by Glenna Mason
Enthralled by the scene, Elizabeth glided to a stop on a whim and sprang from the car, gathering a few sprigs of lilac from under the butterfly wings. Back in the convertible, Elizabeth found a hair clip in the glove compartment and secured a small piece of lavender into her recalcitrant locks. She laid another small branch on the passenger seat for her pretty niece, who had inherited her thick, golden mass of curls.
Revving the engine, Elizabeth continued the journey down her long drive, now much more attune to the nature surrounding her in her own front yard.
For Elizabeth life was good today. She should be appalled at what had just occurred to her sleepy little part of the world, but instead she was elated. She finally had what she had always dreamed about—a real live mystery to be solved.
“Out of adversity can come good things,” Elizabeth thought, skidding to a gravel crunching halt at Bella's front door, “if you play it right.”
“Lovely,” Elizabeth said, when she observed her niece in a stiffly starched pale blue cotton dress, trimmed with white Belgian lace at the collar and the sleeves. A satin bow tied back a lock of Millie Kay's curly hair. Elizabeth tucked the sprig of lilac beneath the bow and asked, “Ready, sweetheart?”
Millie Kay, who had been waiting eagerly on the front porch for a half hour, nodded in the affirmative.
“Well then,” suggested Elizabeth clasping her niece's outstretched hand, “let's make some music together.”
“Bye, Mommy.”
“Bye, Jane!” Elizabeth shouted through the door.
“Bye, y'all! Good luck!” Jane yelled from somewhere inside.
Elizabeth's assignment to herself was the two farms at the Lancaster Road end of Pope Road. A winding lane, the same one where the horse trailer undoubtedly waited to transport Alexis and Junie off the Stantonfield property, ran between certain sections of the Bennet and Lucas farms, creating an unintended boundary. Starting at the Berea Road side of Pope Road, the lane wandered through acres of plush farmland and reached an end point at Pope Road, a mile from the Lancaster Road intersection. Unmarked and unnamed, the lane rejoined Pope Road just before a series of sweeping s-curves. Pope Road straightened again just at the point the Old Reeves Farm commenced. The Old Reeves Farm, currently renamed Jackson Retreat after its new owner, was the focus of the day's inquiries.
About four years ago the elderly Reeves, finding themselves in declining health, elected to sell the farm and move into the city of Richmond. Jackson Jones of Smith (the late Prescott Smith, grandfather of Carol Lacy Carel), Jones and Jones, Attorneys at Law, leapt at the opportunity and purchased the five hundred acres. First Jones built an avenue down the center of the front acreage, subsequently selling fifty acres on each side of his new Jones Boulevard to his friends, the Taylors and the Andersons.
Keeping the back two hundred acres on the right for himself, Jackson Jones sold the two hundred on the left to his best friend from university days, and a fellow ride-to-the-hounds hunt enthusiast, Monsieur Renee Chevalier of the Loire Valley, France. Monsieur Chevalier had spent about a third of each year, since the two graduated from Harvard Law School twenty years ago, visiting Jackson Jones. These two best friends and hunter/jumper riders were thrilled at the chance to have farms adjacent to each other as a place to house their steeds.
Now Chevalier, during the peak hunt season, could host his French friends, who liked the sport too. Based on the number who arrived every year, jumping fences might not be the most popular pastime in France, but Monsieur Chevalier's friends must wish it were.
Across Pope Road from Jackson Retreat sat the truly magnificent Laurel Acres, the thousand-acre farm of Letitia Pope. In a similar manner to the Smith property, this beautifully rolling section of Kentucky bluegrass was an original land grant. This one was a gift to Colonel Pope, who was rewarded with the property in gratitude for and payment of his supplying and remunerating his own troops for the United States Army during the War of 1812. Colonel Pope was a many times great grandfather of the current resident and naturally gave the two-lane pike its name.
Elizabeth had been surprised at Tish Pope's absence on Saturday night, since she knew Tish Pope and Sir William to be close friends. However, during their dinner conversation, Sir William had explained that Tish had left Saturday afternoon for a night at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, where she was attending the Kentucky Opera's production of Tosca. He expected her back late Sunday afternoon. Hence Elizabeth had decided to postpone a Laurel Acres visit until Monday afternoon.
