Bird didn’t even try to answer.
“Cool him out. There are thirty-five riders to go, and there will be a jump-off.”
Bird had no intention of following Hannah’s instructions. She trotted up to the trailer and slid down. There would be no jump-off for her, that much she knew. She needed a lot more practice time at home before she’d be back in the ring with this horse.
19
THE JUMP-OFF
Tan could see that his father was getting impatient with sitting watch by his bedside. It wouldn’t be long now. Kenneth Bradley had never sat this long in his life. Very soon he would not be able to stand it. Tan tried not to smile.
PETE AND LAURA ARRIVED at the Saddle Creek trailer just as Bird was sliding down from Sunny’s back, before her feet had even touched the ground. They must have started walking while Bird was still in the ring.
Laura was gushing with excitement over Bird’s performance, but Pete knew better. “Win or not, I was sure relieved when you rode out alive.”
Bird began to unsaddle Sunny. She loved the Piersons dearly, but right now she just wished they’d go away. She was embarrassed and wanted to be alone. Those people got their freak show all right, she thought, angrily pulling the saddle off Sunny’s sweaty back.
Don’t take it out on them!
Should I take it out on you, Sunny? Should I beat you with a stick?
Do you want to?
Yes, I do! You showed off, you ran away with me, you didn’t listen. We weren’t a team out there. It was you against me!
I don’t understand.
“Let me untack him and rub him down,” offered Pete. “You get some water and sit for a while. There’s lots of time. Cool yourself down.”
Bird looked at Pete and nodded her thanks. She didn’t want to be anywhere near Sunny. She walked down to the showers and ran cool water over her head, lapping up whatever ran into her open mouth. Then she plunked herself on the ground and leaned against a tree.
Why hadn’t she applied for a job at Camp Kowabi? Right now she’d be out on the lake in a canoe. She’d be with Alec, and Pamela would be with somebody else — anybody but Alec. And here was the kicker. She’d chosen to show-jump instead, and she sucked! She’d been an idiot to think she was such a hot-shot rider. She had no business competing on this level. Bird’s dreams of glory all came crashing down.
After a few minutes of letting herself wallow in self-pity, she turned to check how the Piersons were coping. She saw that Paul had arrived at the trailer. Hannah and the Piersons were huddled over a sheet of paper.
Kimberly walked down the hill to Bird. “Wow. You were red hot out there!”
Bird knew she was being extra nice to make up for spilling the gossip, but she wasn’t ready to feel better. She pointed to the group of adults at the trailer, and looked at Kim.
“Oh. Somebody put flyers on windshields telling us to go to the main food tent for a rally at two o’clock. We’re supposed to sign this thing that will go to the mayor and the police chief, and who knows who else.”
Bird nodded at Kimberly, wanting her to continue.
“It’s put out by Justice for the Innocent. It says the fire was an accident. They didn’t mean to burn down the barn, and they didn’t want to harm horses or people.”
If that was true, Bird wondered why they’d started the fire in the first place.
“They make the point that a bad man is still at large, and the police aren’t doing enough. The petition is to get the police to drop the charges against them so they can continue working to catch the murderer.”
Bird almost choked. How could anyone imagine that people would agree with that? Pierre Hall and Tanbark were severely injured, a barn was completely destroyed and horses had been put at huge risk. Who on earth would want that kind of “work” continued?
Bird glared at Kimberly to show her dismay.
“You’d never believe it,” Kimberly went on, “but I keep hearing that people are going to the meeting to cheer them on! People are fed up with fearing for their safety, and are glad somebody is doing something.”
Bird shook her head in wonder. Where would all of this end?
Liz’s mother Patty and her boyfriend Philip joined the others at the trailer. Bird saw them shake hands in greeting, then get into a serious discussion. Great, thought Bird. Phil is here just in time to get lynched.
Hannah called down to the girls, “Get ready! There could be a jump-off. There are only seven more horses to go.”
