Amanda in Alberta: The Writing on the Stone (9 page)

“Let go of me, Hank!” Amanda squirmed and kicked. More angry than scared, she said, “You are the worst…person…ever. What are you doing here, anyway?”

“I heard you tell your friend you dropped the rock here when you were snooping around earlier today. I've come to find it, and you're not going to stop me.” Hank dragged Amanda to a ladder.

“I'm not going up there.”

“Oh yes, you are. You can scream all you want, no one will hear you. There ain't a soul for miles.”

Hank pushed Amanda up the ladder into the dark attic and bound her wrists and feet with a rope.

“I know I don't need to do this, but just in case.” He tied a handkerchief around her mouth. Picking up a flashlight, he went back downstairs.

Amanda looked around the gloomy attic. Through the dust and cobwebs, she made out a crumpled up sleeping bag in one corner. A package of cigarettes and a clown suit lay beside it. Squinting, she detected what looked like crosses in another corner. She could hear Hank moving things around downstairs.

‘I hope he doesn't find that stone.' Amanda's mind raced. ‘How can I get out of here before everyone wonders where I've got to? How stupid of me to jump onto the back of the truck like that.'

The front door screeched open and an angry voice said, “Hank McGavity, what in blazes are you doing here?”

“This is my family's property. I have every right to be here. What're you doing here?”

“We're looking for someone.”

The voice sounded familiar to Amanda, but it wasn't any of her family. She wondered who else would be looking for her.

She dragged herself over to the crosses. With her legs bound together, it was slow going. As she got closer, Amanda could see the crosses had names engraved on them. They looked like old grave markers. She shuddered.

“Dan and Ed Crow Feather, get out of my house. Right now!” Amanda heard Hank yell.

“This isn't your house, Hank. The government took it over years ago when your grandfather couldn't pay the mortgage. It's now part of the Provincial Park Natural Area. You know that.”

Amanda recognized Dan's voice. ‘How did he know where to find me?'

‘I need to get his attention.' She tried nudging the crosses with her feet but they wouldn't move.

“What in tarnation is that cowboy doing here?” Hank hollered.

A dog barked as the door squeaked open.

“Andy Rowlands?” exclaimed Dan.

Amanda kicked at the crosses with her feet. They fell over and crashed onto the floor of the attic.

“What's that noise? Is someone up there?” asked Dan.

“It's nothing, probably just rats,” said Hank.

“I think I better have a look.”

“You do that, Dan, while I ask this young man a few questions. Don't worry, Ed, I won't let Hank hit you again.” There was no mistaking Andy's voice.

Amanda's face lit up when Dan appeared at the top of the ladder. He rushed over to her.

“Are you OK?” Dan asked as he removed the handkerchief and quickly untied her hands and feet.

“Better now that you showed up. How did you know I was here anyway?”

“I didn't. Let's get you downstairs.”

Andy Rowlands looked surprised. “Amanda, what are you doing here? I thought you were at a family reunion.”

“I came looking for something.”

“It wouldn't happen to be a stone; a special stone with writing on it?” asked Andy.

Bart ran over to Amanda and looked up at her, his tail wagging. Amanda patted his head.

“What is so special about that stone anyway?” asked Amanda.

“I believe it is part of a set of stones that make up a large petroglyph of a buffalo hunt,” Andy explained. “Over the years the mural has crumpled, scattering many pieces around the area. If they are collected, the mural could be reassembled. The museum is very interested in obtaining these stones. The mural is of great significance to the history of our province.”

Amanda gulped. Bart wandered over to the piano, sniffed a leg and sat under the bench. Just before he settled down, Amanda thought she saw the stone under the piano. She looked away.

“Why does everyone want the stone?”

Ed said, “This stone belongs to our people. It is part of our history and should stay with The Blackfoot Confederacy. We already have some of the stones. That one must have fallen out of my pocket at the Stampede parade.”

“Yes, it did. I picked it up and called after you, but you didn't hear me.”

“The stones belong to the museum. I have some as well. We should give all of them to the museum so the experts there can reassemble the mural,” said Andy.

