Madison Johns - Agnes Barton 06 - Bigfoot in Tawas

by Madison Johns

  I stood and asked, “What about the DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?”

  “They’ll be meeting the sheriff at the Day’s Inn, too, since he wants to be kept updated about what’s going to happen with the reality show.”

  “I’m not sure why he’s so concerned about that,” I whispered to Andrew.

  “He might have to have more deputies on hand, for security purposes.”

  We left for the Days Inn and were led into a conference room with the Animal Channel people and the Animal Network seated on opposite sides of the table. Eleanor and sat on a sofa close by, leaving Andrew to handle the meeting.

  “I can imagine both parties would agree that a lengthy legal battle would be a strain on both the Animal Channel and the fledging Animal Network,” Andrew began.

  Chad smiled. “We would be happy to be a sponsor for the Animal Network, free of charge of course.”

  Peyton slammed his water glass down. “Free advertisement!”

  “Unless you plan to tell the whole world that the Animal Channel inspired you to develop your own Bigfoot show.”

  “I’d rather say that than give you free advertisement.”

  Pierre DePaul stood up at the other end of the table. “So, it’s agreed then. Peyton will release a press statement listing the Animal Channel as the inspiration of Hunting Bigfoot, and you’ll drop your frivolous lawsuit.”

  “Not happening,” Chad spat. “We want the advertisement.”

  “Isn’t the Animal Channel a big dog as it is? Why would they need to be advertised on the Animal Network?” Andrew asked.

  “They stole our idea,” Chad said.

  “It’s loosely based, and these days it’s hard to be that original. I’m sure you’re not the only channel to think searching for Bigfoot was a good idea. Perhaps you stole the idea from someone on YouTube since there are tons of videos doing the same thing as you, Chad,” Andrew insisted. “I don’t think you want the public to think of the Animal Channel as bullies, which is exactly how I plan to spin it.”

  Chad leaned back in his chair as Pierre nodded and added, “No reason to swallow sour grapes here. We both can get along just fine. Our show isn’t about experts analyzing Bigfoot claims. We’re simply taking in a few groups to hunt for Bigfoot with the ultimate prize of ten million dollars. We’d be happy to donate one percent of our sales to an animal related charity of the Animal Channel’s choice if we find proof that Bigfoot really exists.”

  “Aren’t you the famous oceanographer Pierre DePaul?” Mike asked, obviously star struck.

  Pierre nodded. “I’m also a filmmaker and conservationist.”

  “I’ve heard you’ve been likened to Jacques Cousteau.”

  Pierre shuffled the pile of paperwork in front of him. “I’m honored, but I’m not even in Jacques’ league. Although I must say that he’s a huge inspiration to me. I would have done just about anything to explore with him, but alas, I’m way too young for it to ever have been a reality for me.”

  Mike licked his lips. “Would you consider being interviewed by the Animal Channel? That way it would be clear that the Animal Channel holds no animosity toward you or the Animal Network.”

  “I think that’s going too far now,” Brent spouted off.

  “Oui,” Pierre said. “If it will help cinch this deal, I’d be more than happy to accommodate you since you lost out on interviewing Billy Matlin.”

  Andrew stood. “So are we in agreement?”

  All heads nodded, including the Animal Channel’s attorney who hadn’t uttered a word. “I’ll draw up the papers in the other room,” Andrew said, disappearing into the next room.

  “Thanks, Chad,” I said as I made my way to the table.

  Chad took a drink of water and then said, “Good luck, and you’re all going to need it.”

  “I suppose you boys will leave right after you sign the papers,” I said.

  Chad stared me down and said, “After interviewing Pierre, don’t you mean?”

  “Of course, that’s exactly what I meant.”

  Andrew was whistling as he came back into the room and pointed out where the Animal Network people, Brent, Peyton, and Pierre had to sign. Next, having the guys for the Animal Channel, Mike and Chad sign on the line. Andrew then pulled out a stamp from his pocket and stamped the documents, finishing up with his signature. “I’m a notary,” Andrew explained.

