Mystery at Saddle Creek (27 page)

33

 

BIRD AND SUNNY

Tan caught another glimpse of Cody. This wasn't the plan! He was to come to him with food, not follow him around and peek at him from behind trees! What was this? Tan's stomach growled. He was getting very angry.

HANNAH WAS WAITING for Bird at the warm-up ring. “Where were you?” she asked, hands on hips. “You're late.”

Bird leaned down from Sunny's back and whispered, “I need your help.”

Hannah looked up, startled.

“Grandfather was here, hiding from the police and looking for Tan,” Bird said quietly. “I told him Tan was with Mack Jones. He's gone there now with the Piersons. Can you reach Mack right away and let him know?”

Hannah nodded slowly. “For sure. Right away. But how ... never mind — we'll talk later. For now, put it out of your mind.” She shook Bird's ankle affectionately. “Can you do that?”

“I can.”

“Warm up, then we'll do some practice jumps.” She took her cell from her pocket and pressed Mack's numbers.

Bird and Sunny began their routine. Walk for five minutes, trot for five minutes, then walk again. Pick up a collected canter for five minutes, half on each lead, then walk for five minutes. Sunny was responsive and limber and eager to go.

Hannah had commandeered one of the four jumps set up in the middle. She waved Bird over. “I talked to Mack. It's all under control, so don't worry about a thing. Now, let's get jumping! Trot in, and canter away.”

Bird felt her anxiety drain away. With calm assurance, she trotted Sunny up to the vertical and popped over it, cantering away.

“Great. Now, wait until I make it an oxer.” Hannah quickly dragged two more standards up beside the existing ones, and doubled up the jump. “Okay, canter in.”

They cleared it and quietly landed.

Hannah was pleased. “Come again from the other direction, then we're done. Your class is being called. You're up in ten.”

“Right you are!” Bird called back as she came at the jump. Sunny cleared it with ease. Bird looked at Hannah and smiled. “We're ready.”

“Do you know your course?”

“I sure do.”

“Looking good, Bird!” Hannah waved at her as she walked to the Grand Prix ring, where Bird would be showing.

Sunny, let's not worry about anything today. Even winning.

We can't lose, Bird. We're the best.

Bird patted his neck.
Remember last time? We stank.

Yeah, okay. We stank. But today's a new day!

We could stink again if we try too hard.

Nice confidence builder!

Let's go in and have a wonderful time. Let's enjoy the moment. Jump for the joy of jumping. Remember?

I can do that. If you can.

I can. I really can.
And she meant it.

Bird and Sundancer watched the competition as they waited their turn. Bird was relaxed, and was actually pleased when one of her fellow riders had a good round. This was the way to do it, she thought. So much less stress.

Lots of good horses here, Bird.

You're right.

You really don't care if we win?

Nope. I'm here to have fun.

You're serious?

I'm serious about having fun. I want to have a good time out there.

Sunny lowered his head. He became calm. Bird reflected, one more time, on how much animals are affected by people's attitudes. Now, the announcer called them in. “Number one-ohseven. Sundancer, owned and ridden by Alberta Simms.”

A hush went through the crowd as Sundancer trotted in. The sight of the tall, handsome chestnut with the glossy coat and intelligent eyes turned people's heads. His light, springy action and supple, proud bearing told anyone who knew horses that this animal was capable of great things. And he was cool. Gone was the maniac of the previous show.

They moved into a canter as the whistle blew. They gathered speed through the starting gate, and cleared the first hurdle comfortably. Bird gave Sunny his head as they landed and took a stride before turning left to a line of blue verticals.

Are you having fun yet, Bird?

I'm having fun.

So am I.

Bird could hear Sunny breathing in time with the rhythmic beat of his hooves. The whole world was her and her horse — nobody else. This wasn't ordinary fun, it was big-time fun.

The ring was huge, which allowed Sunny to open his stride and keep a good pace.

I like this ring!

I do, too. It's wide open.

