Mystery at Saddle Creek

by Shelley Peterson

Bird listened to the horses chatter as she refilled their hay nets. The ponies introduced themselves to Moonie, and soon they were exchanging horror stories from past experiences. It was a good time to get some buckets of fresh water. It was going to be a hot day.

  Bird gathered two green plastic buckets from the tack room at the front of the trailer and carried them across the gravel road to the showers. There were already two horses being bathed, their grooms soaping them up and hosing them down as they gossiped loudly over the roar of the water. Bird went to the tap and began filling one of the buckets. She listened idly to the conversation.

  “Dex is hopping mad. Lucky for Moonie Hannah took her. Dex might have killed her.” The chubby redhead chuckled. Bird knew she didn’t mean that literally.

  “No kidding! Dex has a temper for sure. None of his horses is doing much. They’re all sour.” This girl was short with punky, spiked blonde hair.

  “Hey, speaking of Hannah, did you hear?” The redhead stopped working. “The creep who whacked that woman? You know, the perv in the woods? He’s her brother!”

  “No way!” The blonde put down her sponge.

  “Everybody’s talking about it! You know Kenneth Bradley is Hannah’s father, right? The dude who stole Sundancer last year?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, Bradley’s the father of that creep.”

  “Seriously?”

  “It was on the radio. Which makes Hannah his sister.”

  “Holy.”

  Bird stood at the tap, her heart pounding in her chest. This was just what she’d feared. She’d hoped more than anything that the horse people would’ve been too preoccupied with the show to listen to the news this morning, but clearly that wasn’t the case. She put the one full pail aside and began to fill the second, keeping her head down.

  “Don’t you think it’s weird?” Redhead was thinking aloud.

  “What?”

  “Think about it: Hannah’s perv brother is one suspect.”

  “I think he’s the one, by the way,” the blonde girl interrupted.

  “Hannah’s neighbour is one suspect.”

  “He’ll be in the hospital forever. Messed up.”

  “And Hannah’s stable manager is another suspect.” Redhead finished her point.

  “I see where you’re going with this. I don’t know about the manager, by the way. Never met him.”

  “And one of Hannah’s students? Her mother’s boyfriend is the fourth suspect.”

  “The ex-cop?”

  “Yeah. Isn’t it weird?”

  “Saddle Creek is right in the middle of it. What do you think that means?”

  Redhead shrugged. “Dunno. It’s just weird.”

  Bird had filled the two pails. She turned her back to the grooms and picked them up.

  Redhead whispered. “That girl.”

  “What girl?”

  “That one with weird hair, carrying the buckets!”

  Bird suppressed the urge to freeze, and continued to put one foot in front of the other.

  “So?”

  “That’s Alberta Simms! Hannah’s niece!”

  “Bird? Oh no! I bet she heard everything we said!”

  “So what if she did? It’s all true and everybody’s saying it.”

  “I know, but now I feel bad.”

  “Get over it. She didn’t hear a word. The water’s too loud.”

  Bird didn’t put the buckets down until she reached the trailer. Is that what people really thought, that somehow Hannah had something to do with the murder? And what exactly had been in the news about her grandfather? She should’ve asked Cliff this morning.

  Why so glum, Bird?

  Nothing, Sunny. Just gossip.

  When do we get out there? I’m raring to go.

  Hannah will be back soon, and she’ll tell us.

  Bird sat on the mounting block and waited for Hannah to return, trying to push all thoughts of the overheard conversation out of her mind. To make herself feel better, she willed herself to think of Alec. Bird missed him, and she longed to tell him about all the things that were happening in the neighbourhood. Alec, with his calm reason, would be sure to have good ideas and thoughtful words. He was more than a boyfriend, he was a true friend.

  She wished she could call him, but the few phones at the camp were reserved for emergencies and cell reception was awful. Not that it mattered. In her current speechless state, Bird could hardly hold a conversation.

  She wondered again about why she couldn’t speak. Maybe it was the fire and the smoke. She certainly wanted to talk. It wasn’t like before, when she’d chosen to stop talking because no one was listening. Now she wanted to speak! She had so many things to say! Maybe she just needed to practice, to get her vocal chords loosened up again.

