Das Hühnerstall-Massaker

That morning, Jamie was about to ride to the stables when Mary came running toward him, completely shaken.

Mary: “Jamie, come quickly… the chickens!”

Jamie: “What’s wrong, Mary?”

At the chicken coop, Jamie saw what had happened. Several chickens lay dead on the ground. There was blood everywhere.

Jamie: “Oh man… this looks really bad. Foxes hunt alone — one fox would never kill three. Wolves hunt in packs… but they hunt out of hunger. Why wasn’t the prey eaten or taken away?”

A short time later, we met at the stables.

Jamie: “I called the rangers. There are no wolves in our area, so we can rule that out. Mary should keep the chickens locked in tonight.”

Gillian: “You’re right. But what could it have been? A bear would have left much worse damage. I say we keep watch tonight.”

That evening, we took up a position in the small grove across from the chicken coop.

Jamie: “Did you know I’ve always wanted to lie in wait at night with a beautiful woman?”

Gillian: “No, I didn’t… Jamie! Something’s moving!”

In the darkness, we saw movement near the coop and rode toward it immediately.

Gillian: “It’s dogs! I’ve seen them before — at that house in the woods east of the ranch.”

Jamie: “Let’s scare them off… hehe!”

The dogs fled. The next morning, we rode to the strange house. The gate stood wide open, but the dogs were gone. To find out who owned the place, we went to see Mr. Franklin in Firgrove.

Jamie: “Who owns that house, Mr. Franklin?”

Mr. Franklin: “It belongs to Mr. Kembell — the head of the G.E.D. He’s hardly ever there. I don’t even know why he needs it.”

Gillian: “Mr. Kembell?! I think I have an idea…”

According to his secretary, Mr. Kembell was currently at the house. When we confronted him, the dogs were back behind the fence and the gate was closed.

Mr. Kembell: “I have no idea how this could have happened. I’ll cover the damage. You really should have sold to me back then — this wouldn’t have happened. My offer still stands. Think carefully.”

I thought: What a disgusting man.

Jamie was speechless — it sounded almost like a threat. Back at Meadowland—

Jamie: “Who does he think he is? He basically admitted it. What an arrogant idiot.”

Gillian: “Jamie, that was a threat. We need to be more careful from now on. I will never sell to him — especially not after this.”