A jump-off. There was no way Bird was taking that stubborn, willful, dangerous, crazy horse back in the ring.
“Forget all this Justice for the Innocent stuff until after the jump-off,” said Kimberly as they walked up the hill together. “I’m so excited I can’t think!”
Bird just squeezed her friend’s arm and forced a smile.
Bird? I’m sorry. Really. The transmission came from inside the trailer. Bird? Can we do the jump-off? Please?
No. I don’t trust you any more, and that makes me sad.
What happened to mad?
I’m past mad and onto sad.
Which is worse?
Sad. Much worse. Now I’m questioning everything about us. I thought we were a team, but now I don’t know.
That is worse.
I’ll tack you up, Sunny, but we’re not going back in there for anything but a ribbon.
I don’t get it.
If there is no jump-off, we’ll get a ribbon. If there is a jump-off, we don’t. Get it?
I don’t understand.
Bird was in a grim mood as she stood outside the ring on Sundancer. The last horse and rider had finished the course and were trotting out. They’d had four rails down and two time faults. Bird had no idea where she and Sunny stood in the class, and no interest, either.
Moonie and Kimberly, however, were another thing altogether. Moonie had developed an immediate attachment to Kimberly, and Kimberly was just as smitten. She patted her neck and praised her aloud.
“Good girl, Moonie, my beauty! Good girl.”
Get over it. Sunny pinned his ears and snapped at Moonie.
Bird didn’t care enough to interfere.
The announcer turned on his microphone and began reading the much-anticipated results. “There will be a jump-off to decide first and second. Coincidentally, our first two entrants had identical times. The third to eighth place winners will be announced after the jump-off. Would five forty-five and five forty-six come to the in-gate.”
Kimberly was stunned. “Ohmygosh! I can’t believe it! You and I are jumping off to get first? Holy! Moonie, you’re awesome!”
Bird! I can’t believe it! We went much faster than them!
All your prancing and pulling in the wrong direction added time. Anyway, there will be no jump-off for us. We’re not going back in.
No fair!
You heard me, Sunny. I am not taking you into that ring again.
Sundancer’s ears flattened and his eyes became slits. He was angry — very angry — but Bird was not about to change her mind.
The jump-off course had been posted, and Kimberly pored over it intently. “I think I know the course,Bird. Do you? It’s one, seven, six, nine and finish back over one. Wow, it’s difficult.” Her entire body was trembling.
Hannah came over with a big smile on her face. “Well done, Kimberly! I’ll bet Dexter Pill and his clients wish they hadn’t been so hasty.”
“I’m so glad they were! I love Moonlight Sonata. I want to ride her all the time!”
“Let’s talk about that later,” Hannah laughed. “Right now, you’ve got a job to do. Do you know your course?”
Kimberly nodded. “Yes, I think I do.”
“Good,” said Hannah. “Remember to sit up after the second jump and keep her steady coming into the vertical. You’re up now.”
Kimberly and Moonie trotted in confidently, looking around at the jumps in their new order. What a difference from the petrified girl who’d woke
n up at the third jump, Bird reflected. She admired Kimberly’s courage, riding this mare in a jump-off, when she’d only met her today.
They cantered through the electronic starter, and took the picket fence easily. Turning sharp right to the in-and-out, they kept a good clip, but Moonie picked up some speed as she galloped left along the fence to the oxer. Once over safely, they flew left to the vertical.
Sunny was getting quite agitated. He started jiggling with nerves and then hopping up and down.
This is very uncomfortable for me, Sunny.
It’s not fair!
Kimberly and Moonie finished up over the white picket, after doing the optical illusion and safely turning a tight corner. Their time would’ve been hard to beat, anyway, thought Bird.
Hannah came up to Bird and Sunny. “Now it’s your turn, Bird. But please, please, please slow it down. It was a mess last time.” Hannah reached up and smoothed a stray wisp of Bird’s hair back from her face and tucked it under her helmet. She smiled encouragingly. “Do you know your course?”
