“I can’t say. I was just running a scenario by you.” He eyed my car, looking under the hood. “It seems like your battery cables have fallen off. How on earth did that happen?”
“I wanted to have a legitimate reason for talking to you. Peggy said we shouldn’t go to Randy’s Towing since you just started working there.”
He pulled a wrench out of his pocket and refastened the cables to the battery posts. “Next time, just call me.” He rattled off his cell number, which I added to my contact list in my cell phone. I then thanked the man, climbing back into the car and we followed the wrecker to US 23, parting ways. When the light changed, I parked in the state dock’s parking lot.
An Animal Channel van was parked there and El and I exited the car and sauntered over to them. Two men were downing sandwiches when we rounded the van. They stood next to the van, chatting with a blonde with wild hair. My eyes widened when it was Rosa Lee Hill.
“Hey, Agnes and Eleanor. Did you know that Mike and Chad are here to interview Billy Matlin?”
Before I had a chance to answer, one of the men informed us; “We were. Until Sheriff Peterson stopped by and questioned us about the missing Billy Matlin.”
“Chad, the sheriff told us not to tell anyone he questioned us, remember?”
“Sure, Mike, but since when have you known me to let the cops tell me what to do?”
“Exactly. What did the sheriff want to know?”
“Not much, just wondered when the last time we might have seen Billy Matlin,” Chad said.
“Oh, have you interviewed Billy already?”
“We had planned to yesterday, but Brent from the Animal Network told us Billy had disappeared.”
That got my attention. “Really! And he told you this yesterday, not today?”
“Yes,” Chad said. “I was surprised because I had spoken with Billy on the phone yesterday in the morning.”
“Thanks for that bit of information. Did you get the impression that the Animal Network was trying to get the exclusive?”
Mike laughed. “Like their network will ever make it off the ground.”
“So why did you listen to them and not find out firsthand where Billy was?” I asked.
“I did call, but he never returned my call. I had planned to run out to his house today to see if we could touch base with him.”
“But the sheriff stopped us before we had the chance and told us he was investigating Billy’s disappearance now,” Mike added.
“I’m Private Eye, Agnes Barton, and this is my partner Eleanor Mason. Billy hired us to find Bigfoot, and ever since things have gotten hairy.”
“Pun intended,” Eleanor added. “The Department of Natural Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have taken DNA samples of hair that might belong to Bigfoot.”
Mike’s eyes widened. “And what were their findings?”
I shrugged. “Beats me. They’re still fighting amongst themselves, but now they’re trying to deal with all the big game hunters who have rolled into East Tawas this morning. It seems that everyone wants a piece of Bigfoot, and some who want him in pieces.”
“Then there’s the prize money that has been put up by an investor,” El said.
“Hopefully, that bit of news isn’t coming from the Animal Network people. I wouldn’t believe anything they say,” Chad said.
“So, you don’t believe it? Isn’t that what your show, Finding Bigfoot, is all about?”
“That’s different. We’re legitimate.”
“We shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions just yet. Who knows, the Animal Network might be the next big thing,” I said. Yeah, I thought, perhaps if they lost Brent, that is.
“I guess that might just be a job for our legal department.”
“Legal department?” a loud voice asked behind me.
I whirled in time to see my intended, Andrew Hart, looking fetching in white pants and a crew T-shirt that billowed in the wind. His gray hair was slicked back and my heart skipped a beat.
I did a quick introduction and Chad went on to say, “For one thing, the name Animal Network is too similar to Animal Channel, and we have Finding Bigfoot with prize money being offered and they have Hunting Bigfoot. So, I guess you can see the problem.”
“Yes, you’re jelly,” Eleanor said. “Younger folks’ word for jealous.”
“What do we have to be jealous about? Everyone knows the Animal Channel has the best shows around.”
“Huh!” Eleanor spat. “They did when most of the shows were about animals, but these days reality shows have overtaken the channel.”
