Left Fur Dead

by J. M. Griffin

The man stared down at me. I was lying on the stretcher, draped in a blanket, and he shook his head.

  “Don’t make me get off this stretcher. Now give me the rabbit.”

  The EMT stood stock-still and slid a glance at Carver, who dipped his head a tad. Bun was instantly returned to me. I smoothed his coat as he crouched on my stomach.

  “They didn’t hurt me, Jules. It’s nice to know you’ve got my back, though. You do realize I have yours, too, right?”

  A lot of good that did me after he said we weren’t alone and I was abruptly attacked.

  “These people will take you to the emergency room. Would you like me to call Jess?” Carver asked.

  “Please do. She’ll come pick me up after the doctors are finished poking and prodding me. Thanks, Jack.”

  “I’ll see you at the hospital.” He walked away, leaving the EMTs to their job and him to do his. I watched as he questioned the cyclist. Within moments, Jack allowed the young man to leave. I thanked him as he rolled his bicycle past the stretcher. He gave me a smile and kept going.

  Loaded into the rescue vehicle, I could feel every bump and turn. The truck had poor suspension as far as I was concerned. Bun was quiet, as was I. I assumed we were both thinking hard of who had tried to kill us. Maybe he only meant to maim us, even if he’d said he was glad that we were dead. Foolish man.

  Behind closed eyelids, I relived the incident, focused on how it began, and why we were unaware of him until it was too late to fight back. Concerned that Bun’s supercharged hearing had let us down in our time of trouble, I believed the man had lain in wait for us. How would he know we were on the path unless he’d seen my car?

  The vehicle slowed, stopped, and we were unloaded. I refused to allow Bun to be taken from me until Jess stepped into view. “Thank goodness you’re here. You can check Bun for any injuries he may have suffered when we fell.”

  “Always worried about the rabbit more than yourself.” Jess sighed. “I’ll take him to the car and examine him, then I’ll join you in the ER. Be right back, Jules.”

  I wasn’t sure if she sighed out of relief that I was alive and fine or if it was because I had put Bun’s health ahead of my own. Either way, I wouldn’t have to deal with that until later.

  Dr. Swartz, the man who’d handled my accident years before, gave me a once-over, then sent me for X-rays. He stepped into the room after I was wheeled in again. “Things look fine, Juliette. You’ll have soreness and some of those muscles may be strained from where you fell. Other than that, I’d advise a couple days of rest. If you have discomfort, take an over-the-counter pain reliever.”

  “I will, thanks. Can I leave now?” Hospitals have never been a favorite of mine, especially after the serious injuries I’d suffered in the past. The staff was great, the food sucked, and my mother kept telling me to cooperate. Easy for her to say, she wasn’t being tortured on a regular basis by physical therapists.

  The wheelchair ride was brief. Jess took a sudden turn into a small anteroom off the main corridor of the ER entrance. Sheriff Carver sipped coffee and waited for us at a table for two. Jess wheeled me close to the table and set the brakes.

  “I’ll make a cup of coffee for you,” she said.

  “How’s Bun?”

  She set the Keurig to brew and said he was perfectly fine. The coffee cup filled, she placed it on the table and leaned against the counter.

  “Tell me again, what happened?” Jack Carver’s voice held a no-nonsense tone.

  “I thought back to the incident while on my way here. I was jogging back to the car and had slowed my pace to a fast walk when out of nowhere, I was struck across my upper back with something hard and sent flying downhill off the trail. I was lying there with my eyes closed, mentally assessing possible injuries, when I heard him approach. He kicked me twice, once to see if I was conscious. When I played dead, he kicked me again. Thankfully, he didn’t check my pulse. He was probably sure he’d killed me. The fool left me and Bun lying there, saying he was glad I was dead.”

  His eyes narrowed, Jack leaned forward putting his elbows on the table. “He spoke? What kind of a voice did he have?”

  “Gruff, like a growl, really. I wanted so badly to open my eyes a mere slit, but didn’t dare. I was in no position to fight him off.”

  “It was definitely a man, then?”

