"Torri Sanders, this is Lieutenant Mike Stone and Inspector Steve Keller from the San Francisco Police Department, Homicide.", Barry introduced his blonde medium-built wife to the detectives, before accepting the piece of debris she'd found farther down the road.
Holding the four-inch-long wooden shrapnel down against the glow of the police car's headlights, the Deputy grunted in confusion, before nodding faintly.
"It's a piece of an Amish Buggy, that's for sure. I think it's from the…the undercarriage so to speak. I am surprised it was still drivable after you hit it, Inspector."
Having followed the interaction with a growing sense of unease, Mike stood back up to face Barry and his wife, without leaving his partner's side.
"I think it's time we have a little conversation about what's going on in this town. Because we're not getting the whole truth here."
Seeing the Deputy's face turn ashen instantly, Mike crossed his arms in front of his chest, before continuing.
"By now we know about the relationship between Rory and Amy, as well as his Amish girlfriend. We also know about the ongoing fight between Morrison and Darr and their poultry businesses. What I can't figure out is how Jacob is tied into all this. But I am willing to bet that whoever tried to kill him tonight does. So spill it, what's really going on, Barry?"
The young Deputy fell quiet for many long moments, sharing a worried glance with his wife more than once, as he pondered about the right answer. As the emergency flashers from his squad car lit up the small beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, Barry finally cleared his throat and drew in a shaky breath.
"I don't know the whole story either, Lieutenant, I swear to you. But I do know some things…"
Before he could even continue, Torri looked at both detectives, before clenching her husband's hand nervously.
"In the beginning it sounded like a fairy tale…this whole Amy and Rory thing. They had so much in common. Their parents business…losing a mother…But see, I went to school with Rory, I knew how he was.", sighing deeply, the lady's eyes fell on Steve as the young Inspector carefully wiped the blood off the side of this face, listening intently, "I knew that eventually he'd return to his old habits. And he did. In the worst possible way."
"There's this unspoken rule around here…", Barry interrupted and wrapped a strong arm around his wife's shoulders, "You don't mix cultures and you don't date the Amish. Rory…obviously didn't care much about rules. As a matter of fact, I don't even know how he and that girl met. But man, it caused an uproar within the Amish community. Short of shunning Marie, they basically put her on a leash. She isn't allowed to deal with us "English" without supervision. And I was angry at Rory for taking advantage of such an…innocent girl. She didn't know any better. And she trusted him."
"Mhm…"
Pursing his lips, Mike fell quiet for a moment, then glanced down at his partner in time to see Steve trying to raise to his feet.
"Here, let me help you…"
As both he and Barry knelt down to help the young Inspector get up and lean against the driver side of the battered Galaxy, Mike couldn't help but notice the sincere concern and nervousness radiating through every pore of the Deputies' body.
"He did pretty good managing both relationships but then one day…Amy found out about his affair…", the young police officer continued and let go off Steve's arm, before taking a step back.
"What did she do once she found out? And how did she find out?"
Mike's voice had returned to its even tone again, making room for his detective senses to go into full alert.
"I think somebody in town may have seen Rory with Marie…You've seen how these people are. Nothing escapes their prying eyes. Rory should have known that.", Torrie answered and crossed her arms in front of her chest as the cool morning air chilled all of them.
"And Amy has her father's temper…", Barry continued, "I heard she went nuts."
"Nuts enough to kill Rory?"
This time it was Steve who spoke up, his green eyes going back and forth between the married couple.
"I am not sure. She's never been violent before other than…you know…helping out her father with the business."
"There's your motive and opportunity…", Steve said, directing his words toward his partner, who stood there silently for a moment, digesting the new information.
"Yeah, but why did Mickey never report him missing?"
"Mickey didn't talk to him all that much…", Torri answered and shrugged, "They fought on and off."
"It still doesn't explain how Jacob ties into all that…", this time it was Steve who spoke up.
"I think I might know…", Barry mumbled, his expression turning somber as the realization of what he was about to say hit him, "He ehm…I caught him talk to somebody on the phone a couple of times over the past few weeks. His voice was different than the one he uses when he…you know…talks to regular folks."
Mike nodded eagerly, nudging the young Deputy to continue to talk.
"Amy actually came to the office early last week, claiming she wanted to file a report. But she wanted to file it with Jacob. I didn't think anything of it and went on my patrol. But I am just…hindsight…I am wondering if she was using Jacob to cheat on Rory like Rory used Marie to cheat on Amy…"