“Thanks for the share. We’re going to be on the Hunting Bigfoot reality show, so we’ll be on the lookout for him in the woods. From the sounds of it we’ll be going to that hunting camp behind the airport.”
“Well, be careful out there. I’d hate to have to start a search party way out there for you. Perhaps all the people heading into town simply want to audition for the show.”
We followed Peterson to his cruiser. “I sure hope you’re right, Sheriff, but please be careful. East Tawas would be lost without you.”
Peterson’s face softened a bit. “Thanks, I think.” He hopped into his car and off he went like a shot into the night.
“What did you tell him that for?” Eleanor asked.
“Well, he did tell us that they never found Billy.”
“Yeah, but we already knew that.”
“Yes, but we can’t let him know that. We oughta try a little sugar now and then.”
“I suppose so. So are we planning to question Rosa Lee Hill this year or next?”
I pulled out my cell phone and phoned in a takeout order. Ten minutes later we were waiting inside G’s Pizzeria and Deli. I breathed in deeply the fragrance of garlic and tomato sauce. This place had the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life. My mouth was salivating already.
“I’m starving,” Eleanor said. “I missed breakfast and you rushed me out of the Cat Lady’s house just as she was about to grill up lunch.”
“It’s a good thing, too, since my grandbaby was sick. At least we were able to clean up the place for Sophia before she had to leave. I remember all too well those days when my children were sick.”
Our pizza was put on the counter and the server rung us up. I handed her a twenty, telling her to keep the change and off we went. Eleanor and I got back into the car and I reminded her not to open the pizza box. “But I’m starving,” Eleanor whined.
“Me, too, but we’re going to give Rosa Lee a treat, and I don’t want it to get cold from you opening that box.”
“I sure hope she has some soda. I’m thirsty.”
I drove up to Rosa Lee’s potpourri shop in Tadium, right outside of East Tawas. I stared at the wooded siding. It sure hadn’t changed since the days when this place was a Roy’s Bait and Tackle, and when I walked in I half expected it to smell like fish, but the aroma of potpourri wafted in the air and about knocked me over. My sinus passages began to seep and I dabbed at my nose with the back of my arm.
Rosa Lee Hill came from the back wearing a black apron tied snugly around her waist, a sprig of rosemary in her weathered hands. Her eyes lit up, “Is that G’s pizza I smell?”
“Sure is,” I said, blinking repeatedly.
“Come on into the back. The fragrances aren’t so bad back here.”
We followed Rosa Lee into the back and I sunk into a chair. Once the door was closed, it wasn’t so bad and felt safe enough to take a breath. “Thank goodness. I was about ready to pass out, out there.”
Eleanor opened the pizza box and we each grabbed a piece of the pepperoni pizza. When I bit down, I felt like I was in heaven, or as close as I’ve come to it on earth.
Between bites, Rosa Lee asked, “What brings you by?”
“We’ve been hired by Billy Matlin to find Bigfoot.” I waited for a response, but when there was none, I continued. “Anyway, he’s gone missing now. His patio door was smashed in, too.”
“Oh, my. Maybe Bigfoot got him,” Rosa snickered. “If you believe in that nonsense, that is.”
“It seems your boys, Curt and Curtis, believe it, too. They showed us a cast they took of a footprint.”
“You know how boys are. They’re just having a little fun with you, is all.”
“Okay, so if it wasn’t Bigfoot, what do you think it was?”
She stroked her chin in thought. “Not sure what you’re asking here.”
“Do you know anyone who’d wish to harm Billy Matlin?”
“If I were one for conspiracy theories, I’d have believed that someone wanted to shut him up.”
That made perfect sense. “I see. Anyone is particular?”
“Well, folks sure got stirred up with his wild tales. He had planned to do a big interview with the Animal Channel people, but since the Animal Network is here, I just wonder if they’d rather he never did that interview. After all, they’re here to do their own show. I can only imagine that the Animal Channel has way more credibility than the Animal Network, don’t you think?”
