“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
“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.”
