I see Hoch’s mind working over the time frame, and I know he’s doing the math. “So this woman … she could be my half sister.”

“It’s possible.”

“My mother endured much suffering.”

“Yes. You, too.”

From her place at the sink, Hannah looks at me over her shoulder, and I see tears on her cheeks. “Sell is en shlimm shtoahri.” That is a terrible story. “It breaks my heart.”

“I’m sorry.” I look at Hoch. “Can I talk to you alone?”

Wariness enters his eyes. At first I think he’s going to refuse; then he nods at his wife. “Leave us for a moment, Hannah.”

She bows her head slightly, dries her hands on a dish towel, and leaves the kitchen.

When we’re alone, I say, “In your statement, you told the police that one of the men threw the lantern down the steps and into the basement, causing the fire that killed the children.”

“Yes, that is true.”

“Blue Branson claims none of them threw the lantern. That they forced all of you into the basement without any light.”

He blinks at me, unspeaking.

That he doesn’t deny Blue’s assertion stirs a small ping of skepticism, of pain—and compassion. “Hoch, I’m not here to lay blame. You were the victim of a crime that night. I just want to make sure I have all the facts and that those facts are correct because it will have a bearing on the case. Is Blue telling the truth about the lantern? Is it possible the lantern was already in the basement and the children lit it?”

“Why does it matter?” he snaps. “They’re with God now.”

“It matters because if Blue was the cause of that fire, he’ll be charged with four additional counts of homicide.”

The Amish man lowers his face into his hands and emits a single sob. “My brothers and sisters … they were frightened of the dark. Mamm kept a lantern on the workbench where she made soap. I lit the lantern. I thought … I thought they would be all right.”

I steel myself against a rolling wave of sympathy. For him. For the children. And for the first time, I’m fully cognizant of the guilt he must have felt all these years. “It was an accident, Hoch. The kids may have panicked and somehow knocked it over.”

“It’s my fault. If I hadn’t left them … they’d still be alive. I’ve prayed for God’s forgiveness. He has given me comfort. Still, those little ones are gone because of me.”