* * *
El and I arrived at Billy Matlin’s place and waited for Special Agent Dillard to arrive. Billy Matlin’s truck still wasn’t parked in the driveway and although I did wonder where he was, I never gave it much thought. It might be better that he wasn’t here. I’d hate to think that he’d mess up what I’d tried so hard to stage.
El and I sprang from the car just as Special Agent Dillard pulled into the drive and met him as he exited his vehicle with a camera in his hand. “I figured I’d be hearing from you soon so I hung around town, but I was just about to leave. If you hadn’t called me when you did, I’d have been long gone.”
I’m not sure what he was trying to say, since it wouldn’t have mattered when I called him, but instead I said, “I’m sure glad I caught you in time.” I led him past the pizza box and he asked, “You’re not trying to bait an animal are you?”
“Um, this isn’t my place. It belongs to Billy Matlin, so how should I know what he’s up to?”
We kept moving and I pointed toward where the eagle carcass was. “That sure looks like the remains of an eagle.”
He took a picture. “I think you’re right, but it sure looks like vultures have had at it.”
“True, but that is to be expected, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “So, how did you just come across this so easily?”
I tried to make it sound the best I could. “It wasn’t easy at all. El and I have been tramping around in the woods for hours.”
“Is that how it was?” Dillard asked Eleanor who hung her head.
“Sure, whatever Aggie says. She’s the one who found it.”
“I see, and what about the owner? Is he around?”
“His vehicle wasn’t in the driveway, so I’m not sure where he might be.”
Duane’s brow shot up. “Do you make it a habit to trespassing on private property?”
I was taken aback at that. “I’m not sure why you mean by that, young man. You told us to give you proof that there was a crime involving an endangered species and we’ve simply given you that.”
“All I see is a carcass that there isn’t much left of. Not much to suggest it’s a crime scene at all.”
“Oh, so you’re making up your mind already not to investigate?”
He gave me a look that was less than kind. “Of course not. It’s my job to investigate. I just hope that I’m not wasting my time here.”
“That doesn’t sound very professional at all, but like you said, it’s your job. So do it.”
His face tightened. “I don’t appreciate you dictating to me what my job is or isn’t. I’ll have to call in a forensics team to search for samples since all the footprints in there are most likely yours, but from the looks of it, the remains have been here for quite a while.” He stopped speaking as he knelt down. “Although, I would have expected to find the remains deeper in the ground. Please, tell me you didn’t plant evidence here.”
I puffed up my chest. “Of all the nerve. Why on earth would I do a thing like that?”
“To get me to test that hair you found.”
“First off, I wasn’t the one who even found the hair.”
“No, I was,” a voice from behind us boomed. Billy Matlin stood there with his hands on his hips. “What are you folks doing on my property?”
“Billy, remember you asked us to help you determine what kind of animal left that hair you found?”
Billy’s eyes darkened. “No, I hired you to find Bigfoot on my property.”
Special Agent Dillard stood up to his full height. “Is this what this is all about? Bigfoot?”
My eyes widened as Eleanor gulped. “We’re not sure exactly, but when we found the bald eagle remains we thought it might warrant an investigation.”
The special agent rubbed his neck, but he turned and gave Billy a once over. “Are you responsible for killing this bald eagle?”
Billy shoved his hands in his pockets. “Nope, but Bigfoot might have. When you test the animal hair, you’ll find out the truth for sure.”
“Look,” Dillard began. “I’m not out here to determine if Bigfoot is on your property. I’m here to investigate who might have killed an endangered species—a bald eagle, in this case. Perhaps it was you since it was located on your property.”
Billy lit a cigarette. “Since when is a bald eagle even still an endangered species? Wasn’t it takes off the endangered species list?”
“While bald eagles are no longer protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act, they remain protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. So if you were responsible for killing this eagle, you’re in deep trouble. I’m ready to cite you for unlawful animal baiting.”
Billy’s eyes widened. “For feeding Bigfoot?”
“I’m not all that sure what animal you were trying to bait, but there’s a ban for baiting right now.”
“No, there’s not. I’ve checked with the DNR—Department of Natural Resources—and they lifted the ban for deer baiting, but I’m not baiting deer. I’m simply trying to prove that Bigfoot is roaming on my property, which you’ll know when you test the hair I found. Agnes, give him the hair.”
I shrugged. “He told us earlier that he had to take his own samples. We should just let him do his investigation.”
Dillard made a call via his cell phone, alerting whoever was on the other end that he needed assistance, rattling off the address. Once he hung up, he told us to wait back at the house.
I was curious as to what the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would do investigation-wise, but figured I had better do as we were told this time. As it was, I think he might just smell a rat, but I suppose he had plenty of experience under his belt to realize our staged scene just didn’t cut it. El and I had only to stick to our story.
Chapter Five
Once we were settled on Billy’s plaid sofa, he asked, “Where did you get that eagle carcass?”
“We found it out there,” I said, nearly choking on the lie.
Billy shook his head, “I’m not a fool. I know my property like the back of my hand and it wasn’t there yesterday.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Billy clenched and unclenched his hands into fists. “I’m not sure how you did it, but you had better spill your guts.”