  After the Animal Channel people left the room, Peyton told Eleanor and me that they’d begin the show in a few hours, which would leave me plenty of time to deal with the wildlife people. Andrew left with Pierre, Peyton, and Brent to file the paperwork just as Sheriff Peterson and Trooper Sales entered the room. A server dressed in black trousers and a white button up shirt cleared the glassware and changed the tablecloth, then darted back out of the room, giving us plenty of privacy.

  Both Peterson and Sales wore mirrored sunglasses like those television cops did years ago. Both men dropped their bodies into chairs, and only then did Peterson remove his eyewear. His squinty eyes looked bloodshot, and he had huge dark circles beneath them. Sales pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head, and his eyes looked equally as appalling. “What happened to you two?” I asked.

  Peterson swept a hand over his brow, removing the beads of sweat that appeared. “Well, after we left your place last night, Agnes—”

  “Why were they at your house last night, Aggie?” Eleanor asked. “You never mentioned anything about that this morning.”

  “We didn’t have time to go into all that.” I then went on to tell her how I thought Bigfoot had been at my house and how it all played out by me calling 911.

  “I just knew Bigfoot would come after one of us. I’m just glad it was you and not me,” Eleanor said.

  “It seems there was a run of Bigfoot sightings last night,” Sheriff Peterson said. “Ten, to be exact, and Sales and I went on every call. I knew this would get out of hand, but I had no idea it would get this much out of hand. I haven’t even been to bed yet.”

  “Well, hopefully you can sleep after the meeting with the wildlife people.”

  “What happened with the reality show? Did the two sides come to an agreement?”

  “Yes, the show will begin in a few hours.”

  Peterson slammed his fist on his leg. “It figures. I’ll have to make some calls to get in more deputies. You better do the same, Sales.”

  “Why do you need that many cops in town?” I asked.

  “For one, we just don’t know what’s going to happen with that show going on and all the big game hunters in town.”

  “But didn’t you handle that situation?”

  “Yes, but I just know when that show starts taping, they’ll all be heading into the woods, creating a huge problem for us.”

  The server brought in fresh ice water in a glass pitcher and glassware, leaving just as Derek and Patrick from the DNR entered, both with a manila folder clutched in their hands. Both men also looked out of sorts, with Derek looking the worst of the two. He was a shade of green that I haven’t seen in quite some time.

  “Good morning, Derek and Patrick.”

  “What’s good about it?” asked Derek.

  Trooper Sales arched his brow, “Am I missing something?”

  “Nothing worth mentioning,” I said. I had really hoped we wouldn’t have to go all into that whole deal about Duane dating Derek’s ex, but Derek was obviously still smarting over the matter. “Let’s just focus on the matter at hand.”

  We all sat, waiting on Duane from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who strolled in five minutes later. Behind him was a young woman with curly brown hair. Since they wore matching khaki pants and shirts, I figured they both worked for the wildlife service.

  Duane introduced the woman, Bernadette Huntington, as his superior in charge of the investigation. “If I worked for someone that looked like you, I’d never be able to think straight,” Derek said with a wink.

  “Oh, really? And here I was thinkin
g you’d be making fun of that awful last name of mine.”

  “Huntington is a real nice last name. It sounds very dignified, like you come from money.”

  “Exactly. My father is Senator Huntington. I’ve been trying most of my life to create my own identity. After all, I’m nothing like my father, but I guess the conservationist part is about the only thing we do have in common. He would rather I take a Washington job working for the Environmental Protection Agency. What a bore.”

  Derek couldn’t seem to quit smiling at Bernadette, and I wanted to give him a kick under the table, but perhaps it might help him stay on task and forget all about Duane dating his ex-wife.

  “Nice to meet you, Bernadette. I’m Agnes Barton and this is my partner, Eleanor Mason. We were the ones who pointed Duane to the bald eagle carcass we found on the Matlin’s property. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Billy Matlin has since disappeared. That’s why we think it’s imperative for the evidence to be processed.”

  “Oh, my. I hadn’t heard. I suppose that makes it impossible now to question him.”