  Bird tried to make a noise, any noise. She took a breath and let it out slowly. She took another breath and tried to hum as she expelled the air. Nothing. She broke off a blade of grass and blew through it. That made a noise. Someone had once told her that vocal chords were similar to a blade of grass. It was the air moving across them that made the noise. She tried to hum again. A squeak! Bird grinned. It was a start.

  Bird caught sight of Hannah and the girls walking toward the trailer. Their drooping shoulders told her that they’d heard the gossip, too.

  Hannah tried to smile. “We’re the talk of the show.”

  Julia, always looking on the bright side, said, “At least we got good service in the office. Robyn looked after us right away and told us to ignore it all. I like Robyn.”

  Kim agreed. “Me, too. The radio played the news the whole time. Every ten minutes we heard again that Kenneth Bradley, disgraced horseman, is sitting with his illegitimate, crispy son in Orangeville Hospital under guard. It’s very dramatic.” She shook her head and sat beside Bird on the mounting block.

  Bird didn’t like hearing this—her grandfather always meant bad news. She hoped Tan was all right, and squeezed over to make room.

  Liz was despondent. “Maybe I should g ... go home,” she said. “We didn’t go to my grandparents’ because Phil can’t leave t ... town, but now M ... mom thinks maybe we should go without him. I’m not sure I’d remember my c ... course anyway, I’m so upset.”

  Hannah hugged the girl. “Honey, you’ll be fine. Your mom told me you’re leaving tomorrow. Today, forget the silly stuff and just have fun.”

  “Yeah,” said Julia. “So what if you forget your course?”

  “I do it all the time,” chuckled Kimberly. “I think I’ll win the class if I get it right.”

  Liz began to smile.

  Bird tried her noise again. It came out as a breathy squeal, more like a pig than a person, but she was so happy about it that everybody broke out laughing.

  What do you think you’re doing, Bird?

  Cheering people up. It’s working, too.

  I have no idea why that horrible noise would cheer anybody up. Let’s get out of here and win some ribbons!

  Hannah had the same idea. “We’ve got lots of time, but let’s get tacked up and go to the practice ring. Kimberly, you’ve never ridden Moonie, so you should get to know her.” Hannah grinned at them all. “Our only goal today is to have a great time. Enjoy your horse. Enjoy your ride. If we pick up a ribbon, all the better, but our best reward is to ride for the sheer pleasure of riding.”

  Julia repeated slowly, “Ride for the sheer pleasure of riding. I like it! That’s what I’m going to do!”

  Liz linked her arm with Julia. “Me, too. That’s what I’m going to do, t ... too. Ride for the sheer p ... pleasure of riding!”

  Kim joined in. “Me, too! And Bird!”

  Bird squeaked as loud as she could, and everybody convulsed with laughter. For the moment, at least, the gloom was pushed back out of sight.

  Liz was showing first. She was in a small pony jumper class and Sabrina, the chestnut Welsh Mountain pony, was ready and keen.

  Bird put the finishing touches on Sabrina’s b
raided mane and combed out her flaxen tail.

  You look divine.

  I always do.

  But you don’t always let kids, especially girls, finish the course.

  I do so!

  I’m not trying to insult you, but you know what I’m talking about.

  Maybe I do. Maybe I don’t. Sometimes I like to have a little fun.

  >Did you know that the winner of this class gets their picture in all the horse magazines?

  The winner, as in the kid? Or the winner, as in the pony?

  Both together. You’d look beautiful in those magazines, you have to admit it.

  You’re trying to bribe me, aren’t you?

  Just a little.

  I was going to be excellent today, anyway. Fast but safe. This girl tries hard and she respects me. She’s not bad at all for a girl.

  Bird patted Sabrina’s neck. What a great pony, she thought. And a stern teacher. Sabrina had taught many kids how to ride. She never allowed sloppy treatment, and she demanded complete concentration. Or else. For some reason that Bird had never figured out, Sabrina preferred boy riders to girls.

  Bird gave her a kiss on the nose. Thanks, Sabrina. Not too fast, okay? Take care of Liz. She needs it today.

  I already told you: fast but safe.

