I was bedridden for two weeks, with my legs propped painfully in front of me, rarely receiving visits. My new status had grown to become not only the socially retarded girl the mentally retarded as well. To pass the time I read. No, that was a lie, I pretended to read. What I actually did was stare out the window at the silver sunlight, thinking about the wolf. What inspired the compassion? What had caused such a moment of intuition? Ajerbae thought I was loopy anyways. They all thought I was crazy, a stupid woman. How could I tell them the truth about the dog-like creature that lived in the woods? Perhaps it was only me; that it was purely chance he came by my tree when chased. The light slanting across the bed was startlingly bright, hurting my eyes, but there was nowhere else to look.
So imagine my surprise when the consequence that broke my eyes away from the blinding light was Deputy Windsor.
“Get out of my house,” The first words out of my mouth.
“Why yes, I'd love to. But I have other, more important matteres.” his eyes flashed, irritated.
I studied him a moment, trying to guess his angle. His auburn hair was unfashionably short and curly, and his light brown eyes a bit unreal. The brown in them fluxuated to almost green to almost gold, but they were so light they seemed forged. Unauthentic almost. “What are you doing here?” I tried not to sneer. I would be civil. I would be the bigger person.
“I,” He blinked, studying me carefully, “Just wanted to let you know. Last night there was another wolf attack.”
“But…” I started, and then stopped abruptly, looking quickly away to the window again. How to say nay? It didn’t matter. He thought I was a stupid girl in the first place, now he just probably thinks I’m attention seeking and suicidal as well. I didn’t care.
“Didn’t think it was the wolf?” He let out a wry smile that made me want to slap him hard and make his head spin.
I said not a word, but heat rushed to my cheeks.
“There were lacerations on the legs and neck this time, confirming it as the wolf.”
My objections let themselves out, just a peep, “Don’t you think it’s a bit odd that the first time a wolf attacked it didn’t look like a wolf at all, and only on the second time…” I shook my head, and changed the subject, “Who was it?”
“Aliss Jacobsen.” Awww…. she sold me coffee in the market. He came around and sat on the bed, too casual for comfort. It was not a sight I enjoyed in the least. “She was found dragged to the edge of the forest.”
I stared back at him, but Windsor was looking into my dresser, to the left of my bed. It had a mirror mounted on it, and he was staring fixedly into the reflection. Goosebumps ran up and down my spine. What did he see there? His profile to me was unnerving; something in it just didn’t sit right with me. It was searching, a creepy, empty sight with his false eyes. “What if it’s a person?” Immediately I wanted to clap my hands over my mouth. My fingers twitched but kept still.
I felt his eyes burning into my face, and I raised my gaze to them. They were suspicious and angry for a moment, and then registered complete calm. And arrogant smile graced his lips, full of contempt, “An interesting thought, but unlikely.” He grinned, wolfish and animal.
How could it be unlikely Mr. Windsor? Unless you did it yourself?
He crossed his legs and rested his hands on them, suddenly very intense, “Perhaps, it’s best if you stay away from the whole ‘Wolf’ business,” The bottom eyelids raised a fraction, “Hmm? That might be healthiest for you.”
My heart thundered, and I was sure he could hear it. You Shitface.
He leaned forward even farther still, and I watched my posture to make sure I didn’t unconsciously lean away. I had never been this close to my bane, and it provided a certain high. I could see even better now why the women liked him. He had a charisma, and light in his eyes- a sort of ‘follow me’ that would trump my quiet wit every time. This deputy was clever, and very dangerous. “After all, a small woman like you, with a big bad wolf in the town, I don’t think you’d last very long.” Undoubtedly he wasn’t referring to the animal as the wolf. “You should focus instead on, say, settling down. Isn’t that what most the girls your age do? Settle down? Find a man?” He stood up and away, and I realized I had been holding my breath, “Yes, find a good man Dandelion, settle down. Do what a woman should do. Don’t get mixed up in this man’s business.” God, I hated this ‘man’s business of threats and silliness. Anthony winked at me, and swaggered out of the room. His footsteps grew faint, until I heard the front door slam shut, and I finally gasped for air, hardly breathing his entire visit. He was in this. I didn’t know how, but Anthony Windsor was in this wolf business up to his ears.
