Read Online Plain Murder by Emma Miller - Free Book Online

being his friend. But she couldn’t think of anyone who disliked Willy enough to do him bodily harm. It still seemed impossible that someone had killed him and buried him in a field. It was more than frightening . . . it was something out of a horror movie. And what about his truck? She remembered that it had been found in town, but she couldn’t recall any other details. How had he gotten separated from it?
    The door opened and Rachel looked up to see her Uncle Aaron standing on the threshold, framed by two troopers: Evan and an African-American female. Rachel was relieved that her uncle wasn’t in handcuffs, but was dismayed by the demeanor of his escorts.
    The woman, tall and solidly built, with a flawless caramel complexion, scanned the room. “I’ll have to ask you for your bag,” she said.
    Rachel glanced at Evan, and he nodded.
    Rachel handed over her bag. Uncle Aaron stepped into the room, and the door closed behind him.
    â€œAre you all right?” Rachel asked.
    Her uncle folded his arms and stared at her. “Why wouldn’t I be well? I was not sick when I left home.”
    â€œSit down.”
    He looked at her.
    â€œPlease.” She patted the table. “We only have five minutes.”
    He reluctantly took the chair across from her.
    â€œWhat kinds of questions have they asked you?” She planted her hands on the table and leaned forward. “Why do they think you would know what happened to Willy?”
    â€œWhat did I tell you?” he asked in the Deitsch dialect.
    She stopped short. “I’m sorry?”
    â€œEnough.” He brought his weathered palm down on the table sharply, and she sat back in the chair. “No more.” He was a big, square-framed man with a stern Old Testament face and a long, graying beard. She had known him all her life, and not once had he ever laid hands on her in anger, but he still intimidated her. “Did I not tell you that I would speak no more of this matter?”
    She nodded.
    â€œAnd have you ever known me to say that which I do not mean?”
    â€œNe.” She switched from English to the same dialect. “But you have to defend yourself against these charges. Otherwise, people will think you’re guilty. You must let me find you an attorney.”
    â€œI never thought you a stupid girl, Rachel Mast. Foolish, but not stupid. Can it be that you are so lost to the world that you can no longer understand me? I will have no Englisher of the law to speak for me. I put my trust in God, and that is that. Now, think no more of me. Go home and pray for your salvation. Look to your soul, and allow me to look to mine.”
    â€œBut Uncle Aaron . . . you can’t do this. You have to give the police reason to believe that you’re innocent.”
    Hooded eyes glared back at her with a fierce gleam. His hands clenched into fists on the table and his body stiffened. He did not utter another word.
    Thirty seconds passed. Another.
    A knock came at the door. “Rachel.” It was Evan’s voice. “You’ll have to go now.”
    â€œPlease consider what I’ve said,” Rachel murmured, looking into her uncle’s eyes. “For Aunt Hannah’s sake. For your children and your community. If you don’t know anything about Willy’s death, you have to tell that to the police. But only with your attorney present. Don’t say anything to anyone without an attorney present. Not even to Evan,” she added in a whisper.
    Evan walked in.
    Her uncle scowled, but didn’t answer Rachel. With a sinking heart, she left him, retrieved her bag from the female officer in the hall, and exited the station by the same side entrance.
    In the short time that she’d been inside, the sky had clouded over. She hoped she’d get home before it rained. The road over the mountain was narrow and tree-lined. Leaves and pine needles made the surface slick, and too many drivers