The Search The Secrets of Crittenden Cou - By Shelley Shepard Gray Page 0,44
the beginning.”
Luke noticed that Jacob was referring to the store as theirs. It was becoming obvious that his relationship with his father was strong on several levels. It was also obvious that the business was a family business, and that Jacob felt as much a part of its success or failure as his father did.
“So . . . how did your father find out about Perry stealing?”
Jacob’s eyes darted to the left, looking like he was debating whether or not to answer the question. Finally, he said, “Walker told me.”
“Maybe Walker was stealing, too?”
“No,” he said quickly. “He wouldn’t have done that.” He cleared his throat. “After Walker told me, I noticed money was missing from the cashbox several times a week. There was only one way for it to be missing. Perry.”
“What did you do then? Tell your dad?”
Jacob shook his head. “No. Not at first.”
“Well, then?”
“I took care of it myself.” As he heard his words, his lips pursed and he held up a hand. “No, that’s not quite right. At first I thought I was going to be able to take care of it myself. Then Walker quit, and Perry didn’t listen.”
“You didn’t want to just go tell your father? That seems to be the most reasonable solution.”
Jacob folded his arms across his broad chest. “You think I’d go tattle to my father like a child? Nee, I didn’t do that. Besides, knowing Perry was stealing from him would have broken his heart. My father has a kind heart toward all things . . . even liars and thieves.”
“And hens.”
The quip did as he’d hoped. Slowly, Jacob’s shoulders eased. “Yeah, even hens.”
“So, why did Walker quit?”
“He knew what was happening and got fed up.”
“You sound like you resent that.”
“Not really,” he said slowly. “I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same in his position. I mean, the store doesn’t mean as much to Walker as it does to me. For him, it was just a job. And Perry was trouble.”
“So, what did happen when you confronted Perry?”
Jacob angled his body so he could clearly see the door that opened into the main store. “What happened was I hit him, Detective.”
Luke hadn’t thought he could be any more surprised by the turn of events but he was. “You hit him? I don’t want to sound rude, but I thought the Amish didn’t believe in violence.”
“We don’t. I don’t. But when there’s a kid set on intentionally hurting your father, well, that’s different. When your father’s honor is on the line, when family is involved, everything that you know to be right doesn’t matter. Don’t you think?” He glanced Luke’s way, his open gaze revealing nothing.
“I understand what it’s like to feel betrayed,” Luke hedged.
Seemingly satisfied that Luke was on his side, Jacob continued. “I promise you this. At first I only talked to Perry. Told him I knew that he was taking money from the cashbox and that it needed to stop.”
It needed to stop. “And how did he respond to that?”
“Respond?” He laughed. “Not well. He told me I was a liar. And then he said I could never prove it.”
“And so what did you do?”
“I slugged him in the stomach.” Jacob’s eyes warmed. “He doubled right over. It was a real sight, I tell you.”
With effort, Luke kept his face impassive. “Then what happened?”
“Then?” Jacob blinked, as if he was surprised by the question. “Then he straightened and told me he was going to tell my father that I hit him.”
“And you said . . .”
“I gave him the same words right back. I told him I’d like to see him prove it.” He took a breath. “And before you start asking what happened next, I’ll save you the time, Detective. I turned around and left. I knew if he smirked at me again, I was going to slam my right fist into his chin.”
“Did he stop stealing?”
“You and I both know the answer to that, Detective. He was using the money to buy drugs. He didn’t stop.”
“How did you find out about the drugs?”
“It wasn’t hard to figure out. There were rumors. He started acting like a totally different guy.”
“What do you mean by ‘different’?”
“His temper was quicker, his moods more erratic. He lied more and more. And sometimes he never showed up for work.” His gaze hardened. “He stole more money. Eventually, I had no choice. I had to tell my daed.”
“And?”
Jacob looked sheepish. “Turns out he already knew. Like I said, my