Mystery at Saddle Creek (24 page)

29

 

THE HOMECOMING

Tan figured that he could handle anything that came his way. He was ready to spring into action if need be. He didn't think this was a set-up or a trap — Bird wouldn't do that to him. But he would be ever alert.

BY THE TIME THEY CLIMBED back up the rocky ridge and got to the barn, the night had turned cool. Bird was totally exhausted, but she had something to do before going to the house. She let Sunny into his freshly bedded stall and gave him an extra flake of hay, making sure the water bucket was filled right to the top. When he'd drunk his fill, she topped it up again. In the feed room she mixed a warm bran mash with molasses and hunks of carrots and apples.

“Can I have some, too?” asked Tan as he sat slumped over on a bale of hay. “I'm hungry.”

“Just wait. Aunt Hannah will feed you something even better.”

Sunny dug in eagerly, then looked at Bird.
Are you going to stare at me all night?

We're leaving, you grouchy thing. Thanks for coming down and saving me today.

Anytime.

Tan and Bird left Sunny to his dinner and walked down the Saddle Creek lane in the dark. The stars were bright, and a sliver of moon arced in the sky. The smell of the damp earth and green grass filled their nostrils. Fresh, cool air swept the scent of sweet flowers over them. Bird was happy to be out of the dank cave.

She looked around.
Cody. Thank you. I'll leave a ham bone on the back porch.

Much appreciated, Bird girl.

Good night, my friend.

Good night.
The coyote ran off into the night.

“Where does he go?” asked Tan.

“I don't know. He has his ways.”

“I like that. His ways. I have my ways, too.”

Bird agreed. “You and Cody have a lot in common.”

“Like a soulmate.”

Bird smiled at him and nodded as she opened the kitchen door.

Hannah was the first to jump up from her chair. “Bird! Thank god! We were so worried ...”

Then she saw Tanbark. She stopped in mid-stride. Bird watched the emotions flit across her face: fear, curiosity, wonder, shock. Hannah hadn't seen her half-brother for many years, and he had been sane and clean when last they'd met. He must seem utterly alien to her now, covered in dirt, skinny, unwashed and wild.

“Aunt Hannah, this is Tanbark,” Bird said. “He's hungry and cold.”

Laura Pierson pulled the fleece blanket off her legs and thrust it at Tan. “Poor dear!” she crooned. “Let me wrap you up.”

Tan stepped back quickly, trembling. Bird looked at the room from his perspective. There were a lot of people. Laura, Pete, Hannah, Paul and Julia were all staring at him with concern; pity, even. It must all be overwhelming for him, she realized, especially considering how little he'd had to do with humans in the last few weeks. She stepped behind him and secured the screen door, just in case he decided to bolt.

Like Bird, Pete seemed to understand. “Come sit with me by the fire, my boy. There's no need to talk.” He smiled warmly at Tan and motioned to the chair just vacated by Laura. “Come, son, sit.”

Tan took a hesitant step forward, then looked at Bird. She nodded encouragement. He took a shallow breath and plunged into the chair. His eyes were shut tight, and his entire body shook with nerves. No one moved.

“He needs some space,” said Pete in his gravelly voice. “We can't crowd him.”

Laura crept up with a cup of tomato soup. “Tan? Are you hungry?”

Pete was about to chastise her when Tan opened an eye and held out his hands. Everybody watched as he gulped down the soup.

Julia picked up the fleece blanket from the floor and tucked it in around Tan's legs. “Welcome, Uncle Tan,” she said with a smile.

Tan looked quizzically at Bird.

“I think that's right,” Bird said. “You are Aunt Hannah's half-brother, so you're our mother Eva's half-brother, too. That makes you our uncle.”

“Your half-uncle, dear,” said Laura.

“But we would never call him that,” said Julia. “It would sound funny to say, ‘Half-Uncle Tan, would you take me to the zoo?'”

“Call me anything,” said Tan with a shrug. “It doesn't matter. I'm not taking you to the zoo and your half-uncle is still fully hungry.”

His words broke the tension in the room. Everyone laughed as Hannah brought Tan and Bird steaming plates of chicken pot pie, and watched contentedly while they ate every last bite.

