“Yes, but I do way more than any other leader does. I play football, which helps the boys work off their excess energy. I was sent to that boring dinner here the first night because Oliver didn’t want to come.”
“That bad?”
“Yes. I’d have rather stayed behind at the big bonfire the boys have every year to mark the beginning of camp.”
“Did you know Peggy Hughes?”
“Yes. She was a friend of my mom’s. My mom isn’t going to take the loss of Peggy well. She was one of her best friends.”
“I see. I feel bad for her troop, but so far they seem to be taking it okay.”
“You’re with Peggy’s troop?”
“Actually I’m looking into Peggy’s death. I’m not convinced it was an accident.”
“So it wasn’t an accident, after all. I knew Oliver had it wrong, but he’s good at talking.”
“He wasn’t that good at it when I asked him if he was here at dinner that first night. But you’re saying he wasn’t here.”
“He stayed behind, but he wasn’t anywhere to be found when we came back to camp.”
“You must mean when you came back with Craig and Avery, right?”
“You certainly ask a lot of questions.” He smiled.
“Guilty as charged,” I said. “Did you see Peggy that night?”
“I saw her take off on an ATV.”
“Was she with anyone?”
“Not that I could see, but I didn’t get that good of a look. I was too busy trying to get back to our side of the lake.”
“What about Joe Smith? Did he come back with you?”
“No. I’m not sure where he was when we left, but I think it might have had something to do with a woman. He’s been sweet on a certain cook.”
“I’ve heard him say as much, but I also heard he planned to break into Mrs. Tuttle’s cabin.”
“You mean he actually did that? I still can’t believe our cell phones were taken from us. It’s not like you can get much of a connection out here anyway.”
“So you mean this phone is useless?” I asked as I took it from my pocket.
“Where did you get that?”
“It belongs to Stuart’s wife. I better give it back to her before Stuart starts asking questions. He doesn’t think I should poke my nose into Peggy’s death, but it’s hard not to when she died like that. Horrible.” I shuddered.
“ATV accidents can be bad. I’m shocked she’d be on one. From what Oliver said she was injured in an accident. Apparently he saved her life in Tawas when she was nearly mowed down by a car.”
“I wonder why Oliver would tell you something like that when he only had a passing interest in Peggy.”
“To listen to him talk he thinks he’s Superman. I think he has a hero complex.” Dustin shook his head. “I suppose a story like that might sound good to the boys, but not next to Stuart. The boys really admire Stuart. You don’t meet an FBI agent … well … never.”
“I suppose you’re right. So Oliver is kind of a blowhard?”
“You have that right. I better get inside now before Oliver has a fit. I’m his second in command.”
“Lucky you.”
Eleanor nearly pinched my arm off when I met her near the front door. “Where were you?” she asked with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Speaking to Dustin. His story was about the same as the other two leaders, except that he mentioned that Oliver wasn’t at camp when they returned from dinner.”
“Now that’s an interesting detail.”
“Yup. Interesting enough to possibly make him the killer.”
“I hope you’re not jumping the gun, Agnes. I’d hate to look like a fool if we’re wrong.”
I sighed. “I’m not, but you have to admit that he lied about where he was that night when Peggy disappeared.”
“We’re not investigating her disappearance, we’re looking into her death.”
“Which is why we’ll need to catch Oliver alone in the morning. I can’t imagine the Bonfire Boys will be sticking around long tomorrow.”
“I suppose not. They’ll go back to their side of the lake. That bear hasn’t really caused any problems,” Eleanor agreed.
Three loud bangs filled the forest air.
I whirled and hurried to where the sound was coming from, staring into the darkness. I gasped when Eleanor grabbed my arm and tried to pull me back toward the lodge. I resisted her pull and saw two small headlights moving fast in our direction.
“It’s Elsie and Marjorie!” I shouted.
“And there’s the bear!” Eleanor shrieked, racing back inside. “Get in here before that bear makes a meal out of you!”
