Mystery at Saddle Creek (22 page)

Mack Jones sat in his office at the Caledon police station. The constant hail and high winds rattled the window behind him as a flash of lightning momentarily lit up the skies.

Across from him sat Jim and Ellen Wells.

“Thanks for coming in.” Mack leaned forward in his chair. “I asked you here because we need to talk — honestly. The way I see it, you're lucky we don't have enough proof to pin on you for the moment, but believe me when I say we're looking.” Mack's eyes squinted sternly. He continued. “First, you've sent out more notes threatening people. That's got to stop.”

“At least we're doing something.” Ellen stuck out her chin as she spoke.“You don't know how worried people are! Until we catch the man who killed Sandra, there will be no peace around here.”

“Have you considered that you're adding to their worry? That you're obstructing the police with this harassment?”

Jim added, “You police are holding an innocent man in custody while the guilty one runs free.”

Mack raised his eyebrow. “If you're referring to your friend Les Crowley, his innocence will be tested by the courts. I think you'll agree that a hit and run, coupled with an assault on a hospitalized man, should not be overlooked.”

Jim pursed his lips. “He got carried away.”

“For good reason!” Ellen's face reddened with emotion. “Sandra's death must be avenged.”

“Avenged?” asked Mack quietly.

Jim answered quickly. “Ellen means that we must help solve this crime, and do our civic duty.”

Mack nodded slowly. “Explain.”

Ellen answered, her voice quivering. “I saw her covered with her own blood, Mr. Jones, lying on the hard road. I feel a personal obligation to find that, that ... monster! I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try.”

“And you, Jim? What makes you so involved that you'd take part in criminal activities?”

Jim licked his lips nervously and his eyes darted around the room. Ellen spoke in his stead. “My husband is a noble man who is doing the right thing. It's not illegal to try to flush out a culprit.”

“It is illegal to burn down buildings. It is illegal to deliberately hit someone with a car. It is illegal to write notes threatening bodily harm. A man is fighting for his life, and another was hospitalized.” Mack waited for this to sink in. “You are both in serious trouble. If Pierre Hall dies, you'll be in more trouble than the man who killed Sandra Hall.”

The desk phone rang. Mack picked it up reluctantly, unwilling to break the tension of the moment. “Mack Jones.”

Ellen and Jim watched as the chief of police's face darkened. He uttered brief, serious acknowledgements to the caller, and jotted notes on his pad. Then he abruptly placed the receiver in the cradle.

“Do you have your cellphone on you, Jim?”

Jim blanched. He patted his pockets nervously.

“It is also illegal to forcibly detain somebody.” Mack rose to his full height. “You'll both be spending a little time with Les Crowley.” He pressed a buzzer on his desk, and looked impassively at their stricken faces. “You might be interested in who called just now. Philip Butler. He found your cell, Jim, in your jacket pocket. It was in the laundry room of your locked basement.”

Cliff left Hannah and Paul in the farmhouse, and headed home. He bent against the howling wind as he pushed through the mud and pounding hail, and pulled his collar up as high as it would go to protect his neck. Hannah had said she'd phone if there were any further developments, but he was still mad that she'd refused to let Paul help him search for Bird. He would look for her alone.

Lightning flashed, and the thunder was simultaneous. Cliff knew it had struck close by. He stopped, and stared in astonishment as the old maple in the front field burst into flames. The lightning had spared the farmhouse by metres! Maybe Hannah was right, Cliff thought. Head down, he hurried on.

He wasn't expecting company.

A large man jumped out at him as Cliff ran up the steps to his porch. He took hold of Cliff 's upper arm and shoved him hard. Reflexively, Cliff spun and elbowed him hard in the jaw. He watched the man tumble into the muddy garden below. Boss barked frantically from inside the house.

Cliff stood firmly in the rain, keeping the man in sight as he flailed and stumbled to his feet. It was Hank Crowley, Les's brother. Cliff had gone to school with Les, but he knew Hank by sight.

“Hank,” said Cliff. “Fancy meeting you like this.” Cliff grabbed the man's arm and pulled him up, twisting it behind his back as Hank squealed in pain. “I wondered when one of you would try something like this. We're going to see Hannah and Paul. They'll want to know why you dropped in.”

