The Bigfoot Blunder (A Charlie Rhodes Cozy Mystery Book 1)

by Amanda M. Lee

  “I think it’s a good idea,” Bay pressed, running her hand over the nose of a black horse that poked his head out to see what all of the fuss was about. “We’ll be able to cover more ground.”

  Landon was adamant. “No.”

  “Landon … .”

  “No, Bay.” He gave his head a firm shake. “I don’t want you on a horse.”

  “I’ve ridden horses since I was a kid.” Bay adopted a pragmatic tone that she probably believed was reasonable and would somehow soothe Landon into agreeing with her. I had a feeling her tactics would push him in the opposite direction and she’d be better off screaming at him. She clearly knew him well, but it was obvious he had no intention of backing down. “I’ll be perfectly safe.”

  “No.” Landon crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m putting my foot down.”

  Bay pressed the heel of her hand to her forehead, her frustration evident. “Landon,” she growled. “You’re being unreasonable.”

  “I don’t care. I’m putting my foot down. I mean it.”

  Thistle snorted, amused. “This should end well.”

  When Bay announced she had another brilliant idea over breakfast at The Overlook I was excited … until I realized she wanted us to ride horses along the trails so we could cover more ground. I’d never been close to a horse – including the small ponies at festivals when I was a kid – and I wasn’t keen on the idea of riding an animal that could kill me if it decided to throw me. Landon, it seemed, felt the same way.

  “You can’t tell me what to do,” Bay argued. “I’m an adult.”

  “I don’t care.” The more Bay pushed, the more Landon dug in. “Do you remember what happened the last time you were on a horse?”

  Bay and Thistle exchanged a weighted look.

  “I do,” Bay said, choosing her words carefully.

  “Oh, I do, too.” Thistle’s smile was smug. “It was in the fall. We took horses out while you were on your undercover investigation – you know the one that almost ended with Bay being arrested for murder and you ruining your relationship – and we had a picnic by the Dandridge.”

  Landon stilled, a muscle straining in his jaw. “You went horse riding without telling me?”

  “I couldn’t get in touch with you, if you remember correctly,” Bay reminded him.

  It was clear the undercover assignment was still a sore subject between the two of them. My gossipy inner nature was dying to know what happened – I’m a busybody; I can’t help it – but I figured inserting myself into this argument would be a terrible idea.

  “Bay, I … .” Landon worked his jaw. “I can’t believe you went out on a horse without telling me. You could’ve been hurt.”

  “What happened last year was a fluke,” Bay gritted out.

  “You were thrown from a horse! I thought you were dead,” Landon barked, taking me by surprise with his vehemence. “Hours, Bay! We spent hours looking for you. The horse came back without you. You didn’t have your phone. I seriously thought you were dead.”

  Instead of reacting with anger, Bay brushed her hand over Landon’s arm to soothe him. “I didn’t die. I hit my head and was really sore for a few days, but I was fine. The horse just got spooked.”

  “Uh-huh. And do you think a bunch of people running in the woods while you’re looking for a potential murderer might spook horses?” Landon challenged.

  “I … um … hadn’t considered that,” Bay conceded, apologetic. “Maybe you’re right.”

  “Oh, I’m right,” Landon muttered.

  “Not to mention the fact that we’re really looking for a hominid,” Chris added. He’d been against utilizing horses from the moment Bay mentioned it. He looked even less keen on the idea now that he’d seen the large beasts. “A hominid would be far more likely to upset a horse. I’m sure of it.”

  “Really?” Thistle asked dryly. “Have you conducted extensive research on that?”

  Chris ignored her tone. “It’s merely common sense.”

  “Well, I’m a Winchester,” Thistle deadpanned. “We don’t have common sense.”

  “None of you do,” Landon complained, shaking his head. “No horses. Bay. You heard Chris. Bigfoot will eat you if you ride a horse. That’s science.”

  I pursed my lips to keep from laughing at his reaction. He clearly didn’t believe Bigfoot was to blame for Penny’s death, but he was determined to keep Bay off of a horse, and he was willing to use any means necessary.

