Undercover Tales

by Blayne Cooper

  There was none of the usual discussion at dinner tonight. Instead, Astrid had stood to announce that Greg, one of the canyon hands, and Susan, a kitchen worker who lived in the women’s bunkhouse, would be married the next evening and would take up residence in the small house vacated by the other family. A ceremony would take place in the courtyard after dinner, with a reception in the main house to follow. When dinner was over, Vonne, who was now the only temporary worker remaining on the ranch, was excused. The others remained for a meeting.

  Liza hadn’t shed much light on things today, keeping to herself, seemingly lost in her thoughts. Only when they were finishing in the shower that night did she loosen up, breaking her solemn mood with a genuine laugh when Vonne discovered a field mouse in her towel. The tension finally broken, they began to talk again, but as though the day’s incident hadn’t happened at all. Liza fell asleep right away and that gave Vonne the chance to get away and make her call.

  “Hey ... I’m fine. As far as I can tell, nobody suspects a thing.” She kept her voice low. “I’m starting to think this place is really bad news, Jerry. Something creepy happened today.” She went on to describe the events of the day, underscoring her suspicions that the couple in question had been taken out and killed. “There’s something going on up in the canyon near here, but I haven’t had a chance to check it out. Give me a few more days ... No, I’ll be okay. But right now, I need to hit the sack. This ranching is hard work ... Talk to you later.”

  Vonne returned the phone to its hiding place. She had nine days left before her scheduled time at Sky Ranch was up. If she didn’t get to the bottom of what was going on by then, she would have to ask to stay, at least for a couple more weeks. That might at least get her more access to the ranch and to the meetings, but in light of today’s tragic events, she didn’t want to risk letting this drag out. Astrid Becker needed to be stopped before this got even more out of hand.

  yx

  Vonne stood back from the crowd, intrigued by the change that had taken place in the last twenty-four hours. Gone was the group’s somber mood, the departed couple seemingly forgotten. Instead, the ranch was abuzz with the typical cheerfulness that surrounded wedding festivities.

  Astrid took her place on the third step of the front porch and spread her arms in invitation. Greg and Susan moved forward and joined hands. After solemn vows of faithfulness to family and one another, she pronounced them united and opened the large double doors to the main house.

  “That didn’t take long,” Vonne remarked to Liza, mindful to hide her cynicism. They were back to their easy camaraderie, the discomfort of yesterday’s events now in the past. She followed Liza through the double doors for her first look at the inside of the main house.

  “It was just like the last one, when David and Ann got married.”

  “Are they the ones that are having the baby?”

  “Yeah. They got married the first week I was here.”

  Vonne wondered what had happened then to trigger a vacancy in family housing, but she knew such a question would sound facetious. No one here seemed to think the timing of these events was bizarre.

  As they walked into the now-crowded living room, the toddler who had returned with Lorna the day before ran past. Hot on his heels was Ann, the pregnant woman they were just talking about.

  “Say, Liza?” Vonne kept her voice low so no one else would hear above the din of the crowd. “I know I’m not supposed to ask questions, but that little boy there ... his mom and dad were the ones who left yesterday. How come he’s still here?”

  Liza’s eyes darted about nervously to see if anyone had heard. “I’ll tell you later. Just don’t ... don’t say anymore to anyone, okay?”

  Vonne nodded. She was startled by the urgency in Liza’s voice, as though she truly feared being overheard.

  “So Vonne, what do you think of ranching?” Lorna appeared out of nowhere, prompting Liza to excuse herself suddenly and skitter through the crowd to the other side of the room.

  “You were right about Sky Ranch. It’s definitely not a tourist resort.” Vonne fought hard to remain casual. Her natural inclination was to retreat from people like Lorna, just as Liza had. Despite Lorna’s calm and friendly manner, Vonne was sure she was involved in the disappearance of that couple, and that made her someone to fear.

  “I told you so. That Hickson woman doesn’t know what she’s missing.”

  Hickman . “Did you ever hear from her?”

  Lorna shook her head. “Nah, she’ll probably call in a week or so saying that she had it marked wrong on her calendar. We’ll work something out for her.”

  “Make sure it includes cleaning the latrines. You never told me about that part.”

  Lorna laughed. “If I had, would you have stayed?”

  “No.”

  “Well, there you go.”

  “So that bit about getting some saddle time ... was that one of your tricks too?”

  “We still might be able to work that out. Let me talk with Astrid and see what we can do.”

  “Thanks.”

  “But don’t come crying to me the next day because you’re too sore to walk.”

  “I won’t. I promise.” Vonne watched as Lorna returned to take her place alongside Astrid and the newlyweds. Just past where they stood was a tall door that was slightly ajar, enough so Vonne could see bookshelves—the library Liza had told her about. She had been eager to get a glimpse of Astrid’s collection, thinking it might reveal more about her philosophies and objectives.

  Vonne scooted around the clusters of revelers, finally reaching the door. She stepped inside and pushed it closed. A quick perusal of titles revealed nothing out of the ordinary, just the primers of democracy one might read in college, including the Locke book Liza had returned. But as Vonne walked the length of the room, the titles became more radical in nature, from the revolutionary writings of the Bolsheviks to works by Emma Goldman to an historical account of the Haymarket Affair. Vonne wasn’t familiar with all of the texts, but those she recognized had a common theme—anarchy, a rejection of governmental authority.

