Laura paused for a full minute before speaking. “I think you should take them home and put them in your back field. Is it fenced?”
Bird nodded.
“Good. That way, nobody will know where the horses are but you and me. And nobody would consider that you’d take them back to Saddle Creek, right? That might be the last place they’d look.”
Bird smiled broadly. Very sneaky, she wrote, & very smart!
Laura hugged Bird. “It’s called double-think. I use it only for double-crossers, and it sounds like that’s what’s going on here.”
Bird was puzzled. How do you mean?
Laura answered, “I’m not sure, dear, but when things are this confusing, usually that’s what’s going on. Just an instinct.”
She knew that Mrs. Pierson’s instincts were pretty good.
“Can you get the horses to Saddle Creek alone?” Laura continued.
Bird nodded.
“Well, I’m off to bed, then.” Laura started the engine. “I need my beauty sleep for Pete.”
Bird quickly wrote, How is he?
Laura inhaled and said, “Still asleep. I have to get back.”
Bird took her hand and squeezed it. She mouthed the words “thank you.”
Laura smiled. “You’re very welcome. Now get those horses home and keep us informed. Come over tomorrow and tell Pete and me what’s going on.”
Bird nodded. She stepped away from the truck and watched as Laura turned around and drove away. Now for the task at hand.
Sunny?
Here.
We’re going home.
Give me a few more minutes. This is alfalfa and clover and something else we don’t have at home. I quite enjoy it.
We have to go now, Sunny.
The chestnut superstar lifted his head and sighed.
Bird walked into the shed and released the chains across the standing stalls. Sox? Glad? Follow Sunny and me back to Saddle Creek. It’ll be safe. There’s water and green grass.
Okay, messaged Sox. Glad nodded his head and nickered.
As Bird turned to go, she received another silent voice. Me too?
The transmission was faint and tentative. Bird looked around. She couldn’t see a thing.
Where are you?
No answer. Bird peered into the shed’s dark corners. There — in the very back of one of the standing stalls, she saw movement on the floor. She took a step closer and looked harder. An animal the size of a foal was huddled in the corner.
Are you all right? Bird asked gently.
I’m tired. The creature lifted its head. It was a very young horse.
Can you stand up?
The animal got his hind legs under him and used all his strength to hoist himself up. He was taller than Bird expected, but skin and bones. She guessed that he might be one or two years of age. Bird was shocked at the size of his bloated belly. He must be full of worms.
What’s your name, boy?
I have no name. I have no friends.
How long have you been here?
I don’t know. I sleep mostly. A man brought me here and forgot about me. I miss my mother and my friends.
Bird felt a pang of anger as she pictured what might have happened. The unwanted colt must have been dropped off by someone who’d decided to abandon him.
Bird reached out and the colt sniffed her hand.
Will you be my amigo? he asked.
Yes, I will, messaged Bird. And will you be my friend?
Yes, amigo.
Do you have the strength to come with us, Amigo?
I will try.
Bird dropped the chain and helped him out. Sox and Glad stood in the hall watching. Their eyes were soft and their nostrils flared. Both of their heads were low, and they stretched out their necks toward the young horse.
Bird led the way out of the shed. Sunny was waiting.
We have one more coming with us, Bird transmitted.
I heard. Sundancer sniffed Amigo and nickered. Welcome! But I’m the boss.
Bird climbed up on Sunny’s back and started home. Sox and Glad stayed on either side of Amigo. Bird noticed that he was wobbly on his legs. He improved a little as they moved along, and as his legs got used to the exercise. Even though he was weak, he could keep up at a walk.
Bird wondered about the reaction she’d get when she brought yet another horse to Saddle Creek. Aunt Hannah would worry about Amigo bringing disease to the farm, and tell her that she couldn’t save every horse on the planet. But what choice did she have? She couldn’t have left him there to die. Hannah would’ve done the very same thing, Bird was sure. If Hannah wanted Amigo gone, she’d fix him up and get him healthy first, then find a good home for him. Amigo’s life would be saved, in any event.