************************
It took me three weeks to recover, and even then I hobbled around on a crutch with my foot thick with casting. There had been another killing, Lisa York. I didn’t like Lisa, but it was a pity for anyone to die like that. But how could she? I wondered about the wolf. While people milled around, gossiping on it, locking their doors at night, I asked the questions everyone else seemed to have forgotten.
Why were the victims out so late at night?
Why were they all women?
Why did the first victim not look like a wolf attack?
I thought over the identity of the murderer, and it a sound idea. But it made me nervous. I watched my surroundings more warily. The Idea that the killer was Windsor troubled me for two reasons;
One, I detested the man, but never before had he seemed the type to murder so mercilessly.
Two, He was going to be constable, and I did not want a murderer as the constable. No one would listen to my claims, especially since I had been found springing wolf traps, so why believe me now? I was considered insane.
But it fit. Any girl around their age would have loved a night with Anthony; he probably lured them away to the edge of town where less people were likely to go, and killed them. He had the means, the strength, and the reputation to keep him safe from detection. Plus there was the simple fact that people liked him. Very few liked me.
The only way I could think of catching Windsor without implicating myself was to also chase the wolf. Simple as that. So I attended church, bought things at the market, and chatted with my dwindling friends. How to chase Anthony the Wolf?
It was in fact, when I saw him ride by for a rare church visit on his war horse that I got the idea. I proposed it to Victor’s wife, Silvia, at the next sewing circle, and she looked at me doubtfully.
“Not to be a gossip, Dandy, but we know why your leg is…” She ushered towards the cast, and I smiled ruefully.
“I suppose I’ve seen the error of my ways. And besides,” I added, “It’s getting too risky now. I’m afraid to fetch water in the mornings.” The women chattered and agreed, clucking to themselves like chickens in a yard.
“Quite right dear. Besides, I think a horseback flush is just what they need. Victor had been pacing about the house lately. He’s sick of doing nothing all the time.”
Helen agreed, “Roy is so grumpy about those poor girls, just can’t stand the thought of another victim.”
I smiled, supposedly to the women in understanding. But I knew it also was because of the lightness suddenly in my soul, the hope of a plan that just might work.
I was on my way back to the cottage when Jeremy halted me, “Dandy!” He called, and I stopped hobbling a moment to allow him to catch up.
“Hi Jeremy,” I smiled at him. He was grinning from ear to ear, “What brings you along?”
“Oh, it’s just a fine day, and I thought I would help you with your bags.” I had only a basket for my sewing pieces.
“Well yes, a good day definitely means it’s time to help Daff Dandy with her basket.”
“I thought so! 'Daff Dandy'... I like that.” he laughed, and I smiled. His mood was infectious.
We walked down the boardwalk, me limping and Jeremy talking endlessly about how good he was feeling, and what his job at the livery was like, and such. I was glad he was talking to me. His relationship with me had always been on the rocks since Anthony came into the picture. We were two blocks away from my home when -guess who- galloped up to us on this steel grey Morgan.
“Jeremy!” Anthony barked. I saw Jeremy flinch involuntarily. “Come on, I need you at the station,” The morgan pranced in place. I saw fury flash across his normally handsome face when he saw me. His eyes burned at the basket Jeremy was holding to his ribs. “Jeremy!” He shouted again, “Quickly, if you please!”
“Okay! Okay, jeez Windsor, calm down,” Jeremy handed me back my basket, and I thanked him for the walk home. “My pleasure miss,” he tipped his hat. I smiled with the pleasure that tingled in my toes. I can’t deny it also made me a little happy at how annoyed Windsor must be.
Jeremy ran down the street, shirt flapping behind him, on his way to the police station like a good lap dog. The moment he was gone around the corner, Anthony kicked his horse to jump in front of me. “I told you to stay out of this!” He hissed.
“I thought you said to find a man, and that’s exactly what I’m doing!” I shot back smartly, “And besides, he came to me.”
Shock made his eyes widen, and he sat back on his horse. Windsor blinked, and then without a word or a retort galloped off down the street.
I rolled my eyes, stupid man, and limped the rest of the way smiling, with a warm fuzzy feeling in my chest. I felt pretty. And why shouldn’t I? I was better looking than some of the girls in the village. Granted I was no beauty, but I had good hair and good figure, plus decent enough facial features. Pretty enough to get by. It was my reputation, no doubt, that kept the boys away. But what’s done is done, I frowned, there truly was no going back.
I spared a glance behind me. Please God, I silently prayed, Let the horseflush work.