  Liz was ready to get on, with her helmet snapped up and her number tied around her waist. She was getting more and more nervous as the time grew near, literally twitching as she sat on Sabrina’s back. Hannah walked beside Sabrina as they made their way down to the ring, and repeated their new mantra, over and over. “Ride for the sheer pleasure of riding, Liz. Honestly, nothing else matters.”

  “B ... but everybody thinks we’re horrible! They think M ... Mom’s boyfriend is guilty — and Cliff, and Pierre, and Tanbark — and we’re all somehow p ... part of it!”

  Hannah stopped walking and the pony came to a stop. “Listen to me, Liz,” Hannah said, her voice serious. “They’re wrong. Time will prove it. Believe in your friends, and believe in yourself. Keep your chin up and stop listening to gossip. I mean it.”

  Liz nodded. “You’re right.They d ... don’t know what they’re talking about.”

  “Gossips never do. Now, let’s review the course.”

  17

  MORE GOSSIP

  Tan wiggled his fingers, then his toes. Moving each part of his body, one by one, he assured himself that everything worked. The drugs were good to relieve pain, but they dimmed his mind. He was weaning himself off them. He needed to be totally alert for what was ahead.

  His father had stepped out of the room for a moment. The nurse came in. He was ready for her. He accepted the pill she put in his mouth, and pretended to swallow. She smiled the fake smile she used to make Tan think she was pleased with him. As soon as she turned, he pushed it out of his mouth with his tongue and let it drop beside the bed. The nurse turned back to him with a thermometer in her hand. Tan opened his mouth obediently.

  JULIA AND KIMBERLY were ringside with Hannah, supporting Liz as she trotted into the ring, while Bird stayed with the horses. She stood with Sunny in the trailer. They had a good view of Liz and Sabrina from his open window, and Bird watched as they broke into a canter and began the course.

  Sunny missed nothing. Very nice. But look. Her body bulged around the corner. Liz was pulling her to the wrong jump.

  It’s a jumper class, Sunny. That bulge doesn’t count.

  Her resistance added to the time. Every second matters.

  Wow, that in-and-out was perfect! Bird’s eyes got round as Sabrina picked up speed. Is she ever moving now! She’s burning up the ground.

  If Liz could let her reins go a little, Sabrina could do her job better.

  I know, but that’s really hard. When a person thinks their horse is going too fast, we pull the reins to slow you down.

  But we fight the reins and go faster!

  Holy! She chipped in and flew over that oxer!

  She’s going to have excellent time, Bird, if she goes clean.

  Only a few more jumps. Watch those little legs fly!

  There’s the water jump. Perfect! Nothing bothers her.

  She’s a brave pony, Sunny. Is she going too fast?

  I hope Liz can hang on.

  She’s racing to the last line.

  She can do it, Bird. Yeah!

  That’s it! That’s the course! They did it!

  Timmy and Moonie joined Bird and Sunny in their celebration. The horses stamped their feet in applause and Bird made her new noise. The show had begun well for Saddle Creek.

  Kimberly and Julia raced up to the trailer. “We need Timmy!” Kimberly called, out of breath from her dash. “Did you see Liz go, Bird?”

  “I’ll never beat that time!” Julia wailed. “Timmy’s not nearly as fast, but I love him anyway!”

  Bird helped her sister get Timmy down the ramp. She gave him a once-over with a towel to shine him up, then held his bridle while she got on.

  Timmy, my friend, are you ready?

  Yes, of course. I’ve done this forever.

  Don’t try to beat Sabrina’s time. Julia hasn’t ridden much lately.

  I’m not crazy. Sabrina herself couldn’t beat that time.

  “Thanks, Bird. Wish me luck.” Julia looked pale.

  Bird squeezed her boot and grinned. She gave her a thumbs-up and patted Timmy on the rump. She watched her little sister and Timmy trot down to the ring to join Hannah.

  “What’s going on with your voice, Bird?” asked Kimberly.

  Bird was startled. She’d forgotten that Kimberly was still in the trailer.

  “You talked all year! You talked a week ago when we made plans to show together. Is it the stupid thing about Alec and Pamela?”

  Bird felt like all the air had been let out of her body. Alec and Pamela? What stupid thing? At camp? A vision of Pamela’s cute face and curvy body came to her mind, and Bird felt dizzy.

