Accused (Amish Romance Mystery) (Amish Secret Widows' Society #3) Read Online Free PDF

forgotten to close the gap the night before. She always woke at the slightest light. Most nights before she went to bed, she would adjust her curtains so they would blanket the morning light. Too late – she was already wide-awake.
    As she stretched her hands over her head, she recalled that today she had been designated by Elsa-May to visit her very least favorite detective. She had to go that morning because she had told Angela she would drive her to Robert’s haus in the afternoon. Emma got out of bed and hurried to get her chores done so she could make an early start, figuring that Crowley would get into his office at around nine.
    The morning hours passed quickly for Emma and now she stood outside Detective Crowley’s office, knocking tentatively on his door.
    “Come in,” Crowley said.
    She stepped through the doorway and he rose to his feet when he saw her. “Mrs. Jacobson?”
    “ Nee , it’s Mrs. Kurtzler.”
    “Yes, of course, I was getting confused with Wil Jacobson. So you haven’t married Mr. Jacobson yet?”
    Did the detective know that she was conflicted over the prospect of marrying Wil so soon after Levi died? Could he possibly be that good of a detective?
    “Detective, with all due respect, I did not come here to discuss my marital status.” Emma silently reprimanded herself; she knew that was a silly thing to say if she was to keep him on side. But he seemed to have a way of getting under her skin. Why would he call her Mrs. Jacobson? He knew her name very well and Emma knew for sure and for certain that he had an excellent memory.
    A smile softened the detective’s sharp features. “Have a seat.” He motioned to the chair in front of his desk.
    They sat at the same time.
    “What brings you here then, if it’s not to discuss your marital status?”
    Keep calm, he’s trying to bait you again , Emma cautioned herself. “Elsa-May sent me.” Emma knew that the detective respected Elsa-May, so she congratulated herself on thinking to use her name.
    The detective leaned forward. “I’m listening.”
    “Do you remember a case some years ago involving an Amish man called Ross Geiger?”
    “I do. Strange case that one. The body was tied to a cross.”
    “That’s the one,” Emma said pleased that he remembered it.
    “What of it?”
    “Elsa-May sent me to ask you who the witness was and who the dead man was.”
    The detective rubbed his left ear. “I recall the accused man died in a buggy accident shortly after he was granted bail.”
    “Yes, he and his wife, before he could clear his name. Before proper investigations could take place.”
    The detective bit on the end of a pencil. “So, that’s what this is about? Elsa-May is looking to clear his name?”
    Emma nodded. “Were you working on the case?”
    “No, but I knew about it. It should all be on the computer.” The detective turned his attention to the computer on his desk. He pressed a button and tilted the screen to face him. After a few moments and a few clicks, the detective asked, “How long ago? What was the accused’s name again?”
    “Roughly two years ago and his name was Ross Geiger.”
    “Got it. Here we go. The dead man was never identified, but we do have his DNA records, dental records, body measurements and fingerprints. He did not fit the description of any missing person at the time or since.” The detective looked at Emma. “The dead man had no criminal history because his fingerprints weren’t in our database.”
    Emma nodded. “Does it give a description of him?”
    The detective turned back to the computer screen. “Five foot ten inches, light brown hair, brown eyes and no identifying marks or scars. He was wearing dark blue jeans, brown leather boots and a blue shirt with a collar.”
    “What does it say about the witness?” Emma asked.
    “Mrs. Kurtzler, you know I can’t give you sensitive information like that. But, if you should happen to overhear me talking to myself as I’m looking at the