Music to Die For (21 page)

“Justifiable homicide?” said Carrie. “ Maybe it would be justifiable homicide. But what if the person didn’t actually have a gun at your child’s head, but was just... just...hurting the child in some way? Could you kill?”

Dear God, Carrie said to herself, oh, dear God. She looked out the window into the lights and shadows of the evening forest. She was way out of bounds. She had no right to have asked this question of Eleanor.

But now Eleanor said, steadily and quite calmly, “Oh, yes. I’ve known that since Tom was born. To save any of my children I could do it. I could, and I would.”

The rocking chair began squeaking again, but Carrie had no idea she was pushing it back and forth. This gentle, motherly woman, if she... well, then...

But that was it. She was a mother. Carrie remembered a nature program she’d seen on AETN. There had been a mother bear and two cubs, and she still remembered what had happened when a male bear, much larger than the mother, got too close to the cubs. Stay away from bear cubs, the program had warned. Never get between a mother and her cubs.

It was true. When Rob was little, to save him—if there had been no other choice—she, too, could have attacked and probably could have killed.

Finally she said, “Of course it’s possible Tracy had nothing to do with any of this, and I’m just imagining things.”

They sat motionless, thinking their own thoughts, though Carrie was very conscious now of a sisterhood of shared understanding.

Then rocking and knitting sounds once more filled the room until the men knocked on the door and Carrie and Eleanor rose to help them. As Jason and Henry came in, floating in a heady aroma of onions and French fried potatoes, Carrie thought, once more, that she heard the creak of the door to the adjoining bedroom. She looked around. Maybe Chase and Tracy were awake after all and were coming to join them. But she was wrong. The door was still closed.

Henry and Jason pulled the room’s largest table between the two beds and arranged chairs, then Carrie opened sacks and set out food. Eleanor went to awaken Chase. When she returned, shutting the doors softly behind her, she said he was alert the moment her fingers touched his shoulder. By signs they had agreed they wouldn’t disturb Tracy, who was curled on her side, breathing evenly, and didn’t stir when Eleanor bent to be sure she was all right.

Chase joined them in a few minutes, and Carrie had a hard time suppressing a gasp. He certainly did look different. Brigid had used some kind of hair color to put grey streaks in his dark hair. He hadn’t shaved, and the shadowy growth of beard, together with hair combed back rather than to the side, gave him a menacing, much older look. He had changed out of Jason’s clothing and wore pleat-front slacks, a dark shirt, and a baggy cardigan sweater. Possibly, Carrie decided, they were things that had once belonged to his father...or grandfather.

Though Chase’s manner remained reserved, she noticed that some of his disdainful coldness began to fade while they were eating. It would be, she thought, difficult for anyone to remain aloof while eating from a communal heap of French fries and onion rings, especially when these were provided by people willing to go all out to help him.

After they’d eaten, Chase took the lead in planning for the evening’s watch on the birdhouse. First he described the area and, with Carrie’s help, drew a small map showing the location of possible hiding places.

“Since I’m agile, I should be closest,” he said, pointing at the map, “so I’ll sit in this corner of the gift shop porch.”

Carrie and Henry exchanged glances at hearing Chase’s cool assumption that none of them was capable of quick action. Carrie decided now was not the time to protest stereotypes about the super adult set, and Henry said, “We’re not going to approach the messenger, Chase. This is the time to observe. We don’t want anyone to know we’re watching.”

Carrie was having difficulty behaving as solemnly as the situation supposedly warranted. She was thinking that it really didn’t matter about the kidnapper’s note, since she and Henry would return Dulcey to her family not long after the note was left. Everyone here but Chase knew that.

Henry was still talking. “The important thing is to be able to identify the kidnapper and, if neither Carrie nor Chase knows who it is, be able to describe the person accurately later.”

Carrie had already decided the messenger would be Zeph, since he was working in the area anyway and would only have to step down from his bus and make a quick trip to the bird house after the show began.

