Desperate Measures

by Patricia H. Rushford

  Megan sighed. “What will we do if they hit us?”

  Mary tipped her head back. “I don’t want to even entertain that possibility.”

  “It’s hard not to think about it.” Megan twisted a ringlet around her finger.

  “It would be scary to me.” Lisa tucked her legs under her. “Do you ever think of selling and getting into something else?”

  “Yes. But that would be giving up, and neither Tom nor I are willing to do that. I hate giving in to these people. We have a right to raise mink just as every individual has a right to wear the fur or use the products we produce without being judged or threatened. There is nothing wrong with what we do.”

  Jennie sank onto the couch beside Lisa. Though she didn’t say it, she found herself grappling with the issue of rights. How far should people’s rights go? Did animals have rights too? She certainly didn’t agree with the guerrilla tactics ARM used, but she did care about animals.

  Thankfully, the conversation turned from mink and animal rights groups to family matters. Jennie and Lisa told Mary and Megan about each family member and how they were doing. The girls headed to bed around eleven. Jennie fell asleep an hour later, brooding about her feelings for Ryan and Scott and thinking about mink and other animals that were raised for the specific purpose of being killed.

  4

  The only thing worse than waking up to a buzzing alarm clock was waking up to the explosive sound of gunshots.

  “What was that?” Jennie sprang from the top bunk and raced to the window. Lisa groaned and turned over.

  Megan rubbed her eyes. “What’s going on?”

  “I heard a gun—at least I think that’s what it was.”

  Lights popped on in the older farmhouse, and searchlights brightened around the compound where the animals were caged. A lone figure ran across the front yard and disappeared in the shadows. Jennie couldn’t make out his features. Scott came to mind, but she couldn’t tell for sure.

  The phone rang. She could hear Tom’s gruff voice answering it in the bedroom next to Megan’s.

  “Be right there,” Tom said. A door banged. Heavy footsteps pounded down the stairs.

  Moments later, a siren bleated a staccato alarm. Megan scrambled out of bed, jerked off her pajamas, and pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweat shirt. “The mink. Something’s happened.”

  “Megan.” Mary knocked on the bedroom door before opening it. “Come quick. Someone released the Sutherlands mink. We’ve got to help round them up.”

  “Coming.” She turned to Jennie. “You guys don’t need to come if you don’t want.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it, would we?” Jennie nudged Lisa, then dressed quickly in jeans, denim shirt, and purple sweat shirt. Within minutes they were heading out the kitchen door.

  Megan handed them each a pair of thick leather gloves. “Put these on to protect your hands. The animals will be frightened, and they’re apt to bite.” She pointed to a corner where several pair of boots were lined against the wall. “Grab a pair of boots. Hopefully you’ll find some to fit.”

  By the time they reached the Sutherlands, half a dozen people along with the sheriff, Tess Parker, had arrived. Jennie immediately liked the woman. Tess Parker was thirty something, medium build, and the no-nonsense kind of person Jennie admired. She talked for a moment with Mr. Sutherland, then pitched in to help. “Just get them into their cages,” Sutherland barked. “We’ll sort them out later.” Jennie and Lisa followed Megan’s lead, scooping up the frightened animals in large nets and placing them in cages. Many of the mink hadn’t bothered to escape, choosing instead to curl up inside the small nesting boxes where they would often sleep. With those less adventurous mink it was easy as slipping the box back into the opening at the top of the cage.

  The rain started again, turning the yard into a slippery, muddy mess. About twenty people were now running with nets, looking for the elusive mink.

  Jennie made a swipe with her net to capture one as it crossed her path. It slipped away. She tried again, catching it, but the action threw her off balance, and she landed on her backside. Rolling onto her hands and knees, Jennie got back up. She rubbed her grimy hands on her pants and took out after another mink. This one sat cowering in a corner of the farmhouse, where the front steps met the foundation.

