Mystery at Saddle Creek by Shelley Peterson

was normal bowel noise. He wasn’t sweating. I have no idea what the tail rotation was all about.”
    Sunny had certainly done a good job of distracting them, Bird thought as she busied herself with her hot dog.
    â€œAnd the head tossing,” added Hannah with concern. “Maybe wasps? I remember when Lady Olivia had wasp bites in her mouth. I thought it might be rabies.”
    â€œHmm. There were no signs of bites. No swelling, no bumps, no stinger marks. But he certainly was in distress.”
    Bird looked hard at her plate. She fought to control her urge to laugh. She’d bring him an extra apple.
    â€œLet’s just watch him for a while,” said Paul. “I’ll check him tonight before bed.”
    â€œIf there’s anything at all wrong, he won’t be able to show on Friday, Bird,” Hannah declared. “And I know how much you were looking forward to it.”
    Now Bird had to turn away. This was too much. Her face darkened with suppressed laughter, and Julia noticed. Her eyes widened. “Don’t cry, Bird! He’ll be all right! He was well enough to carry the wild man up the Escarpment!”
    Julia’s concern brought Bird back from the brink. She patted her sister’s arm and smiled, possibly too brightly.
    â€œTrue, Julia. He’s probably just fine. As I said, I’ll check on him tonight.” Paul turned very serious. “There’s growing concern, though, about the man that Bird and Sunny rescued today. I’m hearing a lot of chat and speculation.”
    â€œFrom whom, Paul?” asked Hannah.
    â€œHe was the main topic at every farm I went to this morning.” Paul put down his fork and wiped his mouth on his napkin. “You can’t really blame them. Nobody knows him. He showed up when Sandra Hall was killed, and he lives in a cave or the woods or something. People are worried that he’s the killer.”
    Bird knew that Paul was right. Why wouldn’t people worry? Everybody is afraid of things they don’t understand, and Bird had wondered the same thing herself.
    The phone rang, and Hannah stood to answer it.
    â€œHello?... Oh, hi!” She looked at Julia and mouthed, “Liz’s mother.” Hannah listened, concern creasing her brow. “Oh, Patty! Is he all right?... For sure ... Look, why don’t you all stay here tonight ... I understand ... Okay, sure, whatever works for you. Let me know how we can help.”
    Hannah slowly hung up the phone and turned to face her family. “Phil went to the police station this afternoon to give them his threatening note. He was bumped by a car just as he came out. The car didn’t stop. It was a close call, but he wasn’t hurt. He went back in and told the police. Now they’re looking for a beige, four-door, late-model sedan, North American make. Phil had his car keys in his hand and he’s pretty sure he scratched the fender.”
    Paul nodded. “That’ll help identify the car.”
    â€œCan Liz stay here tonight?” Concern for her friend was written on Julia’s face.
    â€œMrs. Brown thinks they’ll go to her mother’s in Barrie, just for a few days.”
    Hannah sat quietly with her elbows on the table, chin resting in the palm of her hands. Bird had never really noticed Hannah’s age before, but now her face seemed to sag with worry. Bird moved over and patted her aunt’s shoulder. Hannah reached out and squeezed Bird’s hand with her own.
    The phone rang again, and this time Paul picked up. Bird could tell it was Patty calling back. “Sorry to hear about ... Right ... Do the police know?... Good ... Thanks for telling us ... You take care of yourself.”
    It was Paul’s turn to relay the conversation. “Patty found a note in her mailbox. It said that next time Phil wouldn’t be so lucky.”
    This is getting worse and worse, thought Bird. The hit and run hadn’t been an