I swallowed hard. “It’s road kill. It’s the only way we have a chance to get the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to test that hair you found.”
“What about the sheriff? Can’t he do it?”
“He refused to do it, claimed that it wasn’t related to a crime. The DNR won’t get involved either. This the only way.”
“Yes,” Eleanor began. “The special agent told us the only way that they’d get involved was if an endangered species was involved.”
“Except that he thinks I was the one responsible for that bald eagle’s death.”
“He’ll have to prove it first.”
Billy started to pace the room. “Well, it was on my property and that’s probably all the evidence they need to arrest me.”
“Don’t be so melodramatic,” I said. “They’ll find the hair, and test that before they make any determinations. I’m sure of it.”
He stopped pacing. “I thought you said they’d have to collect their own samples? What if they don’t find any?”
“They will, because I made sure to drop the hair nearby.”
“I just don’t like this. Why won’t anyone believe that Bigfoot is on my property?”
I wanted to say because it sounds crazy for one reason, but instead I said, “Folks just don’t believe anything unless they see it firsthand, I guess. Have you taken any pictures?”
“I haven’t seen him exactly, so I haven’t had the chance to take any pictures.”
“You mean to tell me that you haven’t set up any game cameras?” El asked, exasperated.
Billy scratched his chest. “I never thought about doing that, but I sure will once the agents leave.
I had
serious doubts about Billy’s story for real now. He ought to have been smart enough to know that he should have set up cameras. As it was, Billy’s elevator didn’t go all the way to the top floor.
Headlights illuminated the living room as trucks tore into the driveway, followed by none other than Sheriff Peterson. He didn’t go around back, but rapped on the front door.
Billy answered the door and the sheriff came inside, eyeing El and me. “So Billy, what have you gotten yourself into now?”
“Now listen, Sheriff. This isn’t my fault. I told you about Bigfoot being on my property, but you only stayed ten minutes discussing the matter with me, and now it must have killed a bald eagle on my property.”
“Aggie, what do you have to say for yourself?”
“I told you Billy hired us, and we’re trying to find Bigfoot, but since nobody would test that animal hair, we had to find another way.”
“So magically a bald eagle carcass mysteriously appeared on Billy’s property?”
“I tried it your way. I met with the DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but I was told the only way they’d launch an investigation was if it involved an endangered species, or at least a still protected one.”
“This is a bit much for even you, Agnes. Since when have you two gone into the Bigfoot hunting business? East Tawas doesn’t need another frenzy of people traipsing into town looking for Bigfoot.”
“Oh, so Bigfoot has been spotted here before?”
“I meant that first it was the ghost hunters and then treasure hunters. When will this madness stop?”
Billy’s face became beet red. “Now listen here, Sheriff. I’m not a liar. Bigfoot really is on my property and Agnes and Eleanor are gonna prove it.”
“The only thing these two are good for is riling folks up. They should have just told you straight off that they couldn’t help you. They’re crime investigators, not Bigfoot hunters. If we don’t watch out, game hunters will be coming to town.”
“I sure hope not, Sheriff,” I said. “That sure wasn’t my intent. All I ever wanted to do was to get that blasted hair tested.”
“Agnes, do you know for sure where it even came from?”
“I gave it to her,” Billy spat. “I’m getting so sick of people thinking I’m a deranged fool.”
“Then don’t act like one. Where did you find that animal hair, really?”
“On the pizza box I’ve been leaving food on. When it’s tested, you’re all going to owe me a huge apology.”
“I believe you, Billy.” I sorta did. “That hair is the key to this puzzle. When it comes back as Bigfoot hair, you’ll be vindicated.”
“Oh, so they already have Bigfoot hair to compare it to?” the sheriff laughed. “I doubt that very much.”
“Why are you so insistant that Bigfoot doesn’t exist?” Billy asked with narrowed eyes.
“Well, for one, I’ve never seen anything remotely close to Bigfoot. Plenty of white-tailed deer, coyotes, foxes, and even a few black bears, but none of them look a bit like Bigfoot. That might just be fox hair. What do you plan to do when they come back with a report that confirms that it’s hair from a confirmed Michigan species of wildlife?”
“If it comes to that, I’ll apologize, but until then I plan to continue to search for Bigfoot.”
Sheriff Peterson threw his arms in the air and stomped outside, heading in the direction of where the bald eagle carcass was. Sure, the sheriff had made a few valid points, but I wasn’t about to let him know that. It never even occurred to me that big game hunters might head to town. I sure hoped that wouldn’t be the case, but if it was, I’d do anything in my power to stop them from disturbing the habitat of the local wildlife.
We waited a few hours before two men knocked on the back door and were let inside by Billy. Special Agent Dillard approached us with the two DNR officers we had seen at the Whitetail Cafe, Derek and Patrick.
“I thought the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were handling this investigation?” I exclaimed as a question.
“It seems there is some dispute over who should handle it,” Special Agent Dillard said with a grimace. “I’m sure it will be worked out.”
“We’re more than capable of handling the investigation,” Derek said.
“It’s more of a jurisdiction issue, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supersedes that of the Department of Natural Resources.”