  “Come here, you.” Though she’d been told to use the net, she didn’t have the heart. Besides, this one was different, and on closer look she realized it was a fox. The animal shivered. It’s heart raced as it snuggled against Jennie. “You’re tame,” she said, holding it close and trying to warm it. “You poor thing.”

  “I’ll take her, Jennie.” Christine Sutherland reached for the fox, grasping it by the nape of the neck, then cradling it in her arms.

  “She seems tame,” Jennie said, stroking the silvery fur.

  “She is. This is Sasha, Aleshia’s pet. Aleshia raised her. She has the run of the place. All the excitement—it’s terrified her. I’ll take her inside for a while until things calm down.” She frowned. “It’s nice of you to pitch in.”

  Jennie shrugged and patted Sasha’s head. “It’s okay. I’m glad I could help.” She watched Christine duck into the garage, then went back to work.

  Several minutes later, Jennie spotted Scott separating a pair of mink engaged in a ferocious fight. Joining him she said, “I wondered if you’d be out here.”

  “Why?” he grumbled. “You think I’m more likely to let them go?”

  “Well, you don’t like seeing them in captivity.”

  “Do you?” He lifted both animals into the net, then stuck each in a separate cage.

  “Not really, but—”

  “Look, Jennie” —he closed the cage and settled his angry gaze on her— “at one time I might have looked the other way, but these animals have been bred in captivity. They don’t have much chance out on their own. Whoever did this wasn’t thinking about how it might affect the animals. All they want to do is destroy the fur industry. Maybe that’s not such a bad idea, but this isn’t the way to do it.”

  Feeling misunderstood, confused, and annoyed, Jennie went back to work. Several times she vacillated between recapturing the mink and letting them go. Not out of a sense of justice, but she just didn’t like the animals. As beautiful as their fur was, they were frightened, which made them mean and smelly. And there were too many of them. Even with all the help, the task seemed impossible.

  Three hours later, eight thousand of the Sutherlands’ twelve thousand mink and a hundred of the silver fox had been success­ fully rounded up. Some had escaped, others had died from being stepped on or torn apart by other mink. Still others were hidden in shrubs and high grass and would hopefully be caught in the morning. The press would be alerted to warn residents not to try to pick up or play with the animals and to call the authorities if they saw any. The greatest danger was to children-and to the mink themselves.

  “Sure appreciate all your help. Looks like that’s all we can do for now,” Sutherland told them, then summoned them all to the house. “You’re welcome to come up to the house for something hot to drink. The sheriff wants to ask a few questions.”

  “I’m beat,” Lisa murmured. “I want to go back to bed.”

  “Me too.” Megan yawned. “But we’d better stick around.” Jennie, exhausted and badly in need of a shower, wanted to return to the Bergstroms’ place, too, but didn’t say so. She was more interested in learning the details about the release and hearing what the others had to say. She looked around for Scott but didn’t see him.

  As they approached the house, Mrs. Sutherland came out to the porch with a large tray of cups. “Coffee or cocoa, anyone?” She set the tray on a redwood table and told everyone to help themselves.

  Jennie, being closest, thanked her and picked up a hot chocolate, then moved out of the way. Lisa and Megan did the same.

  Sutherland
lifted a steaming cup to his lips. “Appreciate all your help, folks. Tess,” his weary gaze settled on the sheriff, “we all know who’s responsible for this fiasco. What we don’t know is how they were able to bypass the new security system. Almost looks like an inside job. We may have a spy in our midst.” His gaze moved from face to face and settled on Jennie and Lisa. “Who are you?”

  Jennie glanced at Lisa and swallowed. Even though she had nothing to do with the crime, she felt guilty. Tom slipped between Jennie and Lisa, bringing his arms up to rest on their shoulders. “They didn’t have anything to do with this, Bob. For one thing, they were asleep, and for another, they’re our guests. They’re practically family.”

  Sutherland rubbed his forehead and frowned. “They could still be spies.”

  “Lighten up, Bob,” Tess said. “Let’s not be getting into an argument here. I’ll ask the questions and conduct the investigation.”

