Mystery at Saddle Creek

by Shelley Peterson

  Ellen let the panic build for a minute, then called for order. “That’s why we’re here, folks. To find the killer and bring him to justice! There’s another sheet beside the petition. Please sign it with your name and contact numbers. We’ll call on you — trust me. You can make a difference.”

  As Bird watched the crowd shuffle about and cheer, she noticed that Pete had risen from his chair. “Madame Chairman, would you answer a question or two?”

  Ellen smiled with tense graciousness. Bird wondered if questions made her uneasy. “Of course. It’s Mr. Pierson, isn’t it? The cow farmer?”

  “The same.”

  It seemed to Bird that Ellen had tried to belittle him with her description, but Pete appeared not to notice.

  “How have you chosen your suspects?” he asked.

  “From the witness’s composite sketch.”

  “You mean yourself, of course?”

  “Well, yes.” Ellen blushed, then spoke again. Her voice took on a defensive tone. “I was the only one there except for the perpetrator.”

  “How well were you able to see this man from the road, when he was running away from you, up through the trees?”

  “I saw his face clearly enough to help the police draw the sketch.” She cast a nervous glance at her husband.

  “I see.” Pete cleared his throat. “Your group has named four men as suspects. All from your sketch?”

  “Yes.”

  “And in our country, people are presumed innocent until proven guilty?”

  “Of course! But we can’t sit on our hands!”

  “I’m sure everyone agrees, but you’re targeting all four of these men. What about the three innocent men in that group? Is there no justice for them? Or do you believe that they’re all guilty?”

  “Of course not.” Ellen’s neck was beet red. “What are you getting at, Mr. Pierson? We have limited time here.”

  “I’m getting at this. What is your definition of justice? If you’re asking for our help, we have a right to know.”

  Ellen did not reply.

  “Do you feel it’s quite all right to burn down a barn?” Pete elaborated. “To severely injure a man before proving his guilt?”

  “That was unfortunate. I explained that it was a mistake. But let’s not forget, Pierre Hall was abusive to Sandra when they were married!”

  “But he’s not being accused of that, is he? He was harassed and burned for having the bad luck to resemble a sketch that you created.”

  Ellen could not find a way to answer. “I’m sorry you feel that way. You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs. If that’s all ...”

  “That’s not all,” said Pete clearly. “If you made a mistake about the barn, however unfortunate, might you not make other mistakes, with equally dire consequences?”

  Ellen had gone so rigid that Bird wondered if she might fall over.

  “One last thing.” Pete looked around the tent. “Is there anyone here who would have lit a fire beside a barn in this dry weather? Are you surprised that it spread? You called it unfortunate. I’d call it plain stupid.” He paused. “Let’s leave this matter to the police, to be handled in an orderly, legal way.” Pete sat down.

  A hush had fallen over the entire tent. Jim Wells took the microphone. “This is not the time for accusations, Mr. Pierson. It was an honest mistake. The only time you can be sure of not making mistakes is when you don’t do anything, and we’re doing something! We need your help, people. We need your support. Sign the petition so we can continue our work on your behalf. On society’s behalf. On justice’s behalf!”

  Bird expected cheers, but now she saw hesitation on the faces in the crowd. Pete’s words had changed the atmosphere. He’d put questions into the minds of people who hadn’t taken the time to think for themselves.

  The other organizer stepped forward and grabbed the microphone from Jim. “We can’t leave this to the police, either! I’ll tell you about the police! My brother Les was arrested and manhandled and treated like a common criminal! He should be out on bail, but the po ...”

  Jim roughly took the microphone away.

  He’s not the man from the hospital, Bird thought with relief, he’s that man’s brother. Looks like his twin.

  “Stop it, Hank!” Jim growled away from the mike. “You’re not to speak about that.”

  “I can speak if I want to!”

  “Later.” Into the microphone, Jim explained. “Hank Crowley’s brother, Les, was doing his best for our cause when the police arrested him. The matter will be before the courts, so we can’t discuss it.” Jim looked at Hank pointedly. “Les’s story will be told in due time, but right now we need your help. We have lots of signatures, but keep ’em coming. Thanks so much, folks. We’re doing this for you! For us all! For justice!”