Moments after Tan was finished eating, his head began to nod. It fell to the headrest, and his eyes closed. He was asleep.

“I called Mack at home to tell him Tan's here,” said Paul quietly. “I convinced him to let the man get a good night's sleep before any questioning. Bird, he said to tell you that you're quite the girl.”

“Can you tell us now what Tanbark saw that day?” asked Hannah.

Bird nodded. Very quietly, so as not to disturb his sleep, she told them everything Tan had said. There was complete silence in the room as the story was digested.

“Remarkable,” whispered Pete. “Remarkable.”

“Do you think it's true?” asked Paul.

Bird nodded. “I do. But I don't know if anybody else will.”

That night, Bird slept more soundly than she ever had before. It was a deep, dreamless, untroubled slumber. She awoke, refreshed and smiling, as the sun spilled through the slit between her curtains. Songbirds trilled outside her window, informing her that the storm was indeed over. In the corner, Julia's futon was already empty.

Finally, the problems in Caledon were over! Once Mack heard Tan's story, things would get back to normal, and she'd be able to concentrate on Sunny and their next show. Tanbark would testify that Sandra Hall had accidently bludgeoned herself, fallen on a rock and died. There would be a collective sigh of relief when everyone realized that the bogeyman wasn't real. They would go on with their lives knowing that there was no predator on the loose ready to attack innocent victims with a tire iron. Kenneth Bradley would have some questions to answer — like why he walked away from a bleeding woman and didn't call for help — and the Wells and their accomplices would be punished. Best of all, Tanbark would get the help he needed.

Tanbark. Bird wondered, for the umpteenth time, how mental illness affects people. How does it work? Where does it come from? Why do some people get it? Can anybody get it? Can people get cured? Bird was confident that Tanbark would get better. There was so much about him that was good and positive, and he had so many people around him who cared. She felt sure that once Tan made the decision to see a good doctor, he would get better.

Bird smiled again and closed her eyes. Her daydreams floated in another direction. Now she was receiving an award from the Town of Caledon and the police department for her excellent sleuthing. She would wear a hat to cover her stubby burnt hair when she humbly and eloquently delivered her thank-you speech. People would clap and cheer as she accepted a huge bouquet of flowers.

Bird stretched from head to toe. She thought about the horse show. The Palston Classic was in just two days! She and Sunny had been working together much better since the show the week before, but there was still so much more to do.

She desperately wanted to make a good impression this time. Eva and Stuart were coming home the same day as the show. Imagine how proud her mother would be when she learned the whole story! Bird the hero. Alberta the hero. Perhaps it was time to graduate to her given name — like when Hilary James became Hilary instead of Mousie.

The daydreams continued. Alberta Simms, receiving the silver trophy at the Classic after jumping a perfect round on Sunny. The trophy this year would be presented by the elderly Donshell sisters, Matilda and Maudie. Alec would appear just as she accepted the trophy. His eyes would shine with pride as he made sure that everyone knew he belonged to her. He would publicly declare, over the loud speaker, that the rumours about him and Pamela were false and that there was only one girl in the world for him. Then, he would sweep her up in his arms and deliver a delicious kiss, right on her lips. Bird smiled with delight. This daydream could go on forever ...

A loud yell brought her back into real time. “Paul!” In the room next to hers, Hannah hollered again. Bird sat up straight, and all the rosy thoughts tumbled from her head. She jumped out of bed.

“Paul! Tanbark's bed is empty and the window's wide open!”

Bird ran to the hall. “He's gone?”

Hannah pointed. The filmy curtains flapped in and out of the screenless, gaping window, and the covers of the bed lay rumpled on the floor. Bird walked in and looked out the window to the flower beds below.

“Aunt Hannah, come look.”

Together, Bird and Hannah studied the two deep footprints in the dirt where Tan had landed. The window screen lay beside them.

Paul and Julia arrived after a search of the ground floor. The four of them looked at the prints in wonder. It was a long way down.

“What do we do now?” asked Bird.

Paul pursed his lips. “Mack Jones isn't going to be happy.”