  “All right. But whoever did it knew the security system,” Sutherland said. “They disarmed the alarms and grounded out the electric fence, then cut openings in the fence just like they did at Jake’s place. Well-planned release—must have been a team of a dozen. From what I could tell, people wearing combat boots made the track. They pepper-sprayed the dogs and knocked out one of my men.” He glanced at one of the men who’d been rounding up the released mink. “Stan’s got a tough head or we’d probably all still be sleeping. He fired the rifle to alert us. I activated the house alarm and called Tom and Sheriff Parker.”

  Sheriff Parker turned to Stan. “Can you tell us what happened? Did you see anyone?”

  “’Fraid not.” The older man shook his head, a lock of gray hair falling to his forehead. “Thought I heard a noise round the back of the compound and went to investigate. Turned the corner and somebody ambushed me.” He rubbed the back of his head. “Don’t know how long I was out, but when I woke up, mink were running around all over the place.”

  None of the others were able to add much, and most of them went home. The sheriff wrote down a few names and phone numbers and asked several to come into her office the next day to give their statements. Everyone but Stan had been asleep—or so they said. She stopped in front of Jennie. “Looks like you really got into this thing.”

  Jennie glanced down at her sweat shirt and grimaced. It was covered with mud. She doubted the stains would ever come out. “Come on, Tess.” Sutherland moved to the side and rested a hip on the porch railing. “This is a waste of time. Let’s get out there and find these guys. The longer we wait the harder it will be to track them.”

  “Just take it easy, Bob.” Sheriff Parker’s weary gaze moved back to Sutherland. “I’m inclined to think ARM sent people in here from outside the area. Might have had a few locals, but chances of finding them are pretty slim.”

  “Right, but they had to have planted a mole—someone who knew where everything was.” He rubbed his hand across the wide bald spot on the top of his head. “Tom, what about that new kid you hired? He was over here this afternoon taking pictures and asking questions. Said he was hooked up with the fur farming extension program at Oregon State. I figured you checked him out.”

  “I did. Called over to the university before I hired him. Also checked his references. He was working at the Dolphin Research Center in Florida before he came here. They had nothing but good things to say about him.” Tom set an empty cup on the tray. “I doubt he’d do something like this. Interviewing you in the afternoon and letting your mink out the same night wouldn’t be a smart move.”

  “Anybody out here seen Chambers?” Sutherland glanced around.

  “Yeah,” Stan said. “He was helping to round up the mink for a while. Left about twenty minutes ago. Said he had some work to finish up over at your place.”

  “Come on, fellows,” the sheriff interrupted again. “We’ll get to this guy in a minute. I’m nearly finished here, then we can let these kids go home.” Tess turned back to Jennie. “Did you see or hear anything prior to the release?”

  “No, I was asleep. The gunshots woke me up, and I looked out the window. I … I saw someone—” Jennie hesitated, remembering. Should she tell them it might have been Scott? No, a voice inside her warned. You didn’t see him clearly. You only thought it was him. It could have been anyone.

  “Did you recognize the person? Man, woman?”

  “No—um—I think it was a man, but I’m not sure. I only saw him for a second and then he was gone. It was dark”

  Tom flashed her an angry look. “You saw someone in our yard and didn’t tell us? Jennie, didn’t it occur to you they might have hit us as well?” He set his cup down and jumped off the porch.

  “I’m sorry. I forgot.” Jennie felt miserable. Had the person she’d seen been one of the terrorists? Had they released the mink on their farm while everyone was over here? “I didn’t have any idea they might…”

  The two men looked at each other. “Let’s go.”

  Sutherland scrambled down the stairs and took off running. Jennie’s stomach felt like it had turned to stone. Had the person she’d seen crossing the yard been Scott? Could he have been lying to her? Would he? Jennie took a deep breath. She didn’t want to know the answer.

  “Hold on a minute,” the sheriff yelled. “Don’t go running off half-cocked.” When they didn’t stop, she mumbled something unrepeatable and sprinted after them.