“I can’t! Elsie and Marjorie need our help!”
The golf cart skidded to a stop and Elsie and Marjorie jumped out and sprinted into the lodge. “They left me!” I grumbled.
“Agnes, get in here!” Elsie shouted.
I raced inside and glanced back only when the door was closed behind me. I then stared at Elsie and Marjorie who were covered in strawberry and chocolate ice cream.
“What happened?” I asked Marjorie.
“We thought the scouts might like some ice cream tonight,” Elsie said.
“It’s too bad the bear decided to have ice cream at the same time we were there,” Marjorie added. “At least we got away unscathed.”
Elsie wiped a spot of ice cream from Marjorie’s gray hair. “But we are covered in twenty-five flavors.”
I took a peek through the small window in the door. The black bear was dismantling the golf cart. “I think the bear thinks you have ice cream in that cart,” I observed.
“We do, or I should say did, from the looks of that bear,” Elsie said.
The DNR officers crept up and shot two darts into the bear, which collapsed behind the wheel of the golf cart.
“I think that bear is ready for a well-deserved nap,” I said.
“Really?” Martha asked as she positioned herself in the window.
“Does that mean we can leave the lodge now?” Fern asked.
“No, it does not,” Martha said. “Lie down, girls, and get some sleep.”
“You’ll need it for the relay tomorrow,” Mrs. Tuttle said as she walked out from the kitchen. “I’ll supervise that bear being removed from the camp.”
I was relieved that the bear wouldn’t cause anymore problems. I had far more of my own at the moment, but wouldn’t be able to clear any of them up until the morning.
“I was so frightened and yet excited at the same time,” Marjorie said. “Here I was in the ice cream shack when that black bear decided to see what I was doing.”
“She means us,” Elsie added. “That bear wanted ice cream more than us. I’m sorry the bear ate all the ice cream, girls.”
“That’s perfectly fine,” Martha said. “We can always get more ice cream.”
“But we’d never be able to find two better friends,” Eleanor said. “You both could have gotten yourselves killed.”
“I hardly think the bear was as interested in us as he was the ice cream,” Marjorie said with a laugh.
“So where were you two all day?” I asked.
“I helped the other scouts relocate until we ran into the sheriff and her deputies. They were searching high and low for that bear,” Elsie said. “I must admit I’m beat. I only hope to be able to sleep after our encounter with that bear.”
“Let’s settle down, girls,” Moraine said with a clap. “There’s nothing to worry about here. You’ll need sleep if you plan to win the relay tomorrow.”
“What a laugh,” the scouts from another troop said. “Your troop is the laughingstock of Camp Bonfire!”
“We’ll see about that tomorrow, now won’t we,” Moraine said with a curt nod.
Eleanor and I huddled on our air mattresses. “So how many events of the relay will there be?” I asked.
“There’s running, which Fern can do,” Martha said.
“I don’t
think I can do that,” Fern protested.
“You certainly can with those long legs of yours,” I said. “You tower over most of the girls here.”
“I can swim pretty good,” Hailey said. “I promise I’ll leave my purse behind.”
“Where does that leave Yasmine, Kenna and Nadia?” Eleanor asked.
“Yasmine and Kenna will be in the canoe,” Martha said. “That will leave Nadia to run back to the finish line.”
I smiled. I couldn’t wait to find out how the girls would do in the relay. It wasn’t about winning or losing, but giving it their Bonfire Girls best.
I yawned when I woke up. Eleanor was already up, and we wandered outside. I stared over at the badly damaged golf cart and shook my head.
We walked around back, where Stuart was organizing the boys’ hike back to their campsite.
Stuart stiffened at our approach.
“Leaving so soon?” I asked.
“We have a relay, just like the girls do.”
“I expected as much. Would it be possible to speak with Oliver? We’d like to ask him a few questions.”
“Such as?”
“You know you don’t like to be involved in our investigating.”
“I know, but is this really important right now?” Stuart asked with a furrowed brow.