“Okay,” said Chase in a monotone, “whatever. Your idea of Jason going in the auditorium to pretend he’s buying tickets is good, because he can come back out and sit down right here.” He indicated the location of the steps with a finger. “Like he’s waiting for the rest of his group. Folks do that, especially when they know the show might sell out, or maybe they don’t want to stand in line later.”

He became more lively as he studied their map.

“See, Jason, there are evergreen shrubs here...and here. You can sit on the steps behind one of those. You’ll have to figure out how to sit so you can see the bird box, or at least see anyone who walks toward it.”

He turned to Carrie and Henry. “And you’re going to do...what?” he asked.

Carrie pointed. “The group of trees here? Lots of cedars among them, very concealing. Couldn’t we pretend to be heading toward the campground and walk into those trees instead? It will be pretty dark by then, and I don’t think anyone could see us. We’ll just have to be careful and not make noises in the brush and leaves.”

Chase nodded. “Okay.”

Henry took over. “Jason can drive all of us to the handicapped parking at the top of the hill by the auditorium. Someone might recognize Carrie, but no one knows me. I’ll limp and take Carrie’s walking stick to use as a cane. If you stay in the dim light, Chase, I doubt you’ll be recognized, especially if you don’t get too close to anyone there. You can get out of the car with us and pretend to be helping me.

“Do any of you know if we can leave the car close by, since it doesn’t have a handicapped permit? Is every space at the top of the hill reserved for that?”

Jason said, “I have the handicapped card from when I had my knee surgery last year. I’ll clip it on. I don’t often use it now, but it’s valid.”

“Okay,” Henry said. “If they do ask you to move, you can drive down to the public lot and ride a bus back up. But it will be best if we can have the car nearby.

“After the three of us are out of the car, Chase, you might act like you’re interested in what’s in the craft shop windows. Go up on the porch. Act like you’re trying to see in the windows if there’s light there. Carrie and I will hang around the edge of the driveway by the woods. Since I’m supposed to have a game leg, I shouldn’t move too much. Eventually we’ll slip into those trees.”

He checked his watch. “Sunset is about 6:30... it’s already getting dark, and I don’t think we’ll have any problems with the hiding part. But,” he cautioned, “except for Jason, don’t let bus drivers see you. They’re at work every evening and would be used to normal activity, so they’d be most likely to notice anything that looks out of the norm. They’d know how people going to the shows behave.”

He looked around the circle of solemn faces. “All of us will watch and remember as much as we can about the person who comes to the bird house. Since we’ll be situated on three sides, we can probably do a good job.

“The important thing tonight is to find out who has Dulcey without alarming them. Chase, do not try to stop the messenger—that would definitely be alarming. Notice as much as you can, but stay in hiding. Leave the person alone.”

Chase said nothing, but finally he nodded, and Henry went on. “Is there a light near the bird house? Either of you remember?”

Carrie said. “Yes, a post light at the edge of the drive. Anyone going to the bird house will have to pass it.”

“Good. That’ll help. Now, while you’re waiting, study people and plan ways to judge physical characteristics. Compare heights in relation to landmarks—buildings and landscaping. Notice at what point a head is level with the third limb up on a tree, for example. Think about weight, notice hair color, and if hair is long or short. Also skin color, and by that I mean more than race... I mean what shade of light or dark. Practice detecting clothing colors. As it gets darker, see how browns, blues, and blacks vary in artificial light. Don’t forget footwear and anything at all unusual that catches your eye. Think about that as you wait—use the time productively to intensify your ability to notice. Not only will it help with identification later, but it’ll also help keep you from getting bored, and believe me, surveillance can be boring, even sleep-inducing. We’ve all got to stay alert.

“Jason, in case the person comes in a car, you might be able to get to your car—if you can keep it at the top—and follow when they leave. Maybe you can learn something about where they’re going. But keep your doors locked, don’t get too close, and don’t get out of your car, no matter what. Better to lose them than put yourself in danger.

“Okay, that’s it—our purpose now is only to notice as much as we can from our hiding places. It’s my guess one or more of us will know the messenger. If not, being able to describe that person is our goal. We could well be asked to testify about it in court later.”