  “Oh? I had thought that he was already questioned?”

  “He was,” Duane said. “We do like to do a follow up interview to make sure we have all of the facts.”

  “All I can see that needs to happen is to do a DNA analysis of what you found, like that brown hair.”

  “How do you know what we retained as evidence?” Duane asked.

  “I couldn’t help but notice brown hair near the crime scene. How are you going to be sure what animal might have killed the eagle if you don’t analyze everything you found?”

  “There wasn’t much left of the carcass as it was, and I didn’t notice any animal scat nearby that would help us determine what animal might be responsible, but we don’t believe that a human was responsible.”

  “Then what is the hold up with the analysis?”

  “We’ve been wrangling with the DNR over the chain of evidence.”

  “The U.S. Wildlife trumps the DNA,” Bernadette said. “Sorry, boys,” she said sweetly.

  “That’s fine. After all, our boss clarified that today. How about a consolation dinner?” Derek asked.

  She smiled. “Oh, why not. I live dangerously, but I expect a home cooked meal. Are you up to that?”

  “Sure, if you don’t mind coming to West Branch where I live.”

  While we all stared wide-eyed, numbers were exchanged and now Duane was the one who looked green when Bernadette told him to get the evidence tested right away, escorting him out.

  I was impressed. “Wow, Derek. You’re a real player.”

  “Can’t blame a guy. Did you see her? What a knockout.”

  “Just cool it on the sauce from now on.”

  “I will. It seems that Duane only went out with my ex the one time.”

  “But I thought he was playing ball with your kid.”

  “He was, but he was just trying to warm up to my kid while my ex was getting ready. That kind of stuff works with single mothers. Marion didn’t fall for it one bit. She thought Duane was a little full of himself, too.”

  “Oh? Did she tell you that?”

  “Actually, yes. I left a drunken message on her answering machine and she called me back this morning. We got it all straightened out.”

  “That’s not how you acted when you got here.”

  “What man wouldn’t be pissed that the same man, who was already under my skin, dated my ex?”

  “It’s not something to get riled up about now, it’s just life. Good luck with your date.”

  I stared at Peterson until he said, “Well, I guess I wasn’t needed to moderate after all. Thanks, Agnes, and good luck with the reality show.”

  I marched out the door, confident past belief. I was more than excited to be finally competing on the reality show, Hunting Bigfoot. I made the two trips to both Eleanor’s house and mine to change clothing, and once we were dressed in camouflage, we were soon roaring up the Cat Lady’s driveway that was already filling with cars. Andrew was obviously too busy with filing the paperwork to make an appearance, which I was happy about. Eleanor and I preferred to work alone.

  We sauntered up the few steps that led to the porch, and the Cat Lady, Bernice, opened the door. “Isn’t this exciting?”

  Eleanor and I were each given a number that was stuck to our backs. I had number 522 and Eleanor had number 677. Obviously they weren’t using numbers in sequential order.

  Margarita sat in the corner, nursing a coffee between her shaking hands. “Hello, there,” I said. “Where is your number?”

  “Oh, I’m not competing. I’m much too old for that.”

  I wasn’t sure if she meant anything by that or not, so I ignored what she said. Tammy Rodrigue and her friend, Dixie, were chatting it up with Curt and Cutis Hill. Tammy had a pink bow in her hand, quite the difference to Curt’s camouflage one.

  I walked up to Tammy. “I have been wanting to talk to you about the little trip you took for us.”

  Tammy pulled her red hair back into a secure ponytail. “You mean the one that almost landed us in jail? Thanks for that.”

  I was about to apologize when Brent appeared and told us to file outside. Once we were all outside, he said, “I’d like to ask all of you to leave all your firearms behind. It’s going to be difficult enough out here without worrying about one of you shooting me in the back.” I didn’t have a gun, but Eleanor offered up her pink pistol. I stared at the pile of firepower and thought it was a wise choice, but I had a sneaking suspicion that the Hill boys might not have come completely clean with their weapons, but I wasn’t about to tackle that issue with either of them.

  “The bows, too,” Brent added.

