A Whisper of Trouble

by Susan Y. Tanner

  “Why do you think it wasn’t the murder weapon?” Tucker’s training was kicking in, Will thought. Shock was being replaced by a need for information.

  “The cut didn’t match the blade.” A move Will considered careless.

  “Won’t the officers note that?” Jana asked.

  “Maybe.” But he doubted it. If there was any suspicion of murder, a crime scene investigator would explore all aspects. The murder weapon in particular. If Summer Valley were a big city where the coroner was accustomed to being called to the scene of violent crime, he might ask that the bungalow be dusted for prints and request a toxicology report. Will didn’t think either of those things was going to happen. Nor was he going to call the possibilities to anyone’s attention. He’d ensure the killer met with justice. But not yet. His priority was the horse. If there were any suspicion of murder, no one would be allowed to leave the ranch until at least an initial investigation was complete and that didn’t work for him.

  “What next?”

  The question came from Liz who watched him quietly. He had his opening but he didn’t think she’d handed it to him on purpose.

  “As I said, I want to move the stallion as soon as possible.” He shifted his gaze to Tucker. “Once I have him away, I’ll need you to post a reward for his return and forget we ever had this conversation.” He saw the protest forming in Tucker’s eyes and lifted his hand. “The police won’t know to ask so you don’t have to lie. Answer their questions truthfully, just don’t volunteer any information.”

  “What if they do ask,” Liz pressed him. “What if they suspect murder rather than suicide? What then?”

  “Then the game changes. Tucker still answers honestly and I disappear with the stallion.” With murderers hard on his trail and a chance the law would be as well. But that was his worry not theirs.

  “If you’re right,” and he could tell Jana wanted him to be wrong, “whoever killed Ms. Dane will be furious when they don’t find the stallion here.”

  He could tell she was thinking of the consequences. “Which is why the reward for the stallion needs to be as dramatic as possible, lots of press, he tried to kill you escaping, he’s dangerous and the public should contact you and not to try capture him. These guys need to believe he’s gone and you want him back and you’re willing to pay – and pay well – for his return. You’ve got to make it believable enough they don’t come here looking.”

  “Otherwise?”

  “Otherwise no one here is safe.”

  Liz exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “That horse isn’t going to let you take him anywhere.”

  “Agreed.” At least she wasn’t arguing the need.

  She glared. “I won’t let you drug him.”

  Will said nothing.

  “Fine.”

  And that, Will thought, was that.

  * * *

  Despite Will’s obvious desire to be gone, Tucker held him off until he could reach Avery and Dirks and that took some time. Midnight finds us regathered in the apartment with Dirks and Avery on speaker phone. Will recaps the events that have spun out in their absence, things Tucker has no doubt already recounted. Dirks listens to every word with few questions. Will’s briefing includes every piece of information, from every angle, and Dirks has had time to study the photos and videos Will took of the scene and Tucker forwarded to him.

  “And the sheriff’s team suspected nothing?” Dirks doesn’t sound surprised.

  “Not as far as we can tell. When they were ready to remove the body, they asked a few straightforward questions of each of us and left. One of them handed Tucker a card for a professional service to clean the bungalow.”

  “You haven’t called the service, have you?”

  At Will’s glance, Tucker shakes his head and says, “Not yet.”

  There is a brief pause before Dirks speaks again. “Avery and I are okay with your idea of posting a reward for the safe recapture of the horse. Avery’s already talked with Tucker about that. You’ve got twelve hours to disappear with that stallion. After that, I’m making a call to get the guesthouse dusted for fingerprints and searched for any other evidence.”

  Dirks Hanna is as street smart as he is wise. Though he doesn’t say it, I’m confident that Will doesn’t believe there will be fingerprints or other evidence to find. Nor do I. The killer or killers were not complete amateurs yet not true professionals, either, from my perspective.

  “I won’t need that much time. A truck and trailer will be here by mid-morning.” Will looks at Liz. “I’m already packed.”