Today, the Sunday after the now world-famous thefts, Elizabeth would just see who was home on the right hand side of Pope Road. Since the homes on the front side of the Retreat were the most likely to have observed something out of the ordinary, Elizabeth intended to try the Taylors and the Andersons first.
When the coupe rounded the last curve, Elizabeth was pleased to see smoke billowing up from the kitchen chimney of Priscilla and Jessop Taylor's house. Priscilla, nicknamed Precious in grade school, and Elizabeth were not that close in age, but had nonetheless been friendly acquaintances since Precious was a junior and Elizabeth a seventh grader at Model High School. They both played a mean game of field hockey.
Precious earned her nickname by virtue of her unfailingly sweet nature. Elizabeth was confident that Precious Taylor would not mind their dropping by unexpectedly on a Sunday morning.
“We’ll start with Precious,” Elizabeth said to herself. “There will be a nice cup of hot chocolate for Millie Kay in front of that welcoming fire, glowing right now in the Taylor kitchen’s brick fireplace.”
Curving around the loop of the horseshoe shaped driveway, Elizabeth glanced over the spacious yard on the Pope Road side of the brick colonial. “Pretty far for much of a view,” she said. “Oh, well!”
“We're here. You remember the Taylors, don't you?” Elizabeth asked her niece.
“Of course, Aunt Lizzy,” Millie Kay said with a definite stress on the “of course.”
Almost at the first rap of the knocker, the door opened and a pretty brunette declared, “As I live and breathe—Lizzy and Millie.”
Precious stepped on to the front porch and embraced each of the visitors with a huge hug, remarking, “Oh, those lilacs smell divine.” Then she said, “Well, come on in. It's a little chilly today. I've even got a fire goin'. Come on back!”
As they moved inside into the two story hallway, Precious said, “I've just fried a fresh batch of apple pies. You ladies are just in time.” The aroma of fried apple pies extended into the front hall, pleasantly permeating the air with a cinnamon essence.
Following her friend down the hall, Elizabeth marveled at the home's utterly pristine condition. Two teenage boys and not a speck of dirt anywhere. “Wow!” Elizabeth thought, remembering clearly her household’s messy wake as a teen. “And our friends were no better,” she added mentally.
In the kitchen Precious pulled Millie Kay a small comfortable chair close to the hot coals. “Now you sit right there, Miss Millie Kay. I'll get you a nice hot chocolate and a plate.”
After placing a platter of warm pies, two cups of dark chocolate brimming with homemade whipped cream, and dessert plates in front of Millie Kay and her aunt, Precious disappeared around the corner for a moment and yelled, “Jesse, come see who's here!”
When Precious returned and she sat down with them, Elizabeth noticed her blue eyes, sparkling with enjoyment at their company, but also a face made up for departure. Dressed in a navy dress with white trim and a pair of navy high heels, she was definitely a lady on the way out the door.
“Precious, I am sorry to bother you on a Sunday morning, but there is something that I really need to discuss with you and Jessop and the boys.”
“It's okay, Elizabeth. We don't leave until ten; we've plenty of time,” Precious replied, sitting in anticipation, obviously curious why the aunt and niece were here.
At that moment Jessop entered the kitchen. “Jesse, grab your coffee and join us. The pies and the plat
es are here by the fire.”
Jessop, in a coat and tie, opened the cabinet, where he retrieved a cup, poured himself some coffee, a smile of welcome on his face. “Hello, girls,” he greeted, as he added cream to his cup.
Just as he is about to sit, Precious, as if suddenly appreciating just what Elizabeth had said, ordered sweetly, “Hon, see if Junior and Jonathan can scoot on down here. Elizabeth wants to talk to all of us, and I'm just so excited. I want to know what this is all about.”
Jessop set his coffee down, pinched off a bit of apple pie and rounded the corner to the front entry hall, where he shouted up the stairwell, “Junior, Jonathan, hustle on down. We have two pretty ladies down here waitin' for you.”
Rejoining the ladies and laughing, Jessop relaxed on a chintz sofa, declaring, “That'll stir 'em up a bit.”
