“I can’t help it if I like them, too.”
“But you also know that they’re my favorite.”
“Are you two going to fight about donuts all day, or should we leave for the show now?” Andrew asked with a guilty look on his face, no doubt because he was caught in a lie.
I glared at the nearly empty coffee pot. I poured the remainder in a cup, topping it off with vanilla creamer. I quickly stirred it in and Andrew came over and planted a kiss on my neck. “Sorry, Aggie. I should have saved a peanut crunch for you.”
I took a sip with a shaking hand. “It’s not the donut, or barely getting a cup of coffee. I’m just worried about Sophia’s baby. She was admitted to the hospital and Martha told me that I wouldn’t be allowed to visit, something to do with a flu outbreak.”
“Not to worry. Why not call Martha this morning before we leave? That way you won’t be worrying all day. Perhaps the baby is doing better this morning.”
I called Martha and she told me the fever broke, but Andrea was still quite sick. Bill took Sophia home and Martha was staying at the hospital until he returned. It had taken him over two hours to convince Sophia that he was quite capable of looking after Andrea, and that she needed rest or she’d be the next one hospitalized.
“Oh, my,” I said. “Thanks, Martha, for giving me an update. I sure hope the baby makes a full recovery, and soon.”
When I hung up, I cut off the power to the coffee pot, and gave Duchess a quick pat before heading out the door. We settled ourselves in the car, and I was more than a little surprised that not only did Andrew not insist on driving, but he sat in the back seat.
I drove to the Cat Lady’s house, and there were few cars in the driveway, which made me wonder what was going on? We got out of the car, and made our way to the door. Brent opened the door and he looked a fright. His dark hair stuck up and there were dark circles beneath his eyes.
He opened the door enough for us to come inside and I had to ask, “What’s going on here?”
“Those damn Animal Channel people are what! They filed an injunction to halt the show. They’re claiming they own the copyright to Bigfoot shows. What a joke. They’re trying to say there are trademark issues, and that even the Animal Network name is under dispute.”
“I’d love to see the paperwork on that one,” Andrew said. “I’m an attorney and Agnes’s fiancé.”
“Sounds good to me. We haven’t had the funds to retain an attorney.”
He handed Andrew the documents, and Andrew pulled out a pair of reading glasses, going over the paperwork at the table.
“Have you spoken to the Animal Channel people recently?” I asked.
“No.”
“Really? That’s strange, since they told us just yesterday that you had.”
“Yeah,” Eleanor said. “Did you really tell them that Billy Matlin went missing a whole day before he actually did?”
Brent’s face hardened. “Fine, so I did; but I was just trying to prevent Billy from doing that interview. We’re having a hard enough time giving our show the push it needs. That interview would have further complicated matters.”
“What do you know about Billy Matlin’s disappearance?” I asked.
“Nothing except for what I’d been told—that his place was in shambles, and no Billy to be found.”
“Did you have anything to do with Billy disappearing?” I pressed.
“Of course not! I just made up the story about Billy being missing.”
Eleanor huffed. “Oh, so it was just a strange coincidence, is that it?”
“I suppose. I was just as surprised as anyone else in town.”
“What makes you think anyone was surprised by his disappearance?”
“I’m not sure. Why wouldn’t it be a surprise? I can’t image anyone in town would expect for him to go missing.”
“Except that he’s kind of a nut case in town. I don’t think anyone really believed his stories. I bet most folks in town might think that he’s just wandering in the woods.”
“True, Aggie,” Eleanor said. “But that wouldn’t explain the broken patio window.”
“If only we could find out if the blood found was Billy’s, or even human.”
“We could ask Sheriff Peterson, but I doubt he’s going to tell us.”
“Right. Where did you say you were from, Brent?”
“I didn’t, but I’m originally from Ashton, North Carolina. I grew up around the mountains most of my life.”
“And when did you become so interested in Bigfoot?”
