Camping Caper Page 9

  His bushy brows jumped. “That I am, my dear, but who might you be?”

  “I’m Agnes and this is Eleanor and Moraine. We have a few questions for you.”

  “Make it snappy. I don’t want to leave the boys with Oliver very long. The boy is dimwitted.”

  “How can he be if he’s a leader?” Moraine asked stepping forward.

  “Believe me, he spends more time on that blasted phone of his than he does looking after the boys.”

  “I thought that last night there was a big bonfire while you went to dinner across the lake.”

  “Yes that’s true, but I didn’t have a choice. Oliver insisted he stay behind with Stuart and Andrew. It’s seems he really likes them. Who could blame him? That Stuart is an FBI special agent. I must admit even I’m impressed by that.”

  “Would it impress you to know I’m an agent, too?” Moraine asked as she pushed back a stand of her dark hair.

  “Nope, that’s laughable.”

  Moraine’s eyes narrowed. “Of course in your generation women only cooked, cleaned and looked after the children.”

  “And made their husbands happy. Don’t forget that part.”

  Moraine forced a smile. “So you went to dinner across the lake last night?”

  “Why, what did Mrs. Tuttle say? I assure you I had nothing to do with it.”

  “With what?” Eleanor inquired.

  “Well, if you don’t know already, I better zip my lip.”

  “Now you really must tell us,” Eleanor said. “I love gossip.”

  “Us too,” I said, stepping forward with interest.

  “Let’s just say I did a little riffling through Mrs. Tuttle’s cabin while she was at the dinner.”

  “Why would you do that?” I asked.

  “She confiscated the kitchen staff’s cell phones. I thought I’d help them out by finding them.”

  “For the cook Irene and her assistant Quinn?”

  “Yes.” He blushed. “I’m sweet on Irene. I thought that if I found her phone she might change her mind about me. She thinks I’m too old for her. Heck, I’m eighty years young!”

  “How old is Irene?”

  “She’s sixty, so you can see my predicament.”

  “I can,” Eleanor said. “Agnes would understand. She turned seventy-three not long ago.”

  “Don’t remind me.”

  “Did you find anything … I mean the cell phones?” Moraine asked.

  “Nope. She must have a locked cabinet. I shouldn’t have expected the phones would be out in the open.”

  “Did you happen to find anything of interest?” I asked.

  He frowned. “She does have a detailed map of the camp in her basement.”

  “That’s certainly an odd spot,” Eleanor said. “But was that all you found odd?”

  “She’s quite tidy, that one, if that’s what you’re talking about.”

  “This is so disappointing,” I said. “I was hoping you found something more interesting.”

  “Like leather thongs in her drawers.” Eleanor laughed at her own joke.

  “So you left after not finding the phones?” I asked.

  “That’s about the size of it. I was able to exit through the back door before Mrs. Tuttle caught me in her cabin. I didn’t expect her to come back until after the dinner.”

  “Perhaps she was looking for you,” Moraine suggested.

  “I hardly think Mrs. Tuttle knows who I am by name.”

  “No, but I imagine that she’d be keeping an eye on the men at the dinner. She wouldn’t want one wandering the camp when men aren’t even supposed to be over there.”

  “Except the first night,” Joe reminded us.

  “How many other men were at the dinner?”

  “Hmm, I believe Dustin Ferrell, Avery Field and Craig Silva were also there.”

  “So only four men from this side of the lake?” I asked.

  “Yes. I’m shocked that Mrs. Tuttle still requires we be there for the dinner. Most of the leaders have no interest in going.”

  “I can see Mrs. Tuttle missing you if only four men were there,” I said.

  “Not if she was berating one of the leaders.”

  “Which leader?”

  “I can’t tell you exactly, but she had curly brown hair. I imagine Tuttle might be a little upset, the woman whirled up on an ATV.”

  “As a passenger?” Eleanor asked.

  “Nope. I clearly saw her driving the ATV. I was surprised because her arm was in a sling.” He frowned. “I just don’t understand why Mrs. Tuttle grabbed the woman’s arm. Obviously it was another example of how much control she exerts over her leaders.”