  “Fine,” Bay said, resigned. “We won’t use horses. I’m sorry I brought it up.”

  “Good.” Landon pulled her to him, rubbing his hands up and down her arms as he rested his forehead against hers. “While you’re in the mood to give me what I want, I don’t suppose I could con you into staying close to the finish line so you’ll be in town?”

  Bay immediately started shaking her head. “Absolutely not! I won’t ride a horse, but I’m doing what I want when it comes to searching the woods.”

  We spent a long time discussing strategy over breakfast. Everyone agreed to separate into pairs while searching the land surrounding the area where Penny Schilling’s body was discovered. Landon didn’t seem keen on Bay being part of the search team, but he hadn’t outright forbid it. I wouldn’t put it past him, of course, but Bay wouldn’t stand for it. Then the fight would grow bigger and everyone would be caught in the middle of a huge dilemma that would tax our already frazzled nerves.

  “Okay.” Landon ran his tongue over his teeth as he regarded her. “Chief Terry and I will be close to the area that passes the Dandridge parking lot. We’ll talk loudly when we can about evidence at the scene and mention we’re waiting for a forensic team to arrive. That should propel the guilty party to move fast.

  “Jack and Bernard will be close to the scene with two of Terry’s officers,” he continued. “Everyone else is allowed to wander through the woods in pairs, but don’t get too close to the scene. We all agreed on that over breakfast and that rule stands. Understood?”

  Chris bobbed his head. “The odds of the hominid returning to the exact same location are slim.”

  “I don’t give a crap about your stupid hominid,” Landon growled. “I’m worried about a murderer here.”

  “And won’t you feel silly when we find evidence of the real culprit?” Chris pressed.

  “I freaking hope so,” Landon replied. “I’m a lot less worried about Bigfoot going after the woman I love than a maniacal human bent on covering up a crime.” He shifted his eyes to Bay. “You don’t go anywhere alone. Promise me.”

  “I promise, Landon.” Bay sounded like a high school student talking to an overwrought parent. Everything probably went in one ear and out the other. “It’ll be okay.”

  “Bay, you’ve almost died a good ten times since I met you,” Landon said, lowering his voice. “I can’t live with that. I need you alive … and safe … and with me tonight when I’ll want a massage.”

  Bay’s pretty face split with a wide grin. “I will be.”

  “You’d better.” Landon pressed a kissed to her forehead and my heart hurt at the love shared between them. “No one goes anywhere alone,” he stressed, his gaze bouncing from face to face before finally landing on me. “I don’t know if Bigfoot or a human is guilty, but I have a feeling we’re going to find out today.”

  “It’s a sasquatch,” Chris said happily. “I know it.”

  Landon didn’t look convinced. I didn’t miss the look he exchanged with Jack. They clearly worked on another wavelength, one the rest of us didn’t fully grasp, and said much with a simple glance. “Good luck, everyone. I think we’re going to need it.”

  “SO, WHAT happened with the horse?”

  Bay walked on one side of me, Jack on the other, and we made the trek to the spot where Penny Schilling’s body was discovered largely in silence. I’m curious by nature, so I couldn’t refrain from asking the question. Thankfully, Bay didn’t seem bothered.

  “It was last spring,” Bay replied. “La
ndon’s family came for a visit – it was the first time I met them – and we went for a ride on the trails behind the stable. My horse got spooked and bolted. I got knocked off and was unconscious for a long time.

  “The horse made it back to the stable without me. My phone was in the saddlebag, so Landon panicked,” she continued. “When I came to I was confused, but I kind of recognized the area. That’s why I walked to the Dandridge. That’s also how I found out that Clove and Sam were dating. She was keeping it a secret.”

  “I take it this was before they moved in together,” Jack noted.

  Bay nodded. “It seems like a lifetime ago. It’s weird how things can change so fast. It’s been a year, but it feels as if it happened just yesterday.”

  “What did Landon do when he found you?” I asked.

  “He didn’t find me,” Bay answered. “I called Thistle from the Dandridge and she picked me up to take me back to the inn. She was more obsessed about Sam and Clove than about my health. As for Landon … well … he had a rough night.”