There was no noise except the plop and thud of horse’s hooves along the gravel road, and an occasional owl or cricket, until they passed a swampy area. There, a million frogs came to life in a chorus of squeaks and chirps and croaks. All the horses startled.
Amigo leapt in fright. What’s that?
Only peepers. They won’t hurt you, answered Sox.
Amigo didn’t know what peepers were, but he accepted Sox’s answer and walked on.
Fifteen minutes later, the little posse rode up the lane at Saddle Creek Farm. Bird led them past the field where Charlie stood alone.
Hello! he called out in a whinny.
Quiet, Charlie. Don’t wake anyone. We’re going to the back field. Are you okay alone tonight?
I’ve been quite nervous. I’m nervous alone.
Okay, then Sunny will be there soon.
Thank you, Bird.
Bird organized her thoughts. Things would look more normal if Sunny was in the front field, and he would be a good lookout. Sox, Glad, and Amigo would keep each other company, out of sight at the back. Sunny? I think you should stay with Charlie tonight.
Okay with me, messaged Sunny.
She led the horses through the gate to the back field. The water trough was empty, so Bird hopped down from Sunny’s back, closed the gate behind them, and went to get the hose. It was wound in a neat coil at the wall of the barn, attached to the pump. She lifted the lever, dragged the hose over, and twisted the nozzle to let the water flow. She first rinsed the dirt out of the trough, then let the water fill it up.
Amigo drank straight from the hose, with Bird stroking his neck until he got his fill. Already she’d grown attached to him. In the morning she’d take a good look. Paul could check him out for illnesses and give him his shots and worming medicine. In the dark, the colt’s coat looked brownish, and he had two white hind socks and a narrow blaze down his face. Tomorrow, in the daylight, she’d find out what colour he really was.
As she waited for the trough to fill, Bird watched the dim shapes of Sox and Glad as they checked out their new area in the dark. They seemed content. When the trough was full to the brim, she turned off the water.
Okay, Sunny, come with me.
There was no answer.
Sunny? Time to go!
Another voice spoke up. It was Amigo. The boss jumped out as soon as we got here.
Bird shook her head. Of course he would. He knew where he was spending the night. Thanks, Amigo. Have a good night, and I’ll introduce you to Hannah tomorrow.
Is she the human boss?
Yes. Bird smiled at Hannah’s new title.
Okay.
Bird walked back to the farmhouse, suddenly exhausted. Her bed seemed like the most wonderful place in the world. She could hardly wait to drop her head onto her soft pillow and to cuddle up under her cozy covers.
As she passed the front field she glanced at the horses. Sunny and Charlie grazed side by side.
Good night, boys.
Good night, Bird.
Lucky ran up to her with his tail wagging. All’s well, Bird girl! All’s well!
Good dog, Lucky! Bird rubbed his ears and smiled sleepily. She hoped things would stay that way.
17
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br /> DOUBT
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
— Chief Sitting Bull, Lakota
The next morning Bird awoke from a deep sleep to the sound of the telephone ringing. Someone picked it up after a couple of rings, and Bird sleepily rolled over. But the smell of bacon cooking was too much for her. She opened her eyes. The clock read 9:00. She never slept this late! It was Sunday, and she had no chores, so Bird let herself enjoy the moment. She stretched from the top of her head to the tip of her toes, and yawned fully. She tested her voice and tried to hum. Nothing yet. Oh well. She’d have to be patient.
She thought about Alec, and pictured his handsome face with his engaging but lopsided smile. She pondered about what he was doing right now. Sunday was supposed to be a day off for the counsellors, so maybe he had a fishing trip planned with the guys. Or a canoe trip. She was really looking forward to his return. Only a few weeks more. Had he gotten her letter, she wondered? She hoped so, and really hoped he’d write back.
Amid the clatter of cutlery and plates in the kitchen, she heard low voices. She listened carefully. People were muttering, and nothing was clear, so eavesdropping was not an option. She climbed out of bed, got dressed, and went downstairs. Her mouth watered at the thought of a big breakfast of bacon and eggs.
