The back quarter of Young’s parking lot closest to the family homes was filled with Amish buggies. Timothy nodded at them as he parked his car near the back entrance to the restaurant. “They’re here for the viewing.”
“Ezekiel’s body is in the house?”
Timothy nodded. “Been there since yesterday afternoon.”
I grimaced.
As Timothy and I walked to the front door, I asked, “Where’s his office?”
“It’s in the back of the restaurant. He shared it with his brother.”
Despite the wake happening a building away, the energy in the restaurant was festive. The buffet was set up for a second go at Thanksgiving dinner, and English guests loaded their plates. I didn’t know how they could eat a meal like that two days in a row. However, I doubted their Thanksgiving menu had been as extensive as mine.
Aaron waved at us as we passed the host stand, but we didn’t stop to chat. Instead we continued down a long hallway to the left. Uri approached us from the opposite direction. “Timothy, how is everything in the pavilion?”
“Fine,” Timothy said. “Can we talk to you?”
His head turned back and forth between us. “This is about my brother, right? I don’t know what more I can add to what my mother told you.” His brow furrowed. “I’ve spoken with the police already. Twice. Chief Rose is relentless.”
“I can vouch for that,” I said. “I was surprised to learn Abby Zug was your niece.”
Uri’s head jerked back. “Why’s that?”
“Her hair was cut too.”
“I know that, but it can’t be related to my bruder.”
“Why not?” Timothy asked.
“It doesn’t make any sense. It’s too random. You and the police have this all wrong. What if the person who cut off the girl’s hair wasn’t the same person who killed my brother?”
“But the haircutting . . .”
Uri shrugged. A waitress walked by and slipped into the restroom.
Timothy nodded in her direction. “I don’t think we should talk about it out here.”
“This is not a good time,” Uri said. “I need to get home for the viewing. If I’m away much longer, James will have my mother convinced to sign the flea market over to him.”
“Do you think James could have done this?” I asked even though I knew the sheep farmer had an alibi.
“Nee,” Uri said.
My cell phone rang. I reached a hand into my pocket to silence it.
“You should answer that.” Uri moved to step around me. “I have to go.”
I held up my hand. “What did you fight with Ezekiel about a week before he died?”
Uri sucked in air. “How would you know about that?”
Timothy watched Uri. “So, you did fight with him.”
Uri glared at him. “We had an argument about the business. Timothy, I suggest you stop this Englisch girl’s questions or you will be out of a job, and I will make sure your fledgling contracting career never starts.” He stomped away.
My cell rang again. This time, I removed it from my pocket and checked the read out. “It’s Miller.” I placed the device next to my ear.
“Chloe?”
“Hi, Miller. Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?”
Miller breathed heavily. “Leah tells me you are pestering her and her friends.”
I spotted a white bench outside of the restroom and sat. “I talked to them, yes. I told you I wanted to do that.”
“I know that. When I said you could talk to them, I didn’t think you would bother them.”
“I thought you wanted to find out who hurt them too.”
“Leah’s very upset by all your questions. I should have known better than tell you where to find her. The best thing for you to do is leave this to the police.”
“Miller, I didn’t mean any harm. I want to help.”
“The police don’t need any help. I’ll see you Monday.” He hung up.
Timothy arched an eyebrow. “That didn’t sound like it went well.”
“It didn’t. Leah told Miller I pestered her and her friends. He told me to stop investigating.”
“Will you?” he asked with a knowing smile.
“No. However, it does make me even more suspicious of Leah and her friends. When I spoke to Debbie this morning, she was scared, but she still wouldn’t tell me anything. Leah trained her well. If anyone in that trio will talk, it will be Abby.”
“You can play up her uncle’s death.”
I frowned. “That’s what I was thinking. Do you think she’s at the wake?”
“If James and Bridget are here, she is too.”
I bit my lip. “Do you think Uri will fire you?”
“I don’t know,” Timothy said.
“I don’t want that to happen.”
“Neither do I, but if he killed his brother, I don’t want to work for him.”
He had a point.