Like the big field at home.

They turned left again across the diagonal to face a multicoloured oxer and then a green and orange vertical with outlandish wings. Sunny's big stride ate up the distance and he lifted his knees effortlessly. He cleared them both by inches, judging their height and width flawlessly.

Did you like the way I did that, Bird?

I liked the way you did that.

Now they turned to the right and headed to the triple. Bird watched through Sunny's ears as the animal executed the difficult series with ease. She merely held on with her legs, gave him his head and let him do it all. They landed the third hurdle and continued along the fenceline to the water jump. Up and over without a splash.

Nice release, Bird. I would've been in the drink otherwise.

I'm here to please.

A hard left and they were moving on to the skinny, which was half the width of the other jumps, designed to test the navigational skills of the rider and the bravery of the horse. Sunny didn't flinch.

Now they were headed for home with one jump to go.

I want to race this one, Bird. Let me go for it!

Why not? Let's mess it up.
The reverse psychology trick had worked on Kimberly; would it get Sunny's attention, too?

Mess it up?

Yeah, mess it up. We're not here to win, right? We're here to have fun.

Sunny slowed and became careful.
Okay. Spoil my fun.

Spoil your fun, but win the trophy.

Sunny and Bird flew over the last big oxer and landed clean.

Now can I race?

Go for it!

Sundancer and Alberta Simms finished their round with a standing ovation. Trainers for years to come would refer to it as the perfect trip, but Bird had no way of knowing that. All she knew was that the roar of the crowd was almost deafening. She leaned forward and stroked Sunny's neck, enjoying the moment. This was what riding should be like. This was perfect.

Hannah greeted them at the gate with tears in her eye. “I have one word to say, Bird, and that is WOW.”

Bird laughed. “Thanks! A little different from last time, wasn't it?”

Hannah laughed with her. “Last time does not exist! You were fabulous, Bird. Totally together and controlled, but you had speed and accuracy. I have nothing to say but bravo.” She patted Sunny's neck. “Good boy, Sunny. Well done, both of you.”

In a matter of seconds, Bird was surrounded by friends and family. Liz and Patty were there with Phil; Julia and Paul and Hannah were, too; even Kimberly and her mother and Fiona Malone. And ... Bird could hardly believe her eyes.

Bird blinked. Her mother! Eva and Stuart had arrived home from their honeymoon just in time for the horse show. Eva looked rested and beautiful, dressed in white pants and a trimly cut pink jacket with matching flat shoes. “Mom!” Bird yelled. She slid down from Sunny's back and hugged her mother with all her strength. “I'm so happy to see you!”

“I'm so happy to see you, too!” Mother and daughter held each other tight. “I'm so happy to be home!”

Bird felt hot tears on her cheeks. Through blurry eyes, she looked at her mother's smiling face and saw tears rolling down hers, too.

“We're a real pair,” said Eva. “The Blubber twins!”

Stuart came up behind them. “Bird, you did a super job out there. What a gorgeous horse!”

“Welcome home, Stuart!” Bird included her new stepfather in the family hug. Julia ducked under her arm, and they all held each other close.

“I didn't think you'd be back in time to see us ride,” said Bird as she took off her helmet. “Did you see Julia go?”

“We certainly did!” enthused Eva. “Julia was incredible! We're so proud of you both.”

“Why didn't you tell us you'd be here?” demanded Julia.

“We didn't want to put you girls off your game, so we kept low.” Stuart grinned and rubbed Bird's stubbly hair. “Looks like you've been chopping off your hair again.”

“It's a long, long story,” answered Bird. “I'll tell you everything later.”

“You certainly didn't keep us up to speed!” Eva sounded slightly annoyed, and Paul quickly intervened.

“We didn't want you to worry,” he said. “There was absolutely nothing you could have done from Ireland.”

“We wanted you to enjoy your holiday,” added Hannah.

“You've filled us in a little, but we want to hear it all,” Stuart said to Hannah. He could not keep the concern out of his voice. “A lot has happened since we left.”

