Who's Dead, Doc?

by J. M. Griffin

  Dinner slowly cooked in the Crock-Pot. Bun accompanied me to the barn and I helped Jason release the rabbits into the exercise pen. The first group jumped and played with toys, while others zoomed through the rabbit tunnel that went outside into a larger, wire fenced area. I had opened that hatch to let them out.

  Plexiglass covered the entire run, with a large window in the barn that overlooked the outside pen. It was an easy way to keep an eye on them. The only rabbit that was a cause for concern was Walkabout Willy. If he could find a way to wander freely about the farm, he did. Jess and I had secured the pen, the run, and the exterior playground to keep him from getting away.

  A truck backed up to the open barn doors and the driver got out. Between the two of us, the supplies were unloaded and stacked on the barn floor. I checked off the list, and signed the bill of lading before he left. Included in the delivery were additional goods for the shop.

  Bundles of roving, stuffed in plastic bags, were packed in a single box. When I lifted the first bag, the others puffed up and cascaded onto the floor.

  With some rabbits in a different playground, Jason came indoors. They were older rabbits than the others and not as active. Petra was in the middle of the age groups and fit in either one, as did Bun. Through the window, I saw him sprawled in the sun.

  “Can I put that away for you?” Jason asked.

  “Sure, I’ll take this part of the order into the shop. I know Molly has anxiously awaited its arrival.”

  Roving lay atop the counter, clusters of it filtered across the floor, soft to the touch. I knew where it was supposed to go, but wasn’t sure it would fit within the confines of the shelves. I struggled to fit each clump and heard Jessica’s snicker. She’d come into the room and watched me.

  “Give me a hand, will you?”

  Instructed on how to tightly bundle the roving into large diamond-shaped slots, I did so while Jess added the remainder to the cupboard under the counter. That job out of the way, I asked if she could take a break.

  “I don’t have an appointment for a half hour or so.”

  On our way through the barn, I told Jason where to find us. He nodded and kept working.

  Tea brewed, Jessica set out cups, and I put a tin of shortbread on the table. While we sipped and snacked, I asked about her patients and listened to stories of their problems and their excitement at seeing her when they arrived. Jessica gave treats to the animals as they left, and not one of them forgot.

  She fiddled with her napkin and said, “Colin and Seamus are free.”

  “Wh-what?”

  “I was stopped on my way home last night. The cop wanted to know why I had come back here, and he asked a bunch of questions that didn’t have anything to do with those men. I gave him a story about forgetting something important at the clinic and he seemed to believe me.”

  “How is that connected to the kidnappers?”

  “I saw them in Windermere, at a gas station. I stopped to buy milk, and there they were filling their gas tank. They appeared nervous and left right away.”

  “Great, just great. Is that what was bothering you this morning?”

  “Not just that. I didn’t like lying to the policeman. He was watching the house. I didn’t see his car, there isn’t a streetlight in that section. He must have backed into the turnaround because when I went by, he pulled out right behind me. It gave me a start, that’s for sure. Then I saw the men and that was all I needed to cap off the night. I slept fitfully all night. How do you deal with this?”

  “No better than you do. Sorry, Jess, I shouldn’t have asked for your help. I hope I haven’t jeopardized your safety. Why didn’t you call me?”

  “I didn’t want you to worry. Besides, you have a cop watching you. I don’t think you have jeopardized anyone but yourself. Though, my credibility might come into question if the sheriff finds out about this. I wanted to call and report my sighting of these guys, but that would have been suspicious, don’t you agree?”

  “Sheriff Carver would have asked too many questions. You did the right thing.”

  “I guess we can’t ask her to do anything else, can we?”

  I glanced down and saw Bun sitting near the counter. Sneaky little bunny that he is, I was certain he had listened the entire time. “I promise not to ask you to get involved from now on. I’m truly sorry.”

  “Seamus and Colin gave me shivers that went straight down my spine and rattled me. When they headed east, I realized they weren’t coming here.”