“Well it's gone now. Amanda lost it so you can all leave.” Hank glared at Amanda.

“Ya, well why were you holding Amanda captive in the attic, you scum bag?” asked Dan. “You just want the stone to sell to the highest bidder, don't you? I've heard about your gambling debts.” He grabbed Hank by the shirt collar.

Andy stepped between them. “Now, boys, there's been enough fighting.”

Dan let go of Hank. “If the museum would pay for the stones, we could use the money to send Sharon to a hospital in New York City. They could help her get better. We need that last stone to make up one part of the mural. Come on Amanda; let's get you back to your family.”

Amanda swallowed and whispered, “I think I know where it is.”

Everyone looked at her and said, “You do? Where?”

No one noticed Hank pick up a poker by the potbelly stove. He pointed it at Amanda. “No one is going anywhere until she tells me where it is.”

Dan moved toward Amanda.

“If you move another step, I'll hurt her with this.” Hank pushed the poker in front of Amanda's face.

Amanda felt faint. She squeezed her eyes shut. Her chin trembled.

“Put that down right now, Hank McGavity!”

An RCMP officer in full dress uniform appeared at the door and pushed his way in front of Andy, Ed and Dan.

Hank dropped the poker and looked around for an escape.

Constable Turner grabbed Hank and handcuffed him to the potbelly stove.

“It's safe to come in now,” the officer said.

The old door swung open. A frightened Leah ran in. “Amanda?” She looked around and then rushed towards her. “Amanda!” Leah put her arms around her before she fell to the floor. “Are you all right?”

Amanda opened her eyes to see Aunt Mary bending over her and burst into tears. “Oh, Aunt Mary, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I caused all this trouble. The stone is…is over there.” She pointed to Bart with a trembling finger.

“Under the dog?” asked Leah.

“No, under the piano. Right by the leg.”

Constable Turner walked over to the piano and bent down. Reaching around the dog, he retrieved the stone and held it between his thumb and finger.

“Is this what everyone is looking for?”

Many hugs greeted Amanda when she returned to the reunion. Her parents were so relieved they kept hugging and kissing her.

“How did you know where to find me and why did Constable Turner show up when he did?” Amanda had lots of questions.

“Well, when Gordon found his truck gone, he had a fit. Not long after, we realized you were missing as well,” Leah explained. “I remembered you were upset about losing that stone, so I mentioned to Aunt Mary that maybe you had gone back to the old house at Red Rock Coulee. At first we thought maybe you took Gordon's truck. But then I decided, not even you would be that daft to take a truck when you can't even drive.”

Amanda's dad jumped in the conversation. “I called the RCMP immediately and within minutes Constable Turner showed up. He had been part of a Musical Ride demonstration in Bow Island and heard the call on his radio as he was heading home. Leah and Aunt Mary insisted on going along to show him where to find the place. Mom and I stayed here in case you showed up. We've never been so worried.”

With his arm around Amanda's shoulder, Mr. Ross turned to the constable. “We can't thank you enough for returning our daughter safely.” He shook the police officer's hand warmly. “Now what is this about a rare artifact?”

Amanda and Leah explained everything.

“I'm so sorry I kept it. I just wanted to show it to Aunt Mary. I didn't think it was valuable at first. What will happen to it now?”

“The museum will decide what to do with it. It's in good hands,” said Aunt Mary as she patted Amanda on the head. “All that matters is that you are safe, my dear.”

* * *

Back in Calgary, a few days later, Amanda helped Leah pack. “I wish you could stay longer. It was so much fun having you here. It was like having a sister to do stuff with.”

“Look, Amanda, you may not have a sister, but you have a huge family that loves you tons. You should have seen how worried everyone was when they thought you had been abducted.”

“They thought I had been abducted?”

“Well, yes. When the truck and you disappeared, they thought someone had taken you. Then when Uncle Jimmy asked if anyone had seen Hank McGavity, I couldn't believe it. I asked him why he wanted Hank. Uncle Jimmy told us he wanted to pay him. He'd heard Hank was in need of some cash, so he hired him to be the rodeo clown. That's when I put two and two together. I suggested we go to the old house at Red Rock Coulee. Just then Constable Turner showed up, in his dress uniform. OMG did he look fabulous!”