“I never imagined that he'd jump out the window!” said Hannah. “He seemed so happy to be here, and to be fed and warm.”

Bird nodded. “He was happy, but right now he's kind of like one of the barn cats. Once they're fed they need to be out roaming again.”

“Maybe he knew he'd have to go back to the hospital,” reasoned Julia, “and he didn't want to go.”

Bird nodded. “Exactly. I bet he just doesn't want to be fenced in, or feel trapped, especially when his father is out there looking for him.”

The sound of gravel crunching under tires drifted through the window. A familiar car was driving down the lane from the road. Hannah and Paul hustled downstairs while Bird hurried to get dressed.

Paul opened the door to welcome Mack. “Come in, Mack. Hannah's got the coffee on. Bacon and eggs?”

Mack shook Paul's hand and walked in. “No thanks, Paul. Just ate. But I'd love a coffee. Milk and sugar. Thanks. And good morning to you all.”

“Coming right up,” smiled Hannah, a little too brightly. “Good morning to you, too, Mack.”

Bird stepped into the kitchen.

“Morning, Bird,” Mack said. He looked at her with sparkling eyes. “Well, you're the little hero, aren't you? You brought back the man the whole county was searching for.”

Bird decided to plunge right in. “I brought him back, but he escaped in the night.”

Mack's eyebrows shot up and his smile vanished. He looked at Paul, then Hannah, then back to Bird. “Tell me you're joking.”

“No,” said Bird calmly. “He jumped out the bedroom window. His footprints are there for you to see.”

Mack marched outside and examined the site. He returned with a furrowed brow. “No doubt about it; he jumped out.”

Paul spoke up. “I'm sorry, Mack. You wanted to interview him last night.”

Mack shook his head. “I have to take the blame, Paul. I thought he'd be a better witness after a rest. I should get back to the station. Hannah, cancel that coffee.” He took out his cellphone and pressed a speed-dial number. “Tanbark Wedger is at large. Put out an APB.”

“Mr. Jones,” said Bird as Mack slipped the cell back into its holder. “I have a recording of what Tan saw.”

Mack looked at her with astonishment. “You got it?”

Bird pulled the tiny recorder from her pocket and held it out on the palm of her hand. “I recorded the whole thing last night in the cave, before Tan decided to come back with me.”

“Let's hear it,” said Mack. He sat down at the kitchen table and motioned for Bird to do the same. Bird placed the device on the table and pressed play.

The sound was uneven and hollow as Tan's voice sang. “It's all a hoax. It's all a joke. We live and toil, and then we croak ...”

“What's this?” asked Mack.

“He wanted to record his new song, so we did,” answered Bird. “His story is next.”

They leaned in to listen as Tan began. “... I was minding my business, hunting for rabbits on the edge of a field. A car came ...”

Everybody was spellbound. Nobody spoke. Finally, Tan's story ended and Bird's voice could be heard on the tape: “That's great.” Then there was the click of the stop button, and silence.

Julia spoke first. “It's like Tan's song!” she exclaimed. “It's all a hoax! It's all a joke!”

“It's not a joke.” Mack was not amused. “If we can believe Tanbark's recital here — and that's a big if — countless hours of police work and unimaginable fear for personal safety have been for nothing. Not to mention the barn fire and injury.” He stood. “Although this does solve one puzzle.”

“What's that?” asked Paul.

“There was only one set of fingerprints on the tire iron, and they belonged to Sandra Hall.”

Bird tilted her head. “So Tanbark is telling the truth!”

“Maybe. We'll look at the facts again with his story in mind.” Mack walked to the door. “Bird, I'll need that recorder.”

Bird nodded, then glanced at Julia. Julia shrugged her shoulders. “It was a birthday present, but you're welcome to it.”

“Thank you, Julia.” Mack started for the door. “I'll bring it back.”

The telephone shrilled, and Hannah answered.

“Hello?... Yes, Lavinia, Kimberly's got a lesson at nine ... She'll go to the show if you want ... I'm busy right now, can I call you back about Moonlight Sonata?... Yes, Lavinia, I really am busy ... I'll call you back.” Hannah hung up and sighed.

