Plain Truth (Military Investigations) (6 page)

The nurse continued to share stories about the positive impact Ella had made on the community until the doc waved off her praise. “I did what any physician would do. Fortunately, my husband’s work provided the answers. Otherwise everything could have been very different.”

She went to the window and pulled back the curtains. “The sun is shining. I want a little of that to brighten the clinic. You’ve both done so much to make it better. Thank you, Wendy.”

Turning to Zach, Ella said, “I didn’t expect a special agent in law enforcement to be so handy. The dead bolts will keep me secure and give me peace of mind.”

Looking at her nurse, she asked, “Would you call Beth and inquire if her husband can install a security alarm for me?”

Wendy nodded. “Good idea. I’m on it.”

Glancing out the window, Zach noticed a red pickup racing along the road past the clinic. The tires squealed as it turned into the farm next door.

“Looks like Levi Miller has company,” he said, heading for the door.

Ella peered out the window. “It’s Mary Kate’s husband. What’s he up to?”

“I’ll check it out.”

“I’ll go with you,” Ella stated. “I want to find out about Mary Kate’s condition.”

“You should stay here,” Zach insisted.

“Nonsense.” She opened a cabinet and pulled out a black medical bag. “I need to check on Levi’s wife, as well.”

He glanced at the bag. “Doctors still make house calls?”

She nodded. “They do in rural Georgia.”

“We’ll take my car.”

Ella was puzzled. “But the Millers live next door.”

“And someone tried to shoot you in your backyard.”

She nodded, realizing he was right. Her eyes fell on the weapon he carried under his jacket. She couldn’t deny the sense of security that knowing Zach was armed gave her.

“You’ll protect me.” She said it as a statement.

“Of course I will.”

The confidence and assurance of his answer warmed her heart. She’d be safe with the special agent. At least, that was her hope.

SIX

S
ome folks might call the doc headstrong. Zach thought independent was more apropos. Had her need to prove herself gotten her in trouble? Or had the attack at the clinic been a result of a strong-willed doctor trying to push her way into someplace she wasn’t wanted?

Last night, she’d been scared and needing reassurance when she’d stepped into his arms, after remembering the gun the attacker had brandished.

What had made Zach pull her into his embrace? He wasn’t one to be swayed by a pretty face or silky hair and big eyes, yet he’d reacted without thinking.

Everything within him had wanted to comfort Ella and protect her. Not because she was a doctor. He didn’t have much use for physicians, especially country docs, like the one who had made a tragic error that had led to his mother’s death.

No, the woman he’d seen last night had been Ella Jacobsen, without the physician facade. Perhaps she hadn’t realized the vulnerability she’d revealed to him at that moment. Something that was at the heart of who she was when she didn’t try to be in charge.

Ella paused momentarily by the door to glance at her reflection in a wall mirror. Gingerly, she touched the puffy bruise on her cheek and frowned.

A number of bruises were all too evident in the sunlight steaming through the window. The sight of her injuries made Zach’s gut tighten. No one should ever hurt a woman. Seeing the marks on her face and another bruise on her arm enhanced his desire to find the heinous individual who had caused Ella so much pain. Unless the attacker was found and apprehended, he’d be back again.

“I’m ready,” she said. “Let’s pay the Millers a visit.”

“You haven’t slept, Doc. Sure you wouldn’t rather stay here?”

She straightened her shoulders. “You haven’t slept, either, Special Agent Swain.”

“Zach, remember?”

Some of her bravado faltered, and she smiled, causing a jolt of energy to take him by surprise. He’d thought Ella Jacobsen was pretty last night, but in the light of day, he realized how wrong he’d been. She was beautiful.

“We’ll go together,” Zach said. “But do me a favor and follow my lead.”

“Of course.”

Was she being sincere or condescending?

Clutching her doctor’s bag, she opened the front door and stepped outside. Hurriedly, she descended the stairs and walked with determined steps to his vehicle. As much as it seemed like a waste of fuel to drive such a short distance, Zach needed to keep Ella safe.

After parking in the Millers’ driveway, he stepped from the car and flicked his gaze to the wooded area behind the house and the pasture in the distance, looking for anything that might spell danger.

Before he could round the hood to open the passenger door, Ella had stepped out and, bag in hand, was racing toward the house.

The woman had stamina, Zach would give her that.

“Are you in a hurry?” he asked, falling into step beside her.

“Just focused on seeing if Sarah is okay. I’ve got a strange feeling that all of this hubbub has taken its toll on her. She’s in her early twenties and has been racked with morning sickness for the last six months.”

“I thought it eased up after the first three.”

“That’s usually the case, but some women continue to have problems into the second and even third trimester. Sarah has lost weight instead of gaining, and she’s anxious about the health of her child. She and Levi lost a baby at seven months. That was before I arrived in the area. As you can imagine, she’s worried this baby might have problems.”