Paul, Hannah, and Julia sat at the table. They turned to look when they realized Bird was there. She caught her breath. Something was wrong. Not one of them was smiling.
Bird glanced from one to the other. Julia kept her eyes down, but the two adults stared at her with questioning eyes. Bird’s stomach twisted. Was Hannah mad about Amigo? She raised her palms as if to ask.
“Bird,” said Aunt Hannah. Her face was strained. “We love you one hundred percent, and trust you. Completely. Please understand that. But we’ve just had a call.”
Bird grabbed the pad and pen. I can explain about the colt.
“A colt?” Hannah said, distracted. She shook her head. “This is not about a colt.”
Paul sighed unhappily. “We just got the call this minute, and know it can’t be true.” He looked at Hannah for support. “But help us with this, Bird. John Budd, the lawyer from Montreal, has been in touch with Harold Johns’s lawyer about their lawsuit concerning Tall Sox.” He cleared his throat. “Apparently, it names you, Alberta Bradley Simms, as the seller. It also names you as the recipient of the money for the sale of the horse.”
Bird shook her head to clear her ears. What was this?
“We know this is all crazy, and a misunderstanding,” added Hannah. She reached out to pat Bird’s arm, but she recoiled. She was stunned. Had she heard correctly? She plopped down in a chair.
Paul smiled supportively at her. “I don’t believe it, Bird.”
Hannah’s voice cracked with emotion. “Nobody believes it, but you need to help us clear it up. And there’s something else.”
Julia exclaimed, “I know you’ll be able to explain it!”
“Why didn’t you bring Sox and the other horse back here last night,” asked Hannah, “like you told Mrs. Pierson you would?”
Bird’s eyes widened. I did! She scribbled.
“But they’re not here, Bird.” Paul breathed deeply. “Let’s go back a bit. You and Julia brought Tall Sox and another horse to Merry Fields after dinner last night.”
Bird glanced at Julia, who nodded wildly. “Yes we did. To save them from danger!”
Paul continued. “Then someone else came and moved them from there to the shed beside Moreland’s around two in the morning. That’s where Laura saw you. You told her that you were going to take them back to Saddle Creek.”
Paul slowly and kindly made his point. “I know they’re not at Merry Fields. You were sleeping late, so I drove over this morning to feed them. Mrs. Pierson told me what happened in the night. Then, I drove back here and looked in the field. They weren’t here, so I drove to the shed, just in case you hadn’t moved them after all. They weren’t there, either.”
Paul leaned over and looked right into Bird’s eyes. “Tell us, Bird. We all know whatever happened you did for a good reason. We’re just confused. Where did you take Tall Sox? And what about the other horse?”
I brought them here, I promise! Bird wrote. With a starving colt that was in the shed. Amigo. I put them all in the back field!!!!
Hannah sniffed back a tear. “Honey, we’re not doubting you! In fact this whole thing is preposterous! But do you have any idea why they’re not here now?”
Bird jumped up and ran out the kitchen door, not bothering to close the screen. She raced up to the barn and out to the back field, with Lucky close behind.
She couldn’t see them.
She looked frantically in every corner. Hannah and Paul were right — the three horses were gone. There wasn’t even any fresh horse manure to prove they’d been there.
Hannah, Paul, and Julia followed her up to the barn. They stood in a group, eyes searching the field.
Bird felt horrible. There was a hole in her gut the size of Canada. This looked bad. How could she make them understand that she was innocent? Even more importantly, how could they even imagine she was guilty? Did they think she stole Glad and Sox to sell them? Her knees collapsed and she dropped to the ground, deep sobs shaking her body. It was hard to breathe.
Just then, Amigo came galloping into the field from the back.
Bird! I’m your Amigo! Don’t be sad!
Amigo! You’re here!
“Look!” yelled Julia, pointing and jumping up and down. “A young horse! See? Just like Bird said!”
