It took me a few seconds to comprehend what Marvin had told us. “Oh no,” I said finally. “Poor Mary. I can’t believe it.” I wiped the tears that began to spill down my cheeks. “Are they sure? I mean, are they positive it’s her?”
“Well, the sheriff said it’s definitely Mary,” Marvin said gently. “I wish I could tell you somethin’ different, but I can’t.”
“Do you know any other details?”
Marvin wrinkled his forehead in thought. “Just what Dottie told me. A body was reported found somewhere near the turnoff toward town. It was pushed over to the side, buried in brush. No idea how many people went by without seein’ it. Seems someone stopped to check their tire chains and found her.”
“So she was hidden, just like the first woman?” Levi asked.
“Was the other woman found under brush as well?” I asked. “Noah mentioned she was near some trees.”
“No,” Levi said. “She was lying in that small section of red cedar trees that line the road about halfway between the main road and town. We didn’t tell anyone because the sheriff said they didn’t want all the details reported.” He sighed. “Mercy Eberly thought her cat might be hiding there. He’s done it before. That’s how she found the dead woman.”
“I guess I pictured her as being more visible than that,” I said.
Marvin shook his head. “Too many people passed her by. If she was easy to see, it woulda been reported a lot earlier. Seems like the killer wants the women found, but not too fast.”
I shivered. Thinking about where a body might be hidden from view put a more vivid picture in my head than I was willing to allow.
“Lizzie is . . . was friends with Mary,” I said. “She’ll be devastated.” I looked at Marvin. “Does she know?”
He shook his head. “Noah and Lizzie just put a phone in at their house, but it’s been pretty unreliable. Sometimes it works and sometimes it don’t. We tried callin’ them last night, but we couldn’t get through. Then ours went out too.” He cocked his head. “Yours workin’?”
“No. We lost it last night,” I said.
Marvin sighed. “This news is gonna hurt Lizzie a lot. I don’t look forward to tellin’ her about it.” He rubbed his gloved hands together. “Now, what are we gonna do with you two?”
“Do with us?” Levi asked. “What do you mean?”
Marvin looked uncomfortable. “This storm isn’t over. It’s gonna hit again real hard tonight. I can’t leave you two here. Don’t look . . . proper.”
Levi nodded. “I feel the same way, but I’m not sure what to do about it.”
“I think you should come back with me, son,” Marvin said. “Leave the young lady here. She’s got plenty of supplies.” He gazed around the room. “Did you lose your electricity?”
I nodded. “But the generator’s going.”
“Prediction is that this second system will move out in a few days. After it’s done with what it’s doin’, our farmers will start comin’ into town with their tractors and snowplows. You’ll be fine.”
“You can’t guarantee that,” Levi said, frowning. “I can’t leave her here alone with a killer on the loose.”
“It’s all right, Levi,” I said. “I’ve got heat and food. And like Marvin says, it won’t be long before the tractors start showing up. I won’t be alone for long.” I didn’t mean a word of what I’d just said, but I couldn’t see any other choice. If Levi could leave, he had to do it. Truthfully, the idea of staying here by myself after finding out about Mary frightened me. Would I be safe?
“No,” he said firmly. “I have no intention of leaving you here without protection. Not with some crazed killer running around.”
“I doubt any killer can get through all this snow,” Marvin said with a smile. “Don’t think he’d risk drivin’ a big tractor down the middle of the main street of Kingdom just to get at Callie.” He put his hand on Levi’s shoulder. “Look, son, if I thought the young lady was in any danger, there ain’t no way I’d take off. But the truth is, she’s safe. She’ll be fine. We’ll get to her before anyone else.”
Marvin’s point about the snow made me feel better—and even more determined to protect Levi’s reputation. “Maybe this is the time to break out that famous faith of yours, Levi,” I said. “Can’t you believe God will protect me?”
I knew my comment was somewhat challenging, but Levi’s faith was the one thing I knew he’d respond to. The only thing that might make him leave with Marvin. If he really believed God would watch over me, how could he be afraid to leave me at the restaurant?
