Dark Days at Saddle Creek

by Shelley Peterson

  Frank apologized. Sorry, not yet. The police have to take pictures first. The hood will have evidence on it.

  Bird tried to decipher what she was witnessing. She looked more closely at the man on the ground. She had no idea who he was.

  The man moaned again. He mumbled, “Get him off!”

  Who is he? she asked Frank.

  We’ll soon know. He tried to kidnap Tall Sox, but captured Charlie by mistake.

  Bird nodded. Tall white stockings and blaze.

  Yes, messaged Frank. They looked the same in the dark.

  Why can’t he get up? wondered Bird.

  Sunny won’t let him.

  Sunny whinnied loudly, and the man screamed.

  Bird laughed silently. You can let him go, Sunny.

  The big chestnut gelding lifted his foot off the man and reared up completely, standing on his hind legs triumphantly. I waited for you to see what I did! Sox has been getting far too much time!

  You’re a great horse! Bird patted his neck and rubbed his face. Don’t be jealous about Sox. He’s in trouble, and I’m just trying to help.

  Sundancer pushed his head against her chest, then pulled her around to his side. Bird grabbed his mane and jumped lightly up onto his back. She leaned over and patted his neck firmly.

  The man, newly released from the ground, stumbled to his feet. Frank cuffed his hands behind his back.

  “I didn’t do anything wrong!” the man wailed. “I told you! I was hired to pick up a horse!”

  Frank spoke aloud. “Right. Tell your story to the police.” To Bird, Frank said, “I didn’t want to make a sound while Sunny had his foot on him. I couldn’t risk him spooking and killing the guy.” Frank chuckled. “Your horse was waiting for your command. He would not listen to me.”

  Now that the man was standing, Bird realized who he was. He’s the same man who was here earlier, she told Frank, taking pictures of the horses.

  Thank you. Frank marched the prisoner toward the farmhouse while Charlie followed closely.

  Bird asked Sunny to trot, and then they cantered joyfully around the field. It seemed that they went much faster in the dark, as the wind whistled in their ears. When they got to the gate, Bird slid down and hugged her horse again. I love you so much, Sunny! You are a hero.

  She joined Frank and took Charlie’s lead shank. She opened the gate, and closed it behind them.

  Sunny proudly whinnied again.

  One policeman took pictures of Charlie wearing his hood, and another donned latex gloves, removed it, and put it in a latex evidence bag. As soon as they were done, Bird led Charlie back into his field and let him go.

  You’re a good boy, Charlie. Thanks for your help.

  I’m so glad it’s over! I hated that thing!

  How did that man catch you, anyway?

  I’m ashamed. I fell for food.

  Sweet feed?

  Sugar cubes.

  Bird rubbed his nose. It’s okay, Charlie.

  And apples.

  Bird smiled. Any horse would. She patted his neck, and then watched him run to join Sunny.

  She latched the gate and hurried over to the police cars. She didn’t want to miss anything.

  The cuffed man was still protesting, “But I swear! I was hired to pick up a horse! That’s all!”

  Mack Jones asked, “In the dark? In secret?”

  The man nodded. “It happens. I was told the horse was stolen and my job was to get him back.”

  “Who hired you?”

  “I don’t know. My boss knows. I just did what I was told.”

  Mack pressed him. “Why were you here taking pictures earlier this evening?”

  “My boss wanted to be sure the right horse was here.”

  “And he was?”

  “Yes. A horse with tall white stockings on his legs and a white blaze on his face.”

  Frank stood beside Bird. I believe him.

  Bird answered, Me too. Where does this leave us?

  A little closer to the truth, but not as close as I’d hoped.

  What happened with Glad? I met him along the trail above Saddle Creek, running scared.

  Ed Cage was about to inject him with something. I pretended to stumble, knocked it out of his hands into the straw, and sent Glad running out the door. I told him to go to Saddle Creek.

  Is Ed suspicious of you?

  I don’t think so. He always thought I was stupid, and now he thinks I’m clumsy, too. But I have the syringe. He’s probably still looking for it! And we already know the fingerprints match the ones found on the BB gun.