“Not true. We still have lion week.”
I waved my arms to halt this barrage of insults. “That’s about enough. You both have solid points, but the only thing important to me is to find Billy Matlin right now.”
“And Bigfoot,” Eleanor added. “We have a way better chance at it than either of you. We’ll be on that reality show and will be able to see first-hand what the Animal Network is all about when we hunt for Bigfoot.”
Andrew’s brow shot up. “Is that right, Agnes? Are you really planning to tromp around in the woods with your bad hip?”
“It’s been doing much better these days.”
He swiped a hand through his hair. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“Sure, after I ask Brent a few questions first.”
Eleanor stared at the sky that was becoming darker now. “We might need to do that back at my place. It’s almost dark and I missed dinner.”
I thanked Chad and Mike, and then Eleanor and I went back to the car. Andrew pulled me close, I thought for a quick kiss, but he said in my ear, “I’ll meet you back at Eleanor’s, and if truth be known, I’m dead set against you and Eleanor going near that reality show. You’re—”
“I’m perfectly aware that I’m seventy-two, Andrew. All I know is that I need to get to the bottom of this before someone else mysteriously disappears.”
“I insist on tagging along, then.”
“I’m not sure the host, Brent, will allow it, but Rosa Lee Hill’s boys Curt and Curtis will be there, and they’re more than enough protection if you ask me.”
“That doesn’t mean I won’t be there, even if they don’t allow me on set. I’ll be there in spirit.”
I shrugged. “Knock yourself out.” I quickly changed the subject. “So what brings you back to East Tawas so soon? I thought you had a big case back in Detroit.”
“I did, but I was able to resolve it pretty quickly.”
“Why is it you know more about what’s going on with me than I do you?”
He rubbed his chin. “Probably because I don’t talk about my cases like you do. I take client attorney privilege seriously. I assure you, it’s nothing nearly as exciting as what you and Eleanor are doing.”
I smiled a bit, but I just wished I knew more about his cases. I mean, for all I knew he might be representing serial killers. Then I remembered, this is Michigan and I can’t recall the last time a real serial killer roamed the state. But then again, you just never know.
“Perhaps it might be better if you settled in at the Days Inn since Eleanor and I need to discuss our case.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Not at all. I just don’t want to bore you with the details.”
“You mean you don’t want me to know what’s really going on.”
I fanned my face as I reached the car. Eleanor was already in the car and I was so trying to get rid of Andrew for the time being. “There’s nothing more to say. We’re looking for Bigfoot is all. Billy Matlin hired us and now he’s gone missing. I’m more determined than ever to find out the truth.”
“Let me get this straight. You’re actually looking for Bigfoot?”
“Yes, but more importantly, this show will give us the chance to look for Billy since he’s disappeared without a trace.”
“I see. So … are you buying into this Bigfoot thing is the question?”
> I took in a breath. “Actually, yes. It seems just about everyone in town claimed to have seen something suspicious in the woods or crossing US 23. There’s too many to say that they are all nuts.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll go book a room at Days Inn, but you need to tell me where this show is being taped so I can be there tomorrow.”
I nodded and told him what he wanted to know, secretly wishing he’d change his mind and not show up in the morning. Once Andrew and I had parted, I slid behind wheel and all but ignored Eleanor who merely exchanged a glance with me. I started the car and headed back to Eleanor’s house, not allowing Andrew to cloud my judgment. That’s the last thing I needed right now.
I whipped into Eleanor’s drive fast enough to scatter stones. We went inside and Eleanor rummaged in her refrigerator, coming back with leftover roasted chicken. I just shook my head since the last thing on my mind was food.
I accepted a soda from Eleanor, not wanting to voice my concerns about tomorrow, until she said, “So, what do you make of Brent telling those Animal Channel guys that Billy Matlin was missing a day before he actually was?”
I popped the lid of the cold can, taking a sip. “Well, there might be a few reasons for that. He might have wanted to stall them from interviewing Billy.”
