by Wendy Heuvel
“No. Really. It’s cool. You’re opening up a whole new world to me. I can see why you say you worship God through birdwatching.”
Severe chills ran through Cassie’s body—and not from the latest breeze. Could someone really understand how birding drew her closer to God? How spending time studying His creation was a form of worship? Sure, Anna was a great friend, and Cassie loved birding with her, but she wasn’t a Christian. She couldn’t understand this element of it. And until a few months ago, Daniel wasn’t either. Could he possibly share this love with her?
“Cassie?” Daniel waved his hand in front of her face.
“Yeah?”
“I asked you what the name of your bird list is again. I can’t remember what you called it.”
“Oh. It’s called a life list.”
Daniel punched a few more keys on his phone and quickly put his glove back on. Then he pulled his own collapsible tripod out of his backpack and set it up.
“Don’t tell me you bought a scope, too.”
“Nope. One step at a time.” He pulled a cushioned bag out of his backpack and unpacked a large DSLR camera.
“Of course. Your camera!”
Daniel grinned. “Don’t leave home without it.”
Cassie smiled as she indulged herself watching Daniel work his passion. He fastened the camera to the tripod, unpacked a long lens, attached it to the camera, and covered the whole thing with an insulating cover. When he’d lived in Toronto, he was somewhat famous. He’d photographed black-and-white landscapes and celebrities. He’d even flown around the world to do so. She hadn’t known him then, though she’d seen pictures in magazines of the famed D.J. Sawyer. It didn’t seem to fit with the humble, kind man sitting beside her. She’d only ever known him as small-town bookstore-owner Daniel. And that was fine with her.
“Check this out.” He stepped back from the camera to allow her to look through the viewfinder.
“Wow! They’re almost as close as through my scope! That’s amazing!”
“Let’s see if I can get some good shots.”
A shadow in the sky suddenly caught Cassie’s eye. She tugged on Daniel’s sleeve. “Look! It’s an eagle!”
They marvelled at the majestic eagle soaring above the river. It was a full adult, with the stark white head contrasting against the brown body.
“Do you see its mate?” Daniel scanned the sky.
“No. But look.”
The eagle swirled downward until it came to a stop on the ice at the water’s edge, upstream from the ducks.
Daniel quickly turned his camera, and Cassie her scope, until they both saw a much closer image of the beautiful raptor.
Cassie sighed. “What I wouldn’t give to see that death spiral.”
“Give it time. You’ll get your chance.”
“I certainly hope so.”
“What is it about the spiral that makes you want to see it so badly?”
Cassie adjusted the focus on the scope as she continued to watch. “I don’t know. The awe. The wonder. The romance.”
“Romance?”
“Yeah.” She leaned back and looked into Daniel’s eyes. “They’re partners for life. Some even say if one dies, the other will refuse to take another mate for the rest of its life. That’s devotion. Love even.”
“You think birds can feel love?”
“Not in the way humans can, but it’s more a reflection of God’s love for us.”
Daniel smiled. “I understand.”
And Cassie knew he meant it. Something she was still getting used to as Daniel lived out his newfound faith.
Her heart skipped another beat.
Chapter 4
After all the fresh air yesterday, Cassie had slept well. Her pre-church breakfast with Grams had filled her tummy, and the worship and message at church filled her soul.
Now, she joined Daniel on another trek to Zach and Anna’s. This time with a different visitor in tow.
“Rowr!” Pumpkin howled from inside the cat carrier.
Cassie reached back from the passenger seat and straightened the blanket over the top of the carrier. “I know, baby. Don’t worry. It’s a short drive!”
Daniel steered his SUV around a corner. “I thought you told Anna Pumpkin travels well.”
“She does. In buildings. She’s never liked riding in a vehicle.”
“Do you really think she’ll be able to coax Anna’s cat out of hiding?”
“I’m not sure. But it’s worth a shot. I don’t want Anna to deal with any more stress than necessary. It can’t be good for the baby.”
