Marta Perry - Sound Of Fear

“I’ve already eaten, thanks. And you’d better be on your way to wherever you’re staying tonight.”

Bertram gave a speculative glance around the cottage. “If you have an extra bedroom, maybe you could put me up.”

So he could resume his argument in the morning. She didn’t think so.

“I’m afraid not,” she said, blandly ignoring the guest room. “You’ll find quite a nice motel near Williamsport.” She opened the door. Barney rose to his feet, responsive to her cues, as if ready to hasten Bertram’s departure.

“But really, Amanda...” He broke off when Barney gave a warning growl in response to his tone. “Very well. I’ll call you in the morning. At least lend me a flashlight to get back down the excuse for a driveway.”

Amanda went to the kitchen drawer where she’d found a small flashlight. “Here you are. Don’t disturb the Burkhalters, but just leave it on their back porch. I’ll get it tomorrow.”

He went out and then turned back. “Maybe we could meet for breakfast in the morning. Just so you can give me your reaction to the plans.”

“I’m afraid I’m busy tomorrow. You may as well get on the road without bothering to come back to town. I’ll email you once I’ve had a chance to look over your plans.”

He hesitated, as if thinking of making a comeback, but Barney came and pressed against Amanda’s leg, effectively filling the doorway. “Very well. Good night.” He flicked on the flashlight and marched off.

Amanda stood on the porch and watched the circle of light until it disappeared when he rounded a bend in the lane. Then the darkness closed in on her, and she shivered. Silly. But she wasn’t sure when she’d last felt so alone.

* * *

NORMALLY TREY SPENT Saturday catching up on the chores he’d neglected all week in the press of work. Since he’d bought the small Craftsman bungalow on Oak, he’d learned that homeownership brought with it far more responsibilities than he’d anticipated.

Today, for instance, he should be raking and bagging leaves. But it was one of those rare, beautiful October days when the sun was warm and the world around him seemed touched by golden light. It demanded that a person get out and enjoy it, before November brought cold, rainy days and the prospect of early snow.

His fallen leaves continued to form a brown and orange carpet over the small lawn, while he headed out to the Burkhalter farm. Not necessarily to see Amanda, he assured himself. But he’d been troubled by what she’d said about Sarah, and he wanted to see for himself. He couldn’t imagine Sarah being anything but friendly and welcoming.

Amanda must have misunderstood. He’d see Sarah, straighten it out, and at the same time find out if she knew who the Amish boy was who’d found Melanie’s body. She was bound to know, or at least be able to find out. In fact, it had probably been one of her kinfolk. Mike had said it was one of the Miller kids, and Sarah had been a Miller before she married Amos.

Trey turned up the lane that led to the cottage, raising a hand to Amos, who was heading toward the barn. When he pulled up at the cottage, Amanda came out on the porch. He felt a wave of pleasure at the sight of her. Wearing jeans and a flannel shirt, her hair pulled back and fastened at her nape, she looked as if she belonged here.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you today.” She spoke as he got out of the car, coming toward him.

“I took a chance you’d be here. Thought I’d like to have a word with Sarah to see if she can identify the boy who found Melanie’s body.”

An expression of doubt crossed Amanda’s face. “I told you she hasn’t been exactly forthcoming on the subject, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but sometimes the Amish can seem standoffish when they’re not aware of it. Sarah has known me since I was a kid.” He grinned. “In fact, she used to babysit me when she was a teenager. Let me try my luck.”

Amanda shrugged, conceding, and they started down the path together. “I wondered how you came to be such close friends with the Burkhalter family. I’ll have to ask Sarah what kind of kid you were.”

“Obedient and well-behaved, of course,” he said lightly. “My father owns some land that adjoins the Burkhalter farm. He doesn’t have any use for it, so he lets Amos keep it in hay. That kind of gave me free run of the farm. I loved it out here.” He looked around at the golden hillside, the fields a patchwork now of gold and brown. “I still do.”

They approached the house and found Sarah hanging a row of sheets on the line. She pinned the last one in place and then turned to face them.

“Trey. I thought that might be your car I heard.” She flickered a meaningful glance toward Amanda. “Amos is in the barn if you are wanting to see him.”

“Actually, I’d like a word with you. We’ve been asking a few questions about Melanie Winthrop’s accident up at the falls all those years ago. I understand it was one of the Miller boys who found her.”

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