He rubbed his arm and said, “Most of my life. I love animals and I couldn’t help but notice the signs that were out in the wilderness areas where folks claimed to have seen Bigfoot.”
“Signs?” Eleanor asked. “What kind of signs?”
“Broken tree branches where there shouldn’t be any … scat.”
“Oh,” I said. “I never thought about that. Have you ever seen an actual Bigfoot before?”
“I’ve smelled it and seen signs on the trail, but I never faced one down if that’s what you’re asking.”
Andrew handed back the paperwork. “This is just a process. There’s a hearing in a few days. They certainly can’t establish that no other show can be called Animal anything. You’re the Animal Network, not close enough for them to claim violations of a trademark. The Hunting Bigfoot is similar to Finding Bigfoot, but that would depend on how similar your show is to theirs.”
“We’re taking in a team of newbies, not professionals like they have. We’re trying to gauge how participants react on a real Bigfoot hunt. This area has already been proven to be active in that regard.”
“I see. Well, that certainly sounds much different from their show. I’d be happy to handle the court proceedings, but I recommend that you try to reason with them before that hearing. I’m sure they don’t want a lengthy legal battle. They might also look like a bunch of bullies. I’d be happy to mediate on your behalf.”
“That sounds great. If you could hang out for a while, we could work on a plan together.”
Andrew gave me a hug. “I hope you don’t mind, Agnes. I’d really like to help these guys out. I haven’t done a pro-bono in quite a while.”
“You’re not charging us?” Brent asked. “Is this for real?”
“Sure it is. I like to help out fledglings like yourselves.”
“Do you have any more questions, Agnes?” Brent asked.
“Not at all. We’ll be in touch. We’d like to question the wildlife guys, though, to see if they tested that animal hair yet.”
Andrew stayed behind to help out Brent, but Eleanor and I left, and once we were back in the car, Eleanor said, “Do you believe that Brent made up the whole disappearance of Billy thing?”
“I’m not really sure, but we can come back to it if we receive any information that might link him to Billy Matlin.”
“Besides, it wasn’t in anyone’s best interest for Billy to talk to the Animal Channel.”
“Doesn’t matter, I suppose. Billy got his word out, regardless of if it was the Animal Channel or the local press. There’s no turning back now. I just wish I could figure out what really happened to Billy. His ex-wife certainly didn’t shed any light on the situation, and neither did her boyfriend, Bubba. It makes no sense to me that either of them would wish Billy harm since they were counting on that child support money to start rolling in soon.”
“Look; Billy didn’t have a job to pay child support, and I can’t imagine either of them expecting that Billy would just somehow fall into a pile of money to make things right. For Billy, things ran much deeper than that,” Eleanor pointed out.
“Okay, so either someone is lying, or someone else meant harm to Billy.”
“Someone who went to quite a bit of trouble covering it up,” Eleanor added. “What’s our next plan of action?”
“Interview the DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service like I mentioned earlier.”
Chapter Fifteen
I drove thru town, which was in full swing of summer, but all the guys and gals dressed in camouflage sure stuck out. At least they weren’t armed to the gills now. “It seems like Sheriff Peterson was handling the gun-toting hunters for the time being.”
“Why do you say that, Agnes?”
“Well, I don’t see any rifles and shotguns.”
“True, but they most likely have them packed away and out of sight. My bet is they’d be back out in a millisecond if someone spotted anything that looks like Bigfoot.”
“Luckily, the only sightings have been outside of town.”
We strode on the state dock when a sail caught my attention. It had a picture of Bigfoot with the wordage, “Hunting Bigfoot.”
I couldn’t help but stare widely at the huge yacht. We were used to seeing some huge boats and yachts moored at the dock, but we were led to believe that this small Animal Network didn’t even have funds enough to retain an attorney.
“Maybe the Animal Network is doing much better than they let on,” Eleanor observed.
“I’d sure like to ask Brent the next time we see him, though.”