Bird and Sunny both heard Lucky coming. The big pup thrashed and crashed through the brush and arrived under the tent with great fanfare. He proudly dropped the squished loaf of bread at Bird's feet, then shook himself from head to toe.

Lucky! Good boy! How did you find me?
Bird rubbed his head and scratched behind his ears.

Cody showed me. I'm a good boy, aren't I?

Yes, Lucky. Good boy!

Cody quietly snuck into a far corner.
Bird girl.

Cody. Thank you so much.

Sundancer snorted.
Where's the dead meat you promised?

People food is much easier to obtain in a storm. Eat, Bird girl.

I'm so glad to have this, Cody. Tan's matches are wet. I couldn't start a fire and I'm not hungry enough to eat raw things.

The animals watched Bird devour the bread. She offered to share, but Cody refused, and with a stern glance ordered Lucky to refuse as well.

Despite the continuing storm, it was very cozy in the horse-blanket tent. The wind raged around them and the rain and hail continued to fall, but they were together and safe. Sundancer lay down in the middle, and Cody and Lucky snuggled up to his belly. After eating as much of the loaf as her stomach could handle, Bird rested her head on Sunny's neck and promptly fell asleep.

Cliff and the unwilling Hank approached the farmhouse just as Patty and Liz were dashing through the rain from their car. Hannah held open the screen door and strained to hear Patty's words over the storm.

Patty was saying, “I hope you don't mind, Hannah. We were getting so edgy we thought we should just come over.”

Hannah ushered them in, then caught sight of Cliff on the walkway with Hank slightly in front of him. “Cliff? Who's that with you?”

Paul quickly joined her at the door. “Is that Hank Crowley?”

“Sure is.”

Paul caught on quickly. “Bring him inside.”

Hannah knew exactly what to do. “I'll call Mack.”

Cliff and Paul each took an arm and hauled Hank into the house.

“Julia!” ordered Paul. “Get the clothesline from the closet!”

Julia jumped into action as Liz covered her mouth with her hands. “W ... what's going on?” she wailed.

“Don't worry about anything,” Cliff answered. “This guy's not going anywhere.”

“This should do until the police come,” said Paul, tightening the knots in the clothesline that held Hank to a chair. “Hannah? Did you get through?”

“Sure did,” she said,hanging up. “Right to Mack.” She turned from the phone in a daze. “Wow. Things are happening fast. He's just arrested Jim and Ellen.”

Paul reacted with a jolt. “Pardon me?”

Hannah nodded, then turned to Patty. “Patty, sit down. Mack tried to call you. I told him you were here.”

Expecting the worst, Patty dropped into a kitchen chair. Liz sat down on her knee trembling.

All eyes were on Hannah as she began to speak.

“Philip's fine, but he was locked in the Wells's basement all day. He's on his way here with the officers.”

Paul spoke. “Locked in the Wells's basement?”

Patty mumbled, “All day?”

“Why?” whispered Liz. “Why would they l ... lock him in their b ... basement?”

Cliff spoke thoughtfully. “They're ramping it up, that's why. Pierre and Tanbark were hurt already, so today it was Phil's turn — and mine.”

Paul slowly turned to face Hank. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

Hank refused to open his mouth.

“Fine.” Paul reached over and tightened the last knot. “You can talk this over with the authorities.”

There was another knock on the door.

Hannah opened it to find Pete and Laura Pierson huddled under a small pink umbrella. “Heavens! Please come in!”

“We won't disturb you,” said Pete, his eyes taking in the whole scene, “unless we can help. You have more than enough going on.”

Laura hugged Hannah tightly. “Fiona told us that Bird was missing. You poor dear! You must be beside yourself!”

Hannah tried to answer, but the tears she'd been holding back all day filled her eyes and her throat constricted.

“We've been trying to get through, dear, but your line has been busy,” Laura continued. “We couldn't wait another moment. What can we do?”

“Julia! Liz!” called Hannah, brushing away the unwanted tears. “Pull some chairs by the fire for Mr.and Mrs. Pierson.” She faced the elderly couple with a smile. “Come in now before you catch pneumonia, or we'll have to tie you up like Hank, here!”