“Sure, I suppose, since they have their own channel and the Animal Network is struggling, but I met some of those guys, and the director, Peyton Daniels, seems real nice. Not so much for that Brent character that’s the host for the show.”
“How do you know so much about that show, Agnes, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“We’re going to be on the show, Hunting Bigfoot, is why,” Eleanor said. “It was all my idea, but Agnes decided it was such a great idea that she had to go along for the ride.”
I raised a brow. “I did? Oh, yeah, I did. That Eleanor sure comes up with great ideas. Since Billy is missing, hopefully we’ll run into him out in the woods. Any other ideas on who might have wanted Billy out of the way?”
“He has an ex-wife in town. Peggy Matlin. She works at Neiman’s Market. They’ve had some dispute over money he owes for back child support. Besides Peggy, I can’t think of anyone who’d mean him harm. He’s sorta odd, but not the type to rile up too many people. From what my boys say, he sticks pretty close to home most of the time, or is out in the woods searching for Bigfoot.”
“Your boys never had any squirmishes with Billy that you know of?”
Rosa Lee’s hands went to her hips. “I hope you’re not expecting me to know about everything my boys do. There isn’t enough time in the day for that.”
I wanted to ask her about her sons’ activities with the Michigan Militia, and if it might have led to Billy’s disappearance, but I could just as well ask Curt and Curtis outright.
El and I grabbed one more slice of pizza, opting to go out the back door to avoid the fragrances of the shop. I had a touch of asthma as a child, but I grew out of it. That is unless I’m around too many fragrances, like a flower shop or a potpourri shop.
Once we were back in the car, Eleanor and I finished our pizza and I cranked over the engine, heading back to East Tawas and Neiman’s Market.
“Do you really think Billy’s ex-wife had anything to do with his disappearance?” Eleanor asked.
“I’m not sure, but we need to follow the leads we’re given, like it or not.”
“I suppose. I’m buying a soda when we get there is all I know. I’m thirsty.”
Chapter Thirteen
When we rolled into the Neiman’s parking lot, it was quite busy. Not a surprise since they had the best sales in town. They had all kinds of events, from a ‘Paczki’ eating contest during Fat Tuesday, to the ‘Taste of the Tropics’ during the winter months with smoothie recipes and demonstrations. Their staff was always friendly and helpful.
We walked inside and Eleanor grabbed a soda from an ice chest and began to guzzle it, ignoring the startled expression of a woman who walked by. The folks that worked here paid it no mind since this was a common occurrence with Eleanor. They knew she’d pay on her way out.
We approached the service counter and we were waited on quickly. “Can I help you?” a woman with a cropped hairdo asked us.
“Is Peggy Matlin working today?” I asked.
“She’s on break right now. Is it important?”
“Very important.”
The woman led us outside where Peggy, a rotund blonde, was smoking a cigarette. I greeted her. “Are you Peggy Matlin?”
“Yes, but like I told the sheriff, I have no idea where Billy is. We’re divorced.”
“Oh, and what makes you think we’re here to question you about your ex-husband?”
She rolled her eyes. “Because you’re the private investigator, Agnes Barton, and Billy told me all
about how he hired you to find Bigfoot.”
“Which means what, exactly?” Eleanor asked with a tilt of her head.
“That you’re here to ask me questions about Billy’s disappearance. I’m sure by now word has gotten to you that he’s missing. Most likely from that Trooper Sales since he’s married to your granddaughter, Sophia.”
I didn’t like where she was going with this. “For one thing, neither Trooper Sales nor Sheriff Peterson has given us any information about Billy’s disappearance. We were the ones who called them in when the house was in total disarray.”
Her brow shot up. “Oh, really? Do tell.”
“I’d rather not. Besides, as you said, you’re divorced.”
“It’s not that I don’t care about the man. I just can’t live with him.”
“I see. Is it true there was a dispute over child support money he owed?”