  It seems that Will and I are the only two present who aren’t caught off-guard when Liz responds with a nod. “I’ll be ready.”

  Chapter Three

  Tucker’s fiancée surprised Liz early the next morning with a knock on the door of the small bungalow she’d been assigned for her stay. There were a half dozen or so of the cabins on the property.

  “I saw your light on. I thought you might sleep late after last night,” Jana said. “But, then, I couldn’t fall or stay asleep, either. What a horrible thing to happen.” There were dark circles under the young woman’s eyes.

  Liz had slept in snatches. After being jolted awake by a nightmare where shadowy figures forced the stallion with prods onto a shipping truck of some sort, she’d walked out in the moonlight to prove to herself that Owen was safe. She’d fallen asleep again only to have the sound of helicopter blades break her sleep moments before sunrise. Sipping her first cup of coffee, she’d stood in the doorway of her cabin and watched as the aircraft departed, undoubtedly carrying the mane samples with it.

  Liz found her manners and stepped back. “Come in.”

  “No, but thanks. I’ve things to do and I know you do as well.” Jana held out a small tray covered with a cloth. “I made breakfast burritos for Tucker. I thought you might enjoy some as well. So …” Her voice trailed.

  “That’s very kind of you and I’ll accept with pleasure. I would’ve made do with coffee and I’ve a full pot. Are you sure you wouldn’t like to step in for a minute to have a cup?” Liz could imagine what kind of nightmares Jana had endured. She wasn’t up for a rehashing but doubted Jana was the type for it either.

  Jana took a deep breath and nodded. “Maybe one. My nerves are still rattled so caffeine’s probably not the best thing right now but it does sound good.” She smiled with an effort and followed Liz into the small front room.

  Liz saw when the black cat caught the younger woman’s attention. Jana smiled as Trouble rose from his spot on the small sofa and stretched, sniffing the air appreciatively at the warm scent of food she’d brought into the guesthouse with her.

  Handing her a filled cup, Liz let Jana fix it to her liking. She watched as Jana slid onto a bar stool at the counter. Liz chose to stand, leaning on the quartz surface opposite her. As Jana took her first sip of the coffee, Liz uncovered the tray and eased a burrito onto a small plate for Trouble and another for herself.

  Because she was hungry, Liz ate. And waited. Jana hadn’t come for a social visit. She was too reserved, too much like Liz herself.

  Jana didn’t make her wait long. “I hope you don’t mind if I ask for a favor.”

  “I don’t mind the asking,” Liz answered noncommittally.

  “Tucker and I both care about what happens to Owen. If Mr. Chandler doesn’t remember to let us know when he’s back where he belongs—if he really does belong in Italy—I’m hoping you will.”

  “You don’t think he’s the Catria?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know what I think. I don’t know if Natalie killed herself or if she was murdered. The thought of someone that evil being so close, doing something so heartless—.” She shuddered, took another breath, and started again. “If she was murdered, and if it was because of the horse, you could be in danger for helping take him from here.”

  Liz nodded. “It’s a possibility.”

  “Mr. Chandler’s theories contain a whole lot of possibilities
.” Jana made a face at her own words. “Sorry, that came out a little harsher than I intended.”

  “But it’s true.” Liz acknowledged before returning to Jana’s original question. “But, no, I don’t mind letting you know what happens to the horse. I would think, if the DNA test comes back a negative, he’ll be returned here and me along with him.”

  “I hope that’s the case. He’s a good boy, just frightened. My heart tells me he’ll turn out splendidly and I’d love to see that.”

  Some of Liz’s reticence faded as she accepted that they both had a sincere concern for the stallion’s wellbeing. “Either way, I’ll let you know the outcome.”

  “Thank you for that and for the coffee.” Jana gave her a wry grin as she stood and placed the empty mug on the counter. “Thank God, you like it strong.”

  It was the first time Liz had seen her smile. It looked good on her, brightening her eyes and softening the somewhat sharp features in her thin face.

