Mystery at Saddle Creek (23 page)

Cody slunk back into the tent and pulled at Bird's shirt.

Wake up, Bird girl. Wake up.

Bird opened an eye and looked at the coyote, whose nose was touching hers.
What?

Wake up. It's time to go back to your den. They worry.

Bird sat up straight, knocking Lucky by accident. The dog jumped up in alarm.
I'm ready! I'm ready!

The storm was over and it was getting dark. Bird was so tired that she had trouble thinking. What had Cody said? They worry? Suddenly it hit her. Hannah and Julia didn't know where she was.

Cody, how long have I been sleeping?

No matter. Go now.

Sunny! Let's go!

I've been ready for ages.

Bird scrambled up on the chestnut gelding's back.
Can you find your way home in this light?

Can birds fly?

Bird patted his neck affectionately and wound her fingers through his mane to help stay on. Lucky followed at Sunny's heels and Cody wove in and out behind them and in front, through the trees and around the rocks, all the way up the Escarpment.

Once they were up the slippery, rain-soaked trails and past the rocky outcrop, Bird urged Sunny into a canter. He was eager to get home, too, and they sailed along freely. Sunny sure-footedly galloped along the well-known paths as darkness fell, eating up the distance easily.

As they arrived in the back field, Bird saw what looked like stars sparkling in front of the house. She blinked hard and looked again. What the heck was that?

Julia was the first to see them coming. “Bird?” she hollered.

Hannah turned to look, aiming her flashlight into the darkness. “Julia, what do you see? Where are you looking?”

“There, Aunt Hannah. There! Way past the barn. I swear it's Sunny with Bird on his back.” She started running. “Bird! Bird!”

“I can't see anything,” said Cliff, “but I hear hooves.”

“Something's coming,” Paul said as he strained to see. “There, behind the barn. Do you see it, or am I imagining things?”

Slowly the shapes of a horse and rider followed by a dog began to solidify in the mist.

“She's coming home!” yelled Hannah. “Bird's coming home!”

Julia ran toward Bird as fast as she could, gasping for air.

Lucky could no longer contain himself. He barked and wiggled with excitement, then he shot toward home. He raced past Sunny and bumped into Julia, who patted him as he passed. He dashed to Hannah, then to Paul. Lucky whined and sang, wagging his whole body.

Slowing Sunny to a trot, Bird saw the outline of a small figure barrelling toward her.

“Bird!” called out Julia as loud as she could. “Bird!”

“Julia!” Bird yelled.

Sunny's ears spun back.
Bird! You spoke!

In a rush of energy and excitement, Bird realized that he was right — a word had passed her lips. “Julia!” she cried again,louder this time. “It's me! I'm home!”

Julia and Sunny almost collided in the dark. Bird slipped off her horse's back and hugged her little sister tightly.

Breathless and sobbing, Julia pulled back. “Bird, you talked! You said my name.”

Bird laughed and cried at the same time.“I did,didn't I?”she said. “I can talk again, Julia! I can talk!”

Hannah stumbled on some tufts of grass but found her feet in time to catch herself. As soon as she reached her niece, she hugged her so tightly that Bird began to hurt.

“Aunt Hannah! Let go,” she laughed. “I'm in greater danger now than I was all day!”

The others were right behind, exuberant with joy and relief. Bird was fawned over and Sunny was praised and patted. Slowly, the elated procession made its way to the farmhouse.

“Where were you?” asked Paul. “What happened today?”

“I'll tell you the whole story.”

“Did Tanbark kidnap you?” he persisted. “I can't believe I didn't call the police right away.”

“Well, he tied me up, but only to keep me with him until he could tell me his story.” Even to Bird's ears, it sounded weak.

“I thought you might be dead,” Cliff blurted.

“I'm sorry, Cliff. I was knocked out when I fell off Sunny, then tied up and I couldn't get away. Then the storm hit and I fell asleep. Cody woke me up and we raced home as fast as we could.”

“Cody woke you up?” Julia asked. “So he was watching over you the whole time?” She turned to Hannah. “Like I said, right?”

“Yes, the whole time.” Bird scanned the shrubs that lined the path to the house, but she could not see the coyote anywhere. A great gratitude swelled up in her chest.
Thank you, Cody.

It was my duty. His reply came from the bushes.

Sunny tossed his head.
I helped, too, after I escaped the barn.

“And Sunny helped, too. He came to rescue me and bring me home.”

Lucky pawed Bird's leg.
Me, too! Me, too!

“And Lucky brought me a loaf of bread so I didn't starve to death. Good boy!” Bird rubbed his ears and Lucky wiggled happily.

“So that's what was going on!” Hannah said with a laugh.