“I’m sure having a doctor next door has eased her worry.”

“I wish that was the case. Instead, I’ve opened up other concerns.”

“You mean the incidents of genetically acquired diseases that the Amish carry?”

“That’s it exactly. Some of them would rather not know about the complications.”

“Are any upset enough to break into your clinic?”

Ella turned to stare at him quizzically. “You must not understand the Amish or you wouldn’t suspect them.”

“I understand human nature and the fact that bad people can be found in any population. Even the Amish.”

“They’re a peaceful people who put their faith in God.”

“Perhaps that’s their mistake.”

She narrowed her gaze. “You don’t believe in God?”

“I believe there is a God, but I believe man is responsible for his own actions. I also know that some men and women live by another rule, other than the golden rule. Evil exists. I’m sure it exists even in the Amish community.”

Nearing the house, Zach turned his focus to sounds that were floating from the side of the property. Sounds of an argument.

“Stay here, Doc.”

He hurried ahead and made a wide arc around the house to better see the source of the raised voices. Hugh Powers and Levi Miller came into view. The corporal was waving his hands in the air, visibly upset. Levi kept his at his sides and was responding to Hugh in what sounded like a calm and steady voice. Zach moved closer to hear more of their conversation.

“Do you understand what I’m saying?” The muscular military guy jabbed his finger against Levi’s chest. “You have no business hanging around Mary Kate.”

“I would not hurt your wife,” Levi replied, his voice even and his body relaxed.

Zach admired the young lad for keeping his cool.

Hugh raised a fist. “You know what happens to people who harm anyone I love?”

“Corporal Powers,” Zach called, stepping closer.

Hugh’s brow furrowed. “What are you doing here?”

“That’s the question I wanted to ask you. This is Levi Miller’s property. Did he invite you onto his land?”

“He invited my wife.” Hugh’s voice was laced with anger. He steeled his jaw, turned his gaze back to the Amish man and pointed a finger at Levi’s suspenders. “You may look peaceful with the funny clothes you and your friends wear, but you’re hiding your true nature.”

“I have nothing to hide.”

“You need to pay for your transgressions.” The soldier’s eyes narrowed. “For your sins, Mr. Miller. My father-in-law told me what you did to my wife. Then you disappeared, hiding out in your closed community that claims to be holier than thou. But in reality you’re a pervert who preys on an unsuspecting woman.”

Zach moved closer. “We can discuss your suspicions, Corporal Powers, but in a less heated manner. Take a step back, and give Mr. Miller some space.”

“He doesn’t deserve space.”

“Do you need to go to CID headquarters, where we can discuss this at length? That’s not going to help Shelly or Stacey. Or your wife.”

At the mention of his wife, the soldier’s head drooped. He turned and walked away from both of them, his shoulders shaking.

Levi glanced at Zach but said nothing.

Zach gave the soldier a minute to pull himself together, then stepped to the man’s side and touched his back. “You’re upset, Hugh. I understand that you want to find the person who hurt your wife, but you need to work with law enforcement and not take things into your own hands. If you harm or even antagonize Mr. Miller, I’ll be forced to haul you in. That’s not what you want.”

The big guy pursed his lips and then blew out a breath. “I can’t stand seeing Mary Kate hurt like that. She’s hooked up to tubes and looks like she’s going to die.” He stared at Zach. “I saw enough death when I was deployed. I didn’t expect to come home to see my wife bloody and beaten. Do you understand why I want to fix her pain and make everything right?”

“Of course I understand, but you’ve got to let law enforcement handle the investigation.” Zach passed his business card to the soldier. “I gave you my card last night, but here’s another one. Keep this in your barracks or your truck, and call me whenever you think of anything that might have bearing on the investigation. Or call if you want to check on what we’ve uncovered. I won’t hold back the truth from you, but you have to be forthright with me, as well.”

The soldier nodded. “I told you everything I knew last night.”

“Then why did you come here? What were you hoping to accomplish?”

“I...I wanted to warn Miller to stay away from my wife.”

Zach glanced at Levi and then turned back to Corporal Powers. “What makes you think Levi was interested in Mary Kate?”

“My father-in-law saw them together more than once.”

“Before you redeployed home?”

“That’s right. He was worried about Mary Kate. Worried about her safety.”

From what Zach knew about Mary Kate’s father, the old man was prone to jumping to the wrong conclusion, yet there had to be some semblance of truth in what he’d told his son-in-law.

“Is everything okay?”

Ella’s voice.

Zach turned to see her standing at the side of the house. She walked toward Levi. “How’s Sarah?”

“She’s sick again, and it troubles her. Her father says it’s
Gott’s
will, but she worries that it means something’s wrong with the baby.”

