Camping Caper Page 14

  Oliver reached for the bag. “That can't be my backpack. I didn't kill Peggy, but I know there're plenty of people who wanted her to sell the campground to them.”

  “Names! We need names!” Eleanor shouted.

  “You want a name, I'll give you a name … Mrs. Tuttle,” Oliver exclaimed. “I'm quite certain she planted that backpack.”

  “Wesley, I told you he’d say that. Why, even the first day Agnes over there overheard him threatening me. Tell them Agnes,” Tuttle said.

  “I believe I already have, unfortunately I wasn't privy to all parts of that conversation.”

  “Let me guess; you'll take Mrs. Tuttle Word for it,” Oliver hissed.

  “I suppose we'll have to at the moment because evidence was found in your backpack,” Wesley said. “We’ll also be checking for your DNA to assure ourselves this is your backpack.”

  “Knock yourself out. I never laid a hand on Peggy.”

  “Come along now, Oliver,” Wesley said. “I'll be taking you back to the station for further questioning.”

  My brow shot up. “Can I come along?” I asked.

  “No,” Wesley said. “That's not how we do things around here.”

  “I agree with the sheriff about one thing,” Mrs. Tuttle said. “You can't possibly go back to the station. There is a relay today and your troop is counting on you.”

  “Of course you're right. Be sure to have all the juicy details when you get back, Mrs. Tuttle.”

  Eleanor and I watched the sheriff leave with Mrs. Tuttle and Oliver.

  “I just don't get it?” Eleanor said. “Is this it? We don't even know who tried to kill Peggy in Tawas.”

  “I agree but I can't ignore the fact that evidence was found in Oliver's backpack.”

  “I know but—”

  “If we hurry we might be able to get Yasmine to identify Oliver as the man with the ATV who picked up Peggy.”

  I didn't wait around for Stuart, Moraine or even Eleanor. I raced to the front door of the lodge. Fortunately our troop was waiting there.

  “Yasmine,” I cried as I pointed out Oliver. “Is that man you saw who picked Peggy up on the ATV?”

  Yasmine frowned. I wasn't sure if it was because maybe she was nervous being so close to the man who might've killed Peggy or if she didn't want him to recognize her as a witness. Even children watch crime TV these days.

  “I-I can’t say for sure,” Yasmine stuttered.

  “Tell Ms. Agnes the truth or I'm gonna,” Hailey threatened.

  “Tell us what?” Eleanor asked.

  Yasmine put her head down and didn't answer. “I-I,” she began. “I didn’t exactly see anyone with Miss Peggy that night.”

  “She was on an ATV,” Hailey said, “but she was alone.”

  “Where on earth would she get an ATV?” Stuart asked.

  “Mrs. Tuttle loans them out. Apparently someone borrowed one without permission, or so Tuttle said,” I told Stuart.

  “She has building full of them,” Eleanor said.

  I frowned for a moment and merely shook my head at Yasmine. “I suppose you're angry at me,” Yasmine choked out between tears.

  I lifted her chin to look up at me. “I'm not angry with you, Yasmine, but why would you lie about that?”

  Yasmine merely shrugged as more tears fell. Perhaps she lied for attention, but how could I be certain, especially when she wasn’t inclined to tell me? I didn’t want the child to feel worse than she already did, so I said, “I just wished you would've told me the truth earlier, but I suppose it doesn't matter now.”

  “Not with the suspect being arrested,” Eleanor added.

  “At least we were able to solve this case.”

  “Will I have to go to jail now too for lying?” Yasmine asked.

  “Of course not,” I said. “The truth of the matter is that you can't be arrested for lying. The police have other ways of compiling evidence against a suspect.”

  “I hope you learned a valuable lesson here,” Eleanor said.

  “Just remember to never mislead anyone when it comes to a crime,” I remarked. “I’m glad you finally told the truth, even if you needed help.” I nodded.

  Martha strolled over and sighed. “I certainly hope you're satisfied, Mother. I can't imagine I'll be able to get the girls thoughts off of Peggy's death. They should be concentrating on the relay today.”