“Just like we were.”
“That was for a much different reason. I wanted to buy us some time while the wildlife people tested the samples they found. Brent wanted to most likely keep it quiet so that his show got all the attention.”
“I guess neither of those things happened and that interview with Animal Channel never happened.”
I sauntered to the patio door and opened the sliding glass door, making my way to a patio chair. As I sat, Eleanor joined me and we gazed at the orange and pink sky as the sun had nearly set.
“Billy had been doing interviews for the local newspapers, though, and the Bigfoot story seemed to spread like wildfire. It’s too late to wait for testing results now. It’s apparent that big game hunters are here to stay, which makes me very nervous.”
“Yeah,” Eleanor said. “I sure hope we don’t get shot in the woods while we do that reality show, but I’m sure Sheriff Peterson will get a handle on the situation. He won’t allow East Tawas to be turned upside down.”
“Right. Plus, with the DNR and U.S. Fish and Game Service also involved, they’ll take care of it. Bigfoot isn’t a known Michigan game animal.”
“It probably wouldn’t hurt for us to talk to those guys again. We don’t even know if they finally decided to get off their laurels and test that brown hair.”
I yawned. “We’ll do that, but remember, tomorrow we have to be on the set of the reality show, and I would love to speak to the wildlife people for sure.” I took another swig of my soda and stretched. “I’m heading home now. I need to hit the hay early tonight so I can be ready for the show tomorrow.”
With a wave, I wandered back inside and out the door. As I drove home, it occurred to me that I never received a phone call from Martha or Sophia. I’d just give them a call when I got home. I slowed the car down as it was quite dark now. I used the high beams when I could, which was when a car wasn’t coming from the opposite direction. Besides, you just never knew when a white-tailed deer might just dart in front of the car. At my age, my reaction times are much slower and the last thing I needed was to have a deer crashing through my windshield. I’m pretty sure that would give me a heart attack for sure.
I rounded the last bend before my place, and when I was finally in the driveway, I rolled to a stop as close to my door as possible. I cut off the engine, got out, and my heart went to pounding. I breathed deeply of the marigolds I had planted in my flowerbeds, but I had the strange feeling something just wasn’t right. It was also too silent for my liking. I had no idea if it was all the hoopla about Bigfoot that I was feeling, but I can’t remember a night that was so silent. Even though my sensor lights flashed on, I still didn’t feel at ease. I craned an ear, but not even a cricket chirped.
I rustled my keys, cramming my door key in the lock and turned it quickly, shouldering open the door. Once I was inside, I slammed the door closed and locked it. Within the glow of the light over my sink that I always kept on, two glowing eyes made their way toward me from the hallway. I dropped my purse with a clunk, gripping my heart with one hand until I heard, “Meow.”
Oh, thank the Lord. It was my cat, Duchess. I swooped her up and gave her a good scratching under her chin. She nuzzled my chin with her nose and I made my way into the kitchen, flipping on the lights. I set Duchess down and filled her bowls with food and fresh water. It was then that I saw the flashing red light on my answering machine.
I walked over and pressed the message button. “Mother. I’ve been trying, like, forever to get a hold of you. Call me when you get this message.” Click.
I called Martha back right away and she berated me for not answering my cell phone. “Sorry,” I said. “It hasn’t been ringing and I can’t figure out how to fix it.”
Martha gave me instructions on how to turn the ringer on. “I really should buy you that iPhone For Seniors book. You know, it’s one of those ‘For Dummies’ books.”
“Right after I get you the ‘how to call your mother for dummies’ book.”
“Look, that’s not why I called. I just wanted you to know that your great-granddaughter is in the hospital with flu-like symptoms. Poor Andrea was quite dehydrated and is still running a fever. Sophia is at the hospital with Bill at her side, but he’s leaving for home soon. They’ll be taking turns sitting with her. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Bill so rattled before.”
“Oh? Are they allowing him the time off from work?”
