Mystery at Saddle Creek

by Shelley Peterson

  Paul let out a loud sigh.

  Hannah and Julia came running downstairs and threw open the kitchen door.

  “Thanks!” Hannah put her arms around Paul and hugged him. She kissed him full on the mouth. “I sure owe you one.”

  “Anytime,” said Paul good-naturedly, “if you pay me in kisses.”

  “Deal.” Hannah’s smile faded into a more serious expression. “I saw the canine unit leave. Did they call it off?”

  “They did. I expect Mack’ll call and tell us what’s happening. He said from the outset that the dogs would have a tough time in this weather.”

  Hannah nodded. “I know. The dryness, then the downpour.” Her face dropped. “I’m having a tough time myself. I’m worried about Bird out there alone with Tanbark. He’s not a sane man.”

  Julia gave her aunt a hug. “She’ll have Cody watching over her. That’s what cheers me up.”

  Hannah’s eyes welled up. Her mouth twisted as she made an effort to hold back the tears. “That’s so sweet, Julia.And of course you’re right.”

  A soft knock sounded on the screen door. It was Cliff.

  Hannah ushered him in.

  Cliff stepped in and stood on the mat. “I overheard what you said, Julia. About Cody. Well, she has Sundancer watching over her, too.”

  “What?” Everybody spoke at once.

  “He’s gone. He jumped out of his stall. You can see the marks his hooves made in the hall.”

  Paul stood up. “The storm’s getting worse with that hail, but I hate sitting here. Should we go out looking?”

  “I’m ready, but Hannah and Julia should stay here in case there’s any news.”

  “I should come, too,” Hannah said. “I know the trails better than either of you.”

  “And leave me alone? No way!” Julia gasped. “I’ll be so scared!”

  “Somebody has to be here in case they come home, Hannah,” said Paul. “And Mack will be calling. It’s best that you and Julia stay here, and Cliff and I go search.”

  The phone rang. Hannah sprang out of her chair and grabbed the receiver.

  “It’s Kenneth Bradley. Any sign of Tanbark yet?”

  “Dad, no. And we haven’t found Bird yet, either.” She looked at Paul. “Do you want to come help Paul and Cliff search? They’re just leaving.”

  Paul and Cliff both grimaced.

  “No,” barked Kenneth, loud enough for the men to hear. “I certainly do not! Call me when you find him. Where have you been, Hannah? I was just over there.”

  “Too bad I missed you. I’ll call with any news.”

  “You do that.” He hung up.

  Less than a second later the phone rang again. It was Mack Jones. “We called off the search for now, but don’t worry, we’ll find her.” His voice was as calm and reassuring as always. “I’m sending the dogs back the minute the lightning stops.”

  Hannah closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. She wondered how good an idea it was for Paul and Cliff to go out, if the professionals would not. “But what about Bird?” she asked Mack.

  “Knowing her, she’s found shelter. The problem is getting down there. Someone’s going to get hit with lightning.”

  “I totally understand. Can they follow the scent later, though? After this storm?”

  “They won’t even try to track them,” Mack explained. “They’ll be scenting for humans. They’ll go through every thicket and swamp and they’ll find her.”

  Hannah dared not ask if that meant dead or alive.

  “Call me immediately if she comes home, or if there’s anything at all that concerns you.”

  “I will.”

  “Oh, Hannah. A head’s up. Philip Butler hasn’t been seen all day. Call me if he shows up there?”

  “Yes, of course.” Hannah’s head spun as she hung up the phone.

  Paul sensed something wrong. “Hannah?”

  “Philip hasn’t been seen all day.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  “He’s not under arrest,” added Cliff. “He can come and go as he pleases.”

  Paul agreed. “Why don’t I call Patty? See what’s up.”

  Hannah nodded. She sat at the table, hands clasped in front of her. With Bird gone and Tanbark on the loose, she didn’t want to think of anything else that could go wrong.

  Paul punched in the numbers. After a brief conversation, he hung up. “Patty hasn’t seen him all day—not since he got the note.”

  Hannah shook her head. No matter how bad it got, it always seemed to get worse. She wandered to the freezer and absentmindedly took out a frozen chicken pot pie.

  She turned to Cliff, who still stood dripping on the mat. “Please stay for dinner, Cliff.”

  He shook his head. “No thanks. I’ve still got things to do after we go looking for Bird.”

  Hannah’s mouth set in a determined line. “Mack called his men off for safety reasons. No matter how much I want Bird back, you cannot go looking in this weather. We have to trust her ingenuity, and believe that she’s found a dry place.”

  A crash of thunder underlined her words.

  Paul put down his coat. “I hate to admit it, Hannah, but you’re right.”

  Cliff wasn’t so sure. “What if that guy’s got her scared? We can’t wimp out on her. She wouldn’t wimp out on any of us!”

  Bird was very hungry. She hadn’t had breakfast before she’d jumped on Sunny’s back that morning, and she calculated that it must now be close to six in the evening. It was difficult to be accurate since she’d been unconscious for part of that time, and the stormy skies and dense treetops made it impossible to see the sky. The only thing she knew for sure was that her stomach was completely empty. She’d missed breakfast and lunch, and now dinner.

  Sunny stood in the middle of the tent with his head down, slowly turning. He nibbled on the grass in and around the tent.

  If I could digest it, I’d eat that grass, too.

  I’m glad you can’t. There wouldn’t be enough for me.

  Nice that you’re so generous.

  Bird’s stomach grumbled loudly. The hail and strong winds howled above them, bending treetops and flattening undergrowth. The sound of ice pellets hitting the blankets overhead was deafening. There was no way they could leave. Bird looked through Tan’s garbage for anything that might be edible. All she found were empty cans and a banana skin.

  Cody stood up and stretched. I’ll catch you a rabbit or a gopher. Maybe a rat.

  Really? That sounds oddly tempting, if a little creepy.

  Better than starving.

  We’ll cook it over Tanbark’s fire. Bird studied the charred remains in the firepit that Tanbark had used the night before.

  Get it started and I’ll go hunting.

  Cody slunk around the farmhouse in search of food for Bird. The wind was blowing from the northwest, so he stayed in the lee on the southeast side of the house. The kitchen door faced south, and he peeked his nose around the corner. The cooking smells were unbearably enticing.

  The screen door opened, and Cody pulled back. A second later, Lucky trotted out and started sniffing around for a bush.

  Lucky!

  Cody?

  Yes.

  It’s raining ice cubes. I’m going back in.

  Wait. Bird needs food. Get some.

  They’ll punish me!

  I don’t care. Get food. Now.

  I’m afraid!

  Cody crept out of hiding and growled at the young dog. Are you more afraid of them or me?

  Lucky stood awkwardly in the driving rain, staring at the soaked, snarling coyote. His decision was immediate. Wait here.

  He pawed at the door to be let in. The door opened, then closed.

  Cody waited.

  Suddenly, inside the house he heard surprised shouting and the clattering of objects dropping to the ground. The screen in the door ripped apart with a long, soft zipping sound, and Lucky raced out with his tail between his legs. His mouth was clamped on an entire
loaf of fresh bread in a plastic bag.

  I’m coming with you, Cody. No way I’m going back in there.

  Good work, Lucky. Come this way.

  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 offic
ers.”

  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.