Maggie suffered through several more of the typical baby shower games until the best game ever was announced. Who could suck down the contents of a baby bottle? One of the rules of the game is that you could fill your bottle with anything from the bar. Some of the women chose soda or juice. The ones who were serious about the game chose water. Maggie and Sue both filled her bottle with Cabernet since they had no interest in winning but were ready for wine.
“Kat is going to be sorry she missed this game,” Sue said, sipping her red from the plastic bottle.
“Maggie,” Liza was calling from across the room.
“I’ll be right back,” Maggie handed her baby bottle to Sue and walked through the group of women.
“Can you sit next to me and record the gifts so I can send personalized thank you notes?”
“Sure,” Maggie said, accepting a notebook and a pen from her sister.
“Okay, everyone, time to open gifts,” Liza said, “bring your chairs.”
Maggie pulled up a chair next to her sister as the room rearranged itself. She spotted Sue and Kat, who slipped back in and was now drinking from Maggie’s baby bottle. She smiled and waved at Maggie before taking a long sip of her wine.
Liza opened each gift with excitement. She smiled and addressed the individuals as she proceeded, making Maggie’s job of recording easy.
“This is exactly what I needed,” Liza said over and over as she thanked each of her friends.
The next gift was wrapped in brown paper, possibly recycled with little fir trees hand stamped all over it. It was very Northwest. Liza unwrapped it and held up a small onesie that had Bigfoot's image on the front along with the slogan, I Believe.
Liza looked around until she spotted a smiling young woman across the room and, with a tight smile, said, “Thanks, Jazzy. It’s so…unique.”
“It was Darrell’s idea. We found it at the club gift store. Isn’t it clever?”
“Yes. It’s so clever.” Liza leaned over to Maggie turning her head so no one else could hear. It’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. These people have no clue.”
Maggie smiled and wrote down Jazzy and Darrel’s name and Bigfoot onesie. She also made a mental note. She would find a way to speak with Jazzy after the gifts were all opened, and Liza was distracted with all the attention she was receiving.
Maggie had no idea what to get her sister, so she had signed her up for six months of diaper service.
Liza opened the card and looked confused at the certificate.
“It’s a diaper service,” Maggie said.
“Oh.”
Liza still looked confused.
“They deliver the diapers every week and pick up the soiled ones. It’s very convenient.”
“You mean cloth diapers?”
“Yes, cloth diapers.”
“Are you out of your mind? I’m not dealing with that, but thanks for the thought,” Liza said a little too loud.
Maggie felt her face turn flush and didn’t bother writing her name on the list.
“Time for cake,” Liza stood, putting the card and certificate with the discarded wrapping paper and waved at the group toward the kitchen.
Maggie held back her frustration with her sister but instead focused on getting to know Jazzy.
“That onesie is so cute,” Maggie said as soon as Jazzy was close enough,” You said it came from the club gift store.”
“Yes, it did. I love everything they sell there,” Jazzy said, smiling.
“What club is it?” Maggie asked.
“It’s called the Northwest Bigfoot Alliance, but we just call it our Bigfoot club. My husband Darrel and I are members.”
“That’s right, so is that how you know Liza?”
“We met through Chase. Darrel works with Chase. I mean, he used to work with Chase,” Jazzy’s face turned red. “Chase and Darrel did work together, but they also were both Bigfoot enthusiasts. Honestly, I was a little surprised to be invited today. Darrel said I should come. He was on a hike today, so I figured why not.”
“He is on a hike?”
“They have a group going out today. Darrel helps out whenever he can.”
“I’ve always wanted to go on one of their Bigfoot Adventure,” Sue said as she stood by listening in on the conversation.
“You would love it.” Jazzy pulled her phone out and typed it on the website. “Here is the schedule.” She handed her phone to Sue. Maggie leaned in to see the screen.
“There is one tomorrow,” Sue said, looking sideways at Maggie. “We should sign up.”
“I’m in,” Kat’s voice said from behind Maggie.
“You girls are going to have so much fun,” Jazzy said.
“Thanks,” Sue said as she sat down and typed in their information.
Jazzy left the three women and went to get some cake.
“It cost $45 apiece. This is defiantly a money-making enterprise. You can hike these trails for free.” Sue said, reading further, “but it does include lunch.”
“Sign us up,” Kat said, pouring more wine in the now empty baby bottle.
“Definitely,” Maggie said. “Sign up Mike Marker, too.”
“You got it,” Sue said, typing in Mike’s name.
“We are all signed up, except each person has to go on-line and do their waiver.”
“What is the waiver for?” Kat asked.
“If you are able to walk distances, promise not to sue, you know the drill,” Sue said.
“I need to go shopping,” Kat said. “I need new hiking gear.”
“Me too,” Maggie said. “I am going to need some hiking boots and a better jacket.”
“Hey, it says here that there is a chance we will have ‘an encounter’ so be prepared,” Sue bounced in her chair, “I am so excited.”
Maggie and Kat looked at each other over her head and rolled their eyes.
“You know it’s all a scam, right?” Maggie said to Sue.