  “Had to be. I’ve never heard a woman’s voice that deep before. I’ve never known a woman to wear boots that big, either. When he set his foot against my body, I knew he had to wear at least an eleven or twelve. Another thing, I think he was waiting for us. His attack was sudden, and I hadn’t heard anyone else on the path.”

  “How about Bike Boy?”

  It took me a second to realize he referred to the cyclist who’d helped me. “His name is Frank Audet, he was very helpful, and he’s very slight in stature. I got the impression my attacker was big, don’t ask me why.”

  “I’ll run Audet’s background and see for myself. I said I’d be in touch if need be.” Carver slid his chair away from the table and rose. “If you come up with anything else, call me, even if I’m at home. Don’t hesitate, Juliette. I want the person who’s after you.”

  Sipping coffee after Carver left, Jess took the seat he’d vacated and gave me a long, hard look. “Someone has it in for you. I don’t think you should go out alone.”

  That would put a crimp in my investigation, and Bun would have a fit if we couldn’t complete the task we’d started.

  “I refuse to fearfully hide from everyone and everything. Not happening.”

  “Why don’t you listen to anyone’s advice?”

  Her pleading was wasted on me. I wouldn’t be limited in my actions, not now, not ever. Cowering wasn’t my way of life, nor would it ever be.

  “What if I promise to be more aware of my surroundings and the people I come across? Will that be sufficient?”

  She heaved a sigh. “I guess it will have to be. I can see your point. There’s danger out there, real danger, and you might not be so lucky the next time, because there may very well be a next time.”

  “You’re right. I won’t take any chances.”

  With that promise in place, we went to the car. While Jess wheeled the chair into the ER, Bun hopped from the back seat into the front.

  “I suppose you’re in trouble with the sheriff and Jess?”

  “Not trouble, they’re concerned. I had to promise to not take any crazy chances. Why didn’t you hear the guy earlier? I had no advance warning he was there.”

  “He must have been hiding in wait for us. When I warned you, he was right behind us. He wasn’t on the path following us, Jules. I’d have known.”

  I soothed his fur, rubbed his ears, and was relieved we weren’t dead.

  Jess slid into the driver’s seat. “Do you want Lizzy and me to pick up your car so you won’t have to drive?”

  “That’s not necessary. Drop me and Bun off at the car park and follow us home.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Thankful we made the trip home without incident, I deposited Bun in his room and said I’d be in the barn. Happy to be there, he sprawled across the pillow.

  “This has been an exhausting day. I think I’ll nap awhile. We won’t be going out again, will we?”

  “Not that I know of. I’m going to check on Lizzy’s progress, and then I’ll be back.”

  On my way out the door, the phone rang. Fred Costanza was on the line.

  “Hi, Juliette, I’ve got all the paperwork in order if you and Jess would like to get together tomorrow to go over it.”

  “That would be great. Jess can hardly wait to hear your thoughts and see the estimate. The bank is waiting to draw up the final paperwork. If she’s amenable to the estimate, how soon could you start construction?”

  “As soon as you’d like. I’ve completed my current project and have a few weeks before the next one begins. It shouldn’t take more than that amount of time to complete Jess’s clinic.”

  �
��I’ll tell her, I’m sure she’ll be happy to hear it. What time tomorrow?”

  “I’ll be by at ten, if that’s okay?”

  “Sure, see you then.”

  The two women were discussing the open house ad as I slowly stepped into the shop.

  Hands on her hips, Jess asked, “What are you doing out here? I thought you were going to rest, Jules.”

  Before I could answer, Lizzy interjected, “You should take it easy. I’m so glad you’re all right.”

  “Me too.” I mentioned Fred’s call to Jess. Her face lit up, and her eyes sparkled with excitement while Lizzy and I laughed when Jess danced around the room.

  “You assume the estimate will be workable for us, right?”

  Jess nodded and continued to swirl in place. Dizzy from all the whirling, she stopped and grinned. “I’m sure Fred won’t take advantage of us. He appears to be a very honest man. Besides, your father wouldn’t have had him work here if he wasn’t, am I right?”

  “Indeed. What have you there?” I asked Lizzy.