“We couldn't figure it out,” added Paul. “We didn't know what had gotten into him! But how did he know where you were?”

“Cody brought him down,” answered Bird. “Then we all slept until the storm passed.”

“A nap in the storm?” Julia shook her head, puzzled.

“Tanbark had made a tent out of stolen, or borrowed, horse blankets. It was actually quite protected and dry.”

“That's another mystery solved,” said Cliff. “The green one that old Paul wore and the red waterproof?”

Bird nodded. “And Charlie's wool cooler.”

“Bird, darling! Darling Bird!” Laura came running out. “There's chicken pot pie and I've made some hot cocoa and cookies for you.”

“That sounds too good to believe,” Bird said. “I'm so hungry I could eat a ...”

Don't say it.

Bird laughed at Sunny's warning. “I'm so hungry I could eat out the entire refrigerator!”

Just then, the canine unit truck pulled up at the house. Mack Jones got out of the passenger door and walked up to the group. “Do I see who I think I see?” he asked, smiling broadly.

“You do, indeed,” answered Paul. “Bird just got home, and she can talk again! You can call off the search. For her, at least.”

“Welcome home, young lady.” Mack examined Bird carefully. “Are you all right?”

“I'm fine. Tanbark saw what happened to Sandra Hall. That's what he's been wanting to do all along — to tell someone.”

Mack nodded eagerly. “We'll want a complete statement of course. Where is Tanbark now?”

“I don't know. He ran away when the dogs got close. I have no idea how long ago that was, or where he went.”

“Did he hold you against your will?”

“Yes, but he only wanted to make sure I'd stay and listen to his story.”

“Did you feel in danger at any time?”

Bird paused and thought carefully. This was a more difficult question to answer. “He's weird, and has some crazy ideas, but I never really thought he'd hurt me.”

“Where did you last see Tanbark and when?”

“In his tent at the bottom of the trail and off to the south, but I can't tell when because I fell asleep after he ran away.”

Mack checked his watch. “It's ten o'clock. We called off the search at seven. He could be anywhere by now.” Mack turned to signal the driver of the van. “Start the search for Tanbark Wedger!”

When Mack turned back,Paul spoke. “Kenneth Bradley has sent down a search team, too. Perhaps you can co-ordinate with him.”

“No!” Bird shouted. “Don't let him!”

Mack peered at her with a raised eyebrow. “Explain, Bird.”

“My grandfather should not find Tan. It's very, very important.”

“Why is that?”

But Bird wasn't listening. She grabbed Sunny's mane and leapt up onto his back with one fluid motion. She dug in her heels and urged him to retrace their steps.

Sunny, we're going back down.

Sunny balked.
You're whacked!

Maybe so, but we have to find Tan. Now.

How are we going to do that?

Cody!

Yes.

Can you find the wild man?

Yes.

We'll follow.

All at once, a doubt began to grow in Bird's mind. Even if she found Tan, how would she convince him to come back and tell everybody what had happened? He might be too nervous. But his version of the events was crucial. Somehow, someway, she needed the others to hear it. She had an idea. “Julia! Get me your recorder!”

“My digital recorder? My new one? Why?”

“Just get it! I'll explain later!”

Julia ran into the house.

“Bird!” Hannah's voice was hollow with worry. “You're not going back down there. I will not allow it.”

“Sorry, Aunt Hannah,” Bird steeled herself, “but Cody will find Tan the fastest. Grandfather cannot get to him first! He might try to kill him! I'll be fine!”

Hannah spoke to Mack earnestly. “Mack, stop her. This is dangerous work.”

Mack looked at Bird sternly. “Listen to your aunt, Bird. I need to hear what Tanbark said. You must get down and tell me now. My team will find him. This is not a job for an inexperienced child.”

“Trust me!” cried Bird. “There's no time! I'll tell you later! I have to warn him! He knows too much and my grandfather wants to shut him up.”

Paul tried a more gentle approach. “Get down, Bird. Sunny needs some feed and rest. So do you. You've had a very long day.”

“Julia!” Bird yelled. “Hurry!” She turned to Mack, Paul and Hannah. “You don't understand, and it's a long story. Keep my grandfather away from Tan! I'll tell you everything when I get back.” She had just decided to leave without the recorder when Julia reappeared with a small device in her hand. She reached up to Bird and gave it to her.

Bird slid it securely into her pocket, and, without another word, Sunny and Bird shot off at a gallop toward the back of the farm. Cody was waiting at the top of the Escarpment, sniffing the air with intense concentration.

The race was on.

28

 

THE SEARCH FOR TAN

Tan listened to the baying of the hounds. They were far away, but he thought they were getting closer. He prided himself on having ears as sharp as a dog. He would have lots of warning. He wasn't worried in the least.