Jessop was right; in no time the boys came scrambling in with a series of overlapping greetings, “Hi ya, Dr. Bennet! Hi ya, Millie Kay! Glad you're here! Like your lilacs!”
“Grab your coffee or chocolate, boys, and join us here by the fire,” Jessop said.
Soon all six were happily making the last of the chocolate and apple pies disappear.
Elizabeth said, “I suppose you all have heard about the kidnappings.”
“Kidnappings!” they all shrieked at once.
“No, Elizabeth,” said Precious. “What kidnappings?”
“Taylors, have you been on the moon?” Elizabeth asked, her face bright with surprise.
“Well, almost. We've been incommunicado at Cumberland Lake since yesterday morning.”
Elizabeth proceeded to fill the four in on the horse thefts, their breadth throughout all central Kentucky, and especially their impact here in tiny Claysmount.
“We didn't know. We left early for the lake to take our houseboat out of dry dock. It was grueling. We all spent the entire day scraping rust, painting, cleaning, and repairing. Well, you know, Lizzy, you all had a houseboat for years.”
“Oh, all too well I remember, but I'm surprised—the radio . . .”
“We do CDs—the driver gets to choose,” Jessop interrupted. “Precious and I prefer to do the driving, so it's Beethoven and Cash and not rap. And at the boat we were simply too busy—and so, no, we heard nothing.”
“This morning we slept in a little. We got back after midnight. We got up and started getting ready for church and here we are,” said Precious.
“We aren't television people anyway, Elizabeth,” said Jessop.
“I guess if y'all left early, you didn't see a horse trailer barreling down Pope Road between seven and eight?”
“Well, we didn't leave that early, but I was cooking up stuff and was . . .”
“We did,” interrupted Jonathan. “Junior and I saw one. Right time too.”
“Jonathan, you didn't tell us,” said his mom.
“What was there to tell you, mom?” Junior sensibly asked. “We didn't have a clue that they were stealin' from Sir William, now did we?”
“And,” said Jonathan in their defense, “horse trailers on Pope Road are a dime a dozen.”
“Boys,” Elizabeth said, trying to sound calm, but actually ready to burst from her seat, “can you tell us about it now please?”
“Well sure, ma'am,” said Jonathan. “You see we knew we'd be busy all day yesterday at the lake, so while Mom and Dad got the food and the car ready, Junior and I went down to the side lot, where I've set up a pitcher's mound. Junior helps me practice my pitching; he catches for me now that his basketball season is ended. I'm trying to make the rotation over at Model High School this year, but it is hard for a sophomore, and so I practice all I can.”
“That's wonderful news, Jonathan,” said Elizabeth, trying to preserve calm.
“I was bending over, like we pitchers do, sizin' up the plate and all of a sudden this horse van rounds the big curve up just past the Reserve; he was almost on two wheels.”
“I reckon he was unfamiliar with our little pike,” said Junior. “And he was flying.”
“Did you get a good look at the occupants, boys? It could be significant.”
“I didn't— just a glance,” answered Junior. “They went by pretty fast.”
“Well, I sorta did,” said Jonathan. He hesitated.
“And?” asked his dad. “Tell us, Jonathan. Did you recognize him?”
“No, sir, I didn't. I might have seen him somewhere before. He looked a little familiar. I'm talking about the passenger. The driver was smaller and wearing sunglasses or something and a hat. But the passenger—he was a big guy. His arm was out the window. He scowled at me like he was mad, when he saw me looking at him. Kinda took me back a little!” Jonathan grinned.
“Ugly dude! I did see that much,” Junior added. “Wild hair, maybe a beard!”
“Then they passed on by, and I went back to pitchin'; I'm sorry, Mom. I just forgot all about them.”
“It's alright, Jonathan. We'd have just gone on with our plans anyway. Like you all said, vans are not an oddity on Pope Road.”
“Can you describe the van?”
“No, ma'am. I was thinkin' about the big oaf and how mean he was a lookin' at me.”
“It had no markings,” said Junior. “It was gray, definitely a horse van. I even saw a horse in it, after it went on by us. It was one of those kinds, where the horses' tails stick out. Not a fancy air-conditioned one.”