She bit her pinkie. “Yes, but I swear I wouldn’t ever do anything to Billy except maybe lambast him with a brick.”
Eleanor laughed. “Why is that?”
“Well, we were doing just fine, and then one day out of the blue he insisted that he saw Bigfoot, and that was it. All he ever did was look in the woods all day long. I tolerated it way longer than most women would, but one day I just decided that I couldn’t take it anymore. I packed up my things, and me and the kids left.”
“Just like that?” Eleanor asked. “Didn’t you at least try to reason with him?”
“I sure did, but he just couldn’t see past his Bigfoot delusions.”
I straightened my shirt. “I see. So you never actually saw Bigfoot yourself?”
“No. I must admit I smelled something bad out in the backyard, but it was sewage, is all. I told him to get our septic tank drained too many times to count.”
“So that’s what you made of that smell?” I asked.
“Sure, what else could it be?”
“I’ve smelled plenty of sewage in my life, but I’ve never smelled anything like I did that day at Billy’s place.”
“I hope you aren’t deluded into thinking his stories have merit. He hasn’t been right since the Gulf War.”
“He was in the Gulf War? Did you at least try to get him some help?”
“Yes, and he refused. I’m sorry to hear Billy disappeared, but I’m not the one to blame.”
I gave Peggy a once over. She wasn’t crying or even all that upset. “Are you dating anyone now?”
She bit her lip and fluffed her blonde hair a tad. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Have you hooked up with anyone since you and Billy split? It’s a simple question,” Eleanor said.
“Y-Yes, but I’m sure he didn’t have anything to do with Billy’s disappearance.”
My brow arched. “And what makes you so sure?”
“Because Bubba wouldn’t do that. He’s a real gentle soul, like a teddy bear.”
I pressed. “Where would we find this Bubba?”
“He works at Randy’s towing, but please don’t go there asking questions. He hasn’t been working there long. I’d hate to see him lose his job.”
“What do you suggest then, because we need to ask him a few questions?”
She shrugged. “You can figure it out since you’re the big time investigator, not me.”
Instead of giving Peggy a piece of my mind over her last comment, I simply thanked her and made way to the cash register, waiting for Eleanor to pay for her cola.
As we walked back to the car, I mused aloud. “I suppose we could call Randy’s Towing and call a wrecker, requesting Bubba to be sent out.”
“What makes you think this Bubba would even be sent out to the same location his girlfriend works?”
“Good point. Let’s find another spot in town to call from.”
We hopped in the car and tooled down to Newman Street where I parallel parked with a thump as I ran over the curb for good measure like I always managed to do.
Eleanor laughed. “Good job. Maybe I should drive next time.”
“If you did that, the car would be parked in Diversions Tea House.”
Her mouth slacked open. “That’s not fair. I managed to drive without incident the last two times I drove to Walmart.”
“Did you, now? And how did you manage that? I thought the Caddy wasn’t running?”
“I simply lifted the hood and reattached the battery cable. I’m not a dummy, you know. I know you removed it to keep me from driving.”
“Fine, you can drive when we leave here, and we’ll see just how well you do.” I popped the hood, and took my wrench, clamoring out, and asked a kind man who strolled by to lift the hood for me, which he did.
“You want me take a look under your hood?” the man asked.
Eleanor appeared on the sidewalk and snickered. “I’d love that, but since I’m engaged it’s out of the question.”
“I meant look at the car engine,” he said with a wink.
“Oh, drat. Thanks, but as you can see, Agnes has a wrench and can handle it. You think older gals like us can’t figure out how to keep our car running?”
He held up his hands and backed away. “Not at all. Good luck, ladies.” He turned on his heels and walked up the street.
I removed the cables with Eleanor playing lookout. I’d hate for anyone else to stop and ask if we needed help. Then there would be questions that I’d rather not answer. I called Randy’s towing, asking for Bubba to come specifically. Instead of the dispatch woman asking questions, she told us she’d send him our way.
