The Secrets of Bailey

Chapter 3

Jake had reached the designated parking lot for the area he would be in when his cell phone rang. He glanced at it in the mount on the dash and frowned. He knew the area code was local but did not recognize the number. He hesitated before he answered his phone.

“Dr. Taylor,” Jake answered.

“Dr. Taylor, this is Sheriff Buddy Mullins. Rhonda was kind enough to give me one of the cards you gave her. I was hoping I could meet with you and go over some of the dangers in the area, especially since we are expecting storms to move into the area in the next few days.”

“Sure, no problem. When and where would you like to meet?” Jake asked.

“How about the Bailey Cafe at noon?”

“That sounds good. Breakfast at the café was one of the best I've had in a long time. I’m looking forward to trying lunch. I planned to spend my first night relatively close to the parking lot. That will allow me to look around a little before I go back into town, so that works out well,” Jake replied.

“All I ask is that you be very careful until we speak,” the sheriff told him.

“Of course, Sheriff. Most of that time will be spent going through my gear one final time. I like to make sure everything is still functioning the way it should before getting hours away from civilization.”

“You sound like a smart man to do that.”

Jacob chuckled, “I have a few pieces of paper that say I am, but sometimes I have doubts. Honestly, this trip is making me question my intelligence and sanity.”

“That makes me think you really are smart if you are having doubts,” Buddy laughed. “I will see you at noon at the café. Make sure to work up an appetite.”

“I will! See you at noon,” Jake replied and hung up.

Jake sat in his SUV for some time as he thought about the phone call he had received from the county sheriff. In all the places he had been, this was the first time the local law enforcement had called him. He was trying to decide if the sheriff had done it out of genuine concern for his safety or if he was fishing for information. To Jake, it did not matter either way. He was there to spend time alone and enjoy the wilderness. If he found anything he could pass on to his friend Bobby, he would.

He sighed as he opened the vehicle door and slid out. He wasn’t going to worry about things that had not happened. Jake wanted to focus on being outside and what was around him. That was why he did what he did. It was his escape from the real world and all the stress that it brought.

Jake popped open the back hatch and began taking stock of his equipment. He smiled when he found everything was how he had packed it. Nothing was broken or malfunctioning, and he had not forgotten anything. That was already a better start than some of his other excursions in the past.

He grabbed his backpack with basic supplies, secured his SUV, and started out on his exploration for the perfect campsite for the night. After about thirty minutes of walking, Jake found the ideal spot to set up for his first night out. It was relatively close to the parking area and near a stream. The stream was not necessary, but he loved to fall asleep to the sound of it.

Jake looked at his watch. If he left now, the hike back to his vehicle and the drive into town would still put him at the café early. He decided to go anyway and see what the town of Bailey had to offer. Often, he found some of the best things at the small mom-and-pop shops, especially the hardware stores. It would also be good to locate the clinic in town in case he got hurt.

-

An hour later, Jake was entering the city limits of Bailey once more. He drove the entire length of Main Street before turning around and parking on the opposite end of the street from the café. He rechecked his watch before exiting his vehicle. He still had close to two hours before he was supposed to meet the sheriff for lunch. He grabbed his messenger bag with his maps and took it with him as he began to scout the local shops. At least if he had his bag, it would be easier to carry anything he bought.

The time flew for Jake as he explored downtown Bailey. He purchased far more than he had expected, leading him to make multiple trips back to his vehicle to deposit items. He bought things for his office and home and to use on this trip and future ones. He even found a few Christmas gifts that, unfortunately, he would have to deliver after he returned to Lexington when his trip was over, after the holidays.

By the time he reached the café, shortly before noon, his messenger bag was half full again. Jake was both scolding and laughing at himself for buying something at every store he had visited. When he pulled the restaurant's door open, he was immediately greeted by Rhonda’s cheerful voice.

“I see you just couldn’t stay away,” Rhonda laughed.

Jake grinned, “What can I say? Breakfast was so good I had to check out the lunch menu.”