  “Was the leader with anyone else?” I asked.

  “Nope.”

  That got my attention. “How did you see this?”

  “I was standing outside with Quinn. She had a lot to say about Mrs. Tuttle’s tyranny, but it might be better to speak to her about that. My memory isn’t the best when all I can think about is sweet Irene,” he said wistfully.

  “Thanks for your help,” Moraine said. “Where can we find the leaders?”

  “I wouldn’t suggest you ladies wander around this camp at night. Why don’t you come back tomorrow? The scouts will be learning how to use a bow and arrow. All you have to do is follow the same trail that led you here. There are signs that will point you in the right direction.”

  “Great talking to you,” I said. “I suppose that means we’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  Chapter 11

  I splashed cold water on my face as Martha sighed noisily behind me.

  “What?” I asked.

  “What indeed. You, Moraine and Eleanor disappeared last night, leaving me to deal with Mrs. Tuttle’s questions. She had a personal interest in your whereabouts.”

  “What did you tell her?”

  “That you were checking out the scene of the accident again.”

  “After dark?”

  “That’s what Mrs. Tuttle said. I expect she went there to verify what I said. If only I could have called you.”

  “If only you gave us back our cell phones.”

  “If only the batteries weren’t dead,” Martha countered with a grin. “As you can see, there aren’t any power outlets in our camp.”

  “I imagine there is at the main cabin,” I suggested.

  “Or Mrs. Tuttle’s cabin,” Eleanor added as she approached.

  “I’m quite certain Mrs. Tuttle would be happy to allow you to charge your phones at her cabin.” Martha laughed. “So what are your plans today? The relay is cancelled until tomorrow.”

  “That’s a relief because we have more investigating to do today,” I said. “I’m sure you can handle the troop today.”

  “Oh no you don’t! I can’t handle the girls by myself.”

  “You’ve done well so far,” I said. “Look how far you’ve come.”

  “Oh yes, I’m here all by myself handling the troop without either of you helping.”

  “Good morning, Agnes and Eleanor,” the scouts greeted us.

  “I hope you’re coming canoeing with us today,” Kenna said.

  “We’re more kayak girls,” Eleanor informed them.

  “It’s a good thing that there are kayaks to use then,” Martha said. “I can’t wait to see this,” she whispered to the girls.

  Moraine handed granola bars to the scouts. “Here’s your breakfast. If we don’t hurry all the canoes will be gone. We have to get these girls practice time. I’d hate to have them lose tomorrow.”

  “I suppose, but granola bars are hardly acceptable for breakfast. These scouts need more fuel than that.”

  “That’s okay, Agnes,” Yasmine said. “We filled up with chocolate bars this morning.”

  I frowned when Yasmine wiped said chocolate from the corner of her mouth. “Fine, but I insist you all have a decent lunch.”

  Martha reminded the group that they should use the bathroom before we left, which took another half
hour.

  There was a group of other campers heading for the canoes when we got to the lake, but Moraine and Martha quickly pushed two canoes into the water. Moraine hopped in the middle of one with Kenna and Yasmine. Fern and Nadia climbed into the other with Martha, waiting until the girls in both canoes put on life vests.

  “What about me?” Hailey asked as she gripped her purse.

  “For one, you could have left your purse behind. I suppose you could go kayaking with me and Eleanor,” I volunteered.

  Hailey wrinkled up her face. “I’d rather not.” Her face then lit up. “I know, I can watch you from the dock.”

  “We can’t leave you behind,” I insisted.

  “She can come with us,” Elsie said as she whirred up in a golf cart with a smiling Marjorie sitting beside her. “We have plenty of room; this one’s a four-seater.”

  “Where have you two been?” I asked.

  “Looking for that golf course. I’m certain it’s in this camp somewhere.” Marjorie said.

  “We’ve had developments since we saw you last,” I said.

  “We heard all about poor Peggy. Are you investigating the accident?” Elsie asked.

  “Yes, we want to be certain that’s what it was — an unfortunate accident.”