  “That’s because he loves you,” Jack argued. “You only remember it from your point of view. You were unconscious for most of it, so you couldn’t be afraid. When you woke up, your first thought was to get home. Landon spent most of that time terrified that you wouldn’t make it back to him.”

  “I understand that,” Bay said. “I love riding horses. I always have. Landon wasn’t keen on horses before this happened, which is a shame because I think he’d look good in a cowboy hat and chaps.”

  I smirked, amused. “Did he dote on you for days? I remember when I broke my arm when I was a kid and my mother tried to wrap me in pillows for weeks after.”

  “He was a little manic,” Bay conceded. “He was more worked up the time I was almost shot.”

  “You were almost shot?” I couldn’t help being impressed. “I guess he wasn’t exaggerating when he said you’re a trouble magnet, huh?”

  Bay shook her head, rueful. “I do tend to find trouble, but I always manage to find a way out of it.”

  “Try not to find anything too dangerous today,” Jack instructed. “I’ll be close to the scene, so don’t hesitate to sing out if you need anything. You should be safe, but … if there’s trouble I expect you to call for me rather than handle it yourself. Understood?”

  Jack kept his eyes on Bay’s face as he said the words, but I had a feeling he was talking directly to me.

  “We understand,” I said, rolling my eyes as I grabbed Bay’s arm and dragged her away from the spot where Landon and Chief Terry had erected police tape after breakfast. “You won’t have to worry about us.”

  Jack didn’t look convinced. “Something tells me that I’ll be worrying about you quite a bit … and possibly for a long time. Stay frosty, and don’t do anything stupid.”

  “Oh, you’re so sweet,” I deadpanned. “You worry about yourself and I’ll worry about me. How’s that sound?”

  Jack shrugged. “It sounds as if I’ll have an ulcer before this is over. I’m not joking. Be careful. While I agree with Landon that a human most likely killed Penny, I’d hate to rule out an animal and have it come back to bite me … or one of you. Don’t lower your guard. Be mindful of your surroundings and always look over your shoulder. Don’t be heroes.”

  “Yes, Dad,” I said dryly, rolling my eyes.

  I could feel Jack’s temper flare as he worked to remain professional. “Don’t wander too far. Do you think you can handle that?”

  “No promises.”

  BAY PURPOSELY picked an area for us to watch from that she was familiar with. It was close enough to the lake that we could sit and enjoy the wildlife while bored, but not so far from the scene that we’d be out of the loop should Jack and Bernard catch someone crossing the police tape.

  That was the goal, anyway.

  “What’s the deal with the tanker,” I asked, pointing at the large vessel anchored behind the lighthouse. I’d seen it on previous visits, but never bothered to ask about it. “Do you guys take that out on the lake or something?”

  Bay chuckled and shook her head, grabbing a few flat stones so she could skip them across the water. “No. It floats but it you can’t steer it. Sam had to hire someone to tow it in.”

  “But why?”

  “This is a tourist area,” Bay replied. “Sam opened the tanker around Halloween, but only allowed people to visit the top deck. This spring and summer we plan to turn it into the best haunted attraction in Hemlock Cove.”

  “It’s pretty cool that you guys help each other out like that.”

  “Sam saved my life last year, so I figure I can help him with his tanker. Only seems fair.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “He saved your life?”

  “He even got shot in the foot doing it.”

  I was a bit dumbfounded by the casual way she related it. “How many times have you almost died?”

  Bay shrugged. “I forget.”

  “Landon hasn’t forgotten.”

  “Landon will never forget,” Bay said. “It haunts him. He almost died saving me the first time. I didn’t even know him then. He was undercover. I didn’t realize he was a good guy until he was almost a gone guy.”

  “That’s kind of a romantic story.” I grinned. “Just think; you’ll be able to tell that story to your grandchildren one day.”

  “Yes, well, I’m sure it will have grown by that time,” Bay said, dusting her hands on the back of her pants. “By the time Landon is done embellishing it he’ll be superhuman and I’ll be a crying mess.”