“Boys, you all are lifesavers,” said Elizabeth gratefully.
“I got the license plate number too,” said Junior.
“You saw the license plate!” Elizabeth almost jumped for joy, but held on to the seat of her chair.
“Yes, ma'am.”
“And you wrote it down? Why?”
“I didn't need to write it down, Dr. Bennet. I am a fan of mnemonics. I love words and I love math. Actually I love school and learning. I'm a little out of step with most of my classmates that way, but there you have it.”
“Junior is applying to Princeton,” said Precious proudly.
“Can Kitty and Jane write him a rec? They'd love to.”
“Oh, that would be so incredible. Ask them for us please.”
“I will. Millie Kay, your job number one is to get your mom on top of this right away.”
“Can I, Aunt Lizzy?” the child asked pleased. She was totally awestruck by the whole of the morning's events.
“Now, Junior, back to the license plate,” said his dad.
“Oh, sorry, Dad. This year, being my junior year, I am studying American history. Right now we are in the middle of the 1960's and the presidency of John F Kennedy. And Jonathan didn't mention that I not only catch for him, but also for the baseball team. My batting average is 330. The license plate was 330 JKF. All I had to do is switch the last two letters—a snap to remember that one,” Junior remarked with a snap of his fingers.
“Wow!” Elizabeth said, raising her cup of chocolate and adding, “Cheers to the boys!”
Elizabeth rose and clutched her niece's hand, saying “We are going to make you late for church, but may I make a serious request?”
“Certainly, Elizabeth,” Jessop said.
“I know the church will be abuzz with the kidnappings. Could you please keep silent about your information, until we've had time to run it by Chief Clem?”
The boys appeared very disappointed.
“If the news reaches the press, it may impede his investigation.”
“Excellent observation, Elizabeth,” said Jessop. “Boys, I know you will be bursting to spread your news, but you must not say anything to anyone, not even your girlfriends, until Chief Clem okays it. Understood?”
“Yes, sir” the boys replied.
“I know that Chief Clem is probably already at church. Doesn't he teach Sunday School?” asked Elizabeth.
“He sure does, and he is an excellent teacher too!” said Precious. “He teaches the little ones. His own grandson is in the class.”
“Good, tell him to call Sir William as s
oon as possible, and please, boys, remain available for the afternoon. The Chief will certainly want to hear your account first hand.”
Elizabeth decided to add, “Perhaps it is better not tell him anything at church. You are too likely to be overheard. Just ask him to call Sir William. I will inform Sir William this morning and then the two of them can take it from there. Okay?”
“Certainly, Dr. Bennet.”
“Sir William or the Chief will advise you very early afternoon of our next step. I promise you we will not keep you from your baseball very long.”
Elizabeth led Millie Kay toward the kitchen doorway and turned for a final comment, “Princeton University is always looking for a good basketball player, Junior. From what I hear you are superb.”
“Thank you, Dr. Bennet. I certainly enjoy the sport.”
“I'll walk you to the door, Elizabeth,” said Precious, instructing as she goes, “Jesse, please just place the dishes in the sink. We will wash them later.” Possibly it was the first time in her married life that Precious Taylor had made such a statement.
“The church bells are going to be summoning us any moment, guys. Get everything ready to go as soon as I get back.”
“Precious, thank you for your hospitality and congratulations on your magnificent sons,” Elizabeth said, as they reached the front door. “What a terrific job you and Jesse have done with them.”
“They are precious!” Precious exclaimed, and the two burst into happy laughter.
After the two were settled into the Mercedes, Elizabeth pinched Millie Kay's cheek. We're off to see Sir William with good news, my sweet. We're stars today.”
“And?” was Millie Kay's simple response.
Buckling her niece into her seat belt, Elizabeth looked at her with curiosity. “What?” Elizabeth queried.
Millie Kay kissed her aunt on the cheek and replied, her eyes bright, “We always are, you know.”
“What, sweetheart?”
“Stars.”
With that statement floating out there somewhere in the ether, the two took off down the driveway, spontaneously singing, “When you Wish Upon a Star.”