  “I guess we’d better go too.” Mary sighed. “Thanks for the coffee, Christine.”

  “Sure. Let me know if you need help over there.” Christine Sutherland was a wiry woman, with wide hazel eyes and a nice smile. Her thick graying hair curved under at the ends in a modified pageboy. She brushed her bangs aside.

  “Appreciate the offer,” Mary said, “but to be honest, if someone released our mink, I’d be tempted to just let them go. At least until morning. I’m too tired to deal with them right now.”

  Christine smiled. “Better not let Tom hear you say that. I know what you mean, though. Sometimes you wonder if it’s worth it. It’s gotten to be a dangerous occupation.”

  “Hmm.” Mary gave Christine a sympathetic look. “How’s Aleshia?”

  “Doing very well.” Christine’s eyes shone with a mixture of hurt and pride. “Her designs are very popular—in fact, she’s just put out a catalog. Hang on, I’ll get you a copy.” Christine ducked inside, then brought out a catalog moments later and handed it to Mary.

  “My goodness. This looks impressive.”

  Jennie caught glimpses of fabulous-looking fake furs as Mary flipped through it.

  “Just don’t let Tom see it. And don’t tell Bob I gave it to you. He’d be furious if he knew I’d even mentioned it.”

  Jennie frowned. “Mrs. Sutherland, can I ask you a question?”

  Christine moved her gaze to Jennie. “Sure.”

  “Are you on Aleshia’s side?”

  Christine licked her lips. “It’s been heartbreaking to see Aleshia involved with a group like ARM—especially for Bob. I suspect her political agenda has more to do with rebelling against her father than anything. They have always been at odds. But I love my daughter, Jennie. And I’m proud of her.” She ducked her head and brushed tears from her eyes. “I think secretly Bob is, too, but he would never admit it.”

  “Maybe someday they’ll make up.” Mary gave her a quick hug. “We’ll pray for their relationship to heal.”

  “Thank you.” She sucked in a deep breath and picked up the tray, now laden with empty cups. “They’re a lot alike, you know.”

  Tucking the catalog under her arm, Mary promised to look through it more thoroughly later. After saying good-bye, she herded Megan, Jennie, and Lisa back to the house.

  There was no sign of Tom or Mr. Sutherland, Sheriff Parker, Stan, or the other workers. No sign of Scott either.

  “The pickup is gone,” Mary said. “I wonder what’s going on?” A young man
emerged from the mink compound and jogged toward them. Jennie recognized him as Jim Owens, one of the men who’d helped recapture the mink and one of Tom and Mary’s employees.

  “Is everything okay down there?” Mary asked when he approached.

  “Yep. No problem as far as I can see. Everything’s secure.”

  “Where’s Tom?”

  “He and Bob left with the sheriff a few minutes ago. They were going to take Tess back to her car and see if they could find the Chambers kid.”

  5

  “Scott left?” Jennie’s heart leaped to her throat.

  “His bike’s gone. Looks pretty suspicious. They’re thinking he may have been in on the release. Wouldn’t be surprised.”

  “Why would you say that?” Jennie asked. Jim shrugged. “Just seems like the type.”

  “Scott isn’t the type to hurt animals.”

  “No, but he’s an animal lover. And a former member of ARM.” Jim brandished the information like a sword.

  “He told you that?” Jennie frowned.

  “Aleshia told me.”

  “Aleshia? She knows him?” Jennie’s threadbare faith in Scott wore even thinner. Had he lied about that too?

  “Apparently.” Jim voiced her own thoughts.

  Mary slipped an arm around Jennie’s shoulders. “We shouldn’t speculate on anyone’s guilt or innocence at this point. I’m sure the criminals involved with the raid escaped immediately. Besides, I trust Tom’s judgment. He wouldn’t have hired Scott if he thought there’d be a problem.”

  “Don’t forget,” Lisa added, “Scott helped round up the mink.”

  “I’m sure he had a very good reason for leaving,” Mary added. “Now, I suggest we go inside and get cleaned up. Maybe we can still get some sleep.”