“I do have faith, Callie,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean I should be reckless in regards to your safety. If I can’t stay with you, we’ll all have to leave together.”
“All three of us can’t ride outta here in my old tractor,” Marvin said, rubbing his beard. “I can barely fit in.” He patted his large stomach. “There’s no way we can get all of us in that cab.” He shook his head. “It ain’t safe, son. I’m takin’ a chance just with you.”
“Callie can sit on my lap,” Levi said firmly. I recognized the look on his face. When Levi made up his mind, that was it. It would take an angel sent straight from heaven for him to change his opinion.
Marvin studied him for a moment before saying, “I want to say yes, Levi, but I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Then I’m staying here. There’s no other choice.” He nodded at his stepfather. “You better get going before that bad weather moves in. I’m sure Mama’s worried about you.”
I was wondering just how much worse the weather could possibly get when I heard the sound of another engine outside. I got to the window just in time to see Noah’s truck pulling up in front.
“It’s Noah,” I exclaimed.
“Reinforcements,” Marvin said, relief evident in his voice. “That big truck of his can get through anything.”
We hurried outside to greet Noah. I stayed near the doorway, but I could see heavy chains wrapped around his tires. I knew some of the farmers, like Marvin, used chains in the winter, but I had no idea Noah had them too.
“Lizzie sent me to check on Callie,” Noah said, climbing out of his truck. “She’s worried about her.” The snowdrift in front of the restaurant was so deep he immediately sank up to his knees. “What are you two doing here?”
“I just got here a little while ago,” Marvin called out. “Your mother was worried about your brother, since he didn’t come home last night.”
Noah stopped in his tracks and gaped at Levi. “You didn’t go home? Where were you?”
“I was here,” he said defensively. “With Callie. I drove her back from the church, thinking I’d go home after that. But the storm was too bad, and we had no choice but to hunker down here.”
Noah frowned, but he didn’t say anything about our situation. “Well, I’m thankful you’re both safe.” He pushed through the snow, grabbed hold of the railing, and pulled himself up. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to come in and get a cup of coffee. It was a long ride over here.” He stopped and pointed at the boards protecting the front window. “Looks like you had some damage.”
“Wind blew out the window,” Levi said. “Made a big mess, let me tell you.”
I held the door open. “I’ll get you some coffee, Noah. Come inside.”
All three men trudged back into the dining room. I pulled an extra rug up for them to wipe their feet on.
“Sit down,” I ordered. “I’ll bring out more coffee.” With that, I turned around and went to the kitchen. Once I got there, I quickly put another pot of coffee on the stove just in case we were here for a while. Not wanting to put too much strain on the generator, I ignored the large metal coffee makers. I poured the rest of the hot coffee from the other pot into a new carafe, grabbed a couple of cups and headed for the dining room. As I entered, Marvin smiled widely
at me.
“We got the situation figgered out,” he said. “I’m takin’ Levi with me. You’ll go to Noah and Lizzie’s. That way, everyone’s safe, and you and Levi aren’t left in a . . . compromising situation.”
“I think it’s for the best,” Levi said. “At least I’ll know you’re safe.”
“And it might just save your reputations,” Marvin said.
Levi bristled. “I would hope our friends know us well enough to trust us.”
“They do, Brother,” Noah said. “But it’s our job to think of the weaker members of our church family. Any appearance of evil—”
“Saving our lives wasn’t evil,” Levi snapped.
Noah’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean . . .”
Levi waved his hand toward his brother. “I know. I’m sorry. This is the right decision. I just get a little weary of worrying about what people will say.”
Marvin grunted and took a quick sip of coffee. “I guess I gotta point out that it’s a pastor’s job to consider what’s best for his flock.”
Levi took a deep breath. “You’re right. This has been quite an ordeal. And then to find out about Mary Carson . . .”
Noah stared at his brother. “Mary? What about her?”
“Your mother got a call last night from Julene Klassen,” Marvin said. “You know, the lady with the dog rescue group in Washington?”