“I don’t believe it’s a scam. I happen to believe in Sasquatch.” Sue said, defending herself.
“Hey, maybe Bigfoot shot Chase,” Kat said, winking at Maggie.
“You girls need an attitude adjustment,” Sue said, walking away into the kitchen.
“I’m working on it,” Kat held up her now full bottle.
Chapter 16
Mike and Maggie both purchased hiking boots, wool socks and matching Carhart Jackets before heading down Hwy 101 until they reached a Y that led up to the lower trails of the Olympic Mountains. Mike drove his rental with all-wheel drive and Maggie guided them using her Map app to guide them until they lost signal.
“Now what?” Maggie asked.
“I printed out directions from the website just in case,” Mike said. “It’s in the glove compartment, right on top.
“Always prepared,” Maggie reached into the glove box and fished out several pieces of paper. “I’ll bet you were a boy scout.”
“Eagle Scout.”
“Of course, you were,” Maggie said, unfolding the map turning it several times to get their bearings.
“No need,” Mike announced, slowing the car. He pointed to a large sign Bigfoot Adventures with a large green arrow pointing down a narrow side road.
The road was definitely a tight squeeze if two cars were trying to pass but otherwise, it was well maintained. Several other identical signs directing them forward until they finally reached a clearing where several vehicles were already parked. A man with an orange vest was waving his arms, directing Mike where to park.
Mike and Maggie parked where indicated and then went to the trunk where their fresh new hiking gear was still in bags. They busily ripped off tags and changed their shoes into the new stiff hiking boots.
“I hope I don’t get blisters,” Maggie said.
“I bought band-aids, just in case,” Mike said, handing Maggie a bottle of water.
“Of course, you did,” she said, putting her water in the backpack and slipped it on her back.
Several more cars were parked, and the fairly large group was shepherded into the far corner of the clearing next to a wooden shelter and picnic tables.
“Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Bigfoot Adventure trails.” The man was motioning a few stragglers toward the group, “My name is Brad, and I will be your guide today. Does anyone have any disabilities or medical issues that we need to be aware of?” he paused.
“I do have a few people who still need to sign their waivers and we will need you to do that before we proceed. Our hike today is approximately 5 miles of fairly mild terrain with plenty to see and hear. There have been 17 documented sightings in the past two years on the Olympic Peninsula. There were two sets of prints cast from the same trail we are hiking today, only one month ago, so we know that we have a family unit residing in this area. We ask that you keep as quiet as possible so that we don’t alert our friends in the woods to our presence. You should keep your cell phones on silent but the camera’s handy in case we come across one of those friends. The rule of thumb is to shoot as soon as you feel a presence before you see it because they are quick and disappear into the brush before you can react.” He paused again before asking, “Any questions so far?”
“Have you ever seen one?” An older woman asked.
“Oh yes,” Brad spoke up. “I’ve seen a few. Be aware. You will smell them before you see them. It’s a smell you will never forget.”
“Why doesn’t he just say Bigfoot or Sasquatch? Our friends in the woods?” Maggie whispered to Mike just as she spotted Sue and Kat standing near the front next to two men dressed in camo gear and had duck dynasty beards. They had discussed that it was necessary to blend in and find out if any of these people knew Chase or Darrel and how well. Kat and Sue weren’t doing a very good job of blending in.
Sue was wearing a flamingo pink down jacket, pink matching boots that matched perfectly with her pink cast. Kat was a little better, dressed in baby blue and pink camo gear.
“I don’t think they will get lost in the woods,” Mike said in a low tone noticing Maggie’s attention.
“I don’t think they got the memo to try and blend in.”
“In a way, I think it’s good. All the guys will be distracted by them so that we will be virtually unnoticed.”
“What if we have to use the bathroom?” Kat asked Brad.
“Good question,” Sue added.
“If it’s necessary to use the bathroom, we ask that you bury anything that is not clear. If you need paper, we have some biodegradable…” The guide was drowned out by the sound of a large engine pulling into the parking area behind them, causing the entire group’s attention to turn to see who was arriving.
The vehicle was a large Humvee refitted to look like it belonged in a Jurassic Park movie, except it had a large image of Sasquatch painted on the side and the words advertising Bigfoot Adventures.
“What a treat everybody, it’s our very own director and founder of the NBFA, Bernice Boggs,” Brad said as the vehicle parked and turned off the engine.
“If there was a Bigfoot nearby, he’s gone now,” Mike said, suffering a glance from the older lady standing next to him.
“That is the mother of the lady I sat beside on the airplane,” Maggie whispered to Mike. The woman who stepped out of the monster truck was not what you would expect as someone’s mother but precisely what you might expect as the leader of this cult. She had long auburn hair tied back behind her head in a long thick braid that hung almost to her waist. She had a pretty face with light blue eyes. Maggie estimated her to be at least in her 70’s if her daughter was in her 50’s.
“This woman is not what I expected at all,” Maggie said as Bernice walked towards the group.
She smiled and kept making her way through the group stopping in her tracks when she saw Kat and Sue. She smiled wide and shook her head before taking a position next to the guide. They were wearing matching safari looking vests with the Bigfoot logo on the pocket.
