Nancy and George kept pace with Aunt Elizabeth as she walked determinedly through the crowd. They were sure they’d find Bess when they found the ice cream.
They were just about to reach the ice-cream table, when a teenaged girl planted herself in front of Aunt Elizabeth.
“Why, Sarah!” Aunt Elizabeth exclaimed. “How nice to see you. Is your mother here?”
The teenager scowled at Aunt Elizabeth. “Yes, she is,” she replied in a low voice. “But don’t try to keep me from saying what I have to say to you.”
Aunt Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Is something wrong, dear?”
Sarah’s face reddened with anger. “You know there is!”
Aunt Elizabeth looked baffled. “I wish I could say that I did,” she replied. “Won’t you tell me?”
“It’s you!” Sarah yelled. “You and those stupid bats!”
Aunt Elizabeth stepped back from Sarah. Nancy could tell George’s aunt was perplexed by the sullen young woman in front of her.
“You know my brother died on Old Fairport Road,” Sarah said angrily, her hands balled into fists. “Are you trying to make sure that other people die as well?”
Aunt Elizabeth reached out to put her arm around Sarah’s shoulder to comfort her, but Sarah pushed it away with a ruthless shove.
“You’re one of my mother’s best friends. You’re the one who helped her through her grief when Tommy died,” Sarah said, her voice rising. “And now you’re betraying us!” She began to cry with choking sobs. “Doesn’t his death mean anything to you?”
“Of course—” Aunt Elizabeth began, but Sarah cut her off.
“You care more about animals than you do about people,” Sarah cried in anger. “And I’m going to make you pay for it!”
2
A Dangerous Threat
The small crowd that had gathered around Aunt Elizabeth and Sarah Connor was shocked into silence by Sarah’s angry words. Bess appeared and stood to one side, looking puzzled.
A young woman stepped out of the crowd. “I couldn’t help overhearing what you said, Sarah.” She spoke softly, putting an arm around her. “But you have to understand, it isn’t that we don’t care about people, it’s that we care about the world we all live in.”
Sarah brushed her arm aside. “Jessie, I’ve heard all this before,” she said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “It doesn’t make sense to me and it never will.” She turned abruptly and stalked away.
Aunt Elizabeth’s face was pale as she silently watched the girl walk off.
Bess approached her friends. “What happened?” she asked softly.
George shushed her friend. “I’ll tell you later,” she assured her.
“It’s all right, Mrs. Porter,” Jessie said, hugging Aunt Elizabeth. “She’s just upset.”
Aunt Elizabeth shook her head. “I know, but this is one of the few times in my life I’ve been at a loss for words.” A wan smile broke across her face. “She makes me wonder . . .”
The young woman held her hand out to Nancy. “I don’t know your name, but I’m Jessie Fein,” she said.
“Oh, dear, I’m sorry,” Aunt Elizabeth said. “I’m falling down on the job.” She quickly introduced Nancy, George, and Bess.
“Jessie is a biology student at Fairport College,” Aunt Elizabeth explained. “She’s been an enormous help to me on some of my projects. She knows a great deal about animals.”
As they chatted, John Stryker, the town manager, joined the group. “I couldn’t help but overhear Sarah Connor,” he said.
“Oh, John,” Aunt Elizabeth said. “What are we going to do?”
He shook his head. “I suppose we’ll hash it out at the town meeting tonight.”
Aunt Elizabeth introduced him to the girls.
Nancy turned to him. “This sounds like a real controversy,” she said.
“You’re right,” Mr. Stryker agreed. “We don’t get them often, but when we do, they tend to be heated,” he replied. “That’s why the town meetings are so valuable. They let everyone voice their concerns.”
“I don’t know if it’s anything the town itself can decide,” Jessie said. “The federal government has very stringent rules about the habitats of endangered species. They can’t be disturbed.”
Mr. Stryker nodded. “That’s what I told those folks who filed the petition to widen the road. Against my wishes, I might add.” He gave Aunt Elizabeth a wink. “And even if that weren’t true, there isn’t any money in the town budget for road improvements this year.”
“Oh, John, you know we can always get around that,” Aunt Elizabeth reprimanded him mildly.
“In this case, probably not,” Mr. Stryker pointed out. “Last winter’s snows wiped out the surpluses in several of the funds.” He turned to Aunt Elizabeth with a smile. “And usually you’ll do a fund-raiser. But this time you’re on the other side—luckily.”
Aunt Elizabeth straightened her shoulders. “We’ll just have to come up with some kind of compromise. Even though I don’t want to harm the bats, I can still see Sarah’s point.”
Mr. Stryker waved and said, “I’ve got to be off. I’m sure I’ll see all of you tonight.”
Goodbyes were said all around.