  “Does that bother you?”

  Bay shook her head. “Not in the least. I already think he’s superhuman. In fact … .” Bay broke off, tilting her head to the side as she glanced into the heavy foliage behind her.

  I almost asked the obvious question, but the hair on my arms stood to attention as something dark and ominous washed over me. I lifted my eyes to the sky, half expecting a cloud to have passed over the sun or an eclipse to have taken place, but the darkness came from someplace else.

  I opened my mouth to say something, but Bay pressed her finger to her lips as she crouched down, resting her palms on the ground as she peered into the foliage. I couldn’t see what she stared at from my vantage point, but I knew we were in trouble by the way she widened her eyes and tumbled backward.

  The explosion of movement from the bushes caught me by surprise as Phyllis Grimes, her eyes wide and manic, barreled through them. Her chest heaved, her race participation number hanging onto her tank top by a single safety pin at one corner. Her flushed face glanced between the two of us.

  “What the … ?” She seemed as surprised to see Bay and me as we were to see her.

  “It’s you?” Bay looked a bit disappointed. “I didn’t think it was going to be you.”

  “You didn’t think what was going to be me?” Phyllis looked bewildered, sparing a worried glance over her shoulder. “Why are you hiding in the bushes?”

  “We’re not hiding in the bushes,” Bay replied. “We’re hanging out by the water in case Bigfoot comes calling.”

  “I … what?” Phyllis was flabbergasted as she rubbed her sweaty palms on her shorts. “You can’t be here. You have to go right now!”

  “What do you mean?” Bay asked, confused.

  “It’s not safe,” Phyllis growled. “You have to go right now! He’s almost here!”

  Bay lifted her head and glanced in the direction Phyllis had approached from, her expression unreadable. “Who’s almost here?”

  I wanted to echo the question, but it was too late. I felt another presence before I could open my mouth to warn Bay, instinct taking over and causing me to take an unsteady step away from the trees.

  “Run, you idiots,” Phyllis shouted. “He’ll kill you if he sees you!”

  I watched as a set of legs moved through the bushes to my right, my stomach twisting as a tall figure stepped into the clearing.

  “Oh, it’s much too late for that,” the new arrival p
ronounced, his eyes dark. “Well, well, well. I wasn’t expecting such a big crowd. That’s going to make what comes next difficult. I don’t have a lot of choice in the matter, though, so I guess I’ll start by asking for volunteers. Who wants to die first?”

  30

  Thirty

  Jim Green didn’t look happy as his gaze bounced between Bay, Phyllis and me. I could practically see his mind working as he surveyed the situation. When he shifted, I realized he had an ugly-looking knife clutched in his hand, one of those serrated blades hunters use to gut and skin a kill before carrying it to a waiting vehicle. He’d clearly been going after Phyllis when he came upon us, but that didn’t mean he’d tuck tail and run now that he was outnumbered. The knife leveled the field … and then some.

  I hesitantly took another step back, increasing the distance between us. I was closest to him, but I had a bit of elbow room should I need to run. Every nerve ending in my body screamed to do just that, but the idea of turning my back on a deranged man with a knife didn’t seem like a good idea.

  “What’s going on?” Bay asked, straightening and drawing Green’s attention. “Are you hunting, Jim?”

  “I think he’s looking for Bigfoot,” I offered, hoping I sounded calmer than I felt. Even though I knew we were trying to draw a killer to us I was flabbergasted it actually worked. It worked a bit too well. We drew a killer to us, yet our backup felt as if it was miles away. “He’s going to need that knife if he expects to fight the creature I saw out here the other night.”

  Green narrowed his eyes to dangerous brown slits. “What are you ladies doing out here? I was under the impression that volunteers were sticking close to the running trail. That was part of the arrangement we struck with the town council when we agreed to use Hemlock Cove’s trails.”

  I had to hand it to him. He remained calm despite the untenable situation. His chest continued to rise and fall at a steady pace, but I knew the instant one of us tried to run he’d be on us. The only chance we had was keeping him distracted in the hope that Jack or Landon would come looking.