Read Online A Simple Shaker Murder by Deborah Woodworth - Free Book Online Page B

made life difficult for Rose and the other sisters.
    â€œI’m almost afraid to ask what she was doing at this hour,” Rose said, pulling her desk chair closer to Josie.
    â€œAnd so you should be. Elsa seems to have become overly concerned with our worldly visitors and their comings andgoings. Apparently the New-Owenites do not keep the same hours we do. They roam about at night, meeting together and exploring the village. Elsa claims she’s been following them, or some of them, to see what they’re up to.”
    â€œShe confided in you? That surprises me.”
    Josie let out a long, tired sigh. “My guess is she sees herself as Wilhelm’s eyes and ears. So, nay, she did not rush to confide in me. I saw her from the Infirmary window, as I was checking on my patients. I looked out and what should I see but Elsa sneaking around the corner of the Laundry—I always know her walk. She was following two people who were heading toward the barn. I had no idea what was going on, since I couldn’t see who was who in the dark, so I went outside and caught up with Elsa. Normally she would have saved her story for Wilhelm’s ears, but she was bursting to tell someone who the couple she was following were. I’ll admit, it did disturb me.”
    â€œWhat disturbed you? Who were they?” Rose dreaded the answer. North Homage had been so quiet when she’d left for the East, with no one falling into the flesh, at least that she knew of. The New-Owenites had brought the peace to an end.
    â€œAccording to Elsa, it was Gretchen and a young New-Owenite fellow, I think his name is Earl. Mind you, I couldn’t see them clearly myself, and I can’t say I trust Elsa.”
    â€œNor do I,” Rose said, “but she may well be right. I thought they might have exchanged a special look at worship last night. I told myself it couldn’t be any such thing—after all, I’m not sure they’ve even spoken together—but it lingered far longer than it should have, at least on his part. I hate to admit it, but Elsa may be right that our visitors are up to something. Did she see where they went?”
    Josie’s full cheeks blushed pink. “Well, in fact, we both did—though, as I said, I only saw their backs, and from a distance. I’m quite fond of Gretchen, you know, and she’s been distracted of late. So I’m ashamed to admit that I followed them, alongside Elsa. They went into the barn. I was horrified and wanted to turn back at that point, but Elsa refused to stop, so I went with her. When we went into the barn,though, no one was there! Elsa was certain they were . . . sequestered somewhere together, but we explored the whole barn, and we didn’t hear a sound.”
    â€œDid you actually see them go in the barn door?”
    â€œWe thought so. Though now I think of it, the area in front of the door was dark. We saw them walk toward the door, but then they faded into the shadows. I suppose they could have kept going around back or into the fields.”
    â€œOr on into the orchard,” Rose mused. “I would never have thought to mistrust Gretchen. She has been a Believer for at least five years, since well before I became eldress, and she has always seemed at peace in North Homage. Have you ever known Gretchen to have problems here?”
    â€œNay, never,” Josie said.
    â€œThere must be more to the story, surely. Did you and Elsa go after them any farther?”
    Josie shook her head. “I must admit, I was curious, but I wasn’t about to encourage Elsa to sneak around spying on the sisters. Not that she needs any encouragement. I talked her into coming back to the Infirmary with me, so I could keep an eye on her. Then I sent her along to bed.”
    â€œJust as well,” Rose said. “Best to keep Elsa out of it, if we can. I’ll have a talk with Gretchen. Meanwhile, we’d both better try to get some