  “Find anything interesting?”

  Vonne whirled around to find herself face-to-face with the ranch’s matriarch.

  “I wanted to peek at your library. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Were you looking for something in particular? Maybe I can help you.”

  “You have quite a collection. Liza was telling me about the book she just finished, the one about religion and taxes.”

  “John Locke.”

  “Right. I remember studying about him in college. He was one of the writers they say helped shape our democracy.”

  “Our republic,” Astrid countered. “The United States is a republic, not a democracy.”

  “Right ... because we have branches, and ...”

  “And we’re led by elites who call themselves representatives. The real truth is they represent only themselves,” she said, her tone bitter. “Are you interested in government, Vonne?”

  “Mmmm ... a little,” she said, careful not to give away how much she knew. “I enjoy the talks we have at dinner.”

  “The best part of the day, if you ask me. It’s nice to be surrounded by people who are eager to learn about the principles that rule their lives.” She plucked a book from one of the shelves, eyeing the spine. “Do you know anything about the Levelers?”

  Vonne shook her head as she reached out and took the offered book. She vaguely recalled the Levelers as British agitators, a thorn in Cromwell’s side.

  “You might find this interesting,” Astrid said. “And thanks for reminding me about Locke. I’ll have to remember to have Liza talk to us at dinner about what she read.”

  Astrid held the door open and waited, a clear indication she wished for Vonne to leave.

  “Thanks for the book.”

  “You’re welcome. Perhaps we can sit and discuss it when you’re finished.”

  yx

 
Vonne sat leaning against the side of the house, one knee bent, the other dangling off the front porch. Her long-neck beer was warm, but she didn’t know when she would get another one, so she vowed to drink it anyway.

  The party inside was starting to break up, the hands heading on to the bunkhouse because, as Liza had pointed out, the work on a ranch never stopped. Vonne hoped to catch her on the way out, thinking it would be a good place to ask her again about that toddler before they got back to the bunkhouse with everyone else around. Just then, the object of her thoughts emerged.

  “Hey!”

  Liza turned toward her voice, her eyes not yet adjusted to the darkness.

  “It’s just little ol’ me.”

  Liza walked over.

  “Want a sip of beer? It’s nice and warm,” she joked.

  “I think I’ll pass. What are you sitting out here for?”

  Vonne shrugged. “No reason.”

  “What’s that you’ve got?”

  Vonne held up her book. “Oh, Astrid caught me snooping in her library and she gave me homework.”

  Liza chuckled. “Serves you right.”

  Vonne pushed up from her seat. “Want to take a walk?”

  “That’s not always a good idea in these parts. There are coyotes and mountain lions out there. And even bears.”

  “You should be all right if you stick close to me.”

  “What are you ... like Grizzly Adams or something?”

  “No, but I’m sweeter than you, so they’ll eat me instead and give you time to get away.”

  “Ha ha.” They stepped down from the porch. “I guess we can walk if we don’t go too far.”

  When they reached a safe distance from the house, Vonne asked her earlier question again. “You were going to tell me something about that little boy.”

  Liza nervously looked over her shoulder. “We’re not supposed to talk about things, Vonne. That’s why Astrid sent you out at dinner last night.”

  “So you’re not going to tell me?”

  “When your time’s up, you leave. Astrid wouldn’t want somebody going and giving people the wrong idea about Sky Ranch.”

  “So what’s the right idea?”

  “The couple that left ... they weren’t good parents. She explained it all at dinner last night after you left.”

  “Do you know that for sure? Did you ever see it?”

  “I didn’t, but Lorna said she did. Besides, why would Astrid lie about something like that?” she said defensively. “Last night, she talked to us about our responsibilities. She said we’re all supposed to act like good parents because the children we raise are going to have a voice in our future.”

  “I’ll buy that, but why the secrecy?”

  “Because there are laws against just giving your child to someone else, but that’s what needed to be done. Astrid was afraid they wouldn’t take care of their little boy when they left so she talked them into letting him stay.”

  Vonne was completely sure Liza believed every word she was saying. Even though she wanted to believe it too, it didn’t explain why the boy had left in the van with his parents if they were giving him up. Nor did it answer why Ray and Lorna returned with all of the family’s suitcases, something she bet Liza didn’t know.

  “I thought it was probably something like that, but I wasn’t sure.” They were past the barn, out of sight of the house. “Thanks for telling me.”

  “Sure ... just don’t say anything, okay? You’re not supposed to know.”

  “Okay.” They stopped when they reached the corral and leaned on the fence. Their sudden presence sent the horses closest to them scurrying to the other side. “You don’t seem to like Lorna very much. Is that my imagination?”

  “No, probably not.” Liza looked away for a second, then back. “I don’t dislike her. I just ... I don’t know. Like I said the other night, I don’t like that she checks up on everybody so she can report back to Astrid. The people here would do anything Astrid wanted. They don’t need Lorna looking over their shoulder.”

