“Damn straight. What do you want us to focus on?”
Ken handed him the list. “Everything on here. You’ve got Cecil, Tom, Russ and Tina to help you this morning. I sent Jorge to pick up more lime. He should be back in an hour or so. Have him outline the trail some more. Make sure we get a good coating of lime down so people know where the trail is and don’t go wandering off into the woods tomorrow night.”
“Will do.”
“Everybody else will be here this afternoon, after they get off work and stuff. We’ll do a final walk-through and then have a staff meeting out here in the field, so that everybody knows what they’re doing tomorrow night.”
“No worries.” Terry took the list and looked it over.
They said good-bye and Ken climbed into his truck and shut the door. He started it up. Johnny Cash’s rendition of Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage” filled the cab’s interior.
“No,” Ken muttered as he drove away. “No worries at all. Nothing’s gonna go wrong.”
CHAPTER TEN
“So what do you want him for?”
“No fair,” Levi said. “I asked you first.”
They were still in the parking lot, sitting in Maria’s car. She’d hesitated at first when he had suggested it, but finally relented. He was definitely Amish—no way that beard was a disguise. She decided he didn’t pose a threat. Even so, she made a point of keeping the canister of pepper spray within reach, and letting him know that she had it.
“Okay,” Maria said, “but I’m warning you. If this is some kind of trick…”
“I assure you that it’s not, Miss Nasr. My interest in Adam Senft most likely parallels your own. In any case, it’s really important.”
“You can call me Maria if you like. Nobody’s called me ‘Miss Nasr’ since I got out of college.”
“Very well. It is nice to make your acquaintance, Maria.”
“Yours, too.” She paused. “Um, not to be rude, but what do I call you, anyway? Brother Stoltzfus or something?”
He appeared confused. “No, I’m not a clergyman. You can just call me Levi if you like.”
“Okay.” Maria relaxed. “I wasn’t sure. I’ve never actually talked to an Amish person before. I took one of those tours in Lancaster when I first moved here, but that’s all. I didn’t know if you guys referred to each other as Brother and Sister or not.”
“Oh, I’m not Amish. At least, not anymore.”
“I see.” She frowned. “I’m sorry. I just assumed, what with your clothing and the buggy and all. Are you Mennonite, then?”
“No. It’s a long story. I was once a part of the Amish faith, but sadly, I left the community many years ago. Now, I’m just…well, I don’t really know what I am. Certainly not Amish or Mennonite. Or even Protestant or Catholic. I guess I’m just trying to live my life right and do God’s work, the way that feels right to me. What would you call that?”
“Noble?”
“I like that.” He smiled. “I would call it nondenominational.”
“That would work, too.”
Levi’s stomach rumbled loudly. He smiled, embarrassed. “Sorry. I haven’t eaten today. I’m fasting.”
Maria nodded. Although she didn’t ask, she wondered what the reason for the fast was. Was it religious or medical?
“So, I’ve got to ask. If you’re not Amish anymore, then why the clothes and the beard? What’s up with the hat?”
“I’m single. I thought that women might be attracted to the beard. And as for the hat, it’s to keep the sun out of my eyes.”
Maria tried to suppress her laughter, but failed. She snorted once, twice, and then laughed out loud, jumping up and down in the seat. Tears streamed from her eyes.
“What?” Levi asked, seemingly puzzled. “What’s so funny? You don’t like my beard?”
“I…” Gasping for breath, Maria wiped the tears from her eyes. “I think it’s great. It’s unique, you know? A lot of guys these days just go with a goatee. You’ve got a very retro vibe going on. It works for you.”
“Excellent.” He sounded pleased.
She stifled another burst of laughter and smiled. When she felt she had control again, Maria explained her assignment—the feature article on the Ghost Walk and how it had inspired the book idea. She told him about her research into LeHorn’s Hollow, powwow magic, and, ultimately, Adam Senft’s involvement. Levi stayed silent throughout. He absentmindedly stroked his beard and listened. His face was expressionless.
“I guess it must all sound pretty bizarre to you,” she finished. “But there are people who still believe in this stuff, even today.”
“Oh, there’s no doubt. I’m one of them.”
Maria was stunned. “W-what?”
“My father worked powwow, as did my grandfather. It’s sort of a family tradition.”
“Wait a second,” Maria said. “Stoltzfus. Your father was Amos Stoltzfus?”
Levi cocked his head. “You’ve heard of him?”
“He was mentioned in some of the articles I read when I was researching. Sort of a famous guy, right?”
Levi shrugged. “He helped a lot of people.”
“So then you already knew all about Nelson LeHorn and the murders and all the legends about that area?”
Levi nodded. “I did.”
“Then why didn’t you interrupt me?”
“I needed to see what you knew. My reasons for speaking with Senft are related to your research into LeHorn’s Hollow. In fact, I was just there last night.”
“When? I was there, too. Are you helping with the Ghost Walk?”
He frowned. “No. But tell me more about this Ghost Walk. Your article sounds interesting.”
“Well,” Maria said, “it’s a Halloween trail that Ken Ripple is building for charity. It’s located in the same forest as LeHorn’s Hollow—or, at least where LeHorn’s Hollow used to be, before it burned down. My article about it runs this afternoon.”
“I see.”
“You must have noticed them working on it when you were there.”
“No,” Levi said. “I was preoccupied with something else. What is it, exactly?”
Maria shrugged. “People dress up in scary costumes and hide in the woods. Then other people pay money to walk through the woods and be scared.”
“Hmmm.” Levi’s frown deepened. “A lot of people probably attend an event like that.”
“Sure,” Maria agreed. “At least, that’s what the organizers are hoping. The proceeds go to help fight women’s cancer.”
“When does it open?”
“Tomorrow night. The trail opens at seven and stays open until midnight, followed by a party with live bands and stuff. You know, to celebrate the start of Halloween, since the holiday begins at midnight. I know a lot of people don’t really celebrate until the next night, but technically, the holiday starts at midnight.”
Levi’s face grew pale. He looked startled—or maybe sick. He sank into the seat, shoulders slumped, head hung low. He closed his eyes and sighed.
Maria leaned forward, concerned. “Are you okay? You look like you’re going to throw up.”
Levi didn’t answer her right away, and when he did, his voice was panicked. He covered his mouth with one trembling hand.
“Tomorrow night. Of course…The walls will be at their thinnest then, just after midnight. If it breaches with all those people in the area…My Lord! There’s no time…”
“What are you talking about?” Alarmed by his reaction, Maria inched her hand toward the pepper spray.
Levi bolted upright, reached out, and snatched her wrist. He squeezed—gently, but firm. Alarmed, Maria tried to pull away.
“Hey!” she shouted. “Let go of me or I’ll fucking scream.”
She hated that. Hated the threat of screaming, like that was the only thing a woman was capable of. If you don’t stop, the widdle girly will scweam. It sounded pathetic. There were other ways to defend herself. Her fear dissipated, replaced with anger. She was furious that he’d made her feel this way.