Mary Alford - Amish Country Murder

Sutter remembered her reference to God. “Have her ask around the churches in town.” He explained what Catherine had said.

“I’ll do it now,” the sheriff replied, and took out his phone.

Sutter went over to Catherine’s bedside. Every little move he made sent shards of pain through his head. Whatever drug the killer had used to knock him out was leaving him groggy.

“How are you feeling?” he asked Catherine, his concern for her greater than his own pain.

Her blue eyes appeared huge. Haunted. “I just want this to be over.”

“I know you do. We’re doing everything in our power to find this guy.” Yet so far it hadn’t been enough.

“But he got away, didn’t he?” she asked, holding Sutter’s gaze.

He hated telling her the truth, but he had to. “Yes, I’m sorry, he did.”

“He won’t stop coming after me, will he? He can’t afford to let me live,” Catherine said, and shivered at the thought.

Sutter wished he could think of something to ease her fears, but this killer was ruthless and resourceful. He didn’t like the idea of keeping Catherine at the hospital any longer than necessary.

When the sheriff ended his call and came over, Sutter asked him about moving Catherine.

“Until we catch this guy, we need a place he won’t think to look for her. Any suggestions?”

Sheriff Collins never wavered. “I may know a place. I’ll have to clear it first, but I think she’ll be as safe there as anywhere.”

“Where are you talking about?” Sutter asked.

“The West Kootenai Amish community nearby.” The sheriff waited for his response.

That was the last place Sutter expected the sheriff to recommend. “You think that’s wise?” he asked. “The Amish are a private, peaceful people.” Bringing a killer’s target into their quiet environment would not be condoned by the bishop.

“I don’t see that we have many options. We need Catherine safe and I know the bishop pretty well from some dealings in the past. I’ll speak with him and clear it,” Sheriff Collins said. “And there’s another reason why I suggested the community. My former deputy joined the Amish faith several years back. His name is Noah Warren. He and his wife and daughter live on the outskirts of the West Kootenai community.” The sheriff glanced at Catherine. “If I needed a safe place to disappear, it’s where I would choose to go.”

Hearing a former deputy had joined the Amish community was something Sutter was not prepared for. Leaving the modern world behind for a simpler way of life was something Sutter found himself longing for with each new case that came his way. He looked forward to meeting Noah Warren.

Despite Sheriff Collins’s assurances, Catherine appeared worried.

“I’ll be right there with you at all times,” Sutter told her. “I’m not letting you out of my sight for a minute until I know for certain we have this guy in custody.”

She managed the tiniest of nods. The hope in her eyes scared him. She was counting on him to save her. What if he couldn’t?

“I’ll see if I can arrange it,” Sheriff Collins said, before facing Catherine. “I know this has been difficult for you, but you’re in good hands with Sutter. You should try and get some rest.”

“Thank you,” she murmured. The sheriff squeezed her arm, then headed for the door, reminding Sutter of some Old West law officer.

The door swung open and Dr. Rolland entered, then held it wide for the sheriff. With a nod to him, Sheriff Collins left the room.

“You should let me have a look at that.” The doctor stopped next to Sutter and pointed to his temple.

“Thanks, but I’m fine.” Sutter dismissed the doctor’s concerns. All he could think about was protecting Catherine. So far, he’d failed miserably.

“How are you feeling?” Dr. Rolland asked her.

“I am…” She shrugged without finishing.

Dr. Rolland checked her vitals before saying, “Your shoulder is healing quite well. I’ll check back with you in a little while.”

He had started to leave when Sutter remembered he needed to find out if Catherine was strong enough to move.

“Hang on a second,” he said, and Dr. Rolland swung toward him, his brows raised.

“In your medical opinion, is Catherine strong enough to leave the hospital today? After what happened here, I don’t think it’s safe for her to stay.”

Sutter could see the question was a difficult one for the doctor. “She’s been through a lot, Agent Brenneman,” he finally said. “She’s suffered an ugly head injury as well as a gunshot wound. But Catherine is strong.” He sought to reassure his patient. “You will be okay. I’ll give you supplies to change the dressings and have a nurse show you how and when to change the dressings.” He focused on Sutter. “I just ask that you keep a careful eye on her injuries. If something changes, you must bring her in immediately.”

Relieved, Sutter smiled. “I will. Thank you, Dr. Rolland.”

“Of course.” After the doctor left, Sutter settled into the chair next to her bed and glanced out the window. The crystal blue skies made it impossible to believe the temperature hovered around freezing this morning.

With a deep sigh, Catherine turned to face him, and he sought something to say to bring her comfort. Nothing came to mind.

“Why is he doing this?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper. The red marks around her neck screamed that the killer’s latest attack had failed by seconds.

Sutter wished to spare her the truth, but she needed to know what they were up against. “He’s sick. Unstable.”

Her blue eyes held him captive. “There were others,” she said, the truth hanging between them. “He has killed before.”

Sutter managed a nod.

“How many?”

Drawing in a breath, he decided to be honest with her. “Six, as far as we know. All young women from around Eagle’s Nest.” All of them knew each other, but then again, most people were acquainted in this tight-knit community.

Shock rippled from her expressive eyes to her open mouth. “I can’t believe it. Why would he harm so many women?”

“Serial killers’ brains are wired differently. They are sociopaths who kill for physiological gratification. There’s no set reason why. Until we capture him, we can only work on the assumption he has a motive for targeting young, dark-haired women around your age.”

“Why did he come here and risk being captured?” she asked, but the fear in her eyes assured him she knew the answer.

“I believe you saw his face at some point or can identify him somehow. He can’t let you live.”

The reality of those words sank in and she inadvertently touched her throat. “But I don’t remember him,” she insisted. “The only times I saw him he wore a mask.”

Sutter leaned forward. “There’s something you know about him that you can’t remember yet. Whatever it is, it will help us identify him. Until your memories return, we have to keep you safe.”

“But how?” she asked and swallowed visibly. “He found me here. What’s to stop him from finding me anywhere?”

The hopelessness in her eyes brought out Sutter’s protective instincts. “I promised I wouldn’t let him near you again and I meant it. You’re safe, Catherine. You’re safe.”

She shoved her hair behind her ears. The look on her face assured him she did not believe him, but that was okay. He’d prove it to her and himself. He’d protect her, no matter what the cost was, because there was something about Catherine that made him want to see her story through to the end. Find out who she was. For her. For him.