Gambling With the Enemy: Horses - Mystery - Suspense

by Toni Leland

  “Can we get on with this?”

  Jess painfully scooted up in the bed, smoothed the covers across her chest, and took a deep breath. “Before we start, please tell me what happened.”

  Peterson stepped closer. “When the hideout house finally cooled down enough to get a team inside, we started sifting through the rubble. It wasn’t long before forensics discovered there were only two bodies, but we didn’t know whose they were. We immediately called the sheriff at the end of your driveway and told him to get up there to stand guard.” He cast an apologetic look at her. “We were a little late.”

  Jess leaned her head back into the pillow and closed her eyes, fighting the band closing around her throat, trying to erase the image of Casey’s body. A sob erupted, and she swallowed hard. Howard touched her shoulder, and she opened her eyes again, blinking away the tears.

  Mona’s face reflected genuine sympathy. “We know this is hard, but you need to tell us everything that happened.”

  Howard’s fingers squeezed gently, and Jess launched into the horror for the second time that day. Twenty minutes later, the door closed behind the team, and she exhaled long and slow.

  Howard brushed a strand of hair off her forehead. “You did good, hon. You get some rest now.”

  “I can’t–too many thoughts are fighting for first place.” She bit down hard on her lower lip, hoping to quench the sobs waiting to explode. “Where’s Faith?”

  Sorrow flashed over Howard’s features. “She…said she’d see you tomorrow.”

  Jess’s pulse quickened. “What is it, Howard? Is she okay?”

  He nodded. “Yes…She and Mona, uh, took care of Casey this morning.”

  The pain descended like a winged demon, and every hurt, every sorrow, every missed opportunity rose to meet it.

  Chapter 48

  The next morning, Jess pushed tasteless scrambled eggs around the plate, idly watching the muted television. Every channel carried news of the debacle, touting Jessica Rayder as a hero. Somehow, they’d unearthed a photograph from her days of wheeling and dealing in Hartford. The screen flashed a shot of the burned-out farmhouse, then switched to a live interview with Samir’s next-door neighbors in Hartford. She turned the volume up as an elderly man glanced nervously at the camera, then down at the large black microphone.

  “We’re stunned, absolutely stunned.” The gray-haired woman next to him nodded solemnly, then spoke. “They were such nice people. And that little girl–she’s so beautiful and smart. She used to talk to me while I was gardening. She was taking riding lessons, and had just gotten a new horse. She was so excited. . .”

  Jess stared at Dania’s small, solemn face. “How do they get those pictures so fast?”

  Pain tore through her heart, thinking about Dania and what she must be going through, knowing her father was dead. What would her life be like as she grew up with the knowledge he’d been planning mass murder? The answer hit Jess hard. Dania would view Samir as a hero, a freedom fighter for Allaah. She would never look back and yearn for her brief life in America.

  When Howard arrived to take Jess home, he’d changed into a business suit.

  Jess cocked her head. “Why are you all dressed up?”

  He grinned. “The front of the hospital is a sea of reporters. If we get caught, I’d at least like to look good on TV.”

  “I suppose this nightmare will go on forever.”

  “The Feds should wrap it up in a day or two, but I wouldn’t be that optimistic about the media. They’ll beat a story to death for as long as they can garner attention with it. Hell, they’ll be sneaking through the woods to take pictures of you while you clean stalls. You’re a national hero, hon, and that’s what news is all about.”

  The doctor stepped into the room and smiled. “Well, you’re looking more chipper this morning.” He pulled a pen from his coat pocket, made a note on his clipboard, then looked up. “I’m discharging you, but I want you to take it easy. Give your body a chance to recover.” His smile faded and he looked directly into her eyes. “Thank you for your courage.”

  Jess stared in embarrassed silence as he left the room, then glanced up at Howard.

  “I want to go home.”

  Half an hour later, good wishes and congratulations followed her down the hospital corridor, and she smiled woodenly. Behind her, the orderly pushing the wheelchair asked if he could have an autograph. She closed her eyes. Please, just let me get out of here. I want my life back. Pain crushed her chest. What’s left of it.