  “What’s for dinner?”

  “I made chili for dinner tonight. It always comes out so delicious cooked in the Crock Pot.”

  “Yum.” With a half smile, Jess scooted through the breezeway to greet her next patient.

  “Do you think those two left town or will they go into hiding until they get what they’re after?”

  “I’m not sure what they’ll do. They aren’t very smart, but desperation causes people to take chances they normally wouldn’t. This might be one of those instances.”

  “Good thing we’re being watched, then.”

  “They will be apprehended if they come here. Then again, they might try to search Evelyn’s home again if they weren’t successful last night. I hope Jack assigned an officer to watch the place. I know we can’t go back there.”

  “Not without Jessica’s help, we can’t.”

  With a stern look in Bun’s direction, I said, “I refuse to ask, so don’t nag me, okay?”

  “I hadn’t planned to. I can’t think of any other way for us to get back into the house unless someone assists us.”

  “Maybe Carver would allow me to go in.” I wondered how I could get him to agree to it.

  “Sometimes you’re so funny.”

  “I’m serious, Bun. If I can come up with a good reason, Jack might say yes. I just need a good reason, is all.”

  “I’ll think on that for a while. Together, we might come up with a plan.”

  “Do that, I have to give Jason a hand with the remaining chores. He and Molly have had their hands full for the past several days.”

  He hopped alongside me as I went into the barn. Jason sat on a bale of hay and jumped up when he saw me. I brushed off his actions. “Don’t get up, you’ve been working alone most of the morning. I should have asked if you wanted to take a break and have some refreshments.”

  “I brought something to eat, but Molly says you make lunch for us when you are here.”

  “I do, and you can join Jessica and me, if you’d like. We take lunch between twelve and one-thirty. Jess tries to be done with her morning patients by noon.” I lifted the schedule list off the wall to see when Molly would be in and then hung it up again. She was due at six o’clock tonight to teach for two hours.

  We gathered the rabbits as dark clouds moved in with a promise of rain. Before we got the last few critters inside, large raindrops spattered the ground. In its hutch, the last rabbit settled down. It had been a busy morning for them and they earned a molded treat of fruits and veggies. I hung one on the inside of each hutch, while Jason topped off their water bins.

  “Where is Walkabout Willy?”

  “He’s here. I think he’s sleeping way back in the hutch.”

  I peered into the roomed-off portion of it and saw Willy cuddled up and asleep. “He must have had a fun-filled time outside.”

  “I can’t get over how he searches for ways to get out. Was he rescued from the woods?”

  “Not that I know of. He was rescued from a man who lived there, though. He wasn’t in good health upon his arrival, but I took care of that in no time flat.”

  “You know, I asked around when I was looking to work here. I wanted to work in a good place. You have a terrific reputation, Juliette. The good care you give the rabbits and the way you treat us workers is well known by everyone.”

  “Gee, thanks. That’s not the first time I’ve been told, and it’s nice to hear it. I adore these rabbits. It makes me angry when they have been abused. T
here’s no need for it, ever.”

  “Molly mentioned you had an episode this past summer where you and they were in danger.”

  “Yes, but it’s over now.”

  He must have taken my remark as the end of that particular conversation. He busied himself by cleaning the floors. I left him to it. In the house, Bun went to his room and had the treat I brought him.

  The accounts, set up in a computer program, needed attention. It didn’t take long to see that I had neglected them. I spent two hours catching up with payments to vendors, payroll for employees, and making certain taxes were paid. None of these jobs thrilled me, especially when I couldn’t offer the kids a raise. How could I increase their compensation? A half an hour later, I still hadn’t come up with an idea. I closed the accounts program, turned off the computer, and prepared to take a walk.

  Bun and I had nearly reached the road when Sheriff Carver drove in. He stopped next to us and motioned toward the house. Oh dear.

  I nodded, all the while curious about what he wanted this time around. I didn’t drag my feet, but close to it as I returned to the house.