Noah nodded, looking confused. I could tell Marvin was having a difficult time telling him the news about Mary. Noah and Roger Carson were close friends, and Mary had grown up in Kingdom.
“I’m sorry, Son,” Marvin said gently. “But they found Mary dead, not long before the storm moved in last night. It looks like the same killer.”
Noah’s face crumbled. “I . . . I can’t believe it,” he said, his voice breaking. He looked at his brother with tears in his eyes. “First it was someone we didn’t know, but this time it’s too close to home.”
Marvin got up and put his hand on Noah’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, boy. I really am. Bringin’ you bad news isn’t something I enjoy.”
“I know.” Noah cleared his throat and fought to regain his composure.
“At some point, the sheriff will be askin’ everyone where they were when Mary was killed,” Marvin said. He looked back and forth between Levi and me. “You’re both gonna have to tell the truth about where you’ve been.”
“Maybe we can tell him privately,” Levi said. “Since we didn’t have anything to do with Mary’s death, perhaps he’ll allow us to give him our—” He stopped and frowned.
“Alibi,” Noah finished for him. “It’s called an alibi.”
“Thank you, Brother. Our alibi behind closed doors.”
I didn’t say anything, but for some reason, I felt sick to my stomach. The idea that I even needed an alibi was extremely disturbing.
“Why don’t you pack a suitcase, Callie?” Noah said. “We should get going.”
“I agree,” Marvin said. He quickly told Noah about the second system moving in.
Noah shook his head. “I didn’t know that. The batteries in our radio are dead.”
“Aren’t there extra batteries here?” Marvin asked.
“A whole drawerful,” Noah said sheepishly. “Lizzie told me more than once to take some home. When we couldn’t listen to the radio last night, she wasn’t too happy with me. I’ll grab some now.” He got up and went to the kitchen.
I stood to my feet. “I’ll go pack. And I’ve got to make sure the cats have plenty of food.”
“I’ll help you with the cats,” Levi said.
I nodded and he followed me to the kitchen. When I opened the door, we found Noah putting batteries in a plastic bag.
Levi leaned against the sink and waited for his brother to leave. “I’m sorry about all this, Callie,” he said once Noah was gone. “I really don’t think I could have left you here alone. I feel a lot better knowing you’ll be safe with Noah and Lizzie.”
“I do too, but now I’m concerned about Lizzie and Charity. They’re by themselves. The news about Mary makes me fear for their safety.”
“I hadn’t considered that.” He sighed. “I think you’re right. You and Noah need to get back as soon as possible.” He grabbed my hands in his. “I’m going to miss you. I loved having this time with you. I can hardly wait until we’re married. You know, last night was the most relaxed I’ve been for quite a while—and that’s even with broken glass sticking out of my back.”
Love for him washed through me. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Levi.”
He let go of my hands and wrapped his arms around me. “From now on, we’re not going to let anything or anyone come between us.”
I buried my face in his chest. “I hope you’re right. I really do love you.”
“I love you too, Callie. More than I can say.” He leaned down and kissed me. “We won’t be apart much longer.”
I didn’t respond, just nodded.
“You get packed,” he said, his voice husky with emotion. “I’ll feed the cats, and then I’ve got to check on Stormy. Make sure he has everything he needs until I can get him home.”
“Okay. Be sure to leave all the animals plenty of food. We don’t know how long we’ll be gone.”
“I will.”
I hurried upstairs. It took me a while to pack because I couldn’t decide what to take. When I was done, I put on my cloak and picked up my valise. Then I stood and looked around. Leaving the apartment made me sad, but the idea of spending a day or two with Lizzie would be good for me. I needed her calming influence and her sound judgment.
As I came down the stairs, Levi was just coming out of the kitchen. He shook his head as I joined him. “Those cats didn’t wait a minute before they started devouring what I put down for them. It’s a wonder they don’t weigh more than I do.”
“What about Stormy?”
“He’s fine. Matthew has lots of hay in the barn. I’ll have to pay him back when this is all over. I hope he’ll understand.”
