Bailey’s Peoria Problem Read online

  “This is unbelievable!” Alex said. “I wonder how many other messages we’ll find.”

  “I don’t know. But I think we need to put all the words together that we’ve found so far to see if they say something as a group or if they’re only individual messages.”

  “Yeah, let’s do that after we’re done. How many more sheep do you have left to shear?” Alex asked.

  “Three. How about you?”

  “Five.”

  “How about if you time my next one? Then when I finish my last one, I’ll help you finish yours.”

  “Deal.” Alex grabbed the stopwatch off a nail hook and waited for Bailey to get set up.

  “Ready…set…go!” Alex started the clock, and Bailey started shearing. “You’re doing great, Bailey! You’re going to break your old record at this rate!”

  “Done!” Bailey shouted minutes later.

  Alex punched the stopwatch. “Fifteen minutes, forty-two seconds!” Alex whooped. “Your best time yet! How did you do that so fast?”

  “I pretended I saw a new message under the fleece and hurried to uncover it!”

  Alex laughed. “Good strategy.”

  “I cut more than two minutes off my time!” Bailey hugged the naked lamb.

  “You’ll win that competition, I just know it,” Alex said.

  “Then I could get my picture in the newspaper!”

  Alex beamed at her friend. “You’ll be a star one way or another, even if it’s not in theater, though I’m sure you’ll make it there, too.” The girls finished shearing the lambs and returned them to the pasture.

  “I’ve got an idea,” Bailey said. “Let’s line up the sheep that have messages and take a picture of all three of them together.”

  “We’ll need to take a picture of both sides to get all the words.”

  The girls gathered the lambs. Bailey tried to get two lambs to stand sideways by the other. “Can you hold all three of the leads and keep them in place while I take the picture?”

  “I’ll try, but hurry,” Alex said. “They won’t stay like this for long.”

  Bailey handed the leads to Alex and rushed in front of the lambs. She snapped pictures from that side and then the other. “They weren’t perfectly lined up, but I think I got the words in all the shots.”

  They returned the sheep to the pasture. The lambs leaped with joy, clearing the ground with all four feet. Bow bleated a welcome to her newly shorn friends, her red bow sagging. Mama sheep baaed wildly and rushed to find their babies.

  “Let’s go see how they turned out.” Alex took off at a run toward the house, with Bailey close behind.

  “Wait!” Bailey stopped. “My phone’s vibrating. Maybe it’s Sydney.” Bailey pulled her phone from her pocket and read the text.

  HAZELWOOD FARMS IS A HALF MILE AWAY FROM YOU AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF A CREEK.

  Bailey looked at Alex wide-eyed. “Just across the creek? That’s where Yeller, Dude, and Rude were!”

  “That can’t be right.” Alex shook her head. “I didn’t see any sheep over there.”

  “Maybe they keep them somewhere else. Or maybe they sold them all.”

  “Hmm. Interesting.” Alex looked toward the old house. “Let’s take a walk in that direction this afternoon.”

  Back at the house, Bailey downloaded her photos onto Alex’s computer. “I think I’ll write each word of the message on note cards. Then we can rearrange them and see what we get.”

  “Good idea.” Alex dug in her backpack. “I think I have some note cards in here somewhere. Ah. Here they are.” She handed the cards to Bailey.

  “The first lamb said, ‘Help Gonzo.’” Bailey wrote HELP on one card and GONZO on another.

  “The second one said, ‘Brindle Branch,’” Alex said.

  Bailey wrote the words on the cards. “And today’s lamb said, ‘Held captive.’” After writing the final words, Bailey laid the cards out in front of them. “‘HELP GONZO BRINDLE BRANCH HELD CAPTIVE.’ Doesn’t make much sense this way.”

  Alex rearranged the cards. “‘HELP GONZO HELD CAPTIVE BRINDLE BRANCH.’ That’s better.”

  “Seems like Gonzo’s being held captive at Brindle Branch, wherever that is!”

  “Now all we have to do is figure out that piece of the puzzle.” Alex wrapped a curl around her finger and bit her lower lip.