  With astonishment, Bird watched what transpired next. It happened so fast she would have missed it if she hadn’t been looking right at Philip that very second.

  At the back of the tent, two men grabbed Philip Butler, one at each arm. One was short and bulky, the other tall and muscular.

  Patty let out a scream. The police stepped forward, fully prepared to interfere, and faced the men down without a word spoken.

  The men let Phil go, then shoved through the crowd up to the long table at the front of the room. They spun around to face the crowd.

  “That’s Philip Butler, folks!” shouted the heavy-set man, pointing a finger and shaking it at Phil. “Suspect-at-large.”

  Bird watched the crowd. Some people appeared confused, some abashed, but a few were enjoying this.

  “That man,” the taller man stated loudly, “was a policeman. I say was. There were charges against him and he quit the force. Suspicious, you say? He was identified from the sketch.”

  Several people were nodding. Tension was rapidly building.

  The stocky man took over. “Is he a suspect? Yes! What did the police do? Nothing! Are we going to try to get him to admit his crime?” He cupped his ear to the crowd.

  “Yes!” a dozen voices chimed.

  “If he’s guilty, should he go to prison?”

  “Yes!”

  “Should they throw away the key?”

  “Yes!”

  The people who engaged in this dialogue got nearer and nearer with each response. The more uncertain people backed away. Bird clearly saw the division growing.

  Then, at the back, Paul Daniels stood on a chair and shouted above the crowd. “We’re decent law-abiding people, but we’re letting these men incite ill will and violence. If we stand by and let this happen, we’re no better than vigilantes!”

  “What’s wrong with that?” a bald man yelled out of the crowd. “Vigilantes stand up for justice! If we do nothing, we’re cowards!”

  Another male voice added, “I’d rather be a vigilante than a coward!”

  Pete stood with Paul. “Democracy allows freedom of speech, like what we have here today. Democracy allows open meetings, like this one. What democracy does not allow is criminal activity, like defamation of character and arson.”

  Again, people were disconcerted by Pete’s remarks. Again, Bird watched expressions change from eager to confused.

  Philip squared his jaw. “Thank you, Mr. Pierson, and Dr. Daniels. Yes, I had charges laid against me. But that was many years ago, and those charges were dropped. They were described as frivolous. We are a sorry lot indeed when we allow ourselves to get caught up in things like this, and in organizations like Justice for the Innocent.”

  There was silence. Philip walked out of the tent into the open air. Patty ran to join him. The Piersons, Hannah, Paul and the girls followed after. The meeting was over.

  21

  TAN'S ESCAPE

  Tan gave himself a pep talk. He was smarter, faster and more creative than anybody else. Nobody would catch him because nobody was as clever. That didn’t mean he would take chances. No, he would be very careful and make no mistakes. This was his chance to get out; he mi
ght not get another.

  HANNAH HAD PACKED UP the trailer by the time Bird returned from the tent. Normally, they would have stayed to watch the Grand Prix class with all the elite show jumpers, but today everyone was tired. Their classes were over and they wanted to go home. Liz had already left with her mother and Philip.

  “Where have you been?” asked Hannah, over her shoulder.

  Bird looked at her blankly. Did Hannah really expect an answer?

  Kimberly gave her a squeeze. “Let’s get this out of the way. You know you’re a way better rider than me. I just got lucky today.” Bird smiled warmly at her friend.

  Julia looked at Bird. “You missed the meeting.” Her brow was crumpled in confusion. “Some men went to the front of the room and said Philip Butler was guilty and bad. It was awful.”

  Bird hugged her little sister. She knew exactly how Julia felt.

  “Oh,Bird,” said Hannah. “I left a bucket and sponge down at the showers. Can you go down and get them for me?”

  Bird nodded and walked down the hill. The redheaded groom was there bathing a horse, but Bird ignored her. She spotted the bucket and sponge, but something else caught her eye.

