Plain Truth. Debby Giusti

make a short visit. Then you’re going straight home.”

      “Aye aye, sir.”

      He laughed. “You’re mixing branches of the service.”

      “Whatever works.” She smiled. “But do me a favor. My first name’s Ella.”

      “And I’m Zach.”

      She pointed to the upcoming intersection. “Turn right. Then make another right at the four-way.”

      She stole a glance at his sturdy shoulders and strong hands. Quin had been a small man. Zach was the exact opposite. He was all brawn and muscle, with deep-set eyes that continued to glance at her.

      The strange ripple of interest she felt surprised her. Her marriage had been a failure. She wouldn’t try again with any man. Her clinic and her work provided everything she needed. And more.

      “There’s the house. On the left.” She pointed to the two-story colonial with a circular driveway.

      “I don’t want you to overdo it,” Zach cautioned again.

      “I’m okay. Really. Ensuring the twins’ condition has improved will be better than any meds the doctor at the hospital could have prescribed.”

      After Zach parked, Ella stepped from the car. Together, they walked to the front door, and he rang the bell.

      Lucy Landers, the twins’ grandmother, cracked open the door. Her hair was pulled into a bun, and she wore a white apron over a calico dress. “Yes?”

      “Mrs. Landers, I’m Dr. Jacobsen from the Children’s Care Clinic. I’ve been treating the twins and wanted to ensure they were feeling better.”

      “Oh, forgive me, Dr. Jacobsen. I didn’t recognize you.” She opened the door wide. “Come in, please.”

      Ella introduced Zach. “Special Agent Swain is from Fort Rickman. He’s investigating what happened at my clinic.”

      The older woman’s eyes filled with tears. “My husband has been at the hospital all night. The doctors told him the next twenty-four hours are so important.”

      Ella reached for her hand. “The medical personnel know what they’re doing.”

      Mrs. Landers sniffed. “I hope you’re right.”

      Ella glanced around the living room with its simple furnishings, and peered into the hallway. “What about the girls?”

      “They’re still sleeping.”

      “Did either child run a temperature in the night?” she asked.

      The woman shook her head. “I checked them often. They stayed cool.”

      “May I see them, Mrs. Landers?”

      “Of course.” She motioned for Ella and Zach to follow her, and stopped at the threshold of a small bedroom where the twins lay sleeping.

      Ella quietly approached the double bed and touched each child’s forehead, relieved that both girls felt cool and afebrile. One of the twins blinked her eyes open.

      “Hi, Stacey.” Ella smiled down at her. “How are you feeling?”

      “Fine.”

      “Does your tummy hurt anymore?”

      The little girl shook her head. “I’m hungry.”

      Ella glanced at the grandmother. “Seems Stacey is ready for breakfast.”

      “I’m so glad.” The woman held out her hand. “Come on, sugar. Let’s go into the kitchen. I’ll fix you a soft-boiled egg on toast. Won’t that taste good?”

      The child looked at her sister. “What about Shelly?”

      “She’ll wake up soon, sugar. When she does, I’ll make her an egg, too.”

      Ella checked the second twin, who stirred and then snuggled down even deeper into the bedding.

      “Thanks for bringing me here,” Ella whispered to Zach as they left the room. “I’m relieved knowing the girls are better.”

      “Can I fix something for you folks?” Lucy asked from the kitchen. “How ’bout some coffee?”

      “I need to get back to the clinic,” Ella said. “If anything changes, call me there.”

      The front door opened and the twins’ grandfather entered the house. Heavyset and in his late fifties, Mr. Landers wore a plaid shirt and dark slacks.

      “Are the girls sick again?” he asked in lieu of a greeting.

      “No, sir.” Ella shook her head. “Both of them seem better. Stacey’s in the kitchen waiting for your wife to fix her something to eat. Shelly’s sleeping, but her fever has broken. I expect both girls to be back to normal by tomorrow morning.”

      She introduced Zach.

      “You’re from the fort?” the older man asked.

      “That’s right, sir. I’m with the Criminal Investigation Division. We’re looking into your daughter’s attack. Mrs. Landers said you were with her at the hospital on post. How’s her condition?”

      “The doctor said she’s critical and wouldn’t let me stay with her long.”

      “That’s standard policy for patients in intensive care,” Ella tried to explain.

      He nodded. “Hugh and I took turns. He’s having a hard time, and I’m worried about him.”

      “Grandpa!” Stacey ran from the kitchen and into his open arms.

      “How’s my Sassafras?”

      “I’m not your Sassafras, Grandpa. I’m your Sweet Tea.”

      His eyes widened. “Then you’re not Shelly?”

      The little girl giggled. “Shelly’s a sleepyhead. Grandma said she’d wake up soon.”

      “You’re feeling better, honey?”

      The child nodded. “And hungry. Grandma wants to know if you’ll eat some eggs.”

      “Tell Grandma I’m hungry enough to eat a bear.”

      The girl laughed and raced back to the kitchen. “Grandpa wants bear with his eggs.”

      The older man’s eyes clouded. “Don’t know what we’d do without those girls.”

      “Sir, does anyone come to mind who might want to harm your daughter?” Zach asked.

      He hesitated. “Hard to say.”

      “So there is someone?”

      Mr. Landers nodded. “Levi Miller.”

      “Has he caused problems, sir?”

      “Not problems, but he’s passed by a number of times in the last couple months.”

      “I’m sure many Amish farmers and their families drive their buggies in front of your house,” Ella said. “You live on one of the main roads in this area.”

      “But Levi is different.”

      “How so, sir?” Zach asked.

      “He always had his eye on Mary Kate.”

      “Levi has a wife,” Ella insisted. “They’re expecting a child.”

      Landers snarled. “That doesn’t make a bit of difference to some men. If I see him hanging around again, I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”

      “Might be wise to notify the police, sir, if you have a grievance against Mr. Miller,” Zach cautioned.

      The older man bristled. “I can take care of my family and don’t