  “Do you really think this could be Marshall Gonzalez?” Bailey asked.

  “Even if it isn’t, this Gonzo needs our help.”

  “True. He must be desperate to send messages on sheep.”

  “This Gonzo must have been held captive since last shearing season to be able to write his messages on freshly shorn sheep.”

  “Good point,” Bailey agreed. “Many of the farmers shear their sheep twice a year. That must be the case wherever this Gonzo is, because the lambs he wrote them on are only a year old. I doubt that he would have written on a newborn lamb. The mother never would have allowed that.”

  “So Gonzo probably wrote his messages about six months ago. He’s been a hostage for at least six months!”

  “How could anyone be held that long without someone knowing about it?” Bailey asked.

  “We need to get the other Camp Club Girls in on this. Do you think we should do another conference call?”

  “Yes. We have a lot to cover with them since we talked yesterday.” Bailey got her phone out and started conferencing in the other girls.

  Alex jotted down a few notes to help keep their meeting on track.

  “Can you all hear me?” Bailey asked after patching in the last one.

  “Kate here. I read you loud and clear.”

  “This is Sydney. I hear you.”

  “Me, too; it’s Elizabeth,”

  “McKenzie? You there?” Alex asked.

  “I’m here,” she answered.

  Bailey heard Biscuit bark. “Biscuit hears you, too!” Kate said, and they all laughed.

  “I’m here, too, so I guess we’re ready to get started.” Bailey cleared her throat. “Alex and I have uncovered some pretty interesting clues since we last talked, but we need your help researching them.”

  “Bailey and I found two more lambs with messages on them.”

  Bailey smiled at Alex as they listened to the girls gasp.

  “What’d the new messages say?” Sydney asked.

  “Alex’s message said, ‘Brindle Branch.’ The letters were written in all capitals like the first message.

  “And mine said, ‘Held captive,’ again in all capitals.” Bailey licked her lips.

  “We rearranged the words of all three messages today, and we believe they were meant to be read together. We think they should read, ‘Help Gonzo held captive at Brindle Branch.’”

  “Wow!” McKenzie said. “That’s unbelievable.”

  “So how can we help?” Elizabeth asked.

  “We went to the Historical Society yesterday to see if we could find a place called Brindle Branch,” Alex said. “The closest we came was finding a Brindle Creek on an old map. It’s the same creek that runs right behind the Curly Q, but now it goes by the name Woolly Creek.”

  “I took pictures of the map and will send those to you electronically,” Bailey said. “We’re wondering, if it is Gonzalez, how could a grown man be held captive so long without escaping? He had to have written the notes on the lambs at least six months ago when they were last sheared. Apparently he’s allowed to go outside by himself.”

  “That’s odd,” McKenzie said. “You’d think he could run off if he was alone outside.”

  “I’ll look into that,” Kate offered. “I read something recently that may help.”

  “Great. Thanks, Kate.” Alex looked at her notes. “We wonder if Marshall Gonzalez began sheep farming before he disappeared. That would make sense, since the messages are written on sheep. But if he were still in that business, someone else would probably have to be tending his sheep for him if he’s being held hostage.”

  “Not an ea
sy task,” Elizabeth said. “Sheep know their shepherd’s voice and won’t follow anyone else. Their whole existence relies on the shepherd’s care. Wait a minute. Let me read you something from my Bible.”

  Bailey heard the rustling of pages through the phone.

  “Here it is, John 10:2–5. Listen to this.” Elizabeth cleared her throat. “‘The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.’” Elizabeth paused. Bailey guessed she was setting down her Bible. “That’s why I say it wouldn’t be easy for someone else to step in and take over the care of someone else’s sheep.”

  “Interesting,” McKenzie said slowly. “So if sheep don’t take kindly to following strangers, then maybe Gonzo’s kidnapping was an inside job, done by someone the sheep already knew.”

  “I suppose that’s possible,” Sydney said. “But why would someone kidnap their own friend?”

  “That’s easy,” McKenzie said. “Money.”