“Where did he come from?” asked Paul in amazement.
Tall Sox and Glad emerged next. The two big, handsome horses cantered across the field toward them.
“My heavens!” Hannah exclaimed. “Tall Sox and another horse! Bird, you told the truth!”
Bird’s tears disappeared, instantly replaced by anger. Of course she’d told the truth.
Where were you? Bird asked the horses.
The apple trees are full of fruit, answered Sox.
Then Bird remembered. The gate. Frank had asked her to leave it open last night in case Glad needed to run to safety. She’d forgotten all about it. The horses must have wandered out when they’d smelled the apples from the trees behind the field.
Hannah turned to look at Bird. “I’m sorry, Bird. I’m sure everything else must have a logical explanation, too.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “My darling girl, I love you so much.” Hannah reached out to hug her. Bird felt resentful, but decided not to hold a grudge.
A vehicle drove up the lane and stopped behind them. Frank Skelton got out of his beat-up car. “I saw you and drove right up. I have news.” Then he saw the horses. “Thanks again for saving Glad, Bird.”
Hannah and Paul spoke together. “Who’s Glad?”
Bird telegraphed quickly. My name is on a document selling Sox and they think I got tons of money for him!
Frank narrowed his eyes. Interesting.
But I didn’t steal the horse or the money!
Of course not.
Frank answered Hannah and Paul’s question. “That bay horse with no white markings is named Gladiator. I sent him running over here last evening when Ed Cage was about to inject him with a syringe.”
“A syringe!” exclaimed Hannah.
“Yes. I was able to stop it just in time, send the horse off, and collect the syringe.”
“What was in it?” asked Paul. His face had taken on its professional look.
“I just got the report right now. Air. And a little soft water.”
It took a minute for anyone to understand. Paul got the significance first. “Air embolism.”
Frank nodded.
Hannah looked from Paul to Frank and back again, waiting for an explanation.
“Air bubbles injected into a vein or artery create an air block, which stops the flow of blood,” said Paul. “When the blood stops flowing, oxygenated blood cannot get through the v
essels into the organs of the body.”
“It’s a clever cause of death because it’s impossible to detect, unless an X-ray is done before the autopsy, which is very rare,” Frank added. “An X-ray would show the air block.”
Hannah was astounded. “What are the symptoms?”
Paul answered. “Gasping for air, mainly. It appears very similar to a heart attack. The victim falls to the ground and dies a painful death from suffocation.”
Hannah shivered. “Good thing you got there in time!” Julia spoke up. “What’s soft water?”
“Softened water means it came through a water heater. Hot water would expand the oxygen in the syringe to make it work more efficiently.” Paul looked thoroughly disgusted.
“How horrible!” exclaimed Hannah. “You sent Gladiator over here? How did he know the way?”
Frank looked at Bird proudly, and put his hand on her shoulder. “Bird and I suspected that things were coming to a head. I brought him here earlier to show him the way. We left the back gate open.”
Hannah and Paul gasped together. Hannah said, “Of course! That’s how the horses got out!”
Frank continued. “It’s good having Bird’s help. She’s proving to be a good partner.”
Bird appreciated his praise, but there was no time to dwell on it. There’s more! She needed Frank to know the whole story. In the night, Cody told me there was trouble at the Piersons’ and I rode Sunny over, but I got there too late and we followed a horse trailer to the shed beside Moreland’s. It was Wanda and Sally, and they’d taken Glad and Sox there! Then I brought the horses back here.
Good information. Who’s the little guy?
Amigo. He was in the shed and very weak so I brought him home. He would’ve died soon from thirst.
Frank’s forehead creased. He looks like one of the missing horses.
What missing horses?
They’re valuable racehorses, reported stolen, and the insurance company pays. We usually find the bones much later, and can’t prove misdeed.
Bird shuddered. Is Dexter involved?
Dexter is most likely involved, but we need more proof. We know that at least nine horses have “gone missing.” Amigo might be one. I’ll look into it.
Dark Days at Saddle Creek Page 18