  The elevator doors opened and the man steered the chair down another hall.

  “Where are you going?”

  “We’re slipping you outta here through the ambulance entrance. The TV crews are all hanging around the front.”

  Automatic doors swung open, and they breezed through the emergency room. Through the glass doors ahead, Jess saw Howard’s rental car, and breathed a sigh of relief. No one else was in sight.

  Even with Howard helping, Jess could barely navigate from the wheelchair into the front seat. No part of her body didn’t hurt. She patted the pocket of her jacket, feeling for the bottle of pain medication. If she could just disappear into dreamless sleep, she’d be happy, but she knew there’d be no such reprieve.

  Howard didn’t say much on the drive home and, for that, Jess was grateful. She glanced sideways at him, seeing the strain of the past few days, and wishing she had the strength to pursue more personal desires. She looked away, watching the countryside slip by. If she were meant to be with Howard, it would happen. For now, she could only think about the present.

  “Ah-ha! There they are!”

  Jess jerked out of her reverie and focused on Howard’s attention. Ahead, dozens of vehicles were gathered at the entrance to Easton Ridge. Police cars with rotating blue lights sat on either side of the driveway.

  Despair squeezed into her thoughts and she drew a deep breath. “I can’t do this right now.”

  “I know. I’ll placate them, then we’ll set up a short press conference for later.”

  As they approached the driveway, news people on foot leaped into action, grabbing cameras and microphones, surging toward the car. Howard shook his head at them and turned in the drive. A patrol car pulled in behind him and stopped, blocking off any further traffic. Howard pulled up a little farther and turned off the engine.

  He winked and flashed a charming smile. “Wish me luck.”

  Jess watched him in the sideview mirror. Men and women spilled out of their vehicles, moving quickly to set up equipment, vying for prime positions to capture everything on film. When he reached the crowd, Jess rolled her window down a little so she could hear. The reporters oozed forward, surrounding Howard like an amoeba.

  His voice was loud and firm. “Miss Rayder is fine, but won’t be available for interviews. I’ll answer your questions, but here are the ground rules. No one goes into or near the barn or horses, and the house is off-limits.” The reporters all started talking at once, and he raised his hand. “Does everyone understand?”

  Thirty minutes later, Jess eased onto the couch, praying for the pain medication to kick in quickly. Howard had done an outstanding job with the news people. They had thoroughly researched Faith’s riding accomplishments, and Jess’s own stellar investment career. She felt naked and vulnerable before the world. She closed her eyes and dozed, vaguely aware of Howard’s movements in the kitchen.

  Low voices drifted into her consciousness, and she opened her eyes slowly. Mona stood a few feet away, looking uncomfortable.

  “Hey, Jess. How you feelin’?”

  “Pretty rough, and I don’t feel like answering any more questions right now.”

  “That’s not why I’m here. I’m helpin’ Faith with stalls.”

  Shame and gratitude poured into Jess’s head. Mona wasn’t so bad–their unlikely relationship had simply gotten off to a rocky start.

  “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

  Howard came into the room carrying a
large flower arrangement. He set it down on the coffee table and grinned. “There are three more in the kitchen. Where do you want ’em?”

  Before she could answer, the telephone rang and Howard walked over to pick it up. Mona sat down next to Jess, and handed her the card from the flowers.

  Jess smiled at Frank’s scraggly scrawl. “Get well soon, Miss Jessie. Anytime you’re ready to buy Easton, I’d be honored to sell it to you.”

  Howard held out the portable phone. “It’s a Doris Troy.”

  Jess’s stomach pitched. For sure, this wouldn’t be pleasant.

  The woman’s pompous tone confirmed it. “How could you put those children in danger? I’m stunned at your lack of responsibility.”

  Jess closed her eyes, trying to find words to placate the woman. A thump blasted through the base of her skull and, suddenly, she was aware of every bruised muscle and stinging wound.