MACK IMMEDIATELY LEFT with the search team, and Hannah, Julia and Paul resigned themselves to waiting in the farmhouse. Cliff went up to the barn to check on the horses, and Pete and Laura settled in the armchairs by the fire. Phil, Patty and Liz decided to go home to get some rest.

“Call any time day or night, Hannah,” said Patty as they headed out the door. “Especially if there's anything we can do.”

“I will. I promise.” Hannah closed the door then slumped in a chair, rubbing her forehead.

“Don't worry,” said Pete. “Bird knows what she's doing. She has a special relationship with nature. Let her use it.”

Hannah looked at the insightful old man.“You might be right.”

Pete smiled. “Of course I'm right. With Sunny's strength and speed, and Cody's nose and tracking skills, Bird has the best chance out there of finding Tanbark.”

“If he's still out there,” said Paul.

Pete stretched his arms and rubbed his aching shoulder. “I'll bet he's close by. At least until his mission is accomplished.”

“What mission?” asked Julia.

“Whatever it was that brought him here in the first place.”

Bird and Sunny were back down below the Escarpment at the tent, exactly where they'd started. Cody crossed and double-crossed the deer trails and hiking paths. Bird watched as he systematically checked under every leaf that had a trace of Tan's scent.

The tracking dogs were close enough to hear, but there was no way to tell if they were Mack's or her grandfather's.

Cody, can we find him first?

Yes, Bird girl. He went this way. Follow.

Bird and Sunny kept as close as possible to Cody. Nose to the ground, he followed the scent. As they picked through dense underbrush and walked flat-footed across slippery rocks, the baying and crying of the hunting dogs never let up.

Can you hear two teams, Cody?

The dogs have split into groups. I know not which team is which.

Do any of them have the scent?

No. Soon, though.

Bird struggled to calm herself. She knew she couldn't rush the coyote, but they had to find Tan before Kenneth Bradley.

Cody stopped and raised his head.
The wild man is hiding in a hole where coyotes were before.

Where?

Look where I look.

All Bird saw was a group of large rocks and a steep cliff.
I don't see anything.

Get down to the ground, and follow me.

Bird did as she was told.
Stay here, Sunny. I'll be back. Hopefully with Tan.

Don't be long, Bird. It's dark.

Sunny stood by the edge of the drop while Cody led Bird down.

There was no path, and the descent was slippery and rocky. Eventually, a small cave was revealed in the side of the hill.

He's in there.

Cody and Bird heard the dogs at the same time — closer now. They'd found the scent and were coming fast.

Hurry, Bird. I'll distract them.

Be careful, Cody!
Bird was alarmed at the thought of her coyote friend putting himself at the mercy of packs of hunting dogs.

Never fear. I will be safe.
In an instant, the coyote was gone.

Bird was alone in the dark. She took a deep breath and concentrated on her job. She crawled onto her knees and looked into the black mouth of the cave. Bugs buzzed around her.

“Tan? Are you in there? It's Bird.” Her voice echoed lightly against the earthen walls.

There was no reply.

“Tan, I know you're in there. Listen to me. Your father is looking for you with dogs. He's got a search team down here.”

Still no sound. Not a breath or a rustle. The cave smelled dank and uninhabited, and Bird didn't want to imagine what kind of biting things and slithery creatures were there with her. She shivered with nerves, ready to bolt. She filled her lungs with fresh air and put her head inside.

“Tan, come home with me. It's very important. Tell your story to the police. Tan? Are you in there?”

Deep in the cave, Bird heard the sound of movement. It was a scratching sound, like claws on earth. Could coyotes still be in there? Was this the right cave?

“Tan? Look, if you don't want to come back with me, at least get your story recorded so the truth can come out. I have a digital recorder. Then I'll go away. I'll leave you alone to be caught by your father. Your choice.”

No reply. Just those scratching sounds. Try as she might, Bird could not get a read on whatever was within. The little hairs on the back of her neck were standing straight. One more try and then it would be time to leave. “Say something, Tan! I'm scared.”

“Nothing to fear, Bird.”

Bird went limp with relief. “Why didn't you answer me?”

“I didn't want to be found, stupid.”

In the distance, Bird heard the dogs change directions. Their cries grew fainter until she could barely hear them. Good old Cody.

“You brought a recorder?” asked Tan. “Can I sing you my newest song? It's cool.”

Bird hesitated. There was no time to waste. “Come home with me now, and you can sing it on the way.”

“No way, on the way. I'm not going with you. I'll stay here where I'm safe. Are you crazy? I'll sing it now, and you will record it.”

Time was running out, but if singing would get Tan to tell his story, she didn't see why not. “Sure, but then you have to tell what you told me. About your father and Sandra Hall and what happened that day.”