Just then, two men surfaced from below deck. One of them was Peyton Daniels, the director of Hunting Bigfoot. He waved and approached the dock while the other man hung back.
“Hello there, Agnes. Sorry about the show, but we’ll be back on track shortly.”
I gazed up at the sails. “That’s some yacht. I had no idea that the Animal Network was this big an operation.”
“Yeah,” Eleanor butted in. “Brent told us—”
“Nothing. He told us nothing,” I interjected. “We just thought the Animal Network was a smaller operation, is all.”
“Not really. I mean we have some worthwhile investors. Hunting Bigfoot will be the first show in a series of animal based shows.”
“Oh?” I said. “Is your network going to consist of all reality shows?”
“Not at all. We have an oceanographer that will be doing underwater exploration similar to Jacques Cousteau. He’s not only a conservationist, but a filmmaker.”
“I see. Well, I’d love to meet him sometime,” I said, eyeing the man on the yacht. “Is that him?”
The short man came forward and invited us onboard. “How delightful to meet more locals. I’m Pierre DePaul.”
Eleanor and I boarded the yacht with the help of Peyton. “Please, follow me below deck. There’re a few other ladies on board that are also going to be on the Hunting Bigfoot show.”
We descended the steps that led into a large room with white leather couches that came in three sections, each positioned around a small table in the center. Three women glanced up when we walked toward them. Eleanor’s sister, Margarita, waved shyly. “Hello, girls. Fancy meeting you here.”
Eleanor’s eyes swept from Margarita, to Tammy Rodrigue and her friend, Dixie. At least Tammy didn’t have her bow with her.
“What are you doing here, Margarita?” Eleanor asked.
Tammy’s eyes narrowed. “The same reason as you, I suspect, but we got here first so you two can shoo. We’re handling this end of the investigation.”
Of all the nerve! Who did this young lady think she was, anyway? “Oh, and what qualifies you as an investigator?”
Tammy leaned forward. “For one, we solved a case back in Bear Paw.”
“Did you now? Well, let me just tell you that this isn’t Bear Paw and Eleanor and I don’t need any help with the investigation. We were hired by Billy Matlin, and all you’re doing here is competing in a reality show.”
“Well, since Billy has gone missing, I guess that means you’re out of a job.”
I had half a mind to turn this young lady over my knee because I didn’t care for her mouth a bit. “Hardly! We’re investigating his disappearance, which will be way harder since the reality show has been temporarily halted.”
“That will be cleared up soon enough,” Pierre said, “just as soon as my team of attorneys arrives from England. I’m well connected.”
“That’s nice, but my fiancé is an attorney and is working with Brent on the matter. He’s suggested that the Animal Network should meet with the Animal Channel people to resolve the matter. I’m sure together they can come up with a resolution without a huge court case.”
“I see. Well, I’m all for resolving this sooner rather than later.” Pierre turned to Peyton. “Give Brent a call and see what gives.”
Peyton moved to a gold telephone and made his call while Pierre offered us beverages. A uniformed young man came forward dressed in all white and nodded when Pierre asked him to fetch a bottle of wine.
I shook my head. “Wine? Isn’t it awfully early for that?”
“In France, it matters not what time of the day it is. Peter will bring us some nice brie and crackers. It’s never a good thing to drink on an empty stomach, if that’s what you’re worried about, Agnes.”
“I didn’t tell you my name.”
“I’ve invested a good sum of money to know who I’m dealing with. Peyton told me all about you and your friend, Eleanor. I’m confident that you’ll make a great addition to our little reality show.”
The wine was brought and the cork popped and passed around so that everyone could take a whiff, which brought a smile to Eleanor’s face. “We’re not used to this sort of thing. We’re simple folks here in Michigan.”
“Simple?”
“Yes, not used to wine this early, or the charming company of a foreigner.”
I nudged Eleanor. “Perhaps we should skip the wine, Eleanor. You know wine goes straight to your head.”
