A Solitude Disappearance

By Saundra McKee

In this sixth in the Amish Country Murder Mystery Series, Dana Blades gets called home to Solitude from an extended Florida vacation. The telephone call comes from Elizabeth, the daughter-in-law of Dana's dear Amish friend Fannie Byler. Fannie has mysteriously disappeared. Her horse and buggy were found wandering on the road near the pay phone used by much of the Amish community. Dana is driven to seek professional help as she's filled with despair and anxiety over her missing friend. She becomes obsessed with seeking clues to determine whether the disappearance could be the act of random killers, related to the recent beard and hair cutting assaults by ultra conservative Amish, connected to something Fannie witnessed or just Fannie's attempt to escape her mounting pressures at home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saundra McKee
• Release date: Nov 18, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465900630

Saundra McKee

I am a retired educator. I taught in the public schools for 15 years and at the university level for 22 years. I love to travel the world. I enjoy politics, dogs, mysteries and water sports. I am a lay speaker in the United Methodist Church.

Book preview

A Solitude Disappearance by Sandy McKee

Published by Saundra McKee at Smashwords. Copyright 2011. Saundra McKee

All characters and events in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. While some of the places mentioned actually exist, they are used in an entirely fictional manner.

Chapter 1

March

Monday

The psychiatrist’s office was bright and cheery, unlike the dreary grey remains of winter snow outside. There were angels of every size, shape and gender setting on shelves, tables and the window sills. Dana found their heavenly presence comforting as she fidgeted and waited for Dr. Abranovic to enter. He wasn’t at all what she’d expected. Dana’s experience with shrinks was limited to reruns of Frasier. Dr. Abranovic was in his late fifties, chunky with wild graying hair, intense brown eyes and a friendly smile. He wore a Pittsburgh Penguin’s sweatshirt and faded jeans. Dana, welcome. I’m told that Dr. Greycar referred you. I guess you’ve completed all the paperwork for now, not that we’re finished, but let’s chat.

Dana looked around the room for the traditional couch from which to pour her heart. Finding none, she remained in the wooden padded chair. I’m not sure how this works, said Dana. I just told Dr. Greycar that I feel like I’m coming apart. I haven’t slept, eaten or been able to concentrate. I’ve never seen a psychiatrist before and feel a bit nervous spilling my life to a stranger.

Dr. Abranovic nodded understandingly. That’s perfectly normal, Dana. You tell me as much or as little as you wish. At this point, I might be able to make some assessments, suggest further therapy if warranted and prescribe some medications that might help. I must say you look pretty healthy for someone who is feeling such stress. You look much younger than your birth date suggests. And that’s some suntan for western Pennsylvania in early March.

Dana smiled self consciously. Dr. Greycar, said you were charming. I’ve been in Florida, enjoying long walks on the beach with my husband, dog and grandchildren since January. I just got back a couple days ago. A good friend of mine has disappeared and I had to get back to try to help. I know that’s the source of my immediate stress. There hasn’t been any sign of her.

It was a small rural area and Dana wasn’t surprised when the doctor acknowledged her missing friend. You must be talking about the Amish woman from Solitude who disappeared. People don’t disappear in this area. You say you are good friends. Isn’t that unusual, with you being non Amish or English as they say?

Fannie and I go back to our elementary school years. Then I was away for many years. We kind of reconnected after I came back to the area to look after my mother. Dana’s eyes filled with tears. We’ve gone through a lot together. She’s probably my closest friend. Her disappearance makes no sense. She’s the kindest, most loving, hardest working person I’ve ever known. She’s made me a better person.

The psychiatrist’s eyes also seemed to fill with tears. No wonder you’re feeling so anxious. The police don’t seem to have any leads. They claim that her family hasn’t been exactly forthcoming with information. Although I guess that’s not unusual for the Amish community. They like to handle things on their own and keep to themselves.

Dana wiped tears from her face. I don’t honestly think they know much. Elizabeth, her daughter-in-law called me in Naples. She and her husband John live close to Fannie and Eli, her husband. Fannie supposedly left for groceries in the morning and never got to the store. Her son John found her horse and buggy two miles from their home. Everyone was out looking for her by afternoon with no success. Elizabeth called the police the next day. She called me then too.

Dr. Abranovic typed away on his laptop computer. How did an Amish woman call you? I didn’t think they had telephones.

There a payphone not far from Elizabeth and John’s house. It was actually close to the phone where they discovered her horse and buggy. That makes me think if Fannie thought that she was in danger, she could have called for help.

I see. So if your friend is found, do you think you’d be okay?

Probably in the short run anyhow. It’s all that I can think about. I keep thinking about where she could be, what could have happened to her. It makes no sense. She’s been through so much lately. Her husband was shot in the head back in early December and she was nursing him back to health. He’s made great progress, but still has a long way to go. She’s been his rock.

So you two stayed in touch when you were in Naples?

Well Fannie doesn’t have a home telephone or email, of course, but we wrote back and forth every week or so. She seemed tired. Her letters had gotten shorter, but I just attributed it to her being exhausted from all the care that Eli required. Fannie also writes an occasional column for the local paper on Amish life. We kick ideas back and forth in our letters. Fannie’s as conservative as I am liberal, but we usually respect each other’s views.

Dr. Abranovic kept writing. Is your husband also close to Fannie and Eli?

Dana nodded. "Yes, we’re all good friends. Larry would be here with me, but