  “Doris, put a sock in it.” She pressed the disconnect button and grinned. “Damn, that felt good!”

  Mona stood up. “Well, I need to get back to headquarters and start filling out reports.” She started toward the door, then turned back, a tentative expression softening her features. “You know, I could come in every day until you hire some help.” She looked a little embarrassed. “This has been the best undercover duty I’ve ever had.”

  Jess didn’t respond. Could she bear having a constant reminder of the past week?

  Mona reached for the doorknob. “You don’t have to make a decision right now, but you have my number.”

  Faith showed up shortly after Mona left.

  She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Wow! I almost got trampled trying to get in here!” She grinned. “I’ve always wanted to say ‘No Comment’!”

  Jess felt a surge of love and hope she’d despaired of ever finding again. Howard disappeared down the hall toward the bathroom, and Faith sat down on the couch, her blue eyes glittering with sympathy and tenderness.

  She slipped her arm around Jess’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry, Jessie.”

  Jess sank into Faith’s arms and finally let go.

  In the space of ten minutes, she felt drained of all feeling. Taking a ragged breath, she looked up and saw her friend’s sad expression. Jess felt as though she, personally, had abandoned a frail bird in a storm. Sorrow drew down the corners of Faith’s eyes, and her small mouth quivered with emotion.

  “Jessie, I’ve signed myself in to Black Rock Rehab Center. I’m leaving in the morning. Mona will cover the stalls until you’re on your feet again.”

  Jess gasped, sending a stab of pain searing through her bruised ribs. “Tomorrow? But what about Brandford? It’s next–”

  Faith shook her head. “The counselor and doctor have agreed to let me out on a day work pass until after the show. I’ll be here a couple of afternoons to work with Lexie and Beth. After that, we’ll just have to reschedule the fall session for November, like we planned.” She looked down at her hands. “I’ll lick this, I promise.”

  Jess’s voice came out almost a whisper. “And I’ll help you. I promise, too.”

  Howard returned, and Faith rose. “Howard, thank you for everything. I hope we meet again sometime.”

  The front door closed quietly behind her, but to Jess, it seemed as though the door to the past had slammed shut, and the door to the future had locked.

  Howard sat down beside her. “Want to talk about it?”

  She leaned her head against his shoulder. “No. It’ll consume my thoughts for a long time. Right now, I just want to be with you.”

  He slid his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. His cheek rested against her hair, his breath soft and warm. Why couldn’t she put everything on hold, see if there was a future with him?

  His voice rumbled with emotion. “Jessie, you have a lot on your plate right now. You’ll need every ounce of strength you can muster to get through whatever lies ahead. . .”

  Tears burned her eyelids, and she sniffled.

  “But somewhere down the line, you’ll need to take some time for yourself, decide what you want.” He cleared his throat. “When that time comes, I’d like to know.”

  She could think of no response that would cover all the unasked questions, so she said nothing. Instead, she listened to his heart thump steadily beneath the soft oxford-cloth shirt. She imagined resting her cheek on his bare skin, tracing her fingers along the outline of his ribs, spending the rest of her life in his arms.

  He loosened his grasp, and sat back to gaze at her. His eyes held a reflection of her own smoldering thoughts.

  “Jessie, I have to go home now. I’ll call in a couple of days.”

  He leaned forward and brushed a kiss across her forehead, then rose, picked up his briefcase, and walked out the door without looking back.

  As soon as the door closed, Jess’s reserves crumpled, and emotional agony joined her physical pain.

  Chapter 49

  At dawn, Jess struggled to open her eyes, emerging from a deep, dreamless sleep more tired than when she’d fallen into bed. Too much excitement, too much adrenaline, too much emotion blended with copious doses of pain medication, taking a heavy toll on her battered body and mind. The silent emptiness of the house seemed overwhelming. Would anything ever be normal again? Routine, maybe–but not normal.

  She rose with effort and walked haltingly down the dark hall toward the living room. Through the front window, she saw the dim outlines of the patrol cars at the entrance to the farm and, a short distance down the road, a van. Her heart thumped and she instinctively stepped back from the window in fright. Could other terrorists be waiting for the chance to finish what Samir had started?