  “Why in the world are you chastising your mother?” Moraine asked. “You should be happy the case has been solved. I'm quite sure there'll be no concentration problems with the girls today. From what they said so far, they're very excited.”

  “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it sound is if I didn't appreciate the efforts of my mother and Eleanor. And I did want closure with Peggy's death, but I just hate that the scouts had to go through all of this.”

  “I know, but the relay will be a way for them to take their minds off everything that happened here at camp,” Moraine added.

  I watched as the police cars left, and then directed the scouts back toward the lodge, where backpacks dotted the ground. “Time to head back to our campsite now,” I said. “We still have to plot our strategy for the relay.”

  Eleanor and I jumped out of the way as our scouts stampeded to retrieve their belongings and marched up trail.

  “Now remember, Fern, you're the first leg of the race,” I said.

  Fern pouted. “You don't have to remind me.”

  “Think positive, Fern,” Nadia said. “If we're to win this relay we all need to do our best.”

  Fern hemmed and hawed for a few moments before she smiled and nodded. “You're right. I'll do my best. I'll do better than my best. I'll win this race, you’ll see.”

  “Slow down there, Fern.” Eleanor chuckled. “All you have to do is make it to that dock before any of the other runners.”

  “Yup,” Moraine agreed. “You'll then tag Hailey, who will swim two laps.”

  “Don't forget to tag us, Hailey,” Yasmine said. “Kenna and I are doing the canoe leg of the race.”

  “I hope we win this year,” Nadia said, “but that won't happen unless Yasmine and Kenna make it back to the dock before the other troops. I’ve been practicing running on the sand since we got here.”

  “Sounds good to me,” I said. “Let's head to the start of the relay.”

  The scouts quickly formed a single line and marched between the leaders, whistling as they walked along. Elsie and Marjorie never came back to our campsite, but I knew they were helping out somewhere. Whatever they were doing, they were doing it without the golf cart put out of commission by the bear.

  I tried not to let my mind wander back to Oliver leaving with Sheriff Wesley. There were a few unresolved issues that I just wasn't comfortable with, but I suppose I’ll have time to talk about them with Eleanor after the start of the race.

  Martha signed in our troop and we continued milling about until the other troops arrived. I was worried at first about how our scouts would deal with the ridicule of the other troops, but I should've given them more credit. They didn't spend time frowning or even glancing at the other girls, who were laughing and pointing at them. No, this group of scouts had pulled themselves together and vowed to work as a team. I was so proud of them, and knew that even if they didn't win the relay they would go far in life as friends.

  Chapter 17

  I bit my fist when the starting gun went off. I had no idea they’d use a real gun. Is that how Peggy was forced to drive the ATV to her death? Oh no, here I go again thinking about something I should be discussing with Eleanor. No time for that now as I watched Fern sprint across the sand. Why, her feet look like they barely touch the ground.

  Eleanor and I hurried along the path of the race and watched excitedly as Fern tagged Hailey, who then jumped in the water and was halfway through her first lap before any of her competitors hit the water.

  Martha cupped her hands to the sides of her mouth, cheering for her troop. Hailey moved in the water like a seal, a f
ast seal, because when she came out of the water I barely saw her tag Yasmine. Off the canoes went, with our troop barely a canoe length in the lead.

  “I can't believe this,” Eleanor explained. “That Hailey can really swim.”

  “Apparently she was right. She can swim.”

  “I just can't believe it, but the race isn’t over yet,” Martha said.

  Eleanor put a hand over her brow. “I can't quite see if our troop has rounded the buoy yet.”

  “Me either, but I wish I was in the canoe with them to urge them on.” I grinned.

  “From the looks of it, the girls don't need our help. They're doing fine on their own,” Martha said.

  “Oops,” Moraine said, “no it looks like it might be a race to finish. Nadia, get ready to tag Yasmine. They’re coming!”

  Nadia held out her hand just as the canoes made it to the dock. Yasmine jumped nearly out of the canoe to tag Nadia, who was on the run to the finish line with a girl from another troop nearly beside her.

