“I think all this began with Schrock,” I tell him. “He’s a predator and a sociopath. His views are extreme. I’m guessing, but he was probably ousted from his former community because the leaders there realized what he is. He came to New York. Designated himself bishop. He used his charisma to bring people in. Amish who were disgruntled with their own church districts. He took in those who’d been excommunicated. The lost and unwanted. People looking for something. He controlled them through intimidation and violence.” I shrug. “In essence he was running a cult. When someone displeased him, he punished them. Or did away with them.”

“Suggs knew about the Esh girl?,” Betancourt says with a good bit of anger.

“Interestingly, when I asked Suggs about her, all he would tell me is that she’d become a threat. I don’t know how or why. He said she tried to run away.” I shake my head, remembering Suggs’s bizarre reaction. “I suspect they caught her and let her die in the cold.”

“Any idea who?”

I shake my head. “Maybe Schrock will be able to shed some light.”

“So far the son of a bitch isn’t talking,” he growls. “We’re probably not going to get a handle on the scope of this thing for a while, Chief.” Leaning back in his chair, he contemplates me. I can tell by his expression there’s more and it’s not good. “Call came in from Franklin County twenty minutes ago. They found some graves on that hill by the barn.”

Something inside me sinks. “How many?”

He shrugs. “They’re trying to get a forensic anthropologist out there now. I guess one of the deputies uncovered some bones. He started looking around and sure enough, he found more. He’s pretty sure they’re human. We’ll get a better picture of things in the hours to come.”

I think about Rebecca’s family. Her missing son and daughter-in-law. Her missing grandchildren. Schrock is a murderous son of a bitch. So much pain. So many lives destroyed, and for what?

*   *   *

Tomasetti arrives forty-five minutes later. Betancourt rises to greet him and the two men shake hands. “Chief Burkholder and I were just finishing up the debriefing.”

“Good timing on my part,” Tomasetti says. He’s trying to play it cool, but he hasn’t taken his eyes off me since he entered the room. “I hear you guys broke the case wide open.”

“It was bigger than any of us imagined.” Betancourt grimaces. “Dan Suggs was involved. Shot and killed himself sometime last night.”

“Sad for his family.”

“Chief Burkholder had a few dicey moments. I was just thanking her for sticking with it and making the sacrifices she did. We appreciate it.”

A brief silence ensues. Betancourt makes a big deal of looking at his watch. “I’ve got a meeting to get to.” He raises his hand. “Take care, Agent Tomasetti.”