  “You’re welcome but I got the best end of the deal. Nice burrito.”

  “Tucker’s favorite.”

  Liz was always glad this world contained people who liked to cook. She was not one of them. But she liked to eat and so, it would seem, did Trouble who’d left a clean plate on the floor.

  She watched in bemusement as the cat strolled out of the guesthouse, close on Jana’s heels.

  * * *

  Will joined Tucker at the railing of the paddock where he watched the Catria eat from a bucket he’d attached to the inside of the paddock. A second bucket, filled with water, hung next to it.

  Tucker gave him a glance. “Good morning. I expect Liz will be out here soon.”

  “I thought she might have beat me here,” Will admitted.

  “It’s a wonder she didn’t beat us both. I found her sitting against the base of that big pine about two this morning.”

  That surprised Will even though he accepted she was committed to helping the horse. She wouldn’t have agreed to go with Will otherwise. He turned his attention back to the animal. “I didn’t realize you’d leave him out here at night.”

  “He’s a handful to move but Natalie and I had been bringing him to the barn at dark. Gives him a change of scenery and puts him within range of the security cameras with the others. But after what’s happened and with students scheduled this morning, I thought it best to leave him here. The weather’s mild enough.”

  “The fewer who see him, the better,” Will agreed. “Your students won’t wander this way?”

  “We don’t let anyone wander.” Tucker’s response was firm but he didn’t sound offended by the question. “Jana and I will keep everyone out of your way until the horse is loaded…if you can get the horse loaded.” Tucker gave him a questioning glance. “If not, we’ll have to sedate him and then give him time to overcome the effect of the sedative before you roll.”

  “My money’s on Liz,” Will said although, he acknowledged to himself it was as much from determination than from confidence. Time was something he didn’t have in abundance. But he reminded himself, she had gotten the DNA samples when he’d doubted she could. “Do I need to be at the main gate to get the truck and trailer to the right spot? They’re a couple hours out but I’ll get another ETA soon.”

  “No. Leanne, one of our riding instructors—you haven’t met her yet—will get them here while keeping them out of the line of sight. I filled Leanne in last night.” Tucker clenched his hand into a fist. “She’s pretty rattled about Natalie. If I’d known what was going to happen—"

  “No way you could have,” Will pointed out. “No way any of us could have known.” Even so, he’d never expected this to be easy. Whoever was behind the taking of the stallions had planned well and was executing that plan ruthlessly. Tracking the guilty was likely to prove as difficult as tracking the horses. They could be anywhere in the world with the U.S. nothing more than a holding place for the horses until the heat died down. But sooner or later, the ringleader would realize the heat wasn’t going to die down. The fallout from that could be explosive.

  While Will hadn’t expected a walk in the park, he also hadn’t expected things to turn deadly. Not at this point. His greatest concern was that he didn’t know why it had—and if it would again. Not knowing left the horse as well as Liz and himself more vulnerable than he liked.

  * * *

  Perhaps I would have been better served to stay with Liz or found Will. I’ve already checked the guesthouse where the body was discovered. The authorities left it secure, padlock in place, windows closed which I found unfortunate. I’d like to have given the scene another going over but that isn’t an option. And Jana isn’t the least bit entertaining. So far, she’s done little beyond sit in a chair outside the veterinary clinic where, by the way, the veterinarian is not.

  Just as I decide to amble on, I’m rewarded for my patience. Tucker emerges from the wooded area where the stallion awaits his journey—although he knows it not—moments before a very sporty and expensive-looking vehicle glides to a stop a short distance away. Jana, who has gotten to her feet at the sound of Tucker speaking her name, seems caught off-guard by the new arrival.

  A gentleman emerges and walks around the front of the vehicle to open the door on the other side. I would hazard a guess that he is wearing designer clothing—as in designed exclusively for him. I’ve been around enough to make that a pretty sure bet. Why haute couture at a riding facility, however, is beyond even my ability to deduce. A young lady emerges and gives him a stunning smile of starlet proportions. At Jana’s glance his way, Tucker steps forward.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Perhaps. I’m Harrison Vincente. And this is my daughter, Ariadne. You’re Tucker? I called you last evening for a look about.”