Bird took her feet out of the stirrups and dismounted. She handed Hannah the reins.
“What are you doing?” Hannah stared at Bird. “Aren’t you going in?”
Bird shook her head.
“You know this means you’re disqualified?”
Bird nodded. She deserved to be.
Kimberly and Moonie trotted out. Kim glowed with pride and Moonie radiated pleasure.
Bird gave them the thumbs-up and clapped her hands.
“Get up and in there!” yelled Kim. “I’ve never had so much fun!”
Hannah called out, “Great job in there! Great turns!” She looked back at Bird. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
No, she doesn’t! But I do! Sundancer reared up on his hind legs and whinnied loudly in rage and frustration. He shook the reins free from Hannah’s hands and burst into the ring.
Hannah rushed in after him, just as the announcer’s voice came over the speakers. “Loose horse! Loose horse!”
People came from everywhere, hoping to be the hero who caught the wild and dangerous horse.
But Sundancer would not be caught. He had a purpose. He cantered in through the starting gate and sailed over the white picket. Stirrups flapped at his sides and the reins flopped at his neck, but he paid no attention. He took the in-and-out perfectly, picked up speed to the oxer, then galloped on to the vertical.
All around him, people were trying to cut him off. One man brought a bucket of oats, and a woman held out carrots. Others waved their arms in a futile effort to stop him.
The announcer spoke in awe. “Sundancer is jumping the course! Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Sundancer ignored it all. He was committed to completing the jump-off. After the vertical, there was a clear run to the optical illusion. Sunny raced. He chipped in at the last minute and gathered himself up and over. He landed lightly, turned left on the spot, and cut the corner so tight it was a miracle he could jump the white picket. Which he did. From a standstill.
The crowd was on its feet. This horse was jumping without a rider — and it was happening right in front of their eyes! Bird and Hannah had seen him do this before, but to everyone else it was unimaginable.
Sunny raced triumphantly through the electronic gate, bucking with joy. He slowed to a canter, then down to a trot, throwing his head jubilantly and waiting for the showers of praise.
But all he saw were panicked people racing toward him. Nobody appreciated what he’d done. Nobody knew that he’d just won the jump-off by three full seconds.
20
THE MEETING IN THE TENT
Tan was alone. Finally. First, his father had started fidgeting, then pacing, then he left the room—for good, Tan hoped, but he couldn’t count on it. The nurses were on a shift change. This was his chance. Tan steadied himself. He had no idea how much time he had, but he knew he needed to move quickly. He snorted. He would outsmart everybody.
THE CLASS WAS FINISHED and the ribbons given out. Bird was back at the trailer with Sunny, in a foul mood. She watched from the trailer window as Hannah approached, looking around as if she was trying to find someone. Bird guessed that she herself was the object of Hannah’s search, and tuned in just enough to know how worried her aunt was about her. Today, though, Hannah couldn’t help her. She couldn’t even help herself.
Bird, did we get a ribbon? Sunny asked.
I don’t care.
But you always care about ribbons.
I’ve stopped caring.
I don’t understand.
Bird didn’t want to continue her conversation with Sunny, and she didn’t want to see Hannah, either. It was getting close to two o’clock, and the meeting would be starting in the food tent. She slipped away, heading down the hill with an ominous sense of gloom.
Planning to watch unnoticed, Bird found a hole in the canvas curtain behind the food tent. She peeked in. The tent was crowded with people. It was large enough to feed the competitors, stable hands, trainers, onlookers and families that came to the horse show, but it was not large enough to contain this number.
The backs of three adults, one woman and two men, were a foot or two away from Bird’s nose. There was a long table running sideways in front of them, where people had lined up to sign papers, presumably the petition to drop the charges regarding the barn fire.