  He waited on the porch while I climbed the steps and entered the kitchen. Jack took his usual seat at the table.

  “Coffee?”

  “Please.”

  “Is this a professional visit?”

  “Yes and no. Our dispatcher received a call concerning intruders at Evelyn Montgomery’s home last night. Two suspicious-looking men were seen loitering near the house. Officers dispatched to that location were unable to apprehend them.” He dipped his head toward Bun, who sat in front of the sink. Intent on Jack, Bun didn’t move a whisker.

  “It could have been Seamus and his partner. The rabbit has been okay since his episode with them?”

  “Ask if he would let you into that house. Say you have to pick up paperwork for that woman, uh, Vera. She has to finish the show stuff and needs Evelyn’s files.”

  “I see, yes, Bun has been fine. How did they get away?”

  “The officers themselves were seen by them.” He sounded more angry than disgusted. I thought it could be a mixture of both.

  “Rookies, I take it.”

  With a sigh, he nodded. “You’ll continue to have a police presence. I know you don’t like it, but your safety is at risk.”

  “Okay. Vera Benedict called me to find out about Evelyn’s estate. I said I didn’t know, and she asked if I could get access to the house. Vera’s in the process of reviewing the rabbit show information. She wants all the applications that were submitted, but Evelyn handled all that. Vera said it’s important, because she has to review the rejected applications to see why that happened. I said I’d ask if you’d let me go there.”

  “Well said.”

  Jack looked at me, long and hard, before he said, “Adam will accompany you.”

  Thrilled to think I’d get into the house without once again breaking the law, I agreed. Adam would be there to deal with intruders, should that occur. “Great, and I do feel better with protection. Thanks, Jack. Are you still searching for those two men?”

  “We are. You won’t go anywhere without protection, is that understood? I’d never hear the end of it from Meredith if anything happened to you. She’s quite a fan of yours.”

  We made arrangements for Adam to go with me to Evelyn’s house. Watching Jack leave, I called Vera.

  “Juliette Bridge here. I’ve been given access to Evelyn’s house and wondered if you want the applications for the rabbit show or any other documents Evelyn had?”

  “Oh, thank you, I do need that information. Would you like me to go with you?”

  “That’s not necessary. Just tell me what you require, and I’ll find it for you.”

  After jotting down a list, I hung up. Certain Evelyn had everything in a computer program, I knew access was out of the question without a password. I had seen a file for the rabbit show in her desk and hoped most of what Vera lacked would be in there. I’d also search the desk drawer for flash drives.

  “Did Jack agree too easily?”

  “Maybe, he does seem worried. I’ll tread carefully. My familiarity with the house would seem odd. You’ll have to stay here while I’m gone. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “I wouldn’t want to make this hard for you.”

  While I thought that was unlikely, I took his consent as a good sign and breathed a sigh of relief over not having to argue with him. Bun liked to be in the know.

  We went into the shop where Jason and Jessica were discussing the pros and cons of rabbit training. I listened for a few minutes. When they noticed me, the conversation ended. I mention I’d be away for an hour or two, but would be back in time for dinner.

  “I’ll feed the rabbits, then?” Jason asked.

  “Please do. Just put together the ingredients I have lined up and labeled on the second shelf of the rack in the barn. Bundle it and put it, well, you know what to do.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Jess waited until Jason was out of earshot. “I have a patient due any moment. Come into the clinic.”

  With Bun at my heels, I went with her, whispering what Jack had said during his visit.

  “Adam will go with you this afternoon?”

  “He will. It shouldn’t take me long to get what I need.”

  “I’m glad you’ll have someone there to make sure you’re safe.” She gave Bun a glance and said, “Besides Bun, that is. He can be quite ferocious.”

  “Bun won’t be going. He’ll be here with you two.”

  Hearing that he’d be left behind, Jess knelt beside Bun and stroked his ears and scratched his nose.

