Page 18 of Shamed

“Or he was afraid she’d identify him.”

Neither of us put into words what we’re thinking. That the same could be true for the girl.

I tell him the story about Eddie Graber.

“You think he’s capable of something like that?” he asks.

“He’s got the physical strength. A temper. Self-control issues.” I shake my head. “I don’t know him very well. I’m going to talk to them.”

I look around the property, the dilapidated house, the isolated and overgrown nature of the land.

“How did he know they’d be here?” I say, thinking aloud.

“Could be a crime of opportunity. He was in the area. Saw them.” He shrugs. “Or maybe he’s a stalker. Had his eyes on the kid for some time. Followed them. Figured this was his chance.”

“You think he lives in the area?”

“I think that’s the most likely scenario.” But he sighs. “Tough to figure what’s in the mind of someone capable of hacking an Amish grandmother to death.” His expression darkens. “We need to find that kid.”

The sense of dread I’d been feeling since I laid eyes on the body of Mary Yoder augments into a knot in my gut that’s being drawn inexorably tighter. All children are innocent, but for this to happen to a child with special needs heaps on another cruel layer of urgency.

I watch as Tomasetti sets a branch over the garbage bag to keep the wind from blowing it away. “I’m going to talk to the sheriff, check on the status of getting dogs out here.”

My cell vibrates against my hip. I check the display. My dispatcher. “Hey, Lois.”

“I got two registered sex offenders within a ten-mile radius of the Schattenbaum address, Chief. One of them is Amish.”

I pull out the small notebook I keep in the back pocket of my trousers. “Give me the Amish guy first.”

“Lester Nisley.” Computer keys click on the other end, and then she reads. “Twenty-two years old. Convicted of rape of a thirteen-year-old girl in 2015. Got out on parole last September. Current address 5819 Township Road 4.”

Less than five miles away.…

“What about the other guy?”

“Gene Fitch. Fifty-seven years old. Convicted of rape of a nine-year-old girl in 1992. On parole since 2016. Home address 9345 County Highway 83, Painters Mill.”

… rape of a nine-year-old girl …

“Anything on Eddie Graber?” I ask.

“Nothing.”

“Thanks, Lois.”

“Only thanks I need, Chief, is for that little girl to get home safe and sound.”

“Amen to that.”

CHAPTER 4

Two hours missing

A few minutes later I’m in the Explorer with Glock in the passenger seat, and we’re northbound on Ohio 83. I left Tomasetti with the tire and footwear marks and relinquished the collection of evidence to the capable hands of BCI. Both of those things freed me up to do exactly what I need to be doing: looking for Elsie Helmuth.

“So what’s the story on Eddie Graber?” Glock asks.

I tell him about the near drowning. “It left him with some emotional issues. Impulse control. A temper.”