  “The ad is ready to send out. If you approve, then I’ll get it out to the newspaper and put it online in the morning. We can post it on Facebook, tweet it, and send postcard invitations to your customer list as well. If you have time to work out a promotional budget, it would give me a better idea of how many ads we can run.”

  I hadn’t thought of an advertising budget, but did have one for small ads in the local paper. “How much would you suggest?”

  She tossed out a number and smiled when I agreed to it. Nothing astronomical, thank goodness.

  The ad was perfect, and I said as much.

  She slid the sheet of paper into a folder and tucked it into her leather bag. “I’ll take care of this first thing tomorrow. I won’t be in for a couple of days. The company is starting a major campaign, which means my time will be theirs.”

  “That’s fine. You needn’t be here every day. I can handle the store should customers stop in. I’ve placed an order for the merchandise you suggested, and it won’t take but a few days to get here.”

  Gleeful at the prospect of our meet and greet, the promotion, and what the open house entailed, Lizzy readied to leave. “I’ll see you midweek, then.”

  After she’d gone, Jess and I did the late-day chores at a slower pace than usual. The discomfort of my muscles and bruises was taking a toll. We chatted while working, then secured the barn. A walk-through at seven would end our workday.

  Supper, a small affair of salad and a sandwich, was quick. Jess mentioned she was working rotation the following evening, but would be available during the day.

  “What time do we expect Fred?”

  “Ten o’clock. He’s prompt so we’ll need to get the rabbits squared away early. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Not at all.” She smiled and said, “I can hardly wait to see what he’s come up with.”

  “Me too. It’s rather exciting, isn’t it?”

  She nodded her head emphatically, and we turned to see Bun crouched at the opening of his room.

  “What’s happening with the big plans Lizzy has come up with? Why wasn’t I consulted in regard to the goings-on that are on the agenda? And what’s the date for it?” He sounded a bit whiny, and I wondered if he felt well after our day of excitement.

  “Does Bun look a bit out of sorts to you, Jess?” It was my way of asking him if he felt well.

  Her brows puckered as she picked him up. Smoothing his coat and rubbing his ears, she felt his nose, then said he seemed fine. He hadn’t struggled to get away from her, which I took as a good sign.

  “For your information, I am perfectly healthy. I merely want to be kept updated on what’s happening.”

  I reached over and rubbed the fur on his nose and said to Jess, “I think he’ll be happy when there’s a petting pen on the day of our affair. What was the date Lizzy set for it? I can’t remember.”

  “I think she said it will be on the second or third Saturday in April. You know, I’m a bit fuzzy on the date, myself. Must be due to everything we’ve got coming up.”

  Now Bun knew as much as we did, and he’d have to be satisfied with it. I gave him a sweet smile.

  “Let’s get the rabbits settled for the night.”

  Going through the breezeway, I glanced back and saw Bun on our heels. No way would he leave us to our work, in case we mentioned a tidbit of news he was unaware of. I considered the rabbit a nosybody.

  Our chores didn’t take long. The rabbits were set for the night, as was I. My downhill tumble had stiffened my muscles, leaving them sore. I could only imagine what the next few days would be like.

  “You look tired. Why don’t you go ahead in. I want to make a list of supplies for delivery this week.”

  I nodded, grateful Jess was willing to take the reins for the moment. I trudged back to the house. Bun had elected to remain with Jess. Having kicked off my shoes, I tossed them onto the boot tray and wiggled my toes. There was nothing better than letting my feet breathe.

  The teakettle whistled shortly after I’d set it to boil. The tea would soon be ready, and I longed for a strong cup of it. While it steeped, I started up the stairs, and then Bun rushed in. His eyes were wild, and his whiskers jittered up and down.

  “Come with me, come on, Jules, hurry up. Jess was attacked in the barn by a madman. Hurry, hurry.”

  Having delivered the news, he abruptly raced back toward the barn. I wasn’t far behind and stopped short at the doorway, nearly tripping over Bun. Knowing I should call the police, I was about to do so when Bun said, “He’s still here, hiding somewhere. Can you feel him?”