  “Aah, that feels so good. Jessica loves me.”

  I gave him a wink. Jess said they would take good care of Bun and the other rabbits. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine.”

  Adam arrived as I walked through the breezeway. He knocked on the door while giving the area a quick study.

  “Sheriff Carver instructed me to accompany you to Evelyn Montgomery’s house. Are you ready to leave?”

  I donned my jacket and we set off to Evelyn’s. “Do you know how to get there?” he asked.

  “No, I’ve never been to her home. We always spoke on the phone, although we chatted the day she was killed.” I nearly clapped my hand over my big mouth. I knew he’d question me over my slip of the tongue. I become annoyed when I can’t keep my mouth shut.

  “Oh?”

  “She commented on the beauty of the rabbits.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “I remember this past summer when you said I was a poor liar. Well, so are you.”

  I looked at him with surprise. “I’m not lying. That’s all she said.”

  “I’m sorry, Juliette, I don’t believe you. Tell me what she said.”

  “She was a cranky person. When she passed by the rabbits, she said nice things about them, but said she wasn’t sure Petra would be entered into the show after all.”

  “What was her reason?”

  I shrugged and said I had no idea. “The children were crowded around the rabbit pen, so I couldn’t ask. She had a mean look on her face when she walked away.”

  “You’re sure you don’t know why?”

  “I don’t know what her problem was, maybe she was having a bad day.”

  He glanced at me, then turned onto Evelyn’s street. We slowed while I looked for the house number he’d given me. I saw her house, but said nothing until we were opposite from it. “That’s the house. The number is on the mailbox.” I pointed to the mailbox. It was black like all the others in the neighborhood. Weird, I know, but not uncommon in some developments.

  Adam parked the unmarked car three houses away. Casually, we went to the front entrance. Since I never entered this way, it was a unique experience. Adam unlocked the door, opened it, and took the lead. “Wait here while I look around. I don’t want any surprises.”

  Smart man. I was in good hands. He crooked a f
inger to let me know I could enter. This was much better than fumbling around in the dark.

  “What are you supposed to get?”

  “Information for Vera Benedict, the chairwoman of the rabbit shows. Evelyn handled applicants and such.”

  “Was Petra allowed to compete?”

  Certain he already knew, I answered him. “She fell ill before the show began.”

  It took some doing not to head into the office straightaway. I wandered the first floor, peered into rooms that led off the living room. “The furniture is nice, isn’t it?” I mused aloud, and ran my hand across the top of the sofa. “That must be her office.” I went in, peeked at papers strewn across the floor, and motioned Adam to join me.

  “Would you open those doors?” I pointed to the closets.

  He did as I asked and left them wide open. “Nervous?”

  “A bit. I don’t know what to expect now that the sheriff has said Colin and Seamus are still on the loose.”

  I knelt on the floor to scan the documents, I already knew they were of no use. I had shuffled bunches into a pile, when an official-looking piece of folded parchment caught my eye. Wary of snatching it up, I put it on top of the pile and set it on the desk.

  “Nothing there pertaining to the show. Would you look at the file folders on those shelves for me? Otherwise, we might be here for hours. The file should be labeled for show entrants or something similar.”

  “Sure.” Adam got to work.

  I tucked the sheet of parchment into my jacket pocket and searched the desk drawers. Several flash drives sat in a divider in the back of the drawer. I added them to my pocket before I moved on to the file drawer below.

  Files, still neatly arranged, gave the impression the two thieves hadn’t had time to touch them before the police arrived. I fingered each one, read the headings, and found two files for Vera. Both were labeled with large letters. The first was show acceptances and the second was filled with rejections. I set them on the desk chair.

  “Any luck?” I asked.

  “Not yet.”

  A few minutes later, I said, “I think I found what Vera’s looking for.”

  In one quick stride, Adam was at my side. His hand out, I gave him the files and watched him look through each one. He whistled over the file of rejections.