  Hailey happily sat in the back of the cart and away they went.

  Eleanor and I moved the kayaks to the edge of the water and I stared at mine. How on earth would I ever get into one of these, or better yet how would Eleanor?

  I painfully eased myself into the kayak. Eleanor sat on the sandy beach and rolled her way into the seat of hers. It took us a few moments to adjust our legs before we pushed off.

  The scouts on the beach yelled, “No fair!”

  I waved. “Don’t worry; we’ll be back soon.” It was then I saw a group of leaders carrying canoes to the water’s edge.

  “Mush … mush,” I said to Eleanor. “They’re catching up to us.”

  Eleanor and I sliced the paddles through the water and I smiled at the spray. “Look, Martha and Moraine’s canoes are moving along,” I pointed out.

  “Yes, but the other scouts are catching up. I thought the relay wasn’t until tomorrow,” Eleanor said as she struggled to keep her kayak alongside mine.

  “Somebody should have told those scouts back there.”

  I was so busy paddling that I didn’t focus on the scouts who were gaining on me, or where Martha was heading with the girls. Or where the girls were paddling — until they rounded a buoy and paddled back the way they came.

  “Look, Agnes. That must be the route of this leg of the relay.”

  “I see that.” Actually I wished I could see more. It was nearly impossible to see anything from where we were.

  Eleanor and I rounded the buoy and waved at the scouts who were paddling at breakneck speed. The scouts sliced past us easily once they rounded the buoy. Eleanor and I then took a break, enjoying the rocking of our kayaks. I squinted at the sun until I realized there was a glimmer of light on the east side of the shore. I gripped my paddle and motioned to Eleanor.

  Eleanor turned her kayak to follow me to the east shore. “Did you see something over there?” Eleanor asked.

  “Just a glimmer of light, but I thought it might be worth checking out.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  I stared at the beach with narrowed eyes as we crossed the lake. I now realized our dilemma … how would we ever get out of these kayaks?

  “I’m not sure where we should go ashore,” I said.

  “Watch me,” Eleanor said with confidence. She paddled near the dock and took hold of a hanging rope, but she was unable to free herself from her kayak. “I’m stuck!” Eleanor exclaimed. “I’m going to die in this blasted thing.”

  “No you won’t. Someone will come help us perhaps.”

  Eleanor made a face. “Do you see anyone around here? I bet we’re too far from the camp.”

  “I don’t believe that. Why would they have a dock here if nobody used it?”

  Laughter came from the edge of the woods as my son Stuart walked out carrying an armful of wood. He set the wood down and shook his head at us. “What on earth are you two doing here?”

  “Can’t you see we’re doing a little kayaking,” I said.

  “I see that, Mother,” Stuart said. “But I think you came to the wrong side of the lake.”

  “Not if we meant to come over here,” Eleanor hinted.

  “Can you help us, Stuart, or do you plan to stand there all day?”

  Stuart took off his boots and pulled our kayaks partially up the beach. He tried to help Eleanor out of hers, but she wailed as she didn’t budge one little bit.

  “See, Agnes, I’ll be stuck in here forever,” Eleanor exclaimed.

  “Well, how did you get in the kayak in the first place?” he inquired.

  “Oh, that’s right.”

  Eleanor rocked the kayak until it dumped her straight into the water. She came up sputtering, but was free to stand. She then came over to me and helped Stuart pull me free.

  I rubbed my hip. “There is no way I’ll ever get into another one of those.”

  “How do you expect to get back then?” Stuart asked. “Walk?”

  Eleanor gasped. “You expect us to walk all the way on the other side of the lake?”

  “There is a trail you could follow,” Stuart joked. “Seriously, though, I could load the kayaks and take you back to the girls’ side. Unless you’re here for more than a social visit?” He frowned. “Moraine already gave me the details.”

  “I saw something shining over here and hoped it was something to investigate, but now it seems we’ve wasted our time and yours.”

  “Don’t think of it that way. I’m certain you could pay your husbands a little visit.” He winked.

