up on me. You’re going to give me a heart attack.”