  Bird thought this over. That means Ed shot the BBs. Will we be able to get Dexter? If he has other people do his work, and doesn’t leave tracks?

  Frank put his hand on her shoulder. We’re getting there.

  They watched as two officers guided the cuffed man into the back seat of a cruiser and took off.

  Mack turned to Cliff and shook his hand. “Good work, Cliff.” “Thank you, Chief,” said Cliff. “I’m happy I could help.”

  Bird looked at Cliff with questioning eyes.

  Cliff explained. “I rigged up the camera and recorded the whole thing. I guess it’ll come in handy if anybody tries to deny it happened.”

  Bird grinned and gave him a high five. She was glad Cliff was helping the police. Last June, he’d been wrongfully accused in a murder investigation; now he was on the other side.

  Paul came over to Bird. “It turns out that you were right to move him, Bird. Tall Sox was in actual danger tonight.”

  Bird smiled her thanks, but getting him away from Saddle Creek hadn’t really made any difference. Sunny would have caught the kidnapper anyway, and Cliff would have had it recorded. Now that she thought about it, she’d accomplished nothing.

  She saw Stuart standing with her mother in the garden near the house. They were holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes. Tears glistened on Eva’s cheeks. Bird wondered if the chat she’d overheard between Eva and Hannah had made a difference — maybe Eva understood a little better why she was hard on Stuart, and maybe she’d even apologized. Well, Bird thought with a happy feeling, maybe something good had come out of the evening, after all.

  She sent a message to Frank: What should I do now?

  Go to bed. Feed Glad and Sox tomorrow. Keep them at Merry Fields for now.

  What are you going to do?

  I’m going to bed, too. I’ll go to work in the morning at Moreland’s and see what’s up.

  When will you know what was in the syringe?

  Depending on how complex the solution, either tomorrow or in a few days.

  Okay. Good night.

  Frank looked at Bird with satisfaction. You are a good partner.

  Thank you. Frank’s praise meant a lot to her, more than she’d expected. I hope we can solve this soon.

  THE POLICE CARS WERE gone. The horses were settled. Eva and Stuart had left for the night. Hannah and Paul cleaned up while Julia and Bird hungrily ate chicken sandwiches in the kitchen.

  “I almost starved to death!” exclaimed Julia with her mouth full.

  “Heavens!” said Hannah. “Take it easy, girls!”

  Paul laughed out loud.

  Hannah gasped. “I haven’t told Harold and Sally what’s been going on!” she said. “I can’t believe I forgot until now.”

  “A lot’s been happening, Hannah,” said Paul.

  “No kidding.” Hannah looked up the number and punched it in. “Hi, Harold, it’s Hannah. Tall Sox is fine, but we had a little problem tonight.”

  Bird listened as Hannah told him about the botched kidnapping, and reassured him that his horse was safe at Merry Fields.

  “Yes, of course, Harold. I’ll tell you everything as soon as I hear.” She hung up.

  “Was he upset?” asked Paul.

  “Not really. Just worried about what to do now.”

  “Anybody would be. His horse was the victim of an attempted theft.”

  The phone ran
g. Hannah answered it. “Hello?” Her left hand shot up to brush the hair from her forehead and her shoulders slumped.

  Bird knew right away that it was her grandfather.

  “Yes, Dad. The police have just left … Did she? … Yes, Eva’s right, they’re there … They’ll be fine … Tomorrow? Of course I can visit … I’ll see you then.” Hannah sat down.

  Bird jumped up and went to her. She put a reassuring hand on her aunt’s shoulder.

  Hannah looked drained. “Eva called Dad a little while ago, and she told him all about what happened, including where the horses are.”

  “Are you worried?” asked Paul.

  “He makes me worry about nothing. It’s stupid, really!”

  “Stupid? Why? He causes trouble whenever he can, and you know it!”

  “But he’s locked up,” Hannah smiled at Paul. “What can he do from jail?”

  Bird didn’t think Hannah’s concerns were stupid at all. She wouldn’t put anything past Kenneth Bradley, in jail or at large. Paul was right.

  “Well,” said Hannah, standing. “If you girls are finished decimating the bird, let’s all get some sleep.”

  Julia yawned. “I’m stuffed and exhausted. I’m going to bed.”