“Speak for yourself. I’ll be just fine.” She stared at the brie that had been set down. “I’m not so sure about this, though. I’m more used to Cheese Whiz.”
“She’s joking,” I said.
Margarita took the wine glass that was handed to her. “Oh, my. I can’t even remember the last time I’ve had wine this fancy.” She took a sip and giggled.
Tammy looked down at her wine glass. “Is this all I get? This is only a shot,” she said as she tipped it back, causing Dixie to giggle.
“You just kill me, Tammy.”
Eleanor’s eyes widened. “Never good to say that word in this town. Every time someone does, someone dies. The thing is, we just never expected Billy to just disappear like that. We can’t figure out what might have happened. It was really so unexpected.”
“I haven’t dealt with any missing persons cases yet,” Tammy admitted. “But we’d be more than happy to help out if you’d like.”
I smiled. “Thanks, but Eleanor and I work solo.”
Eleanor nodded. “We’d sure like to know more about Brent though, Pierre. What can you tell us about him?”
Pierre paused in thought. “Peyton could answer that question better than I could.”
Peyton cradled his wine glass in his hand. “Well, I met Brent in Ashton, North Carolina. He was quite the loudmouth and was telling the locals how he was investigating Bigfoot in the mountains. Well, to be honest, I thought the man was crazy as Cracker Jacks, but after I bought him a pitcher of beer we began talking, and I went out on a limb and went back to his house where he claimed he had proof that what he was saying wasn’t just a story.”
“So, he was trying to pick you up?” Eleanor asked with a smile.
“That’s what I thought at first, but once we got to his place, he had maps, pictures, and vocal recordings. To be honest, I was quite impressed with his attention to detail.”
“Did you ever go out and look for Bigfoot together?”
“We sure did, but we never found any signs. I spent the whole week in the mountains, but it was clear that whatever had been out there had moved on.”
“Is that what you think Bigfoot does—changes location so as not to be detected?”
“With everything I’ve seen thus far, I’d have to say yes. We’ve been following Bigfoot’s trails ever since, but after a particularly grueling night of chasing noises ou
t in the mountains, we ran across Pierre. He had gotten himself lost in the North Carolina mountains.”
“True story,” Pierre said. “If it hadn’t been for Brent and Peyton, I’d probably have succumbed to the elements. Later, when Peyton told me about what they were doing out in the mountains, I just thought it might be a great show. I’ve been exploring the oceans for quite some time, but there’s just something about Bigfoot that has always interested me.”
“I suppose you were one of those men who searched for mermaids, too,” Eleanor said.
“I won’t lie. I sure have, and that research has led me to rally against your government which continues to test sonar, endangering the marine life.”
“I’ve read about that,” I said. “We’re you ever able to do anything about that?”
“I’m still involved, but my group had to disband when the government took all of the data we’d collected, including our underwater recordings. I felt like I had been singled out, so I decided to invest my funds in a channel that would be able to show the public more than just a conservation group.”
“Wouldn’t hunting Bigfoot hurt your credibility?”
“At this point, I don’t care. I’m more of a silent partner for the time being, until I can really get the channel off the ground. I just hadn’t planned for the Animal Channel to try to stop us on every turn. I really can’t see why they have worried so much since we’re so small, but I suppose they don’t want to risk any real competition.”
“Hogwash,” Eleanor said. “They’re just trying to bully you, is all. If the public knew what was happening, you might be able to resolve this situation quicker than you hoped. I just hate how a big channel like the Animal Channel would try to hurt a fledging, but I’m sure if it were public knowledge, they’d back down in a heartbeat.”
“Eleanor’s right, but this matter needs to be handled right.”
“Which is what I plan to do. Peyton, what did Brent say?”
“That the Animal Channel would meet us tomorrow to discuss the matter.”
“Great. If you ladies would excuse us, we really need to take care of this. Perhaps you could stop by another time.”
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