“Can we focus on my rescue instead of how good the officer looked?”

“Oh, yes. Aunt Mary and I jumped in his police cruiser and explained things as he sped out to the site. He sure caught Hank off guard, didn't he?”

Amanda shivered as she recalled how frightened she was with the poker inches from her face.

“You're right. I am lucky to have a family that cares about me. I know my parents work a lot but they do love me.” With tears in her eyes, she smiled at Leah. “I'm also lucky to have such a good friend like you. You saved my life. Thanks.” She gave Leah a great big hug.

“I wasn't such a good friend though, was I?” Leah shook her head. “I should have convinced you to turn in the stone right away. And I shouldn't have let you out of my sight at the reunion.”

“I should have listened to you in the first place. And I guess it was kind of stupid of me to jump on the back of the truck.”

Leah thought for a minute and then laughed, “That must have been funny to see.”

They were both laughing when Mrs. Ross entered the room.

“Guess what? I just got off the phone with Aunt Mary. You are both invited to a meeting downtown with the Royal Tyrrell Museum Board of Directors tomorrow morning. We'll have to take you straight to the airport from there, so you best get all packed, Leah.”

* * *

The next morning Amanda, her parents, Leah, Aunt Mary, Andy Rowlands, Constable Turner, Dan, Ed and Sharon Crow Feather sat at a boardroom table with some people from the Royal Tyrrell Museum. It all seemed very stuffy and official to Amanda. She worried they might reprimand her for keeping the stone.

The man they saw talking to Andy at the museum got up and cleared his throat. “We are pleased that we now have enough pieces of the petroglyph to re-create the mural of a buffalo hunt, as it was thousands of years ago.

We have many people to thank for this. First of all we'd like to thank Andy Rowlands from the Bar U Ranch for his generous donation of stones from his family collection. We would also like to acknowledge, with gratitude, the donation of stones from the Crow Feather family and members of the Siksika Nation. We understand the importance of these stones to you and the First Nations people. The mural will be dedicated to your ancestors.”

The man took a sip of water and turned to Amanda and her family. Amanda held her breath.

“We would also like to thank Mary Johnson for her tireless support of the museum. A big thank you also goes to her great-niece, Amanda Ross, who helped return a stone we had been looking for.” He pulled the stone from a plastic bag and held it up. “This stone has the mark of a buffalo hoof drawn on a rock face many years ago. It fits in with the others to complete the mural.”

Everyone clapped and Amanda beamed. Aunt Mary squeezed her arm.

“As much as we appreciate these stones, the museum is unable to pay for them. But, we can make a donation.” He turned to Sharon.

“We are prepared to give you a cheque to cover your trip to New York City and all medical expenses. We wish you a speedy recovery.”

Dan gave his little sister a hug. Amanda thought she saw a tear in his eye.

Everyone met outside after the meeting and shook hands. Amanda and Leah took turns hugging Sharon.

“We hope you get better soon,” said Amanda.

“Oh, I know I will. The doctors in New York will fix me up. Let's keep in touch by email.”

“We will,” said Amanda and Leah together.

“You were very brave, Amanda. I'm glad you didn't hand the stone over to Hank.” Dan patted her on the shoulder. “Everything worked out fine in the end.”

Smiling, Constable Turner approached the girls. “I understand you're going back home today, Leah.”

Leah just nodded her head and swallowed as her face turned a deep pink.

“I brought you a souvenir to take back with you.” He handed her a postcard with a picture of an RCMP officer in dress uniform. “Safe travels.”

After he left, the girls looked at the postcard. The RCMP officer on the front was Constable Rob Turner himself. They turned the card over and saw he had signed it to Leah.

“I will treasure this forever.” Leah carefully put the postcard in her backpack.

On the way to the airport Leah said, “Thanks for a brilliant holiday, Amanda.” She frowned. “But when will we see each other again?”

“I'm sure something will come up.” Amanda grinned. “It always does.”