“And I’m sure that has nothing to do with the sheriff wanting to talk to ya, does it?” Rhonda questioned as she led him to a table where a man in uniform was sitting.

“That might have played a part,” Jake admitted with a lop-sided grin.

Rhonda led the introductions when they reached the sheriff’s table. “Dr. Jacob Taylor, this is our illustrious sheriff, Buddy Mullins. Buddy, this is Jake Taylor. Play nice, Buddy. I will bring you boys menus and some coffee.”

Jake sat down across from the sheriff. He wasn’t sure what to expect from this meeting. It could be what the sheriff claimed, and he wanted to warn him of dangers in the area. It could also be that the sheriff would tell him to leave and never come back. He hoped it would be the former and not the latter.

“It’s nice to meet you, Jake,” the sheriff said as he shook Jake’s hand. “How are you liking Bailey so far?”

“It’s beautiful, and I love the stores along Main Street. I came back to town a couple of hours ago and went to all of them. I should be embarrassed by how much I bought,” Jake smiled.

“Did you find your campsite for the night before you came back to town?” Buddy asked.

“I did. A beautiful little spot near a spring branch, opposite the flood plain.”

Rhonda returned with a tray carrying glasses of water and cups of coffee, along with a menu for each man. She smiled at them as she placed everything on the table.

“I’ll give you two a minute to decide what you want,” Rhonda told them.

“Why are you giving me a menu?” the sheriff asked Rhonda. “Just give the special of the day like I always have.”

“You got it,” Rhonda said to the sheriff before she asked Jake, “Do you need a minute, Jake?”

“No. I’ll have the special as well. After breakfast, I’m sure I won’t be disappointed,” Jake replied.

“I promise you won’t be. Today’s special is salisbury steak with mashed potatoes, gravy, buttered carrots, and fresh rolls. I will be back with your lunch shortly,” Rhonda said before hurrying to the kitchen to give Big Mike their orders.

“So, Dr. Taylor. I’m going to get right to the point. I did a little digging before I called you. I know you have connections with a cryptid hunter. Is that why you’re here?” Sheriff Mullins asked.

“That would be my friend, Bobby Norris. I have been friends with him for years. We met as roommates our freshmen year of college and that continued until we graduated,” Jake admitted. “He is not the reason I am here. Bobby told me about the man who was injured in the area. He gave me copies of the police and medical reports and asked me to look at them. I found the case and the area interesting.”

“So you are here looking for things that are none of your business,” Buddy sighed.

“No. I’m not. The scientist in me finds the situation intriguing. However, I don’t think it was some kind of monster. The injuries the man suffered were similar to some I have seen in ancient civilizations and were caused by humans, not by some unknown creature. I am only looking for peace and quiet away from others. I love teaching, but I miss fieldwork. Going out in the backcountry for a week or two lets me recharge before returning to the classroom.”

“And you just happened to choose here?”

“Not at all. While reviewing Bobby's files, I saw pictures and learned about the area. It seemed like the perfect place for me to get away. At the same time, I can tell Bobby there is nothing here, and in the future, he will waste his time somewhere else,” Jake said.

Buddy leaned back in his chair and studied Jake before he said, “You’re telling me the truth. I can tell that. That’s good because I brought you a county map, and I would have hated for that to be a waste of my time and a good map.”

“Thank you, Sheriff. That will help a lot,” Jake said.

Buddy spread the map on the table, then refolded it to show only the town of Bailey and the surrounding area. He pulled his pen from his shirt pocket and made a small X on the map.

Buddy tapped on the map and said, “That right there is Miss Kaitie’s house. If you read all those reports, I know you saw her name in them. If you are close enough to see her house or hear anything coming from it, I suggest you leave the area as fast as you can. She does not take kindly to anyone poking around her place.”

“The more I hear about Miss Kaitie, the more I want to meet her,” Jake smirked. “She sounds like she just wants to do her thing and be left alone. I can relate to that.”

“If you are here long enough, you might get your chance,” Buddy said as the door opened. “Or you might get to meet her now because Kaitie just walked in.”