The Beasts of Upton Puddle Read Free Page A

Merrynether woman?”
    Ms. Burrowdown stared back.
    Redwar huffed. “I want the head of the planning department fired too. Get him up here after lunch.”
    â€œSir? Did you need a security guard?” repeated the voice on the phone.
    Redwar pushed the file aside. “Yes. Send someone up here immediately. I need to have an employee escorted off-site.”
    Ms. Burrowdown continued to stare as he switched off the speakerphone.
    â€œWhat? You think Brant’s innocent? So what?” Redwar jabbed a finger at her. “The man had no backbone. If an employee of mine can’t stand up for himself, I don’t want him on my payroll. I despise cowardice, Ms. Burrowdown. Remember that.”

    Mr. Wheeler observed Joe sympathetically over the top of his gold-rimmed spectacles and scratched his head through a clump of grey hair that had not long ago left a pillow. “I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do foryou, Joe. We’re just too busy this morning. We already have two cats and a rabbit to deal with. And a few minutes ago, I got a call from the Gordons. Their rottweiler’s had a nasty bite. I’m not even supposed to open for another two hours.” The old man smiled an apology toward a queue of people seated behind Joe.
    Joe turned to look at the array of frowning men and women, each clutching a shivering animal or a small cage to which they were murmuring words of baby-talk comfort. “But you always help out, Mr. Wheeler.” Joe pushed his trolley closer and offered him the badger and an expectant smile.
    â€œI know. And it’s commendable of you to keep your eyes open for injured animals, but this is a business, you know. I can’t help you every time.”
    Joe looked at him silently.
    A forlorn look held long enough might normally have swayed the old vet, but Mr. Wheeler smiled all the more. “I have to give priority to paying customers, see?”
    â€œI’ll pay,” said Joe, rummaging through his pockets.
    â€œI’m sure you would.” Mr. Wheeler smiled and ruffled Joe’s tangled hair. “Truth is, lad, things have been a little crazy in the last couple of weeks. Maybe it’s the Beast, eh?”
    â€œBeast?”
    â€œYes, the Beast of Upton Puddle. You deliver papers every morning. Haven’t you heard of it?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œIt was on the front page yesterday. Some people even think it’s bigfoot; others say it’s a wolf. But ever since the first sighting two weeks ago, we’ve been run off our feet here with pets and livestock.”
    â€œI think I saw it half an hour ago in Ringwood Forest.”
    â€œYou did, huh?” The vet looked over the top of his glasses.
    â€œYes, I think so. It looked a bit like an ape or something, but it was huge.”
    â€œWell, I’d better ring the police,” the vet said, reaching for the phone. “Whatever it is, they’ll need to cordon off the area.”
    â€œMy badger?”
    Mr. Wheeler paused as he picked up the receiver and looked at the motionless mammal. With his free hand, he picked up a large book from a pile near the phone and placed it on the counter. “Here. This is a directory of all the veterinary practices, wildlife sanctuaries, and animal keepers in the county. Take a look through there. One of them might be able to help you if you’re lucky.”
    â€œThanks.”
    Joe flopped the directory open and leafed through the thin pages while the vet spoke with a police officer.
    Carmichael Veterinary Practice . . . Farringdon Dogs Home . . . Haltsworth Rescue Center
. Joe stopped there and traced the writing with his finger, reading aloud.
    â€œSpecializing in the rescue and shelter of a wide variety of animals, great and small. Members of the ADCH and practitioners of the Merrynether Techniques.”
    The name
Merrynether
seemed familiar. Joe thought carefully as he scanned through the directory. Several other