“I don’t see how. We have just as much of a vested interest here,” Derek insisted. “We’ll be retaining the evidence you found.”
“Not happening. I’m taking it back to Alpena to have it tested, and I’ll be happy to give you a report on our findings.”
Derek added, “I’ll have to call my supervisor before I allow you to do that.”
“Allow? I think you’re overstepping your authority here, Derek.”
This was getting interesting, but going nowhere fast. “Sounds like Agent Neering has a valid point,” I said, butting in.
“I’m not interested in your opinion, Ms. Barton,” Derek said. “Let us handle our own affairs.”
“I came to you first, but you DNR guys blew me off. Special Agent Neering was the only one who told us to find evidence of a crime associated with an endangered species. All you two did was laugh at us.”
“Oh, really? Did you also mention you were looking for evidence to support your theory that Bigfoot is roaming the woods of Tawas?”
I ignored Derek’s accusation. “No, the truth is that I’m not sure what killed that bald eagle, but we did come into possession of evidence of hair found nearby. Once it’s tested, we’ll find out for sure what animal might be responsible.”
The DNR guys pulled out their cell phones, but by then, Special Agent Neering was already out the door with Derek and Patrick hot on his heels. Neering scooped up a black bag and headed for his vehicle, ignoring the DNR officers as they continued to run off at the mouth that the agent had better let them have the evidence.
Within minutes, Neering had hopped in his truck and tore off down the road.
Sheriff Peterson stomped his way inside and said, “This is quite a mess you girls have caused this go around. Now those fellas are going to be arguing for months over this matter.”
My brow shot up. “Months?”
“Well, yes. What had you expected, a quick resolution?”
“I suppose not, but I didn’t think it would take months.”
“It’s no different than any crime investigation. DNA analysis is a lengthy process that will be further delayed as they argue over the chain of evidence. I’m for once glad that I’m not involved.”
“Is that why you came back in here, to rub it in our faces?”
“No. I just wanted to caution you all to keep your mouths closed about this matter until the results come back.”
“I’m sure you know that El and I plan to continue to investigate the matter.”
“Sure, just leave me out of it in the future. I don’t even want to hear the name Bigfoot again,” he said as he headed out the door.
Billy shrugged. “Is that how you plan to proceed, by downplaying the whole Bigfoot thing?”
I smiled. “I think it might be best until we can gather more evidence. We plan on questioning your neighbors next. I have a hard time believing that they haven’t seen anything. We were already given information that someone might have just run across Bigfoot behind the airport.”
“I wouldn’t doubt that. I can’t be the only one who’s seen the beast hereabouts. Just stay away from the Cat Lady. She doesn’t cotton to strangers showing up at her place,” Billy informed us.
“Not a problem. We’ve known her for years. She really doesn’t mean any harm, but I have to admit she’s rather quick to aim her shotgun at trespassers.”
“That’s been my experience with her, too. I’ve seen her out in the woods a few times, but she’s not very approachable, if you know what I mean.”
I really did know what he meant. “You do plan to forgo
the appointment with Animal Channel, right?”
“You have a week to turn up something, but if you don’t find anything in that time, I’m going ahead with that interview. I’m sure excited about getting featured on the Animal Channel. It’s not every day that happens to someone like me.”
I had to agree with that, but I sure wished I had more time. A week wasn’t all that much to find enough evidence. “Just be sure to set up the game cameras. Okay?”
“I sure will, and thanks for the idea. I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought about doing that before.
Chapter Six
Once Eleanor and I were back in the car and headed toward Billy’s nearest neighbor, Eleanor said, “For a man so insistent on proving that Bigfoot is on his property, why didn’t he already have game cameras set up, Aggie? It makes no sense.”
I had to agree with Eleanor. “Oh, how should I know? But it sounds like he’s going to do it now.”
“I just don’t know about this case. How on earth are we going to find Bigfoot anyway? And better yet, how are we going to catch him?
I gripped the wheel and said, “I don’t know, but we’ve already invested enough time in this case. I can’t imagine quitting now, just when it’s getting good.”
“Good how?”
“Well, it’s funny to watch the DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fighting over the evidence.”
“I wonder how much it’s gonna cost us if they found out we planted that bald eagle?”
“There is no way we can ever tell anyone about that, or our goose will be cooked for sure. Keep your lips zipped, Eleanor. And that means not telling anyone, including Mr. Wilson, your intended.”
Eleanor shot me a look. “Fine, but that also includes leaving that lawyer man of yours out of the loop, too.”
“I can agree with it. I’d be afraid of what he’d have to say about that.”
“Nothing good, I’m sure,” Eleanor laughed.
I drove down a spell, past more jack pine trees that were in the area. I daresay I had my eyes peeled to the road for more than just a white-tailed deer, like I half expected to see Bigfoot, which was just ludicrous since there was no such thing. Or was there? This case sure had me second-guessing myself. Although I couldn’t imagine Billy fabricating an elaborate story such as this, especially when it came to that bag of hair he had found. The origins of the hair did nag at me, though. I guess I’d feel much better about it if I was the one that had found it.
Madison Johns - Agnes Barton 06 - Bigfoot in Tawas Page 4