Bird nodded. “It was only ten days, but it sure seemed longer.”

Julia interrupted. “Wait! The announcer is talking!”

They listened. “Attention, please. Would these horses come back into the ring, in this order. One-oh-seven, one-two-nine, one-three-five ...”

Bird threw her arms around Sunny's neck and launched herself up onto his back. She quickly replaced her helmet and snapped up the chinstrap.
We did it, Sunny. You are the best horse in the entire world.

You're not half-bad yourself.

After receiving their ribbon, it was time for the victory lap. All eyes were on Sunny and Bird. Sunny sprang into action. He picked up his left lead and galloped away from a dead halt.

The wind whistled in Bird's ears as they flew around the ring, followed by all the other winners. Sunny's strides were enormous and free, his fiery coat glistening in the summer sun. Bird felt peaceful. And totally happy.

34

 

CODY

Tan was now irritated beyond control. First he couldn't find Cody, and now that he'd found him, the coyote wouldn't bring him food! The stupid animal was playing games with him! Rage consumed him. Bird had promised! He was hungry! Really hungry! That was the deal! It wasn't fair! Stupid idiots! He'd show them!

MACK JONES WAS WAITING for them back at the trailer.

“Congratulations, Bird! You're the talk of the show.”

“Thank you, Mr. Jones.”

“You look puzzled.”

“Well, yes. I thought you might be busy with my grandfather.”

“You always get right to the point.” Mack shaded his eyes from the sun. “There's news.”

Bird slid down and rubbed Sunny's right ear. She looked at Mack earnestly. “Tell me.”

Mack's face told her that the news wasn't entirely good. “I don't want to tell it more than once, so let's wait for the others to catch up.”

Bird looked behind her. They were taking their time, chatting away. “Hurry up, everybody!”

Hannah and Eva were the first to respond. Then, when Stuart and Paul noticed Mack, they hurried as well. Soon, the entire small crowd had gathered around.

“Hannah, Eva — I'm sorry to have to tell you that your father has been charged with mischief and conspiracy to mislead the course of justice.”

Mack's words were met with dead silence.

He continued. “Kenneth was apprehended today, thanks to Bird and the Piersons. And finally, we've been able to piece the whole story together.” Mack leaned on the trailer. “Kenneth and Sandra were having a secret affair. They had an argument on the side of the road, just like Tanbark recorded. Sandra hit herself with the tire iron and fell, cracking her head open on a rock. Kenneth left her in distress and said nothing. When she died, he devised a scenario to keep his part in this whole mess a secret; one that involved the Wells.”

“The Wells!” said Bird. It all made perfect sense! “They were right in the middle of everything!”

“Turns out that Jim Wells was paid to form a committee to divert attention. Muddy the waters, so to speak.”

“Paid by whom?” Stuart asked.

“Paid by Kenneth.” Mack was solemn. “Jim needed the money to pay off a bad debt.”

“All this to keep Kenneth's part in this quiet?” Hannah asked. “Wow.”

“Yes, wow. It's quite elaborate, isn't it,” agreed Mack. “But poor Ellen truly believed in the cause. She was played for a fool.”

“Ellen was the one who found Sandra Hall by the side of the road?” Eva was still struggling to put it all together.

Mack nodded. “It became her mission to out the guy who did it. It's just sad that her husband led her on.”

“But there were others involved in Justice for the Innocent,” observed Paul. “What about Les and Hank Crowley?”

“We've interviewed them all. Jim was the ringleader and the only one being paid. Everyone else thought they were doing their civic duty in trying to bring an evil man to justice.”

Paul added, “There was a lot of fear out there to tap into.”

Bird was thoughtful. “Aside from Jim, I bet they wish they'd got the facts straight before jumping on the bandwagon.”

“You got that right,” agreed Paul.

“There's no penalty for airing your views,” Bird continued, “but they went way farther than that. What about the barn fire?”