  “Run, Nadia, run!” We shouted over and over as we ran along the beach. I wanted to be there when she crossed the finish line.

  Nadia sailed through the finish line in first place. Our girls rallied around Nadia hugging each other and jumping up and down.

  “I can't believe they won,” a scout from another troop grumbled.

  “There'll be none of that now,” Mrs. Tuttle said. “From what I recollect, your troop won last year.” She smiled. “Come on, ladies. I'll be a presenting the trophies at the main cabin and then we’ll have a nice lunch.”

  Eleanor and I hugged each of the girls. “I'm so proud of all of you,” I said.

  “Agnes is right,” Eleanor blubbered. “I hope this is lesson to you all of you. Never underestimate yourselves.”

  “I still can't believe I got that far ahead of the other girls,” Fern said.

  “I'm not surprised,” Moraine said. “I believe you have the longest legs of any scout here.”

  Fern’s cheeks turned pink as she added, “This is the first time it doesn't hurt my feelings to hear that.”

  “We really should get going,” Martha said. “I never expected for my scouts to win the relay my first year here. We don't want to be late for the trophy ceremony.”

  We were the last troop to leave. I stopped abruptly when I heard a humming coming from the woods. “Do you hear that?” I asked Eleanor.

  “It sounds like a machine of some sort.”

  “Is there something wrong?” Moraine asked.

  “Oh no,” I tried to act nonchalant.

  Moraine frowned. “I think I know you two better than that.”

  “Fine. We want to check out the woods a little to the north. We think we heard something.”

  “Let's get going.”

  I grinned. “The thing is, Eleanor and I would rather go alone.”

  Moraine’s hands slipped to her hips. “Give me one reason I should allow you to go alone?”

  “Allow?” Eleanor scoffed. “I hardly think we need your permission. All Agnes wanted to do was let you know where we would be in case we didn’t return.”

  I nudged Eleanor in the ribs. “Now, Eleanor, don't scare Moraine. I'm sure she's perfectly aware that Martha needs her for the ceremony.”

  “Is there a problem here?” Martha marched into the clearing.

  “No problem at all,” Moraine said. “Your mother and Eleanor are going back to the camp site to retrieve their camera.”

  “Hey, I don't remember you bringing a camera, Mother.”

  “Well the way you were acting about electronics I was afraid you would take that away too.”

  Martha didn't respond, instead she led the girls down the path with Moraine after we assured them that we would be along shortly.

  Once everyone was gone, Eleanor and I hurried up the path that led to the north, where the humming grew louder.

  “What do you think that noise is?” Eleanor asked.

  “I'm really not sure, but it can’t be Oliver. He left with the sheriff.”

  “You know, I've been wondering about the whole Oliver thing, Agnes. I'm just not positive he had anything to do with Peggy's death. It would be easy for the real killer to plant that sling in his backpack.”

  “I know. I've been thinking about that too. He did save Peggy in Tawas,” I said. “But it doesn't explain who tried to run Peggy down that day.”

  “I also can't help thinking that even though Oliver was talking to Mrs. Tuttle that someone else might be involved.”

  Eleanor and I continued along silently, listening to the hum that grew louder. If Mrs. Tuttle hadn’t admitted that she lied about the basketball court I would have thought the court was under construction.

  “Is that a backhoe?” Eleanor asked.

  “It doesn't sound like any backhoe I've ever heard before.”

  “Nope. What do you think our approach should be? Please don't say we have to lurk in the woods.”

  “Are you suggesting we just walk into the clearing and announced our presence?” I asked.

  “Shhh, I hear someone coming.”

  We didn't have much of a choice this time other than to jump into the woods. Well, not so much jump as lumber, but it didn't matter much when someone yelled, “Stop!”

  We froze, and when we turned Quinn stood there wearing jeans and a plaid shirt.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked.

  “You can't be here. We’re working,” she said.

  “Who’s working, Quinn?”

  “Please leave, Agnes. I don't need any trouble.”

  I puffed up my chest. “Take me to the person in charge,” I insisted.