  Tammy clutched hers tight. “There is no way I’m giving up my bow. What if we run into a bear out there? Think, man.”

  Brent strutted over. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you, babe.”

  “Babe?” Tammy gasped. “I don’t see no damn babe out here. If you get out of line with me, I’m gonna put a real hurting on you.”

  Brent trembled. “I love a woman who’s in control, if you catch my drift.” He did move away from Tammy, though. “You’ll all have to get used to cameras trained on you, and expect for them to get right up close to you. There are also boom microphones. We’ll be taping everything you say to one another. You’ll all be given a battery pack and a microphone piece that connects to your shirts.”

  I almost giggled when Bernice helped Brent’s crew secure the battery packs around our waists. I ended up working the cords under my clothing, but Eleanor let one of the young men do hers.

  Once we were all properly equipped, we were divided into our teams. On ours were the Hill brothers, and Tammy and Dixie. Tammy still had her bow, but Curt gave his up. Brent told us that he wasn’t worried about a girl with a bow, suggesting that women simply weren’t strong enough to do him any real damage. From the way Tammy gnashed her teeth together, he had better tread lightly with her. I really did believe that she might just do him harm.

  The other team left and we were instructed not to leave for twenty minutes. Curt and Curtis carried most of the gear for our team because there was just no way Eleanor or I could carry more than a small bag of essential supplies, like an emergency supply of food that might get us through if we got ourselves lost in the woods. Plus, I knew Eleanor had her cell phone shoved down her bra. Eleanor was in charge of carrying the trail map.

  Curt tried to lead the way, but Tammy sidled up next to him. That Tammy just couldn’t have any man taking charge, it seemed. I kind of admired her, but there were times when it wouldn’t hurt for a man to lead the way, like if there was a bear ahead of us on the trail.

  Eleanor rattled off directions, but Curt all but ignored her. “Not to worry, Miss Eleanor,” Curt said respectfully. “I know these trails like the back of my hand.”

  “Yes, but Brent told us which trail to follow,” I said.

  Curt stopped and turned to face us. �
�Do you want to really hunt Bigfoot or just play into the hands of those wannabe’s? I’m sure we could all agree that Brent is a buffoon. Stick with me, and we’ll be all splitting that ten million dollar prize money.”

  We all nodded in agreement, and I tried not to shake as birds took to flight, scattering leaves as they did, cascading down us like snowflakes. Maple and elm trees canopied us from high above, as there were no white pines yet in this area. The leaves were moist beneath our feet and I took in the scent of mustiness.

  Branches cracked as we stepped on them, and Curt quickly snapped out orders not to be so noisy. He was taking this seriously. I swept my eyes from side to side, half expecting Bigfoot to show up at any turn in the trail, but so far nothing. After what seemed to be hours, we cleared the heavy brush and approached the abandoned hunting camp where we set up camp. There were a few cabins, but for the most part only wooded platforms that were two foot off the ground were there that I assumed would be good to put a sleeping bag on to sleep. They were certainly long enough for someone to lie on, but without a bit of cushion.

  “In here, Agnes and Eleanor,” Brent motioned to a cabin. “Peyton hauled down a few air mattresses here so that you wouldn’t be too uncomfortable.”

  That sure made me feel at ease. We helped make a fire and Curt and Curtis came back with a few dead squirrels. I cringed, but Curt reminded me we were on a real game hunt and we needed to eat like we were. He made stew out of the squirrels, cooking them over an open fire in an iron pot that had been brought as part of our provisions.

  The other team came into camp and then asked, “How did you get here before us? We left first.”

  “I guess we’re just the stronger team, is all. You better just leave right now. There’s no way you’re fit to hunt Bigfoot. He was spotted last night, you know.” All eyes were on me as I recounted the story about what happened to me last night.

  “Weren’t you scared?” Dixie asked with wide eyes as she leaned on Curtis’s shoulder.

  “I sure was, but the thing is, I just wasn’t all that sure what I did see. The sheriff told us that a total of ten people claimed to be visited by Bigfoot just last night.”