“Yes, it’s very important. Are you positive Oliver was with you the entire time that first night?”
“We know Joe, Craig, Avery and Dustin all went to the dinner that night,” Eleanor said.
“Why are we rehashing all of this?”
“We were told that Oliver was nowhere to be found when the leaders came back.”
“You’re right, but Oliver was making sure all the boys headed back to their campsites.”
“So he was missing after all. Why, he could have come over here, murdered Peggy and gone back to your side without anyone knowing or noticing he was missing.”
“If you have any questions, I’m right here,” Oliver said from the top of the stairs.
I locked eyes with Oliver and kept them locked until he joined us.
Chapter 16
“So you’re still poking around?” Oliver asked.
“Yes, I can’t help it. I’d hardly drop the case of the murdered troop leader.”
“She means Peggy’s murder,” Eleanor added for clarification.
Stuart slapped his head. “Tell me you don’t have names for all your little cases.”
“Little cases?” I asked. “You make it sound like we’re taking bottles back to the store for the deposit.”
“We’re here to question Oliver, remember?” Eleanor reminded me.
“What’s the point?” Oliver said with a wave of his hand. “Peggy’s death has been ruled an accident.”
My back stiffened. “When?”
He widened his eyes. “Sheriff Wesley told us that the day of Peggy’s accident.”
“She came over to our side of the lake,” Stuart added.
“Aha, we caught you,” Eleanor said.
“Caught me doing what?” Oliver demanded.
I pursed my lips. “Lying, for one.”
Oliver laughed. “About what?”
“Peggy's death,” I shouted. “Her death was anything but an accident.”
“Mother, please let the sheriff handle it.”
“Good idea, Stuart. Go find Sheriff Wesley. I believe we found the man who murdered Peggy.”
“You heard her, Stuart,” Oliver angrily said. “I'm sure the sheriff will be able to sort this whole thing out. I know Peggy's death was a shock to you and her troop. It was a shock to me, too, but what you fail to realize is that not every death is suspicious.”
I shot Stuart a look. “How much did you tell Oliver about me, Stuart?”
“I told him you and Eleanor were investigators. Why?”
“Not that I needed to be told after the way they questioned me back in Tawas,” Oliver said. “I would've thought that they’d remember I was the one on hand when Peggy was nearly run down.”
“Oh, but I do remember,” I assured him.
“Do you know what I think?” Eleanor asked. She waved her hand at the now-frowning Oliver. “No sense in looking so sour-faced, young man. Although I must say I thought the timing when you saved Peggy to be a little too coincidental.”
“You're certainly mirroring my thought, Eleanor. Of course, at the time I didn't think anything of it, but now it all makes sense,” I said.
“It does?” Eleanor asked.
“You know it does, Eleanor. So who did you get to run Peggy down?” I asked Oliver.
“If I had someone running Peggy over why would I save her?”
“Tell us who was behind the wheel that day.”
“I hate to say this, but you're both delusional.”
“Don't speak to my mother and her friend that way,” Stuart growled. “They are hardly delusional. They have more wits about them than most people I know.”
“I don't have time to debate this any further. All I plan to do is help the boys pack so we can head over to our side of the lake. We have a relay today, don't forget.”
“I'm perfectly aware you have a relay,” I said, “but this conversation isn’t over.”
“Not until you give us the answers we're asking for,” Eleanor said with a scowl.
“It doesn't matter now. Sure, you might be concerned with who tried to run Peggy down, but the truth is, although injured, Peggy was able to come on the camping trip.”
“So you're saying you didn't have anything to do with trying to stop Peggy from coming to camp?” Stuart asked.
“Why don't you run along, son,” I said. “Eleanor and I have a few more questions before we go to the sheriff.”
Stewart folded his arms across his chest. “I’m not going anywhere, Mother. For once I plan to be here to make sure you don't get yourself killed.”
“It’s not like I try to get myself killed,” I replied.