  Our man, Tucker, nods. He looks enlightened but unimpressed. “You’re a bit early.”

  “Yes, my apologies for that but my daughter is growing weary of our journey. I’d thought to visit another facility or two similar to yours in Florida but we’ll now cut our travels short and return home after a look about here, if you’ll be so kind.”

  Tucker gives the daughter a neutral look but Jana’s lips thin. I find her reaction interesting and take a closer look at the way the young lady clings to the gentleman’s arm. And I get it. While she does appear of an age to be his daughter, the vibes generated between them are not familial. Jana, it seems, has issues with that. Ah, the foibles of humans.

  “We’ll be happy to do that. Can you tell me which most interests you? The rescue operation or the therapeutic riding?”

  “As it happens, nothing to do with the operation of the ranch. I’ve established a small stud farm in Tennessee. We haven’t made a name for ourselves but we will.” He pats the hand that the young woman has slipped into the crook of his elbow and beams at Tucker. “My Ariadne is a superb equestrian and is interested in attaining professional hunter/jumper status. To that end, I plan to expand my facilities.”

  Tucker shakes his head. “We don’t do anything like that here.”

  Mr. Vincente lifts his hand in a dismissive gesture. “True and I’m well aware of the fact. That’s not a hindrance, at all. I did substantial research before choosing the facilities I wished to visit. The logistics, the layout of Summer Valley Ranch are highly acclaimed and considered unmatched. I’ve no intention of scattering a hodgepodge of buildings across my property. Once I have an image in my head of what I’d like to see, I’ll hire a designer and an architect to create my vision. I came to spark that vision.”

  Jana all but rolls her eyes. If I were a human, I would chuckle at her patent disdain. It is a tired, old story to be true. An aging gentleman trying to please a too-young amore. Just such a relationship has been at the heart of more than one novel and theatrical presentation. And why? Because, of course, it is played out time and again as the human male realizes he’s past his prime but his psyche refuses to accept. On the other hand, although much younger, this Ariadne seems of sufficient age to
be in the adult category, if only barely. Jana, perhaps, could learn something about withholding judgement.

  As there’s little I haven’t seen of Summer Valley Ranch, I’ve no desire to saunter about with this group and their angst and I watch as they disappear into the first barn. Liz emerges from her bungalow at almost the same instant and I elect to follow her through the small stand of trees to the paddock where the stallion resides at present.

  * * *

  Liz’s feelings towards Will Chandler were mixed. She didn’t like him and probably never would. His almost militaristic bearing reminded her far too much of her police officer ex-husband. A part of her acknowledged the unfairness of her reaction, but it was a small part. The rest of her simply didn’t care. Still, he’d shown at least a semblance of respect for her skills and seemed willing to let her use them to advantage. And he might be the best chance the stallion had at being returned to his home, unharmed.

  The man watched her as she walked toward the paddock. She’d learned to move with little noise but he must have heard her. He’d turned almost before the stallion had become aware of her presence. Placing her duffle bag on the ground beside his, she removed her backpack and lowered it as well. The cat climbed atop her duffle and made himself comfortable.

  “You travel light,” Will commented. “That’s good.”

  That didn’t seem to require a response, so she didn’t bother with one. She turned her attention to the horse and walked closer to the rail. Instead of snorting and shying away, Owen blew softly and stood his ground. Progress, she thought, but not nearly enough for what was to come next.

  Sedation wouldn’t hurt him but forcibly restraining him for the injection would extinguish his trust in her. She didn’t want to risk that. Not at this stage.

  The stallion stayed still as she climbed the fence rail and stepped down into the pen with him. She was aware of Will stepping back to give her room. For the time she had left, she would focus on cementing her relationship with the horse. The man was only as important as his role in saving the animal.