“I told you the nausea had nothing to do with the baby’s condition. It’s caused by the hormones Sarah’s body is producing because she is pregnant.”

“Her mother had no sickness, and she delivered healthy children.”

“But Sarah is her own person. Every pregnancy is different.”

Levi’s gaze darkened. “Yet Sarah was sick the first time.”

“Again, Levi, that’s her body’s response to the pregnancy and doesn’t have anything to do with the well-being of this baby.”

“I want to believe you, Dr. Jacobsen, but I still worry.”

“I understand.” Ella patted his arm. “You love your wife, but you can believe me, Levi.”

“I believe in
Gott’s
will. He may take this child like he took the first. Perhaps because of my mistake years ago.”

Ella glanced at Zach and then back at Levi. “Your mistake?”

“I was young and headstrong. My father said a man needs to keep his eyes to himself. He told me
Gott
would find a righteous woman. Instead I looked elsewhere.”

Hugh turned, his face flushed with anger, and pointed to Levi. “Are you blaming Mary Kate for what happened? It was your fault, Miller. You’re a hypocrite. You told her you loved her, that you’d never leave her and that you could have a life together, but those were all lies.”

Sadness washed over Levi’s face. “I did not lie.”

“You didn’t do anything to help her. You lousy—”

Zach grabbed the soldier’s arm. “Let’s all take a deep breath.”

Hugh stopped and shook his head. “I’m not going to hurt him. I don’t touch men who don’t fight back and who don’t protect the woman they say they love.”

He glared at Levi. “You lied to Mary Kate. You told her you loved her and that you wanted to marry her. She was young, and she trusted you, Miller. That was her mistake. Your mistake was to get her pregnant.”

Hugh jerked his arm from Zach’s hold. “I’m going home to be with my daughters. The precious children you abandoned, Miller. I adopted them. They bear my name and they’re my children. So stay away from them, and stay away from my wife.”

The soldier walked purposefully back across the yard. Zach let him go. As the red pickup pulled out of the driveway, Zach phoned Sergeant Abrams and passed on what Hugh had just revealed.

“Might be a good idea to head to the grandparents’ home and question both Mr. Landers and Hugh,” he added. “Find out if either of them own a rifle. I’ll stay here and talk to Levi Miller. Did you learn anything from him earlier?”

“He seems to be on the up-and-up.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear.”

“I’ve got a patrol car in the vicinity of the grandparents’ house. My guys will make sure Corporal Powers stays put until I have a chance to question him.”

Relieved that the Freemont police would check on the Landers family, Zach disconnected and glanced over his shoulder at Ella, who stood next to Levi.

“I didn’t hurt her,” the Amish man insisted, as Zach moved back to them. “I would never hurt Mary Kate.” Levi’s voice was tight with emotion. “I loved her. It wasn’t as her husband said.”

“What about now, Mr. Miller?” Zach asked. “Do you still have feelings for Mary Kate?”

“Levi?” A frail voice sounded from the small, wood-frame house.

Zach glanced at the door, where a young woman—a very pregnant woman—stood staring at her husband.

“Are you all right, Levi?” she asked.

“
Yah
, Sarah. I am fine. Do not worry.”

Her hands rubbed her belly, and her eyes filled with sadness as if she’d heard everything that had transpired.

The strain visible on Ella’s face revealed that she, too, understood the gravity of the situation. Had she known all along that Levi was the girls’ biological father?

The disease Ella had diagnosed was found most often among the Amish. Zach should have put two and two together last night, but he’d been so focused on the doctor that he’d failed to realize what seemed so obvious today.

Had Levi attacked Mary Kate out of anger because she’d come back to Freemont and disrupted his life, perhaps causing his wife untold anxiety? Or was he after the medical records that revealed the disease the twins had inherited? Information in their file could point to their Amish background and could even mention their biological father. If that were the case, then Ella had kept that information from Zach, as well.

He flicked his gaze to her, berating himself for being so easily swayed. He didn’t trust doctors, not even pretty ones with bruised cheeks and big eyes—eyes that stared at him now as if he was the one who had brought pain to this small Amish community.

* * *

Do no harm.
Ella tried to practice medicine according to the Hippocratic Oath, but she had caused pain and suffering. Had coming to Georgia been a mistake?

She read distrust and questions in the special agent’s eyes as he continued to stare at her. Did he blame her, even as she was blaming herself?

“Levi?” Once again, Sarah called to her husband.

“Everything is all right,” he said, as if hoping to reassure her. One look at Sarah’s face and it was evident his words had no effect on calming her unease.

The
clip-clop
of horse hooves caused them all to look toward the road. A bearded man sat holding the reins as an Amish buggy passed. He nodded to Levi.