  Quinn didn't move. She stared at us with widened eyes. That was my cue to hurry into the clearing.

  I stared stupidly at the structure that rose above the ground. Why, they weren't constructing a basketball court, they were planning to drill!

  “What's going on here?” Eleanor asked.

  Quinn tried to pull at my arm. “If you hurry he won't see you. He can't know you're here.”

  “Who?”

  Quinn’s eyes bulged and I turned in time to see Joe Smith approach, his finger pointing at us. “What are they doing here?”

  “I think the question is why are you drilling on campground property?” I said. “I hardly think Mrs. Tuttle gave you permission.”

  “Tuttle doesn’t own this property,” Joe smiled evilly. “I will own this entire campground after the auction.”

  “So that's your plan. But isn't it a little premature? Peggy didn't die that long ago.”

  “Who's to say if there's another relative that stands to inherit,” Eleanor added. “I think we should call the sheriff, because there's no way you have the legal right to drill here.”

  I reached into my pocket as though I had a cell phone. “Eleanor’s right. If you want to bid on this property, go ahead, but that doesn't mean you can drill now.”

  Joe stiffened. “Go back to your troop and leave us to our work.”

  “We will not,” I insisted with a shake of my head. “Not until you stop.”

  “We’ll call the sheriff here,” Eleanor threatened.

  “With what, your finger?” Joe glared at us. “I'm perfectly aware of the no-electronics policy.”

  “We'll be on our way now,” I said as I backed away slowly.

  “So you killed Peggy just to have a chance at the land?” Eleanor asked.

  I butted in with, “Which makes no sense at all. You have no guarantee that you’d win the bid for the property.”

  Tears leaked down Quinn's face. “I'm so sorry. I should've told you. I'm Peggy's sister.”

  That floored me. “I see now. Peggy was willed the campground. You could only receive it in the event of her death.”

  “That's true, but I hoped nobody would find out. Joe has big plans for the property. We had a geologist check out the land. It's full of minerals and oil deposits.”

  “Would you shut up, Quinn,�
� Joe shouted. “You're telling them too much. I told you to stick to the story that I planned to bid on the campground.”

  “So which of you tied Peggy’s wrists and drove her into the tree?” I asked. “I can't imagine it was you, Quinn.”

  “It had to have been Joe,” Eleanor said. “He must have used the map in Tuttle’s basement to find the perfect spot for an ATV accident.”

  “You can't prove that. In fact you can ask any of the leaders that came to the dinner that night. I was merely looking for cell phones.”

  Eleanor shook her head. “I suppose you think you're pretty smart, but you also should know that the leaders who came to the dinner with you told us that you were missing when they went back to camp. In fact, you were missing before they came back.”

  Joe narrowed his eyes.

  “Which one of you tried running Peggy down in Tawas?” I asked. “I bet Oliver certainly threw a wrench in that plan.”

  “Oliver didn't know it was me,” Joe finally said. “He can't do anything right, although he does make a very good pigeon.”

  “You shouldn't have involved Oliver like that,” Quinn said.

  “You’re also the one who put Oliver up to threatening Mrs. Tuttle, Joe,” I said.

  “Don’t blame me. I can’t help it if the boy decided to confront Mrs. Tuttle for chump change. But I suppose that's what college students do. I doubt the sheriff will believe you. Oliver had Peggy’s sling in his backpack, after all.”

  “So you were using Irene for a front to explain why you were around so much,” I said. “What I don't understand is how you knew you’d be able to kill Peggy here.”

  “It's really not that difficult, especially when she thought she was meeting Oliver instead of me,” Joe said.

  “Well this is certainly a lot to digest, but I believe it's time for us to go,” Eleanor said.

  We just began moving toward the woods when I heard the sound of a gun being cocked. I closed my eyes tightly when I felt the barrel at my temple.

  “No, Joe!” Quinn screamed as she jerked my arm. The shot sent the birds soaring from the trees. I opened my eyes to find Quinn lying at my feet, bleeding at the leg. I knelt beside her, pressing my hand against her wound. When I looked up, Joe had leveled his handgun at me.