“Sorry, Mack,” she said. “We'll call you if Tan shows up.”

“He might get hungry for more of Hannah's food,” said Bird.

Julia nodded. “Food might be the only reason he'd come back.”

The phone rang again.

“I'll leave you now, folks,” Mack said as he made his way to the door. “Call my cell if he shows up.”

Hannah picked up the receiver as the screen door closed behind Mack. “Hello?... Oh, Dad!” She covered the mouthpiece and whispered to Paul. “It's my father. Get Mack back in here.”

“What were you saying?” Hannah pressed speakerphone so everyone could hear.

“You heard what I said, Hannah. I asked if you'd heard from Tanbark.” Kenneth Bradley's voice filled the kitchen.

“Not today,” answered Hannah, searching Mack's face for the right way to handle this. Mack scribbled quickly and handed her a note.

“What do you mean, not today?”

Hannah quickly read Mack's note. “He was picked up yesterday, but he got away. Mack's people are out looking for him now.” She looked to Mack for approval, and he nodded.

“He got away?”

“Yes, Dad. He got away.”

“Did they question him? Hannah, this is important.”

Hannah watched as Mack nodded. “Yes, I think they did.”

“You think they did? Not that they can believe anything he says. He's mentally ill! He has no contact with reality. Delusional.” There was a slight pause, and when he spoke again, his voice had taken on a suspicious edge. “What else do you know, Hannah? Tell me!”

“I don't know anything, Dad. Why don't you call Mack Jones directly and ask him?”

“Mack's nothing but a useless bureaucrat! He couldn't catch a blind cat in a sack! Look, Hannah, you're lying to me and I want to know why. I monitor the police dispatches, so I know what's going on. Tanbark spent the night at your house. Why didn't you call me?”

Hannah was stunned. She stared at Mack, uncertain of how to proceed. Mack was taken off guard, too.

Seeing her aunt hesitate, Bird decided to act. She threw caution to the wind and jumped in. “Hello, Gramps. It's Bird here. Don't blame Aunt Hannah. She's protecting me.”

“Explain yourself.” Kenneth's voice was smooth again.

“Well,” said Bird carefully, ignoring all the flapping hands and warning looks. “I told her not to call you.”

“You're lying.”

“I'm not. I told her not to call you.”

“And she listened? To you?”

“She did. She didn't call you, did she?”

“Look here! I don't care who did what and what happened when! I want to know where Tanbark is, and what he said to the police — and I want to know NOW!” Bird cringed at the anger in Kenneth's voice. He had given up all pretense of civility.

“There's no reason for you to yell at Bird, Dad.” Hannah jumped in. “Call the police about this, not us.”

“You called the cops, but you didn't call me!” Kenneth's voice was threatening and low. “You had him and you let him go! Now I'll have to find Tanbark myself. I'm not happy about this, Hannah.”

A chill ran down Bird's spine. He's a sick man, she thought. Far more dangerous than Tan. She watched as Mack passed Hannah another note.

“I'm sorry Tan got away. It didn't work out like we'd hoped. I'll call you if I see or hear from him again, okay? Are you home today?”

“Yes. And Hannah? If you think you can fool me ... Hannah? I'll be watching you.” With that, Kenneth Bradley hung up.

A second later, Mack stood up. “That doesn't sound good. And he's monitoring the police frequencies. Interesting. I'll have to bring your father in for questioning, Hannah. I'll keep you in the loop.”

“I have no idea what just happened here,” said Hannah, as Mack left for the second time.

Bird stated, “If mental illness is hereditary, we know exactly where Tan gets it.”

Hannah stared at her. “Out of the mouths of babes.”

“Your father is certainly good at turning people upside down,” agreed Paul. “And inside out.”

Bird nodded. “Gramps has got himself into a real mess, and he'll have to deal with it.” She stood up from the table.

“That's the right attitude.” Hannah looked at her niece with approval. “The police will take it from here.”

Julia piped up. “Bird, you were so smart getting Tan's story recorded, but if it's true what they say on
Law & Order
, it might not be admissible in court.”

Paul laughed. “You did a great job, Bird. This whole thing is almost wrapped up.”