  “You didn’t hear, did you? Ohmygosh. Nobody believes it, Bird! I promise! I didn’t mean to upset you!” Kimberly was totally dismayed. “And just before you’re about to go in the ring. I’m so so sorry! It’s just stupid gossip! There’s nothing in it! I hate that I even repeated it! Please forget that I said it! You’re my very, very best friend. You know that, right?”

  Kimberly tried to give Bird a hug, but Bird was limp. She knew her friend hadn’t wished to upset her, but she felt ill thinking about Alec with someone else. Especially Pamela Parker. It couldn’t be true.

  “Bird? Please, Bird? I’m so sorry I said that. It just popped out. And, really, it doesn’t matter to me if you can talk or not. We understand each other just fine. I just wondered why you’re not talking, that’s all!”

  Bird looked at her friend. Kim was desperate for Bird’s forgiveness. She answered the question by touching her throat, then putting her palms up in a gesture that meant I don’t know.

  “Can you forgive me? For saying anything about ... you know?”

  Bird nodded and forced a smile. It wasn’t Kimberly’s fault that people talked nonsense.Because that’s what it was.Nonsense. Stupid gossip. Must be. Had to be ... didn’t it? Or could it be true?

  “Forget I said it, Bird. Anyway, it’s not true! Pamela doesn’t hold a candle to you. Anyway, Julia and Timmy just started! Let’s watch!” Kimberly put a comforting arm around Bird’s shoulders as they left the trailer. They sat side by side on the mounting block to watch, and Bird willed herself to concentrate on the ring.

  “Great beginning!” exclaimed Kim. “She’s got her head on straight, you can tell from here. Julia means business.”

  Watch Timmy, Bird, telegraphed Sunny. He’s got it down. He gives her confidence by making her kick him on. It’s the oldest trick in the book.

  Good for him, answered Bird. That was a good corner. Julia’s doing just what Hannah told her: eyes looking where she’s going, heels down.

  That helps, Bird. But Timmy wants to be second. Clean but not crazy fast.

  “
Julia’s riding great. She’s giving Liz a run for her money.” Kimberly was excited at the contest.

  Timmy could’ve run out on that jump, Bird, Sunny noted. But he didn’t.

  “Julia lost her reins! Oh, good, she’s got them. That was close.” Kim let out her breath. “Lucky Timmy didn’t catch on or he would’ve avoided the jump.”

  Sunny snorted. What a crock! Of course Timmy knew she lost her reins! Does she think we’re stupid?

  Bird laughed her squeaking laugh. It was so much fun listening to her two companions that her thoughts about Alec, for the moment, at least, were pushed aside.

  “She took the in-and-out like a pro! They’re doing great!” Kimberly was wriggling with excitement.

  Timmy’s bringing her home! He’s on a roll and he’s not going to make any mistakes.

  “She did it!” Kimberly and Bird jumped up from the block and danced around. “She did it! Hooray!”

  He did it! Sunny and Moonie thumped their hooves and whinnied. He did it!

  Julia proudly trotted Timmy up to the trailer. “That was so much fun! The class is almost over!” she shouted. “Hannah says that Liz has the best time so far and she went clean, and so far I’m second. We went clean but not as fast.” Julia was talking fast and her face was flushed. “Only three more ponies to go!”

  Kimberly jumped up from the mounting block. “Right! Stay aboard, Julia! You’ve gotta be ready to go back in there to get a ribbon.”

  Bird kept an eye on the competition in the ring. A young boy was desperately trying to beat Liz and Sabrina’s time. It would not end well, Bird predicted.

  Sunny observed the same thing. He’s headed for a dust bath.

  No sooner was the thought out of Sunny’s head than the boy made too tight a turn and yanked his pony’s neck right around. The pony wasn’t on the correct lead and couldn’t keep his balance. He fell on his knees. The boy was pitched forward and flipped over onto his back.

  The crowd gasped. The girls watched as the ambulance rolled up to the ring. Paramedics jumped out and ran to the boy, while show staff kept people back.

  The dejected pony limped away, led by a young woman. Bird took another look. It was the redheaded groom from the showers. Bird hoped the pony would be okay. He’d tried his best for that boy.