“Hopefully, after today, the baby will have a place to sleep.”
“Rowr!” Pumpkin howled again.
“Almost there!” Cassie put her hand under the blanket to stick her finger into the cage and pet Pumpkin’s neck. “It’s nice of you to help Zach out with the crib again today.”
“I don’t mind. Like Pastor David said this morning, God wants us to show His love to others. Besides, I like Zach.” Daniel pulled into the driveway of Zach and Anna’s house. “Except he’s not here.”
“Maybe he ran out for a sec. I’ll text Anna.” Cassie pulled out her phone and thumbed a quick message to her friend. A second later, a reply popped on the screen. “Uh oh. Looks like they had baby brain. They forgot we were coming at two. They’re on their way back from the grocery store in Kemptville, and they’ll be here in twenty minutes.”
Daniel turned around to look at the derelict mansion across the street. “That gives us just enough time to board up the window again. And maybe do some more exploring first.”
“Are you serious?” Cassie shoved her phone into her coat’s inside pocket. “You can’t really mean to go back in there after that old man yelled at us.”
“I did promise him I would take care of the board. Maybe it needs some fastening from inside the house.”
“Rowr!”
Cassie laughed. “Even Pumpkin doesn’t believe that. Go ahead if you want. I’m not leaving her alone in the cold. Leave the SUV running, please.”
“Nice try. I know you want to go back in just as much as I do.”
Cassie bit her lip and looked out the window at the neighbour’s houses on either side of Zach and Anna’s. Both seemed quiet, but there was no way to tell if someone was actually home. “What if that old man calls the cops?”
“Then we’ll say ‘hello’ to our friend Brent.” Daniel opened the vehicle door.
“I can’t leave Pumpkin alone!”
“So bring her with you. It’ll only be for a few minutes.”
Cassie squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” She hopped out of the SUV and opened the back door to grab the carrier. She grunted as she lifted it.
“How about I take her?” Daniel smirked and grabbed the carrier from Cassie.
“Thanks.”
Continually looking over her shoulder, Cassie followed Daniel through the snow imprints from yesterday to the front porch. They quickly skirted around the side and over to the window, hoping to get inside before Pumpkin’s howls announced their criminal behaviour to the whole neighbourhood.
Daniel handed Cassie the cat carrier, climbed through the window, and then took Pumpkin back. After he set the carrier on the floor, he helped Cassie climb through.
“Whew.” Cassie brushed her curls away from her face. “Is it colder in here than yesterday?”
“Well, the window has been open all night.”
“Very funny.” Cassie looked around at all the other openings, holes and cracks. She directed her attention to Pumpkin, lifting the blanket for a quick peek. “How are you? We won’t be long, Pumpky.” She picked up the carrier to take with her. “Where first?”
“How about the dining room or the kitchen?”
“Lead the way.”
Daniel passed through a doorway into a grand dining room. The table and chairs were still in place, but only spiders had used them lately, by the
looks of the cobwebs. A china cabinet still had dishes in it, but the glass was broken, and some of the plates were chipped. More spray-painted words and art decorated the wall.
“Nothing too interesting here. Let’s keep going.” Daniel continued through the next doorway into the kitchen.
Cupboards lined the wall, some open, and some with doors hanging by one hinge. Old food boxes and containers lay strewn about, covering the counter and floors.
“I guess the squirrels and raccoons were well fed over the years.” Daniel kicked an old pasta container.
“Look at these!” Cassie set Pumpkin on the floor and picked up an old cocoa tin. “I can still make out the lettering and the picture. This is cool!”
Daniel opened a few cupboards. “There are still dishes in here. Look at this old Tupperware! My mother has this bowl.”
“It’s like a time capsule, not a museum.” Cassie set the box on the counter and picked the carrier back up. “Let’s see what’s upstairs.”
“Are you sure? We probably shouldn’t be in here, you know.”
Cassie glared at Daniel as he laughed.
They left the kitchen and headed back through the dining room to get to the grand staircase in the front room.