  “Oh but that’s strictly forbidden,” Eleanor chastised him. “What would your mother think? Oh, sorry your mother is already here.” She laughed with a snort.

  “Are you certain Peggy’s death is something other than an accident? Moraine told me there was no reason to suspect foul play,” Stuart said.

  “I know, but I just have to check it out. Peggy was Martha’s friend, and I can’t let her scouts down.”

  “Fine, but I don’t know what I can do.”

  “Was Oliver really here that first night?”

  “Yes, and Joe Smith was the only one who attended the dinner.”

  “Along with Craig, Avery and Dustin, from what Joe told us,” I said. “Is that true?”

  “I believe you’re right. I’ll get Joe to help load the kayaks.”

  “Isn’t Joe a little old to be lifting kayaks?”

  “Actually he’s pretty spry for an old … I mean a person his age.”

  I shook my head at Stuart and tried to hide a smile. I must admit that I rather enjoy the way I banter with my son.

  Stuart walked back into the woods and backed up a pickup truck. Joe hopped out and looked first at us and then the kayaks. “For the life of me, I can’t understand why you ladies would want to use one of these. It’s hard enough to walk at our age.”

  “You must mean your age,” Eleanor said smugly. “We’re quite capable of doing much more that paddling a kayak.”

  “Like wrestling the last shopping cart away from a teenager?” Joe chuckled.

  “No what I meant was running from —”

  I interjected with, “Running from an angry dog. I sure wish more owners kept their dogs on a leash.”

  Joe gave me a hard stare that I didn’t really understand and proceeded to load the kayaks into the back of the truck.

  “It looks like you ladies will have to hike back,” Joe said with a worried look. “I suppose I could bring the ladies back to the other side of the lake, Stuart. I know you’re supposed to be on a survival camping trip with some of the older scouts.”

  “Does that sound okay, Mother?” Stuart asked.

  “That will be fine. Give Andrew a kiss for me.”


  “How about I just tell him you sent your love?” Stuart asked. “I don’t know how it will go over if I actually kiss him.”

  “Now that I’d love to see a photo of,” Eleanor exclaimed. “Hey I didn’t even see Mr. Wilson last night. I hope he’s okay.”

  “Or Bill Hayes and Jack Winston,” I said.

  “Mr. Wilson was the first to bed. Bill and Jack decided to skip camp and go to a golf resort,” Stuart said with a wink.

  “That shouldn't surprise anyone. Marjorie and Elsie are determined to find a golf course in camp.”

  We never got the chance to see either Andrew or Mr. Wilson, but I suppose that was for the best. We did have the pleasure of listening to Joe Smith’s war stories on the way back to camp.

  “So there I was, all alone and with only with one bullet left. I wasn’t sure I’d ever make it home when I was surrounded. Fortunately, reinforcements arrived and I live to tell another story,” Joe exclaimed.

  “What war were you in?” I asked. “Vietnam?”

  “Yup, and proud of it.”

  “Weren’t you a little old for that war?” Eleanor asked. “They drafted mostly younger men.”

  “I volunteered. After my nephew was killed over there you could say I had a little aggression to work out.” He sighed. “I hope you’re still planning on questioning Craig, Avery and Dustin. I began to think about our conversation last night and I’m not positive they were at the dinner the entire time. One of them might have snuck off with Peggy for all I know.”

  “How did you notice that if you were ransacking Mrs. Tuttle’s cabin?” I asked.

  “You don’t have to take my word for it. All you have to do is question the young men.”

  “Thanks, that really helps us out,” I said.

  Joe dropped us off and left.

  “What now?” Eleanor asked, smelling the air. “I think they’re making popcorn. I’d sure love some.”

  “Why not. We might overhear something pertinent to our case.”

  We walked into the cabin. A table held a popcorn machine against one wall. Quinn was bagging the popcorn.

  “Hello, Quinn,” I said, snagging a bag of warm popcorn.

  Quinn wiped back a wisp of her light brown hair and glanced up at us. “It’s nice to see you ladies again. I’m sorry about Peggy. It’s a real shame she died like that.”