  Bird felt the same. She yawned silently and trudged up the stairs, right behind Julia. She fell into a deep sleep as soon as her head hit her pillow.

  BIRD OPENED HER EYES with a start. She looked at the ceiling. It was still dark.

  Bird girl. Come now.

  Bird sat up in bed. Cody, what’s wrong?

  Problems at the Good Old Man’s barn.

  Pete Pierson. Merry Fields. Bird pulled on a T-shirt over her pyjamas and stepped into her sneakers. She was downstairs in less than a minute.

  Lucky jumped up from his bed in the corner of the kitchen. Can I help? Can I help?

  Yes, Lucky. Listen carefully. Stay and guard the house. Do not leave the people alone. Okay?

  Okay! Okay! The brown dog wagged his tail so wildly that he knocked over a chair.

  Bird caught it just before it hit the floor. Be calm, Lucky, and stay quiet now until I’m gone.

  Yes! Yes!

  Bird patted his head and kissed his nose. Good boy!

  She shot out the door to find Sundancer standing with Cody. Sunny!

  At your service! I want to be part of the action! I’ve been feeling left out.

  No time to lose. Cody began to run ahead.

  Bird grabbed Sunny’s mane, sprang with her legs, and leapt up onto his back.

  The big gelding took off, following Cody down the grassy path to the trail above Saddle Creek. They wove through the tall grass, bushes, and apple and thorn trees. Avoiding rocks and holes and prickles, they galloped on. Bird held on to Sunny’s mane with both hands and clung to his sides with her legs for dear life.

  Within minutes they were charging up the driveway of Merry Fields. Spraying gravel, Sunny slid to a halt at the barn door. Bird dropped to the ground and ran in.

  Too late. The stall doors were open and the horses were gone. Bird looked down to see tire tracks in a familiar pattern: a vehicle towing a horse trailer. It had been backed right up to the barn door.

  Cody! What now?

  Fear not.The tracks from the moving stalls have a fresh scent. Follow me. The small coyote ran off with his nose to the ground.

  With trembling leg muscles, Bird used the mounting block and got back up on Sunny. As they trotted past the farmhouse, she saw with relief that all the lights were still out. The last thing she wanted was to wake the Piersons.

  Cody turned left and ran up the middle of the road with Bird and Sunny right behind.

  I hope they haven’t gone far, transmitted Sunny.

  Me too. I prefer a saddle for long gallops.

  Trust me, so do I. You’re flopping like a fish.

  Sorry.

  Nothing you can do. Well, maybe lean more on my neck.

  Like this?

  Yes. Try that for a while, then go back to the thumping.

  The minutes seemed like hours, but very soon Bird saw a small black truck with the headlights off, pulling a dark trailer. She knew just where they were going. The truck pulled into the dirt lane beside Moreland Farm. It was headed to a shed. Bird guessed that this was where Sally had hidden Tall Sox when she was looking for attention.

  Cody! transmitted Bird. Slow down. Let’s hide until they’re gone.

  Good. The coyote vanished from sight.

  Sunny, come this way. I know where we can wait.

  As long as it’s not in those cedars where the bugs will eat me alive.

  We don’t have a choice. Try to be brave.

  Brave? You haven’t seen brave until you’ve seen me!

  Bird didn’t respond. She was too busy watching what was happening from the little grove of cedar trees. She stared with shock at the scene that was unfolding. This was most definitely not what she’d expected.

  16

  DOUBLE-CROSS

  The power of a thing or an act

  is in the understanding of its meaning.

  — Black Elk, Oglala Sioux holy man

  Two girls stepped out of the truck — Wanda and Sally! What was going on? Bird’s mind raced. Since when had they started hanging out together?

  Am I dreaming, Sunny?

  How am I supposed to know?

  What I mean is, is this really happening?

  Bird, I’m just a horse. I see some really delicious grass just over there …

  No! Not yet! We can’t be seen just now.

  You and your mysteries! I’ll just nibble on these nice cedars.

  Bird ignored him. She stared, eyes wide, as Wanda and Sally dropped the ramp and unloaded Tall Sox and Glad. How did they know they were at Merry Fields? And why had they moved them?