  To her left, in the practice ring, a pony was being disciplined by an angry girl. The girl yanked hard on his nose with a chain, then did it again. The pony backed up and tossed his head while the girl yelled at him. Bird guessed that her pony had bucked her off or kicked someone. But then the girl screamed, “You’re useless! I wanted a ribbon!”

  Bird was aghast. Nobody should take their frustrations out on a pony! It was pointless, anyway, because when a horse is frightened or alarmed or nervous, he can’t think straight. It makes him unable to do anything right.

  Bird paused. Something was bothering her. It was Sunny. She was furious with him, and he didn’t seem to understand why. He just didn’t get it. Wow. She needed to think this out. She watched the girl with her pony, and asked herself some tough questions.

  Fact: they rode terribly today.

  Why? Because they hadn’t practiced enough, and Sunny wouldn’t listen. He ran off and almost killed her!

  And why did he do that? Because he wanted to win so much that he raced to beat Moonie’s time.

  But why did he want to win that badly? Bird stood still and thought about it rationally for the first time. Because that’s what they always tried to do. To win. Together.

  And that’s why he did the jump-off without her. He wanted to win, because he thought Bird wanted it.

  Bird put it all together. She was doing to Sunny what that girl was doing to her pony. She was punishing him for not being able to understand. He was a horse, after all. Not a human. Even though she treated him like one.

  In short, she expected him to reason like a human, and he couldn’t.

  She looked back to the girl and her pony. She watched as a man took the pony from her. The girl stomped off, still visibly upset, but the pony relaxed as soon as she was gone.

  Bird walked quickly past the showers and back up the hill. She had something to say to Sundancer.

  “Bird? Did you get the pail and sponge?” Hannah peered around the door of the tack room. “We’re ready to go.”

  Oops. Bird raced back down and grabbed the pail and sponge. Their bottle of Mane ‘n Tail was there, so she whisked it up, too.

  Redhead was still there. “Say hello to Uncle Tanbark,” she said.

  Bird smiled at her, nodded her head and indicated that she would do just that. The groom raised her eyebrows and twisted her lip, looking somewhat disappointed. Then Bird realized something — she wasn’t faking it. She had let her anger go.

  This time Bird returned with the pail, sponge and soap. Hannah put them away and wiped her hands. “We’re ready to roll!”

  Bird put her hand on Hannah’s arm. She raised her index finger, asking for one minute more.

  “Okay, but one minute only, Bird. I want to get Moonie back to Fiona on the way home, and it’s too hot for the horses. They all want to get back out to their fields.”

  Bird nodded. Hannah was right, of course, but Bird couldn’t put this off one minute longer. She ducked under the bar and stood up beside the chestnut gelding.

  I’m sorry I was so upset with you, Sunny.

  I don’t care.

  Bird looked at him. His head hung listlessly, like a broken-down old school horse. Sunny, listen, please. I didn’t see what was happening with us and you didn’t know what was wrong.

  I let you down, Bird. We didn’t win.

  We would’ve been first or second in a field of forty-five horses, Sunny! That’s pretty decent.

  I didn’t win.

  Bird patted his neck. He recoiled from her touch. Listen, Sunny. I’ve been too hung up on winning and other stuff. I’ll make it better, I promise.

  I don’t know what you’re talking about.

  Bird smiled. You don’t have to. You’re a horse. I’m the one who has to know. All you need to know is that I’m sorry.

  Sunny was trying to think. It’s very difficult for an animal to think, Bird knew. They react to information, and can’t reason the way people can. They are rarely able to make sense of things, and it frustrates them to try.

  Don’t worry, Sunny. Before we go back into the ring, we’re going to practice a lot. And before I get on your back, I’ll let go of all my worries.

  Sunny took a look at her. I’ll believe it when I see it. Now I want to eat and rest.

  Bird laughed her squeak and rubbed behind his left ear where he liked it. Thanks. She climbed out of the trailer and into the truck.

  “Ready to go, everybody?” asked Hannah wearily.

  The girls in the back seat nodded. Paul had gone off to help an older mare give birth to a foal, and the Piersons had left immediately after the meeting. All who remained were Bird, Kimberly and Julia.

