Mystery at Devil's Elbow

Tammy Jenkins left Pulaski County with the blessings of her colleagues and family. During her first day on the job at the Kansas City Star, she read an AP article about conservation work that Gunner Wilson was doing in Northern California. She dialed his number.

“Gunner, this is Tammy Jenkins from Devil’s Elbow.”

“My goodness, Tammy! I didn’t think I’d ever hear from you again.”

“You may not have if I hadn’t read this AP article on you.”

“You saw that, did you?”

“Got it right here in front of me.”

“I’ve never been one to stay out of the limelight, but no more Bigfoot hunting for me. From now on, I’m a conservation expert for Northern California. Any future speaking will be to encourage people to stop hunting for Bigfoot.”

“This is a complete change of career.”

“Well, after what we went through, I can’t see me doing anything else.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“Did you hear about Casey?”

“No?”

“He’s given up Bigfoot hunting, too. He’s working on a bill in the Oregon Legislature to outlaw the killing of the Bigfoot.”

“Really? That’s great.”

“He couldn’t go back to hunting Bigfoot either.”

“Do you know anything about Sonny?”

“You didn’t hear about him either? He’s working on the same thing as Casey. He thinks he has a good chance of getting a bill through the Washington legislature to protect Bigfoot there too.”

“I didn’t know any of that.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you called me, so I could give you the big update.”

“You’re right, I’m glad I called you.”

“Let’s keep in touch.”

“I’d like that.”

At work, that night, a good friend of Martha’s, Gayle Tillis, asked her to join her for the next meal break. At 8:30 in the evening, four hours into their shift, both women met in the hospital cafeteria and grabbed their lunch bags. Gayle purchased two large drinks for them and joined Martha at the table.

“Martha, how are you holding up?”

“I’m getting by.”

“Seems like something’s always happening with that Lisa of yours.”

“Yeah, she’s a handful.”

“You know, some people say that Lisa has a gift.”

“That’s because they don’t have to live with her.”

“That bad, is it?”

“Yes and no. There are some good times. Like her helping a mother find her missing daughter. The little girl had walked away from her mother at the store. Lisa happened to be at the store and helped the mom find the girl nearby.

“Think of what that poor woman might have gone through if Lisa hadn’t found her daughter.”

“Yeah, I can imagine.”

“So, the good times don’t offset those bad times?”

“No, not at all. Her finding skeletons in the forest, going missing, knowing people she’s never met, and these crazy dreams she has are enough to drive me crazy.”

“I can see how they would.”

“The fact that she’s a young girl makes it all the worse.”

“That motherly instinct of yours wants to protect her, doesn’t it?”

“Absolutely. She’s not afraid of these things, but I’m afraid for her.”

“So, you and Lewis think this started when she died during the electric shock?”

“That’s what a medical doctor told us off the record.”

“How’s Mary holding up with all this?”

“She seems to be doing okay.”

“Mary seems to be one of those kids that nothing seems to bother.”

“That’s what me and Lewis think.”

“Has she ever been to counseling?”

“Yeah, we’ve taken the girls several times.”

“What do the counselors say?”

“These counselors have also been trained in near-death experiences, so they have worked with people like Lisa to help them understand what’s happening.”

“What about Mary?

“She gets a regular youth counselor. They’ve always said that she seems to be a well-adjusted child for her age.”

“Well, that’s good news.”

“Each time something dramatic happens with Lisa, we take both girls back to counseling.”

“Does your insurance pay for that?”

“Not at all.”

“How can you afford it?”

“Lewis’ disability check from the Army helps.”

“I bet it does.”

“And that’s why Lewis and I drive old cars and haven’t been on vacation in years.”

“Sounds like a pretty high price to pay.”

“It’s for our children.”

“Yeah, I agree. Well, it’s been great catching up with you, Martha.”

“You’re right. We better get back up on the floor.”

Martha is always concerned that the Watchers still contact Lisa. She is doing some good with these psychic abilities. But what harm is it doing to her?