  The girls led the horses into the shed.

  A few minutes later, they re-emerged and got back into the truck. Wanda expertly turned the small rig around and drove past Bird’s hiding place, bumping noisily over the ruts.

  Okay, Sunny. You can eat now. I’m going to find out what’s going on.

  Good grass. Sweet.

  Bird kept her head down and sprinted to the shed soundlessly on the coarse grass. She slowly opened the old wooden door. The rusted hinges squeaked, sounding particularly loud in the quiet night. The smell of mildew and dampness assailed her nostrils. It was totally dark inside the shed, so she left the door open to let in a little moonlight. The dim light revealed four narrow stalls, each wide enough to hold a horse standing up. Two of them were occupied. Heavy chains hung at their rears, closing them in.

  Sox? Glad?

  Hello, Bird, messaged Sox.

  Can you bring us some water? asked Glad. The horses seemed relaxed and unharmed.

  I’ll get some water soon, answered Bird. I’m not sure where I’m going to find it, but I will. Are you okay for now?

  Yes.

  Good. I need to think for a minute. Bird sat on an old bale of mouldy hay. A slow puff of fungus rose to her nose, and she sneezed. She moved to a bench.

  Don’t eat the hay, boys.

  The horses nickered in agreement. Mould was bad.

  Wanda and Sally together? wondered Bird. What were they doing? Bird was dumbfounded. She asked herself again — how did they know where the horses were? Hannah had told Sally’s father that they were at the Piersons’ barn. And Kenneth Bradley knew, too. Eva had told him.

  But what should she do now? Should she leave the horses here until morning? Should she move them back to Merry Fields, or bring them home to Saddle Creek Farm? Or hide them somewhere else? Where was the safest place? She wished that Frank was there to give her orders.

  Cody silently crept up beside her. We have a visitor.

  Bird quickly stood up and headed for the door, but she was too late. Footsteps on the hard dirt lane were quickly approaching. The hinges creaked as the door was slowly pushed open. Bird ducked behind it, flattening herself against the wall. Somet
hing was digging into her back. Her right hand felt around behind her — it was a doorknob. She turned it and pushed a narrow door open, discovering a small room. It was likely a tack room or broom closet, but whatever it was, it had come in very handy. Bird stepped back into it just as the person stepped into the shed.

  That was too close, she thought. She hoped she was the only person who could hear her thumping heart.

  She listened intently. Quiet footfalls. Someone was sneaking around, Bird guessed, in an effort to avoid detection. She was pretty sure it was only one person. That was good, if it came to a physical fight.

  “Bird, dear?” Mrs. Pierson!

  Bird peeked out of the tack room and saw a white vision floating at the other side of the shed.

  “Bird?” Laura spoke rapidly and softly. “Are you here? I saw a trailer come to our barn and take the horses, and then I saw you riding and decided to follow. Are you in trouble? Can I help?”

  Sweet Laura Pierson, in her cotton nightdress! Tears sprang to Bird’s eyes. She walked into the hall of the shed, trying not to scare Laura. If only she could speak!

  Bird rapped her knuckles lightly against the wall.

  Laura gasped in fright and jumped.

  Bird opened the door wide and stood in the dim light.

  “Oh, my dear! You scared me!” Laura came up to Bird and hugged her. Bird had somehow expected a frail, bony frame, but Laura was sturdy.

  “Are you all right?” she asked.

  Bird nodded.

  “Why are you out here in the dark, then, and not in bed where you belong?”

  Bird wasn’t sure how much to tell her, or how — no voice and no pen.

  The elderly woman looked at Bird, her eyes narrowed in the dim light. In an instant, she guessed the problem. “Come to the truck, dear. I have something you can write on.”

  Bird followed the white nightdress to the truck, got in, and wrote: The horses R here now. I don’t know Y. R they safe here?

  Laura sat and thought. “It’s a puzzle. You wouldn’t have brought them to us in the first place if they were safe at Saddle Creek. And somebody didn’t want them at Merry Fields, either. But that somebody obviously knows they’re here, and you don’t know if that person is to be trusted or not. Is that about right?”

  Bird nodded energetically, waiting for Mrs. Pierson’s advice.