  “It was a good day, for the most part,” said Hannah, trying to lift their spirits. “Well done.”

  Julia piped up, “I’ll look after Sabrina when we get back. I told Liz I would.” Her brow furrowed. “She’s got other things on her mind right now.”

  Bird gave Julia a squeeze. She loved her younger sister’s kind heart.

  “So,” said Hannah, “we’ll swing by the Malone’s on our way home.”

  Kimberly sighed. “I don’t want Moonie to go. Can I ride her again, maybe, Hannah?”

  “Let’s talk things over with Fiona. Once we sort out the deal she made with Dexter Pill, we’ll have a better idea.”

  “But Moonie really likes me. I can tell!” exclaimed Kimberly. “Doesn’t that count for anything?”

  Hannah smiled sadly. “In this business, it doesn’t. If horses could choose their riders, I know Moonlight Sonata would say, ‘I choose that nice little girl right there.’ And you’d live happily ever after. Let’s just see what happens.”

  Julia said, “I know who’d buy Pastor from you.”

  Kimberly looked at her. “Who?”

  “Is he for sale?” Julia rubbed her hands together like a horse trader.

  “Depends who’s asking,” responded Kimberly, equally slyly.

  “Liz Brown, that’s who. She’s been in love with Pastor forever. And Sabrina scared the riding pants off her today.” Julia whistled and rolled her eyes.

  Kimberly thought for a moment. “I never knew she loved Pastor.”

  “He’s certainly lovable,” said Hannah.

  “And reliable and handsome and perfectly trained,” Julia added.

  Kimberly tilted her head. “I want to think a little before making any decisions.”

  “Very wise,” nodded Hannah. “And we don’t have any idea if Moonie is for sale, anyway.”

  The Malone farm came into view as they turned up the gravel side road.

  “I’m closing my eyes,” said Kimberly dramatically. “I don’t want to watch Moonie go!”

  “Do whatever you like,” answered Hannah, “but we’re here. I’ll see where Fiona wants us to put the m
are.” She jumped down from the truck and knocked on Fiona’s front door. Nobody came. Hannah knocked again, louder.

  From the back seat, Bird saw movement through the living room window. She looked closely but couldn’t make anything out through the glare of the glass. She slipped down from the truck and crept nearer. Standing on her tiptoes under the window, she looked in. Somebody was lying on the couch.

  The person was partially covered with a throw blanket, head under a cushion. At the sound of another of Hannah’s knocks, an arm flew up and removed the cushion. It was a dishevelled Fiona Malone. She blinked in confusion, muttered something, then slammed the cushion down over her head again. She burrowed deeper into the couch.

  On the floor beside the couch was an empty bottle. Bird felt a thud of misery in her gut. She had heard that Fiona was an alcoholic, but everybody said she wasn’t drinking anymore.

  Hannah had come up beside Bird. She looked in the window. “Well, I guess we bring Moonie home with us after all. Poor Fiona.”

  Poor Abby, thought Bird, to have lived with this.

  It had been a long, hot day, but now that the horses were bathed, fed and out grazing in the cool evening breeze, everyone was mellow and content. Hannah, Paul and the three girls sat around the kitchen table, drinking tall glasses of iced lemonade and eating tuna melts and tomato salad with vinaigrette. The windows and door were wide open, and the sheer curtains flapped lazily at the screens.

  “Mom said she was on her way two hours ago,”said Kimberly. “Why can’t she just tell me she’ll be late so I don’t keep expecting her?”

  Bird took a drink of lemonade. Lavinia Davis was selfish and demanding. Everyone at Saddle Creek had long ago learned to ignore what she said and accept what she did. Their only concern was for Kimberly, whom they treated like family.

  “I want to talk to her about Moonlight Sonata,” Kimberly continued. “She was really proud that I won first. I hate to say this, but she was delirious that I beat out Bird and Sunny!”

  Bird almost spit out her drink with a laugh.

  Hannah smiled kindly. “She’ll show up, sweetie. She always does.”

  “Today or tomorrow,” Kimberly added with a sigh. “Or the next day. Anyway, all I can think about is I might never ride Moonie again.”