“The fire was set by Hank Crowley, in a trash can under Pierre's window,” Mack answered. “Jim Wells admitted that he and Les were there, too. They will be charged.”

“What a huge mess!” exclaimed Eva. “But I still don't understand.” Her forehead creased in concern. “Dad didn't touch her! Why go to all the trouble of bribing Jim to protect him, when he hadn't done anything wrong?”

Mack's lips tightened. “He knowingly walked away from a dying woman.”

“True. But he didn't actually kill her, and he likely didn't even know she was dying.” Eva persisted, looking for an answer. “It was an accident.”

“Yes, it was. But Eva, nobody walks away from a bleeding person.” Hannah spoke sadly. “If he'd called 911,she might not have died. I guess he didn't want anybody to know he was even there.”

“Tanbark ruined that plan,” Bird pointed out.

“I'll guess Kenneth didn't want to add to all the trouble he was already in,” speculated Paul. “His insurance fraud case is coming up in August. I bet he thought another scandal would prejudice the jury against him.”

“He misjudged it badly if that was his aim,” said Mack. “I've never seen such a blatant case for telling the truth and taking your medicine.”

Paul nodded. “The cover-up made it far worse.”

Mack agreed. “The cover-up is what he'll be spending time in jail for.”

“Think about it,” said Stuart. “He would have been embarrassed about leaving the scene, but it would've lasted one day if he'd just called an ambulance and faced it right then.”

Hannah agreed. “If he'd told the truth about what happened, Pierre wouldn't be clinging to life in the burn ward of Sunnybrook Hospital.”

“If he'd told the truth, Pierre would be fine, and Cliff and I would never have gone through what we did,” added Phil. The sound of his voice made Bird realize how quiet he'd been until now. “The entire community became vigilantes. It wasn't pretty.”

Patty put her arm around his waist.

Stuart asked, “How's Pierre doing?”

“Better every day.” Mack seemed pleased to have some good news.

“That's good,” said Paul. “And very lucky for the Justice for the Innocent gang. That would've been a murder charge for them.”

Stuart had another question. “Does all of this hinge on Tanbark's eyewitness account? I mean, he's homeless, and mentally ill.”

“Which is very convenient for my grandfather.” Bird suddenly felt exhausted. She sat on the tire-well of the trailer, still holding Sunny's reins.

Mack turned to her. “It doesn't matter now that the Wells have confessed. Their story backs up Tan's. But we still need to speak to him right away. Bird, do you know where he is?”

“No. But he's around. He won't come in unless he knows he's safe.”

“Nobody can hurt him now. Kenneth Bradly is going nowhere.”

Bird gazed levelly into his eyes. “Then I'll try.”

“Thanks.” Mack studied her fondly. “You're a remarkable girl.”

Bird was deep in thought. “How awful for Tanbark.He came here to find his family, and he walked right into a boiling vat of deception.”

Hannah shivered. “How right you are. His timing could not have been worse.”

“For Tan, but perfect timing for Kenneth!” Paul exclaimed. “To think he might have pinned the whole thing on his own son!”

“He gave it a good try, that's for sure.” Mack straightened. “Thanks, folks. Now, I must be going. I have an interrogation to do.”

“Thanks for filling us in, Mack.” Paul shook his hand.

“My pleasure.”

Bird stood and rubbed Sunny's face. He was dozing in the afternoon sun,bored by the human-talk.“I'm glad that my grandfather is where he can't cause any more trouble for people.”

Mack nodded. “There are people who only look at life from their own perspective. Your grandfather, sadly, is one of them.”

“He just doesn't care about other people,” said Eva. “He wants what he wants, and heaven help anyone standing in his way.”

“He's always been that way,” agreed Hannah, linking arms with her sister. “That's why it's taken us so long to be able to stand on our own two feet.”

“You've both certainly learned how to do that!” teased Paul.

“I'll second that,” chimed in Stuart. “And in Eva's case, feet shod in Manolo Blahniks!”