  “She answered that awfully fast, don’t you think, girls?” Alex said. “We’d better not get too rich, or she might kidnap us!”

  Laughter filled the phone lines.

  “We also found out,” Bailey said, “that Uncle Nathan bought sheep from three different farms at auctions last year—Hazelwood Sheep Farms, Hollyhock Acres, and Whitestone Ranch. We’re going to check them out to see if we can come up with any clues about which farm the sheep with messages might have come from. We had Sydney check out the farm locations earlier today, and she found out that Hazelwood is only a half mile from the Curly Q, so we’ll start there.”

  “Good plan,” Sydney said.

  “Now, just to be fair, we should mention that Brian told us Gonzalez is a common name among the migrant workers in the area. The name Gonzo could refer to one of them.” Bailey looked at Alex and shrugged her shoulders.

  “Good to know,” Elizabeth said. “Anything else you need to update us on?”

  “Anyone have anything yet on why the grandpa was so rich while the son was so poor?” Alex asked.

  “Not yet,” Sydney replied. “I’m still checking into that and the shrimping and sugar cane industries.”

  “And I’m still researching to see if there were any other grandchildren and if Gonzo’s father was living when his father dried,” Kate added.

  “Great.” Alex gave Bailey a thumbs-up.

  “I think that covers it,” Bailey said. “Did we forget anything, Alex?”

  “Not that I can think of.”

  “What about Yeller, Dude, and Rude? Have you seen any more of them?” McKenzie asked.

  “No, not since Yeller fell out of the tree outside our window.” Alex shivered thinking about it. “But we plan to walk down that way later today. We may see them then.”

  “How about if I say a little prayer for all of us before we hang up?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Sure!” Bailey said. The line grew quiet.

  “Dear God, we know You hear us and care about us,” Elizabeth began. “Help us solve this mystery about Marshall Gonzalez. Most of all, keep us all safe as we work on it, especially Bailey and Alex. Give us wisdom and insight and help us to honor You in everything we do. Be with Gonzo, wherever he is, and keep him safe, too. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  “Amen!” the other five girls said in unison.

  Bailey sighed. “I feel better already.”

  “Keep us posted on what you find out,” Alex said to the girls. “We’re keeping a file here of all the details so we can keep track of them.”

  “Will do,” Kate said.

  “I think that covers it then.” Bailey looked in Alex’s direction and saw her nod. “We’ll call you with updates.” Bailey flipped her phone closed.

  “Let’s take that walk down toward Yeller’s place.” Alex got up from the bed.

  “We need to take a snack for Fang so he doesn’t eat us alive,” Bailey said, remembering the growling dog that chased them. She stuffed some cheese crackers in one of her jeans pockets and her inhaler and lip balm in the other. “I think we’re ready.”

  “Have your camera, just in case?”

  “Check.” Bailey patted her wristwatch.

  “I don’t know why, but I feel nervous.” Alex bit her cuticle.

  “I know what you mean. I have a whole flock of butterflies racing around in my stomach.” Bailey rubbed her tummy. “We’re probably just excited. After all, we’re just going for a walk, right?”

  The Man Named Gonzo

  Bailey and Alex crossed the front yard and ambled down the country road that ran alongside the Curly Q. Shy scampered to catch up with them then ran around them in circles to herd them along.

  “Hi, girl,” Alex said, rubbing the dog. A gentle breeze blew their hair back as they walked.

  “Uh-oh.” Bailey grimaced. “We forgot to tell anyone we were going for a walk.”

  “We’ll probably be back before the guys are done shearing anyway, and your Aunt Darcy won’t be home from work until after five.”

  “You’re right. It’s only one thirty now.” Bailey reached for her lip balm. “We have plenty of time.”

  The girls walked a few paces in silence.

  “Let’s see if there’s a sign by the creek up ahead that tells its history,” Alex said. “Since Woolly Creek’s name used to be Brindle Creek, maybe we’ll learn something that gives us a clue to the ‘Brindle Branch’ message.”

  “I don’t remember seeing one before, but we can check.”

  Shy ran on ahead of the girls and disappeared in the brush along the side of the road.

