Secrets in the Grave (Serenity's Plain Secrets Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

James Hooley in the corner of the kitchen. There were two groups of people waiting in the yard and Jeremy was standing at the base of the steps, guarding the entrance to the house. To the right were about a dozen men and to the left were the same number of women. Children of all ages sat across the front lawn. They all seemed to be waiting for something to happen. A line of buggies was parked along the driveway.
    “Did Bobby and Todd manage to sneak by us while we were talking to the bishop?” I asked Jeremy.
    He blew out a sigh of relief at our appearance. The young deputy was an excellent cop, except when dealing with the Amish. He was terrified of them.
    “Yes, ma’am.” He nodded vigorously. “Bobby told me to tell you that he’d collected everything he needed and that Todd took photos of the room. He’d see you back at the office. He wanted to get started on the autopsy right away.”
    Daniel nudged my arm and I looked at him. I wasn’t exactly short at five foot five, but I always had to crane my neck when I stood too close to Daniel’s six five, muscled frame. His dark brown hair curled messily around his head, and his brown eyes were anxious.
    “I don’t see Jonas Peachey.” He continued to search the crowd.
    “Jeremy, did the blue-eyed man, the one who the bishop pointed out earlier, slip away?” I asked, drawing out the question, dreading his answer.
    Jeremy swallowed, glanced around and looked back at me. “I’m sorry, ma’am. They’re all dressed the same and having those beards, I can’t tell them apart.”
    I took a calming breath. I got it, but it annoyed the crap out of me. “They are different when you take the time to really look at them. Some are tall and some are short. They have varying lengths and colors of beards.” I paused and motioned at the crowd with my hand. “If you look closely, they’re not all wearing coats. Some have blue shirts and others are wearing tan ones. It’s not that difficult, and one last thing.” Jeremy looked sullenly at me like a dog kicked off the porch. “For the hundredth time, stop calling me ma’am. Serenity will do.”
    “I’m sorry, ma—Serenity. I will…try.” Jeremy stumbled over the words.
    I waved him away. “Go ahead and open the house up to the community.” I turned back to Daniel. “Do you have any idea where Jonas Peachey’s farm is?”
    “I sure do.” Daniel grinned.
    As I followed Daniel’s springy step to his Jeep, I got the distinct feeling that he was excited about a brand new mystery to solve.
    I hoped that it would keep him preoccupied and we wouldn’t have to continue our conversation from this morning any time soon.

    “How well do you know this guy?” I asked, gazing out the window at the neat farmhouses and the dark earth of the cropland surrounding them.
    The sun was all but gone and with the cloudy, darkening sky came the strong scent of dampness on the cooler air. I kept my sunglasses on anyway. I didn’t want Daniel to read my thoughts through my eyes.
    “I met him on a few occasions when I was a kid. Robyn is a distant cousin of mine. To the Amish, cousins are as important as siblings, even if they’re second cousins once removed. I spent a lot of time when I was growing up traveling around from one Amish settlement to another to see my parents’ extended family.”
    “What did you think of him back then?” I titled my head sideways to study Daniel’s profile. His nose was strong and straight. His sunglasses kept me from reading him as well.
    “Honestly, the man scared me. He has real powers.”
    “Powers? Can you elaborate?” I couldn’t keep the pitch of my voice from rising at the absurdity of the conversation.
    Daniel chuckled. “All right. I know this probably sounds crazy to a scientific-minded person like yourself, but there are people who are gifted with the ability to heal others.”
    When I grunted, he hurried on, “Now wait a minute. My mother has been blessed that way. Granted, her