Pete and Laura stepped inside and stood on the mat with rain dripping off their coats. Hannah hung their umbrella and coats on hooks, as chairs were readied.

Pete looked hard at Hank, who blinked and squirmed under his gaze. “I've known you since you were a boy, Hank. I knew your father and grandfather, too. You've made trouble for yourself and for your family. You've made trouble for the whole community. I hope you think it's worth it.”

Hank's eyes wavered for a second then hardened. He kept silent. Only the nervous movement of his fingers suggested that he'd heard what Pete had said.

As the Piersons sat down by the fire, a crunching of tires on the gravel driveway outside signalled another arrival.

Paul and Hannah looked at each other and spoke at the same time. “The police.”

27

 

BIRD'S VOICE RETURNS

Tan had found the perfect hiding place — an old deserted cave that was dry and quiet inside. Best of all, it was on the path to a fresh water hole where animals of all kinds came to drink. That would make scenting him very difficult. Tracking dogs just weren't that smart. He crawled in and made himself as comfortable as possible on the hard ground surrounded by rocks. He grinned and fidgeted. Things were turning out just fine.

BIRD SLEPT SOUNDLY through the storm. The hail slowly turned to rain and the winds began to weaken, imperceptibly at first, until the storm was finally over.

Cody was the first to awaken. He wiggled silently out of the tent on his belly and crept away.

Sunny woke next, and stayed still for as long as he could stand it.

Bird, I need to stand up.

No answer.

Bird! Seriously. Horses are not meant to be off their feet for too long.

Bird stirred slightly, then rolled over. As soon as she was clear of him, Sunny stood. He shook himself, then stretched. The scent of fresh wet grass drew him outside, and soon he was busy filling his empty belly.

Lucky snored deeply, and Bird turned over to find a more comfortable position.

When the cruiser stopped in front of Saddle Creek, Paul opened the ripped screen door, wondering briefly what had possessed Lucky. The officers got out of the patrol car, followed by Phil. Patty ran outside and embraced him. “What happened?” she asked.

“I'll tell you all about it,” said Phil, “after the officers have removed our friend Hank.” They walked into the house with arms entwined.

Paul and Cliff untied Hank and the two policemen snapped on the handcuffs. One officer spoke to Hannah as he worked. “The chief has put another search team together, and they're on their way now.”

Hannah nodded eagerly. “I'm so glad.”

A moment later, they were gone.

“Well,” said Hannah as she watched the cruiser's tail lights disappear down the lane. “Hank's gone. I'm glad.”

“The rain's stopped, too,” said Paul, looking at the sky.

“I just wish we knew where Bird was,” Julia said quietly, her voice cracking with emotion.

“They're starting the search again, honey,” said Hannah, giving Julia's shoulder a warm squeeze. “Mack told us that as soon as the lightning stopped, the dogs and men would go down and find her, and that's what they'll do.”

Julia burst into tears. “I hope they find her,” she whispered, “but I really hope she's still alive.”

Liz hugged her friend and began to cry, too. “Don't c ... cry, Julia,” she croaked. “When you c ... cry, I c ... cry.”

Cliff was the first to voice what they were all thinking. “I'm going to get a flashlight. Who's coming with me?”

Julia jumped up. “I am!”

“Me, t ... too!” cried Liz.

“You can't hold me back!” said Hannah.

“I'll take my cell,” Paul said as he grabbed a flashlight. “We can form our own team. Never too many hands.”

“Pete and I will stay here to answer the phone,” said Laura. “I'll put the chicken pie in the oven, and we can all eat when Bird comes home.”

Just as she spoke, the phone rang. Paul put it on speaker so he could grab his jacket.

“Hello?”

“Kenneth Bradley here. Have you found Tanbark?”

Everyone stopped what they were doing.

“No, Mr. Bradley. Mack's sending some dogs down soon, though.”

“Soon, you say? What incompetence!” Kenneth sputtered. “I'll do it myself. I've got my own search team and I'll find him myself.” He slammed the phone down with considerable energy.

“He didn't even ask about Bird,” said Julia.

From the corner of the kitchen, Pete's quiet voice interrupted their thoughts. “Why is he so eager to find Tanbark that he would forget his granddaughter?”

No one could answer.