“Your mother is right. Although I think she's trying to get me killed on occasion.” Eleanor chuckled.
“I hope you know you're not helping our cause right now.” I just knew if I could get Stuart to leave I’d get further with Oliver.
“There you are, Stuart,” Moraine said as she joined us. “The scouts are looking all over for you. I think they're trying to impress the girls.” She winked.
“I don't think leaving right now is an option, not when my mother and Eleanor are grilling a suspect.”
Oliver rolled his eyes. “I’m not a suspect.”
“Everyone's a suspect!” I bellowed.
Moraine tried to move Stuart back toward the lodge, but he wouldn't budge. “Okay, Mother, what actually makes Oliver a suspect, besides saving Peggy's life in Tawas? Of course, that wouldn’t make him a suspect at all.”
“Which is why we can leave and let your mother and Eleanor handle this,” Moraine said.
Stuart finally sighed. “Why not? I hardly think Oliver will do anything to harm my mother and Eleanor. Not when I've been standing here listening to the questioning.”
“I’m leaving too,” Oliver said as he moved toward the stairs.
“I wouldn't try that if I were you,” Eleanor said. “Agnes may be old, but she can climb steps quicker than anyone I know.”
“Me? What about you Eleanor?” I asked with the chuckle. “Of course if you prefer Oliver, we could wait and have this conversation with Mrs. Tuttle present.”
“Now that might actually be a good idea,” Eleanor replied. “I'm sure she'll have plenty to say about Oliver’s whereabouts on the first day of camp.”
“How exactly would Mrs. Tuttle know anything about what happened on the boys’ side of the lake?” Stuart asked.
“Well for one, I'm not talking about what happened on the boys’ side of the lake. I'm referring to the conversation I overheard when Oliver was speaking with Mrs. Tuttle at her cabin,” I explained. “You know, that private conversation that you didn't think anyone el
se overheard.”
“Now I know I'm not leaving, Moraine,” Stuart insisted. “We're waiting, Oliver.”
“I-I have no idea what she's talking about, I swear.”
“Why exactly is it that you didn't want the scouts to come to camp?” I asked. “What are you hiding?”
“Why would you think I didn't want the scouts to come to camp?”
“Because I overheard you talking to Mrs. Tuttle. What deal did she back out of?”
“And who is your grandfather?” Eleanor demanded.
Oliver inched backward. “I have no idea what you're talking about. Besides, I'm a troop leader and look forward to this camp every year.”
“Have you heard any rumors about the camp closing?” I asked.
“Sure. Who hasn't, especially since the owners died last year?”
“It's about time you come clean,” I said. “How long have you known Peggy was to inherit the camp?”
“So that's the reason he wanted to get rid of Peggy,” Moraine exclaimed. “But I thought you told me he didn't go to the dinner.”
“That's true, Moraine, but that doesn't mean that he didn't come to our side of the lake and kill Peggy. The leaders that didn't come over told us that Oliver was nowhere in sight when they came back.”
“I was helping to make sure that the boys made it back to their camping sites. I've never seen a more exciting group of campers,” Oliver said.
I turned to the sound of pounding feet as Sheriff Wesley and Mrs. Tuttle joined us. “So there you are, ladies,” Mrs. Tuttle began, “I hope by now you were able to get a confession from Oliver. It's certainly a shame that Oliver murdered Peggy.”
“Are you nuts? Why would I kill Peggy?” Oliver shouted.
“Because she was inheriting the campground,” I said.
“The camp would then go to auction and be sold to the highest bidder,” Eleanor added.
“Unless of course the state or federal government decided the land would be useful for a park,” Moraine suggested.
Sheriff Wesley held up a bag. “Is this your backpack, Oliver?”
“Why are you going through my stuff? You can’t do that unless you have a warrant.”
“Luckily for me I do.” Wesley waved a piece of paper, and with a gloved hand removed an arm sling from the bag. “I'm fairly certain the sling will have Peggy's DNA on it.”
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