“Yes, a few days anyway. Sophia sure could use some help, so I’m not going to the reality show shoot tomorrow. Peyton can find himself another assistant for all I care. Family comes first.”
I couldn’t believe she was saying that, but I was sure happy to see her stand up for Sophia like that.
“I’ll drop by the hospital before we go to the shoot. If I had known she was admitted to the hospital I would have been there, too.”
“Don’t worry about it, Mother. The nursing staff is limiting who is allowed to see her right now. It seems there have been some outbreaks of the flu of late, and they’re asking that children and the elderly not visit patients at this time.”
“Elderly?” I spat. “I can’t believe that. If anyone tries to stop me from visiting, I’ll sick Eleanor on them.”
“Seriously, Mother. I’ll look after her. If Andrea’s condition changes, I’ll call you.”
Martha hung up and I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I just can’t believe that I can’t visit my own grandbaby, but I suppose the hospital is only trying to protect the patients, and probably us. I was always quite diligent about getting my flu shot every year, though. I made a quick call and told Eleanor the news and she spouted off about as much as I had, but I assured her we’d sneak in if Andrea didn’t get better in a few days. Before I hung up with Eleanor, I reminded her to lock all of her doors.
“Come on, Duchess,” I said. “Let’s head to bed. I’m bushed.”
Duchess bounded up the hallway with me following. I changed and slipped between the cool sheets, with Duchess snuggling next to me. It didn’t take me long to nod off.
Chapter Fourteen
I woke up to the sound of my front door being pounded on. Somehow, the vibration made its way up the hallway and into my rattled brain. I begrudgingly swung my legs out from beneath my warm covers and slid my feet into my slippers, padding my way up the hallway and peeked through the curtains.
I opened the door and Andrew walked in, carrying a Tim Horton’s box—filled with yummy donuts, I hoped.
“What brings you by so early?”
“Because I know you so well. If I don’t come with you to that reality show that’s starting today, you’ll duck me for sure.”
“Since when do you want to b
e involved in my investigations?”
He busied himself in the kitchen making coffee. “I don’t exactly, but I’m curious. It can’t hurt to have an attorney on site to look over any documents they want you to sign.”
“We already signed something, but it had to do with liability.”
“So basically, if you or Eleanor drop dead while filming, it releases them from liability?”
“Something like that, but I’m sure it’s a standard form.”
“Perhaps not. I can’t imagine they usually have participants your ages.”
“Is that a crack about my age, mister?”
“Of course not. I’m your age, or have you forgotten?”
“Yes, but men are allowed to be older. People don’t treat women the same way as we age.”
“Aww, they’re just jealous because women live longer, is all. Men die much quicker when they run around with younger women,” he winked.
I gave him a sock in his shoulder. “Not funny, mister.”
“I was just kidding, anyway. You should know I’m not like that. I would much rather spend my time with a confident older woman any day of the week.”
“Just as long as they aren’t investigators, isn’t that right?”
He bit into a chocolate donut. “Sorry, guilty as charged, but it’s not like you listen to me. I’m not so much against it as worried about you and Eleanor. Neither of you are spring chickens.”
“I know, but I’m just at the point in my life where I want to be a doer, not a sit-on-the-rocking-chair-all-day rocker.”
“Go ahead and get dressed while I fetch Eleanor. It might be quicker that way.”
I padded up the hallway and into the bathroom.
* * *
An hour later, Eleanor was sitting at the table munching on donuts. She was dressed in the camouflage clothing we bought the other day. I was similarly dressed and reached for the donut box, but my face fell when there weren’t any donuts left that I liked. “Didn’t you get peanut crunch donuts?” I asked Andrew.
His eyes widened for a moment, and then he said, “They didn’t have any.”
My eyes darted to Eleanor who was promptly brushing nut crumbs off the table. “Thanks, Eleanor.”
Madison Johns - Agnes Barton 06 - Bigfoot in Tawas Page 11