We strode into Diversions Tea House and we ordered a chai tea latte while we waited for the wrecker. It wasn’t all that busy inside and most of the round tables were crowded with kids, each with a bubble tea, a popular item here. The bubbles were concentrated fruit juices that were dropped in the bottom of a cup that was topped off with tea. Basically the manager, Jeff, was a bartender for twelve-year-olds.
We left the tea house just as a wrecker parked alongside our car. A big-bellied man with a full beard and long hair climbed out of the wrecker and met us at the car. “What seems to be the trouble, ladies?” he asked.
“Are you Bubba?”
“Sure am. Bubba Billings, at your disposal.” His big belly shook as he laughed.
“Great. So you’re seeing Peggy at Neiman’s, right?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“Well, I was hoping I could ask you a few questions about Billy Matlin while you’re here. Peggy told us you were seeing her and I wondered if you’d had any run-ins with Billy of late.”
His face darkened. “Oh, him? What makes you think I had anything to do with his disappearance?”
He rubbed a large palm over his bear-like face. “Sure, we had words the other day, but I never laid a hand on that crazy man.”
“Crazy?”
“Yeah, what kind of man goes around telling everyone that they’re seeing Bigfoot in the woods? Much better to keep that sort of thing quiet.”
That got my attention. “Oh, and does that mean you’ve seen Bigfoot firsthand?”
“Not exactly, but I’ve sure seen something big crossing US 23 before. I wasn’t close enough to say what it was for sure, but it wasn’t a deer or bear. I can well imagine how stories get out, and many of us here in East Tawas have been on the lookout for the infamous beast. The stories in the newspaper didn’t help either, but when Billy approached me in the Walmart parking lot, he went on about how he was trying to prove that Bigfoot was real, and how he hoped that when he found him, he’d be rich. He would have more than enough money to pay up his child support and then some.”
“Why was he telling you that and not his ex, Peggy?”
“She refused to talk to him or let him see the kids until he came up with the money to pay his support.”
“That’s not good. He still deserves to see his children, regardless.”
He nodded. “I told Peggy that once, but she said Billy had his kids out in the wood helping him look for Bigfo
ot. She felt that he was placing them in danger and was more determined than ever to keep the kids away from him until he came to his senses.”
“So the support money wasn’t the only reason she kept her children away?”
“Nope.”
“If she doesn’t believe Bigfoot is real, what danger would the kids be in out in the woods with Billy?”
“There still might be bears and cougars out there.”
“Cougars? You know, the DNR says there aren’t any in Michigan.”
“That’s what they keep on saying, but that’s not the truth. I found a deer carcass in a tree not long ago. What kind of animal puts a carcass in a tree besides a big cat like a cougar?”
“Beats me,” Eleanor said. “I suppose I can’t blame Peggy if she thought the kids might be in danger, but I can’t help but think there’s more to it.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“Like that Peggy knows Billy isn’t as nuts as she says. What if she actually saw Bigfoot herself, and that’s the real reason she picked up and left?”
We both looked at Bubba until he said, “If she did, she certainly didn’t tell me. I never put a hand on Billy, but I did tell him that if he ever wanted to see the kids again, he needed to put an end to this Bigfoot thing.”
“What did he say to that?”
“Nothing. He just left and I haven’t seen him since. I was surprised when Peggy told me the sheriff had stopped by asking questions about Billy.”
“So, what do you think really happened to Billy?”
“I’m not sure, but I can’t imagine the man just dropped off the face of the planet. He might still be in the woods searching for Bigfoot, unless the hairy beast got him.”
“I see. Well, I’m just not buying that. If Billy ran into Bigfoot in the woods, I’m sure both beast and man would put distance between themselves. I don’t think Bigfoot wants to be found.”
“So you think a man hell bent on finding Bigfoot would run away if he actually found him?”
Madison Johns - Agnes Barton 06 - Bigfoot in Tawas Page 10