“You said you'd leave me alone after that. That's my deal, or no deal at all.”

“Deal. Come out of the cave and talk to me.”

“No. You come in.”

“It's creepy in there. And smelly.”

“Do you want my story or not?”

“I'm doing this for you, Tan! I have nothing to gain for myself.”

“So why are you here?”

“I guess for nothing!” Bird's voice was rising in frustration. She forced herself to calm down; she didn't want Tan to clam up, not when she was this close. “Look, Tan, you're the one who's running. You're the one who's going to be blamed. You're the one who needs the story told.”

Tan considered this for a moment. “I'll meet you halfway.”

“Halfway?”

“Halfway or no way. You can't pretend that you don't care if you came all this way to find me.”

Bird forced her irritation aside and leaned out to take another huge gulp of the clean night air. Then she crawled in. Tan's outline appeared in the gloom of the cave. She sat facing him, bent into a pretzel to avoid touching the sides of the cave.

Tan waited until she was settled. “How did you find me?”

“It wasn't me, it was Cody.”

“The coyote?”

“Yes.”

“I wonder about him. Did he pull me away from the barn fire?”

“Yes. He saved my life, too.”

Tan pondered the idea. “I thought he hated me. I guess I owe him.”

“We both do. He's distracting the hunting dogs now, and keeping them away.” Bird listened hard for sounds of their return. Nothing. So far, so good. “Can we do this now?” she asked. “Record your story? If you're not coming back?”

“Start the machine.” He cleared his throat. “I'll sing first.”

Bird pressed the start button and the machine whirred into action.

“It's all a hoax,” sang Tan in a soft, tuneless monotone. “It's all a joke. We live and toil, and then we croak.”

“Cool,” Bird mumbled.

“Did you like it, really?”

Bird chose her words carefully. “It's, well, not exactly uplifting, but it's ... real.”

Tan nodded enthusiastically. “You get it. That's wild, man.”

“Wild ... man,” Bird repeated with a chuckle.

“What's so funny?”

“That's what we called you, before we knew your name.”

“What?”

“The wild man.”

“Anyway, there's a lot more, but you'll have to buy the CD. No free lunches!”

Bird nodded. “I don't expect any. Now, can we do this other thing? What you saw the day Sandra Hall died?”

“Sure.” Tan got himself comfortable, and Bird waited as patiently as possible. She did not want to spook him before his story was safely recorded. She listened again for the tracking dogs and heard them, faintly, on the other side of the deep ravine.

Tan began his story. “I was minding my business, hunting for rabbits on the edge of a field. A car came ...” He repeated, almost exactly, what he had told Bird earlier in the day. Minutes later, the entire story was recorded.

Bird said, “That's great,” and pressed the stop button. She tucked the recorder safely into her pocket and prepared to leave. “People won't believe it when they hear this.”

“Then why did we record it?”

Bird smiled. “I just meant that people will be amazed by the truth, not that they literally won't believe it.”

“Then why didn't you say that in the first place?”

“Gosh, Tan, I'll be more clear in the future. Anyway, see you. I hope I'll bump into you someday.” She crawled toward the exit.

“Where are you going?” Tan asked.

“Home. We're finished. I'll leave you alone, like I promised.”

“But what about me?” Tan's face twisted. “You're going home, but where am I going? Did you think of that?” He started to twitch with agitation. “You came to me. How can you leave me and ruin my life?”

Bird had not seen this coming. He didn't seem to know what he wanted. For the second time in the same day, Bird was reminded just how ill Tan was. “You told me you wanted me to leave you alone. That was our deal. Remember?”

“Do you think it's fun living in horrible caves all the time?”

“Well, no. I wouldn't do it.”

“Would you like to hide from people all the time?”

“No.”

“And how would you like to eat garbage and catch animals for food?”

“I wouldn't.”

“I don't want to be wet and dirty all the time. I want dry clothes.”

“Then it's simple.” Bird didn't know how Tan would react, but it was worth a try. “Come home with me.”

Tan smiled broadly. Bird saw the whiteness of his teeth in the gloomy cave. “Okay.We have a new deal. I'll come home with you. And why can you talk all of a sudden? I thought you were crazy.”

Bird laughed. “We're all crazy, Tan. Some of us are just a little crazier than others.”

She felt his eyes squarely on hers. “Do you think I'm crazy?”

Bird nodded and smiled warmly. “Yup.”

Tan thought hard, his face working with the effort. “Do you think I can stop needing to run and run?”

“Yes, I do, Tan. You can do this.”

Bird!
Sunny was impatient.
Are we going to live down here or what? The bugs are killing me.

I'm coming now, Sunny. With Tan.

The wild man?

The same.

Don't expect me to put him on my back again.

No. He'll walk.