  Afraid I’d alert the man, I decided to make sure Jess was safe first. Foolish, I know, but thinking clearly at times like this isn’t my forte. I crouched close to Bun’s ear and whispered softly, “I don’t have that capability. Where is he, do you know? Did you get a look at him?”

  “I’ll tell you later. Let’s go get him, he’s behind Walkabout Willy’s cage. You go left, and I’ll take the right. We’ll trap him that way.”

  “Where’s Jess?”

  “Over near Petra’s cage. I can’t see her, but she’s there. I think he knocked her out when she put up a fight.”

  “You’re sure he didn’t kill her?”

  “When I ran away, she was still breathing. Let’s go, time’s a-wasting.”

  He moved in stealth mode, which is unusual for a rabbit. With steps that were slow and small, unlike his usual hopping about, Bun reminded me of a cat hunting its prey. It was odd, yet tickled my funny bone. I fought to hold back a chuckle. In the pale light cast from the main barn area where we stored supplies, I crept along the left aisle, one row away from Willy’s cage. Other than rabbits moving in the cages, there was no sign of the man. Bun and I had almost reached the end of our respective rows when I heard a voice.

  “You hope to find me, don’t you, Jules? You and your little hare. Be careful of what you seek, you might get more than you bargained for.”

  His voice, as taunting as his words, gave me pause. What would I do if I met him face-to-face? Uncertain of my combat skills when it came to implementing what I’d learned into action, I hesitated.

  “Don’t go all girlie now, Jules. We need to get this bloke out of our lives. You know it, and so do I.”

  To speak out loud would be certain folly. I crept closer, caught my foot on a corner of the hutch next to me, and stumbled.

  The man was on me in a flash. I’d had enough time to catch my balance, which was advantageous as far as I was concerned. Better than being flat on my face, at any rate. I struggled against his strength until he caught me around the neck and applied a choke hold. Bun must have been at his ankle, for he kicked his leg outward, yelling for Bun to get off him. While he focused on Bun’s attempts to bite him, I grasped his thumb and peeled it backward. Nothing hurts like having your thumb or fingers pried as far back as they could go, until they snapped like his thumb did, that is. A howl of pain accompanied
a hefty shove that sent me flying across the floor and into the leg of a rabbit cage. Though I was unharmed, this landing-hard thing was becoming tiresome.

  Heavy footsteps pounded down the aisle, away from us, toward the rear door. How did this man keep getting in? Bun and I vied for first place as we raced after him. I heard the door slam shut, before all went silent.

  “He’s gone. I can’t feel or hear him any longer.”

  Disappointment filled his voice as he sat back on his haunches.

  A soft moan sounded from the next aisle over.

  “Don’t be sad, Bun. We’ll catch this guy the next time around. Let’s check on Jess.”

  We’d reached Jess to find blood trickling down her face. She sat up, rubbed her head, and mumbled, “Did you catch this guy or what?”

  “Not this time, but we will. I think I either sprained or broke his thumb when I tried to get free of him. He was some ticked off, I can tell you that. Stay right where you are, I’ll call Jack and the emergency services to come check you out.”

  “That’s not necessary, I’ll be okay.”

  “Stay put, you’re bleeding, for heaven’s sake.” I dashed down the aisle, made the call to Jack, and then called the rescue people. Before I knew it, sirens blared and they all arrived together.

  The emergency crew flowed into the barn like lava from a volcano. Jack followed behind, as I directed them to Jess, who impatiently awaited them. Bun sat next to her until the men drew near. He joined me and sat at my feet.

  “I see you have the rabbit to protect you,” Jack said with a dip of his head in Bun’s direction.

  “If you must know, he was instrumental in my not getting strangled. Bun attacked the man, and I think I might have broken his thumb when I peeled it back. He was more focused on Bun than choking me to death. Bun can be very fearsome, you know.”

  Incredulous, Jack coughed lightly and said, “I’m sure. Besides being the most sought after by attackers, you certainly never have a dull moment.”

  I agreed. “I guess you’re right. I could do with a bit of the mundane in my life. I’ve had enough of this breaking-in nonsense. It needs to stop.”