Carrie wondered if the fact she and Henry were both sure the messenger would be Zephaniah and that they were going to have Dulcey back safely in—she looked at her watch—about three hours was coloring his instructions. If that weren’t the case, would he have contacted the sheriff? She was glad that Chase hadn’t questioned any of the plans. He might be wondering why she and Henry were taking a relatively passive role, but, if he was, he didn’t comment. She just hoped the person would come to the blue bird house before the two of them had to leave for Nahum’s.

“Now,” Henry was saying, “after the messenger leaves, all of us will stay where we are for at least ten minutes. Then, Chase, you can slip off the edge of the porch and get the note. When you have it, start down the stairs toward the parking lot. Jason, pick up Chase at the foot of the stairs. If Jason has left in the car to follow someone, then I guess you’ll have to walk back here, Chase, but be careful. We don’t want you kidnapped too. Stay on the lighted road where there will be cars and people.

“Carrie and I won’t be riding back in the car. We’ll continue to stay out of sight. I’m taking a flashlight, and we’ll walk to the lodge on the path below the auditorium. We may be late, so don’t worry about us.

“As soon as you get back here, write down everything you can remember about the messenger. Then sleep if you can. There’s nothing more we can do tonight. We’ll make further plans tomorrow morning, depending on what the ransom note says. Okay, guess that’s all. Any questions or concerns?”

No one said anything, so Henry went on, “Everyone wear dark jackets or sweaters.” He looked at Carrie. “Dark hats covering grey hair. Okay, all of you get what you need, and we’ll meet at the car in about ten minutes.” He was almost out the door when he stopped and turned back. “Don’t forget a potty stop. We’ll be away from conveniences for a while.”

“Hope Tracy stays asleep,” Carrie whispered to Eleanor before she left to follow Henry.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine,” Eleanor said, “and besides, someone has to stay at home and pray, though I know quite well you can pray fast and on your feet, Carrie McCrite. God goes with you, but be careful anyway.”

The smile they exchanged made more talk unnecessary, and Carrie hurried out to catch up with Henry.

Back in the room, she put on her indigo denim jacket and hat. Henry had left her walking stick against the wall by his suitcase, and when she went to pick it up, he had the suitcase open and was lifting folded clothing, exposing his .38 and a flashlight. He picked up the flashlight, but left the gun, though he glanced at Carrie as his hand passed over it. Seeing her questioning look, he shook his head and said, “No, not around the child,” and she nodded. Taking the gun acknowledged too much danger. Why should they need it?

Carrie wondered if Jason and Eleanor regretted not being able to attend the show in the auditorium tonight. Well, there was always tomorrow night, and for now, neither of them acted as if they minded the turn of events. Both, in fact, seemed enlivened by their involvement in the Masons’ problems.

When they arrived at the auditorium, only a few people were around, talking in small groups or strolling on the sidewalks, enjoying the unusually warm evening. The craft shop had closed for the day, and everything there was dark.

Carrie and Chase helped Henry out of the car, and she took his arm as he limped beside her to the edge of the grove of trees across from the auditorium. They stopped to look around as if enjoying the evening along with everyone else. Carrie noticed that Chase was already out of sight. He’d gone to the darkened craft shop porch right away.

She and Henry stood together on the shadowy pavement while Jason parked the car, then they watched him head inside the auditorium. In a few moments he came back out and sat on the steps next to a large juniper.

Now the buses were making repeated trips from the parking lot, emptying out crowds of people who flocked toward the auditorium, intent only on finding a good seat for the coming entertainment. Carrie watched for Zephaniah, but light glare on the bus drivers’ windows made identifying any individual impossible.

Eventually Henry slid out of sight into the forest, and in a few minutes Carrie joined him. He was standing close to the edge of the paved area with his back against a large oak tree trunk, but darkness and the cedar trees made it difficult for even Carrie to pick him out among the shadows. She stood beside him for a time, watching the people, her vision filtered by cedar branches.

She began noticing things as Henry had suggested. That man there—dark hair, needs a hair cut, tight jeans and shirt, tall, top of head at third branch on the cedar tree when he stands on the first auditorium step. In the artificial light his shirt looks yellow, but it’s probably white.