“Welcome, everyone,” Bernice said to the group with her two hands raised in the air like she was the queen addressing her minions. “We have such a great turnout today that I thought we would split the group in half. Brad will take some of you down the west trail, and I will be taking some of you down the east trail but don’t worry, we will cross in the middle where we will rest and have some lunch. How does that sound?”
She looked around and pointed to Kat and Sue, “Barbie twins, you will be coming with me,” she said, continuing to look around. “You two,” she pointed to what looked like a grandmother and a very uninterested teenage boy who was more focused on his phone than the adventure, “also come with me.”
Bernice looked around again, finally picking a young couple with a baby strapped in some heavy-duty child carrying contraption on the dad’s back.
“Is there Wi-Fi out here?” the boy asked before the grandmother placed a hand over his mouth and then whispered something into his ear. He narrowed his eyes and then put the phone into his pocket.
Before Kat and Sue followed Bernice, they stopped where Mike and Maggie were now standing away from the main group.
“Ladies, keep your ears and eyes open and stay as close to Bernice as possible,” Mike said.
“Should we ask to be in their group?” Maggie asked.
“No, it’s better that we split up. It seems like the people in our group would more likely know Chase or Darrel. Just be vigilant.”
“I am kind of hoping we get to see Bigfoot,” Sue said.
“There is no Bigfoot,” Kat said, a little too loud, causing several people to turn and stare. “I meant to say, there is no foot too big.”
“Nice try, Kat,” Maggie smiled.
“Let’s go, people. Bernice motioned to Kat and Sue to join her group on the other side of the clearing. “You can all chit chat during lunch.”
Maggie watched Bernice and her group disappear into the woods.
“Did you notice she took all the outliers?” Mike asked Maggie as their guide handed them each a walkie talkie with a thick lanyard attached.
“Go ahead and put them around your neck so you won’t lose them. There is a $50 charge if you do.”
“Okay, people, daylights burning,” Brad announced, motioning to Mike and Maggie and the other stragglers milling about.
Before Brad led them into the woods, he paused when a Jeep pulled into the clearing. A man jumped out and jogged towards the group, he was also wearing one of the Bigfoot vests that Brad and Bernice wore.
“Sorry, I’m late,” he said directly to Brad.
“No problem,” he said to the man. “Let’s go, people.”
Mike and Maggie started at the end of the line of hikers so they could watch the people in the group. The trail was not only well maintained, but the dirt was compacted by the constant stream of hikers, providing a nice even surface to walk. A few meters into the hike, well into the forest, Brad stopped and turned toward the group. He put his index finger to his lips and motioned the group closer. He pulled an apple from the large front pocket of his vest and pulled a branch toward him. There had been an apple there previously and only a small remints remaining.
“Did Bigfoot eat that?” Maggie asked in a low tone.
“We can’t be sure, but there are not a lot of animals in these woods that could reach this high,” Brad whispered loudly.
They continued their hike in silence when again, they stopped.
“Follow me,” Brad motioned the group across a long-dead tree laying on its side covered in moss. He continued over a small stream into a clearing.
“Darrel, can you tell the group what this is?” Brad asked, pointing to a medium-size tree that looked like it had been broken in half but not all the way. Maggie froze at the name and discretely poked Mike with her elbow.
“This is evidence that there is something that lives in these woods strong enough to twist this tree in this manner. The most significant difference is the strength it would take to configure it lik
e this. It’s like a washrag someone would ring out. A bear could never do cause this type of damage. They don’t have the dexterity.”
“Why would Bigfoot want to twist a tree?” Maggie asked quietly.
“Here is where a recent impression was taken,” Brad said, ignoring the question. Everyone is now distracted by the possibility of an actual footprint looking on the ground.
“How many footprints have been found in this area?” asked one of the bearded men.
“We have collected a total of 37 just in this section of the Olympic Forest. That’s why we search these trails. We have been lucky to have had some pretty close encounters.”
“Do we get to keep the impression if we find one?” Maggie asked.
“The rule is that the first impression goes to the club for display at the museum. We will cast a second time; unfortunately, sometimes the impression loses a little bit of the detail and the participant is allowed to keep that one.”
“Do you have any impressions?” Mike asked Darrel directly.
“Unfortunately, I haven’t ever found a print, but my friend Chase found several. He was going to give me one, but he died, and it went missing.”
“What do you mean it went missing?” Mike asked.
Maggie feigned disinterest but kept her ears open.
“There was a family unit sighting and there were actual prints as proof. Bernice was so excited and sent in for a specialist to take the impressions. Chase came back on his own the next day and saw someone raking over the prints. He was shocked when he saw what was going on. He wasn’t sure if the guy was destroying evidence or preparing the surface.”
“Wow, that sounds crazy,” Mike said.
“It turned out that he was at the wrong spot. Bernice had someone preparing a campsite. But Chase decided to send one of his impressions to a scientist in North Carolina to determine its validity.”
“The next meeting, Bernice and Chase got in a huge fight. I’m not sure why but Chase never came back to any of our meetings.”
Deception Trail: A Maggie McFarlin Mystery Page 12