  When they reached the creek, they spotted Shy at the edge of the water, helping herself to a drink.

  Alex looked around for a sign. “Looks like you were right. No sign with Woolly Creek’s history on it.”

  “We’ll just have to keep our eyes and ears open to find out about Brindle Branch.” Bailey swatted a fly away. “Let’s walk along the creek. I think it’s low enough that Yeller, Dude, and Rude won’t see us too easily when we pass their property.”

  The girls climbed down to where Shy was lapping water and began their creek walk.

  “Do you really think their house is the same as Hazelwood Sheep Farms?” Alex asked.

  Bailey shrugged. “It sure sounds like the same place Sydney’s research turned up.”

  “Seems weird that it would be so run-down if they were still auctioning sheep just last spring.”

  Bailey could almost see the wheels turning in her friend’s mind.

  “Didn’t you say Gonzo was getting into sheep farming before he disappeared?” Alex asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “If he lived around here, then there should be some sign of his sheep farm, don’t you think?”

  “After seven years? I doubt it,” Bailey said.

  “Yeah, maybe that would be too long.” Disappointment filled Alex’s voice.

  “We can still look for clues to his farm while we investigate Hazelwood Sheep Farms. After all, isn’t that the real reason for this walk?”

  “I guess,” Alex said. “But that means going on Yeller, Dude, and Rude’s property. Could be dangerous.”

  “Well, how else are we going to find out what we need to know?”

  “I don’t know, but going over there gives me the creeps.” Alex shivered.

  “What could happen?” Bailey asked.

  “For starters, we could be eaten alive by Fang!”

  “I brought snacks for him, remember?” Bailey patted her pocket. “Before you know it, we’ll be Fang’s best friends, and he’ll wag his tail every time he sees us.”

  “I don’t know…” Alex hesitated. “What if they see us?”

  “Mayb
e we’ll get a chance to talk to them. They may hold the answer to this mystery, you know.”

  “Maybe you’re right.” Alex looked around nervously.

  “We’ll let Shy lead the way. Dogs can detect danger before humans. But first we need to get to the other side of the creek.”

  Alex followed Bailey a short distance to a narrow part of the creek. Stones formed natural steps across the shallow water, and Bailey hopped effortlessly from one to the next. Safely on the other side, she turned around and saw Alex only halfway across. Her arms were stretched out to her sides for balance. She teetered on one stone, and then stepped gingerly to the next.

  “Don’t worry, they’re not slippery!” Bailey yelled above the sound of the creek and the sheep bleating from her uncle’s pasture.

  Shy waded through the water, circling Alex, trying to herd her along like a stray lamb, but Alex continued on at her own cautious pace. Finally, she drew close enough for Bailey to reach out and take her hand. Alex grabbed it like a lifeline, and Bailey pulled her friend onto the bank.

  “You did it!” Bailey hugged Alex.

  Shy jumped out of the creek and shook her wet fur, spraying the girls like a sprinkler.

  “Shy!” Bailey yelled, wiping off her arms. She looked at Alex and laughed. A drop of water hung from the tip of her friend’s nose, and her green cotton T-shirt and gray gym shorts were speckled with wet spots. Tiny rivulets ran down her bare legs.

  Alex exploded in laughter. “That dog!”

  “Come on,” Bailey said, wiping water from her face with her shirt. “Now that we look so nice, let’s go visit the neighbors.”

  Alex giggled. “I needed a good laugh to get over my nerves. I think I’m ready now.”

  “Lead the way, Shy.” Bailey followed the wet dog along the creek bank. “Remember, keep your eyes open for any signs of Gonzo’s sheep or Hazelwood Sheep Farms.”

  “Right,” Alex answered. “If we spread out a bit, we can cover more territory.” Alex stayed close to the water while Bailey went further ashore. Shy jogged between the two.

  The trio marched along, sometimes heads down looking for clues, and other times heads up, keeping nervous watch for any sign of Yeller, Dude, and Rude.

  “Look at this!” Bailey stopped and stared at a dry, brown clump.