“I let it ring like twenty times, but he didn’t pick up.”
I sigh. “There’s nothing going on here. I’m going to call this off for now and head out to the Yoder place to make sure everything’s okay.”
“You want me to let Glock know?”
“I’ll call him,” I tell her. “Thanks for the heads-up.” I hit End and dial Glock. “We need to wrap this up,” I say, and tell him about the call from Hoch Yoder.
“You want me to meet you out there?” he asks.
“I’ve got it. I don’t expect any trouble, but I’m a little concerned. He was pretty upset when I told him about his mother.”
“Gotcha.”
“Take Blue back to the station and put him in a cell.” I choose my next words with care because I don’t want to seem paranoid. But I know this is one of those situations when paranoid isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “Stay with him until I get back.”
“Ten four.”
*
I cruise by the phone booth Hoch used on my way to the Yoder place, but there’s no one there. The closer I get, the more convinced I become that there’s something wrong. I can’t imagine Hoch calling the police at four thirty in the morning unless there’s a problem. I’m also aware that Hoch, along with his half sister, both have a motive for murder.
The black trunks of naked apple trees blur by as I head toward the farm. I find my eyes combing the ditches on either side of the road, looking for a buggy or pedestrian—anything out of the norm. The fruit stand is closed up and dark, so I speed past and make a left into the lane. Slinging mud, gravel pinging in the wheel wells of the Explorer, I barrel toward the house. A hard stop, and I’m out of the vehicle and jogging toward the house.
Hoch’s wife, Hannah, comes through the door as I reach the steps. “Chief Burkholder?”
She’s still in her sleeping gown, but has thrown a shawl over her shoulders. Her damp hair tells me she’s already been outside.
“Hoch called the police department earlier,” I tell her. “Is everything all right?”
She blinks, and I can tell she’s struggling to hold back tears. “I can’t find him,” she blurts. “I woke up twenty minutes ago. I thought he’d gone out to the fruit stand, but he’s not there.”
“Did he take the buggy?”
“He harnessed the horse, but left the buggy in the barn.”
“He took it to the pay phone down the road,” I say, thinking aloud. “He must have come back.”
“Why would he leave at this hour to call the police?”
“Hannah, is it possible he couldn’t sleep and started his chores early? Or is there a place on the property he might go if he’s troubled and needs some time alone?”
She shakes her head. “I checked the shop and the fruit stand first thing, but he’s not at either place. I called out to him, but he didn’t answer. I even tried the dinner bell, in case he was out walking in the orchard. Chief Burkholder, he didn’t make coffee. He always makes coffee.”
“How was his frame of mind after I left last night? Was he upset or acting strangely?”
“He was … quiet. He gets that way when he’s restless.” She pauses, her face screwing up slightly. “Do you think that crazy woman who killed those men would go after Hoch, too?”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions just yet.” But my own mind has already ventured into the same territory.
She nods, but I can plainly see by the way she’s shaking that she doesn’t believe me.
“When did you last see him?” I ask.
“Last night. At bedtime.”
“What time was that?”
“Eleven or so.”
“Do you mind if I take a look around your property?”
She brightens, as if pleased to have something proactive to do. “I’ll go with you.”
“I’d prefer if you stayed here.” I set my hand on her shoulder and give a reassuring squeeze. “In case he comes back while I’m gone.”
Wringing her hands, she crosses to the porch and sits on the step, not caring about the damp. “I know God will take care of him. But I’m frightened.”
I hit my lapel mike. “T.J.?”
“Hey, Chief.”
“Any sign of anyone at Norm’s place?”
“Nothing here.”
I fill him in on the situation. “Will you take a cruise around the block out here at the Hochstetler farm?”
“Will do.”
I disconnect to see Hannah returning from the mudroom off the kitchen with a pair of mud boots in hand. “He didn’t take his boots with him. If he’d been going out, he would have taken them.”
“Go inside and lock the doors,” I tell her. I’m going to take a look around. I’ll be back in a few minutes, all right?”