  She moved into the kitchen, trying to think about other things. A moment later, she returned to the window. Early morning light replaced the murky shadows, and she could see more detail. The call letters of a Hartford television station stood out clearly against the white van. Reporters. Another lettered truck pulled up, followed by a white sedan. Relief swallowed the haunting images of fear, then the magnitude of the circumstances crashed down on her. In a seemingly random string of events, her life had changed forever and, for the first time, she didn’t have a plan.

  Ten feet from the barn door, Jess stopped and squeezed her eyes shut. I can’t do this yet. Scenes of horror raced through her head, looping again and again back to Casey. A vise of pain in her throat nearly suffocated her, and hot tears escaped to dribble down her cheeks. She turned away and faced the glow in the east as the sun edged over the horizon, a fiery jewel in an opal sky. The promise of a new day, a new beginning.

  Morning barn sounds drifted on the air–the clank of a stall latch, Mona talking to one of the horses, the clip-clop of iron shoes on concrete–reminders of a dream come true. Jess had her life back and, though the future would be littered with fragments of the past, maybe with time, she could get beyond them.

  She took a deep breath and swiped at her tears, then stepped into the cool dim barn. Mona stepped out of the feed room and waved.

  “Morning, feel any better?”

  “Not much, but thanks anyway.”

  Mona stood still for moment, then nodded and grabbed the handle of the cart to resume the morning feed.

  Jess listened to her heart thumping in her ears, then slowly started toward the two end stalls, painfully aware of the absent joyful greeting. The dark streak on Casey’s stall door had blackened overnight, blending into the wood grain, its meaning known only to an unlucky few. Jess’s breath came in ragged gulps, and the enormity of her loss crushed her chest. She stopped, dizzy with the physical assault on her senses, and her breath shuddered as she grappled with the pain.

  Taking two more steps, she confronted the empty stall. Every speck of sawdust had been removed, and the packed clay floor dusted with lime. The faint odor of disinfectant obliterated any hint of death–or life.

  Her voice squeaked with sorrow. “Oh God, Casey. Can you ever forgive me?”

  She
’d failed everyone who’d ever loved her, and this was her punishment.

  A soft nicker rumbled into her heartache and she looked up. Blurred by her tears, Steely Dan’s large dark eyes peered through the iron bars of the next stall.

  Later, bolstered by Danny’s unconditional love, Jess sat down at her desk and stared at the blinking red light on the answering machine. Twelve messages. She hit the play button and listened in disbelief. One by one, people introduced themselves and asked if riding lessons were available at Easton Ridge.

  Mona walked in. “Sounds like business is picking up.”

  Jess shook her head. “It’s the end of the season. . .we usually lose a few riders for the winter session. This is unbelievable.”

  “No, it isn’t. Notoriety has advantages. Every television station is carrying the story that Hafez and Mustafa worked here. Add the news about Dania’s riding lessons–you guys are celebrities.”

  Jess hadn’t considered the positive aspects of being in the news. “Do you think these are all legitimate inquiries?”

  “Probably most of them. You might get a couple of gawkers with morbid curiosity about the scene of the excitement.” She stood up and grinned. “Ride the wave while you can.” She turned toward the door.

  “Mona? Can we talk?”

  The woman hesitated for a moment before turning back, her body language proof they were both on the same page. Their eyes met, and Jess exhaled slowly before speaking.

  “I really appreciate everything you’ve done here. We’ve had a couple of rough spots between us, but I admire your hard work and real concern for the welfare of the horses. . .”

  Mona smiled without humor. “But at some point, you’d like me to disappear and let you get on with your life.”

  Jess nodded. “We both know the past few days will always hang between us. I want to put it behind me, move on, and recapture some semblance of normalcy.”

  Disappointment briefly shadowed Mona’s features, and Jess knew the agent’s undercover work hadn’t been her only involvement at the farm.