Bird scanned the crowd. Behind the people signing were groups who looked less pleased and more skeptical. They were likely here to find out what was going on, Bird assessed, as opposed to being supportive. That made her feel slightly better.
And behind the groups of waiting people, at the entrance of the tent, Bird noticed some police uniforms. She felt better still. There was a chance that this event might not get out of control after all.
Bird turned her attention back to the adults behind the table. One of them was Ellen Wells. Bird looked again. Ellen Wells? Was she from Justice for the Innocent? Bird could hardly take in this piece of information. Ellen had always been a positive influence in the area — helpful and engaged in charitable events. She wasn’t the type to stir up trouble.
One of the two men with her was Ellen’s husband, Jim. The other one looked an awful lot like the man who’d put the threatening letter in the Saddle Creek mailbox: the man who’d gone to Tanbark’s bedside. Bird’s face flushed and her knees weakened. She thought back to that night. Had he seen her at the hospital? If he had, he’d recognize her now, just days later. And what was he doing here, anyway? Why wasn’t he in custody? Suddenly, staying hidden seemed like a very good idea.
Ellen picked up a microphone from the table. “Can everyone settle down, please? The food tent people have generously given us some time, so I’d like to begin. Quiet, please.”
A few people at the front stopped talking, but the rest of the room continued to hum with conversation.
Jim Wells took the microphone from his wife. “Please, people! This is important! Quiet!” People paid attention. He handed the mike back to Ellen.
“Thank you all for coming to lend support. My name is Ellen Wells and I’m the one who found poor Sandra Hall beaten and bleeding on the side of the road. God have mercy on her soul.”
Some people clapped while others murmured sympathetic “ohs.” There were even a few “amens.” Ellen let the noise subside before she resumed speaking.
“I’m overwhelmed at your numbers but not surprised. Your concern is our concern. There’s a ruthless man at large, a man who fatally assaulted an innocent woman. He will do it again. Yet the police have done nothing except pass around a sketch and question a few people. Justice for the Innocent has done its own detective work and we have actively singled out suspects with the intention of forcing them into the open.”
Bird picked out Pete and Laura standing at the back with Hannah, Paul, Patty and Philip. The girls — Kimberly, Liz and Julia — stood together, right beside them. Paul grabbed two folding chairs and set t
hem up for the Piersons.
Ellen continued. “We need your help. Our work is taxing, but we are tireless. We will get our man. We will avenge the death of Sandra Hall!”
A loud cheer rippled through the tent.
“I assure you, we had no intention of burning down the Linwood’s barn. We set a small paper fire in a trash can under Pierre Hall’s window. The goal was to scare him into confessing, if guilty. Unfortunately, the can must have fallen over, and the fire spread. We are deeply sorry about the outcome, but I promise you, it was unintentional.” Ellen put her hand over her heart. She seemed, to Bird at least, genuinely upset.
“The police have laid charges against people in our group, but this was an unfortunate accident! We ask that you sign this petition so the police will drop all charges and let us continue our efforts to find Sandra Hall’s killer!” Ellen took a sip of water from a glass on the table as people applauded.“We have no intention of harming anything or anybody. We have one goal and one goal only — to put the guilty behind bars and get justice for the innocent!”
Again, cheers and claps rang out. Bird judged that the group at the front was now larger than before.
“If we have justice for Sandra Hall, we’ll have justice for all!”
More applause. Louder cheering.
“If there’s no justice for the death of an innocent woman, why fool ourselves into thinking that there’ll be justice for any one of us? Please, please, sign the petition! We are doing everything in our power to help. A dangerous man is among us, and we must root him out!”
“We want to hear about the crazy man!” a deep voice called out over the applause.
“What are the police doing about him?” joined another.
“Where’s he from?”
Bird listened as more and more people added their thoughts.
“Who is he, anyway?”
“He scares me the most!”
“Bring him in and let him face the music!”
“We can’t let someone like that wander around loose!”
Mystery at Saddle Creek Page 14