The first step creaked as Daniel stepped on it. “Careful going up. I’m not sure how safe these stairs are.”
“I’m sure it’s fine. The stairs in my building are older than these.”
“Yes, but your building has been taken care of. Do you want me to carry Pumpkin?”
Cassie held the carrier with both hands. “Yeah, maybe. I guess I’m a little out of shape.”
“Or...”
“Don’t say it! She’s fluffy.”
Daniel grinned and took the carrier. Cassie felt her cheeks warm as she pictured what his flexing biceps must look like beneath his winter coat. He carefully ascended the stairs with Cassie at his heels.
As they emerged on the second floor, they were greeted by hallway décor of peeled wallpaper and more spray-painted graffiti designs. Four large rooms stood off the hall, doors open, revealing four-post beds and old quilts.
She dashed into a bedroom and gasped. “Look at this!” An old bookcase, filled with warped and weathered books, stood against the far wall. “It’s such a shame.”
“I’ll say.” Daniel switched the cat carrier to his other hand and grabbed a book. “Look. It’s an old copy of Robinson Crusoe.”
“And Gone with the Wind.”
“Rowr!”
Cassie lifted the blanket to check on Pumpkin again. “Sorry. We’ll go soon.” The cat held its ears flat and glared at her.
“Let’s keep moving.” Daniel turned to leave the room, but his foot caught on an upturned board. He tripped, fell to his knees, and sent the cat carrier flying.
“Daniel! Pumpkin!” Cassie didn’t know who to go to first. Daniel groaned but started to get to his feet. Pumpkin, however, was a different story. She howled and scratched at the bent door of the carrier. “Are you okay, kitty? I’m coming!”
Cassie ran to the cat, but as she reached the carrier, the cat busted through the door and took off out of the room. “Pumpkin! No!” She turned to Daniel.
“I’m fine. Go get her!”
Cassie ran out to the hall, but the cat was nowhere to be seen. “Pumpkin? Here kitty!” She peeked into the next bedroom. “Where’d you go? C’mon Pumpkin!”
Daniel walked in, wiping the dust from the knees of his jeans. “Can’t find her?”
“Not yet. The fall must have really scared her. Normally she comes when I call.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s all right. It was an accident. How about you? Are your knees okay?”
“I’m not as limber as I used to be, but I think I’ll survive. Let’s find your cat.”
Cassie searched the third bedroom while Daniel looked in the fourth.
“Not in here,” he called.
They met in the hallway. Cassie frowned. “Let’s look again. I don’t think she would’ve run downstairs.” She peered over the railing.
“All right. You recheck those two rooms. Maybe she’s hiding behind something.”
“She’s not under the beds. They’re so high you can see right underneath them.”
“For once, she can actually fit under a bed.” Daniel snickered.
“Not funny.” Cassie returned to the second bedroom. It only held a bed, a dresser and a closet. Even though it had been shut, she pulled the closet door open just in case.
Nothing.
Daniel met her in the third bedroom, but the results were the same. One dresser, one bed, and a closet. This room also had a chair, but clearly, no cat was underneath or behind it.
“Let me just check this closet too. The door is open an inch.”
“She needs more than an inch to—”
“Stop now,” Cassie muttered as she pulled the door open.
Except it wasn’t a closet, entirely. Beyond a bar with wire hangers and a couple of old coats, a skinny set of stairs led to an attic.
“Oh.” Daniel scratched the back of his neck. “That’s interesting.”
“Pumpkin! Are you up there! Here kitty, kitty!”
“Do you want me to go first?”
Cassie nodded, fighting back the tears. Now she was starting to worry.
Metal on metal screeched as Daniel slid an old coat on a wire hanger out of the way, and started up the stairs. They were creaky, and the boards were warped but seemed to hold his weight no problem. She followed him, a few steps behind.
At the top, the staircase ended under a little dormer. Daniel had to duck to take the last step. He turned to give Cassie a hand to step onto the rickety floor.