“Matthew may have a hard time loving people, but he is very kind to his own horse. I’m sure he’ll agree with our decision to put Stormy there.” I sat my valise down near the bottom of the stairs. “I’ve got to clean up the kitchen before we leave. You’ll have to entertain your brother and your stepfather.”
Levi gave me a sheepish grin. “I left the kitchen in kind of a mess, didn’t I?”
“It’s not too bad. Won’t take me long to clean it. Besides, it was worth the great breakfast.”
“I’ll bring in the dishes. It’s the least I can do.”
I clucked my tongue. “Yes, it is.”
Levi laughed and headed to the dining room while I went to the kitchen. By the time everything was cleaned up, it was almost five-thirty and already getting dark outside. Between the clouds moving in and the sun going down, it looked like midnight. I joined Noah, Levi, and Marvin at the front door.
“I’ve put out the fire, and I’ll turn off the generator as we leave,” Noah said. “It’s so cold, the food should keep.”
“What about the cats?” Levi asked. “Will it be too cold for them?”
I shook my head. “The basement stays pretty warm. I left the door open just wide enough for them to go down there if they want to. They’ll be fine.”
“Okay. Let’s get going before it gets any worse out.”
Levi took my valise, carried it out the front door, and put it in Noah’s truck. Then he helped me inside. “Don’t worry about anything,” he said earnestly. “Everything will be all right. I’ll come to see you as soon as this new storm passes.”
“All right. Be careful going home. I’m not sure how safe that tractor is.”
“I’ll be fine. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I said.
He kissed me one last time and then closed the truck door. I watched as he climbed up into the cab of Marvin’s tractor. It looked like an incredibly tight fit, making it clear it would have been impossible for the three of us to ride together. Marvin started the engine, and it roared to life. After turning off the generator, Noah watched to make sure the large machine got turned around and headed in the right direction.
“They’ll be okay,” he said as he got into the truck. “Don’t worry.”
“I wish your phone was working,” I said. “I’d like to hear that they made it home safely.”
Noah put the truck into gear. “I’ll take a look at it when we get home. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Could be the storm that’s affecting it now though.” He smiled. “It’s a new world, isn’t it? A phone in the house. And we’re planning to add electricity in the spring.”
I looked at him in surprise. “Really? Why?”
“With the electric company expanding this way, I want to make sure my family has what they need. This past summer was so hot that Charity got sick. She wasn’t brought up without air conditioning the way we were. I don’t want to put her through that again. That doesn’t mean we’ll be ordering a TV anytime soon. I saw some television when I was away at college. There are some great programs on TV, but most of it I can do without. Besides, I don’t think we need it. But no matter what we choose for our family, people in our community must make their own decisions.” He looked over at me. “Living a simple life should be by choice, not by edict.”
“What about news and weather?” I asked. “I wonder sometimes if we’re cutting ourselves off from some important information. None of us knew about the killings in this area until the sheriff came here.”
Noah shrugged. “I have a weather radio that gives me important updates.” He grunted. “When I keep batteries in it, that is. And as far as news reports . . .” He looked out the window for a moment. “With some of the awful things happening in the world, I’d rather count on the sheriff to notify us when there’s something that might directly affect Kingdom. I don’t want all that terrible stuff in my head.”
As we passed by the school, I suddenly thought about Leah. “Noah, what about Leah? She lives behind the school. Shouldn’t we check on her?”
Noah shook his head. “She went to stay with Lizzie’s parents before the first storm moved in. They always keep a close eye on her. They treat her like their second daughter.”
That explained why I hadn’t noticed her lights on last night. “Oh, good.” I settled back into the seat of the truck. The heater warmed up the interior nicely, and I felt very comfortable. I tried to put worries about serial killers out of my head for a while. It didn’t take long before I felt my eyes beginning to close. I’d just decided to give in and grab a short nap when I felt a hard jolt and heard Noah cry out.
“Hold on, Callie!”
I looked out the window and realized that the truck was spinning on the snow. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. It was only at the last second that I realized where we were. With a sickening thud, the truck slammed into the trees on the side of the road. The red cedar trees.