  Anything Astrid wanted. Liza was probably right about that, and that’s what made Astrid Becker so dangerous.

  “Astrid must feel like she needs that. She seems to trust Lorna ... and that guy named Ray. Why do you think that is?” Vonne knew she was pushing it, but she needed to take advantage of Liza’s willingness to talk. And while she felt guilty for her deception, there was probably much more at stake than hands like Liza realized.

  “I don’t know. But I guess that’s how she found out those people weren’t taking care of their kid, so something good came from it.”

  This was the pattern Vonne had come to expect—Liza would somehow justify Astrid’s decisions and the way things were done. Few people in places like this were capable of seeing it any other way. She decided not to press her luck further by asking more questions. The last thing she wanted was for Liza to get defensive, so she changed to a more benign topic.

  “That beer went straight to my head. I can’t believe I got buzzed on just two.”

  “It’s the altitude. The same thing happened to me when I went to that other wedding I told you about.”

  “You guys are lucky I didn’t try to karaoke.”

  Liza laughed. “I would have paid to see that. Your navy pals must have had a good time with you.”

  “I didn’t drink much with my shipmates. One stumble and you’re in the ocean.”

  “I guess the equivalent on a ranch would be one stumble and you’re in horseshit.”

  “Save me from myself,” Vonne said with a chuckle. She really enjoyed Liza’s humorous side. “By the way, I told Lorna I wanted to do some riding while I was here. She said tonight she’d try to set it up.”

  “Who’s going to do all the work while you’re out playing Calamity Jane?”

  “Smarty pants.” Vonne chucked her hip playfully into Liza’s side. “I’ll get up really, really early and do my work first. Do you ever ride?”

  “No, I missed my chance by not asking about it when I first got here. I got settled into this job and I hate to bring it up now. I don’t want Astrid to think I’m just goofing off.”

  Everything’s about Astrid. “Too bad. Because if I fall off and bust my ass, you won’t be there to see it, and that’s a loss you’ll really regret.”

  “No, but I’ll get to poke the bruises on your butt,” Liza answered with a sneer. “That would be better than watching you fall.”

  “You’re in an awfully good humor tonight. How many beers did you have?”

  “Two. But look who’s talking! You’ve finally stopped asking a million questions and checking everything out. It’s like you’re writing a report for school or something.”

  Liza’s tone was teasing but Vonne’s stomach dropped with panic. All along she had been careful to ease off when she thought she was pushing for too many details, but obviously she had gone to the well too many times with Liza. Now she needed to back off completely or risk exposure. “As a matter of fact, I am writing a report. How do you spell impudent?”

  “Use cheeky instead.”

  “Good idea. That describes you perfectly tonight.” She looked at Liza and grinned. “Can I ask you one more question for my report?”

  “Sure.”

  “How come you don’t really talk to anyone else, but with me, you hardly shut up? What did I do to deserve that?”

  Liza punched her arm. “I like you better, smartass. Though I don’t know why.”

  Vonne rubbed her arm as though mortally wounded. “I wasn’t complaining. I like you too.” She suddenly felt the urge to blurt out everything she knew and plead with Liza to leave tonight. She had enough information for Jerry, and Liza definitely wasn’t a part of the sinister happenings at Sky Ranch. The most important thing was getting out without getting hurt.

  “I really don’t have all that much in common with the other women here. They’re nice enough, but they’re all like Susan—all they want is to marry a cowboy.”
>
  “No cowboys for you, huh?” Vonne grinned. “Why’s that?”

  “I think it’s my turn for a question,” Liza said.

  “Okay, but I’m not finished with the stuff for my book.” She folded her arms on the top rail of the corral so their shoulders were touching.

  “How come you don’t ever talk about yourself?”

  “Not much to say, I guess.”

  “Don’t you have a life back in Sausalito? Friends? Somebody special?”

  “Yes, yes ... and no.” Vonne turned, bringing them face-to-face. “Now you, same question.”

  “I have no life back in Sausalito—”

  Now it was Vonne delivering the punch. “And you call me a smartass!”

  “Okay, okay ... the answers are not anymore, no, and no.”

  “You just left everything for good?”

  “Nothing to go back for,” she answered without emotion. “But I want to hear more about you. Tell me about life in Sausalito.”

  “All right.” Vonne called up the bare bones version, but with enough meat to make it credible. “I grew up there. My dad was in the navy, too. When he got out, he and mom bought a sailboat and took off. They fell in love with the Caribbean, so if I want to see them, that’s where I have to go. But they left me a nice house.”

  “And why is it you don’t have someone special? Are you defective?”

  Vonne chuckled at the gentle, almost flirtatious, teasing. “I don’t think so, but maybe I’m not the best judge about something like that.”

  “What else could it be?” Liza asked as though she dared Vonne to answer.

  “Maybe I just haven’t met the right girl yet.”

  A satisfied smile crossed Liza’s face. “What’s that going to take?”

  “That’s too many questions for you. It should be my turn again.” She ducked her head to make sure she had eye contact. “How come you don’t have someone special?”

  “Because I’m defective.”