Only a bit of light came through the dormers and the few holes in the ceiling. She turned and took a few steps to where there was headroom and turned on her phone’s flashlight. The attic was filled with old trunks, crates, dressers and piles of boxes, providing plenty of places for a cat to hide—even a large one. Some stacks were water damaged from the holes above, but everything was also coated in a large dust layer.
“Look!” Cassie pointed her flashlight to the floor, where fresh kitty pawprints tracked through the dirt. “She’s here! Pumpkin!”
Carefully following the prints and keeping an eye on the floorboards for footing, Cassie wound between the boxes and trunks until she emerged in a second part of the attic. She quickly scanned the room with her light until an odd shape came into focus in front of her.
She screamed.
“What? What is it?” Daniel was at her side in seconds.
Cassie continued to point the light ahead of her. A skeleton hung from a noose, a few torn shards of a sixties dress with a psychedelic pattern lay on the floor beneath it.
“Call Brent. Immediately.”
Chapter 5
Officer Brent Adams appeared at the window opening and aimed his heavy-duty flashlight back and forth between Cassie and Daniel’s eyes, then scanned the ceiling of the room.
“Hey, guys. Where’s the body?”
Cassie crossed her arms and bit her lip. “It’s a skeleton, actually. Not much body left.”
“A skeleton? Really?” Lexy appeared beside Brent. His eyes lit up when he saw her.
“Hey. Sorry to call you out on a Sunday. Just thought you’d want to be here since it was Cassie and Daniel who made the call.”
“Of course. Thank you.” Lexy smiled and batted her eyelashes.
Brent aimed his flashlight at the front door. “Wanna unlock that so we don’t have to climb through the window?”
Cassie shook her head. “Tried. The lock is either rusted or frozen. It won’t budge.”
“Okay, then.” Brent climbed through the window and helped Lexy in after him.
“Thanks for coming.” Daniel rubbed the back of his neck.
“I am the police. I kinda have to.”
“You know what I mean. The body’s in the attic.”
“The attic
?” Brent aimed the light up the stairs. “What were you guys doing up there? Or in here at all, for that matter?” He scanned the room again.
Daniel looked away and whistled.
Cassie nudged him with her elbow. “We were exploring, and Pumpkin got away. We found the attic while we were searching for her.”
“Pumpkin? Why would you have her here?” Brent furrowed his brows and shook his head as if trying to jumble the story together in his brain.
“Here’s the short version.” Cassie dropped her shoulders. “Zach and Anna moved across the street. Daniel and I and—”
Lexy shook her head and stared wide-eyed at Cassie from behind Brent.
“Daniel and I,” Cassie continued. “Came here yesterday to take a peek inside. I’ve always loved this mansion. The board was loose on the window, so we came in but left after one of the crotchety old neighbours yelled at us.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Then we returned today to repair the board properly but couldn’t resist another peek. I had Pumpkin with me in a carrier because we were waiting for Zach and Anna to get back so our cats could visit. I didn’t want to leave her in the car, so we brought her in.”
“I was carrying her, and I tripped,” Daniel said. “The cage broke, and she got loose. She ran to the attic, and that’s where we saw the skeleton.”
“Where is she now?”
Cassie pointed to the wall facing the street. “At Zach and Anna’s. We caught her after we called you and thought it best to bring her there while we waited for you to come.”
“All right then.” Brent pointed the light. “Lead the way. Should be fun trying to identify a person from skeletal remains.”
“Oh, we know who it is.” Cassie ran to the little side table to grab the picture frame Daniel had cleaned off the day before. “It’s this lady.”
Brent grabbed the picture. “How do you know?”
“She went missing years ago. Or ran away, as the rumour goes. Lexy knows the story better than I do.”
Lexy nodded.
“And there are a few worn remnants of the same dress on the floor underneath the skeleton.”
The crotchety old neighbour appeared in the window frame, the ear flaps on his hat blowing in the breeze. “I hope you’re here to arrest these troublemakers!”
