STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery)

by Bev Pettersen

  Emily pressed her fingers over her mouth, feeling much lighter than the last time they’d discussed her various careers. It seemed Jenna didn’t care what she did. And Burke only wanted whatever made Jenna happy.

  “Actually,” Emily admitted, “I’m hoping to get a job as a horse wrangler. And then maybe move on to trick training.”

  “That’s great, Em,” Jenna said, not missing a beat. “As long as you come home more often, even if it’s just for a couple days.”

  Emily blinked. She could have said she was running off to join the circus; Jenna really didn’t care. The only thing her sister wanted was to see her more often. They may have had a piss poor father but Emily definitely could never find a better sister. Or brother-in-law.

  “Have a good time in England,” Emily managed, her chest fuzzy with so much emotion it spilled into her voice. “I’ll visit when you’re back. And don’t worry about Peanut. I love you both.”

  The call ended. But Emily palmed the phone long after they’d hung up. It was great talking with them, seeing their faces. However, now that they were gone, her loneliness felt more acute. If only she could see Dan, or at least talk to him.

  Mrs. Hamilton hadn’t returned her call though. There was one message, but that was from Judith. At least Emily’s phone was charged, thanks to Charlie. She pressed Judith’s number, needing to talk to someone who knew Dan.

  “Did you hear?” Judith asked, her voice thick with relief. “Your shoot isn’t until tomorrow. They’re not using the little barn either. They have to make a fake door for the scene. Isn’t that weird? That Mr. Hamilton won’t let them use the bottom of the stud barn?”

  “Yes, weird but lucky,” Emily said, rather distracted. “Do you think the casting director gave Dan my message? About Peanut being sick?”

  “I don’t know.” Judith blew out an impatient breath. “Does it matter?”

  “Of course. He was at Churchill yesterday so I couldn’t talk to him before I left.”

  “He’s so busy he probably didn’t notice,” Judith said. “Just get back here. You can talk to him then.”

  Emily twisted a strand of Peanut’s mane around her finger. She didn’t want to wait, didn’t want Dan to think she’d disappeared for no good reason. “I’ll probably come back tonight,” she said, “so I can do the scene tomorrow. Peanut is doing quite well. And I won’t have to hitchhike.”

  “If you’re here before dark we can check the area around Billy’s cottage.” Judith’s voice lifted. “Investigators finished checking the rubble, and the area is no longer restricted. But everyone’s speculating about the fire. I wish they’d bring in one of those machines that hunts for graves.”

  Emily turned from Peanut and paced a circle in the stall. She hated to think Billy was a murderer. Sometimes she wished they hadn’t found Tracey’s duffle bag. “I don’t think he would have buried her in the yard. It’s too open. And judging by the kennel, there used to be dogs around. They would have dug up a body.”

  “Yes,” Judith said. “There was a bag of moldy dog food in the closet. But where else would he have buried her?”

  “I don’t know. But not close to the road.”

  “I’ll check if there were any pigs,” Judith said, her voice strained.

  Emily shuddered at the thought of what a pig could do to a body. “Hamilton Stud doesn’t seem the kind of place that would have a pigpen.”

  “I have to go,” Judith said. “The bus just stopped.”

  “The bus?” Emily asked. “Where are you?”

  “At the site. I’m doing background today.”

  “Then you’ll see Dan soon.” Emily swung around, so excited that Peanut stopped chewing hay. “Can you tell him that I’ll be back tonight? Maybe you could have him call me. Or get his number so I can call him. Please, Judith.”

  “Slow down,” Judith said. “He probably won’t give me his number but I can pass on your message. And yes, I’ll do it. I won’t even go to the background tent first.”

  “Thank you.” Emily sighed with relief. It was quite a favor for someone like Judith to delay her check-in.

  “I don’t know why you’re worrying,” Judith said. “Dan isn’t the type who gets attached. Bet he didn’t even notice that you’re gone.” Her words turned rushed as voices swelled in the background. “I’ll call you later. Bye.”

  Emily put away her phone and turned back to Peanut. He pushed his head into her chest so she could scratch his shaggy ears. “Judith doesn’t know everything,” she whispered. “And I think Dan noticed.”

  Still, it would have been simple for someone in his position to find her number. Yet he hadn’t called, not unless it was before her phone was charged. Peanut nudged at her pocket, blithely unconcerned about the lack of calls, and despite her preoccupation with Dan, the pony’s interest in treats was an immensely positive sign.

  Her phone vibrated. She yanked it from her pocket so quickly, she almost dropped it in the shavings.

  “Hello, Emily,” the cultured voice said. “This is Louise Hamilton. I received your message. Were you able to meet your drive on time?”

  “Oh, yes. Thanks for taking me to the highway.” Emily kept her hand on Peanut’s neck, drawing support from his stoic presence. “I just wondered if you were able to pass my message on to Dan?”

  “Certainly,” Mrs. Hamilton said. “I spoke to him yesterday. I do hope everything is okay.”

  There was a slight question in her voice, but she was clearly too refined to ask details, and Emily’s appreciation of the lady grew. “Everything is fine. I’m hoping to return tonight. Luckily my scene was postponed. But I wonder, do you have Dan’s number?”

  “If I don’t, I can get it for you,” Mrs. Hamilton said. “Wait one moment while I check with my husband.”

  Emily squeezed her eyes shut and even Peanut’s neck relaxed, as though sharing her relief.

  “He’s calling Anthony’s assistant now,” Mrs. Hamilton said, mere seconds later.

  A man’s voice rumbled in the background. Shortly after, Mrs. Hamilton relayed Dan’s number.

  “Thank you very much,” Emily said. She quickly pressed the number into her phone, wishing there were some way to repay Mrs. Hamilton for her many kindnesses. But she’d worry about that later. Right now it was more important to call Dan.

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  “Cut!” Anthony said.

  Shania nodded at the actor playing Billy, grabbed a bottle of water from her attentive assistant and sauntered off the set, her tight jeans plastered to shapely legs.

  “We got the flashback on the second take,” she said, stopping by Dan. “I’m glad they added those extra scenes. A famous racehorse is fine, but now we have the human-interest element. And that’s what sells movies.” She took a dainty sip of water, her black-coated eyelashes fanning her cheeks. “Do you think Billy killed her?”

  “Investigators didn’t find anything in the rubble,” Dan said.

  “Perhaps they should dig deeper. Playing the role of Tracey has made me sympathetic toward the girl. It’s unfortunate the cottage was badly burned. I heard someone found a duffle bag but then took off.”

  Someone. Dan’s mouth tightened.

  “Billy may have been a cross dresser,” Shania went on. “Otherwise it’s doubtful he’d have Tracey’s bag unless it was for nefarious reasons. The only other man who moved around freely was Thomas Hamilton. Let’s get together tonight and compare notes.” She placed a hand on Dan’s forearm and blinked her big eyes. “I gave you information on the ball cap, but my assistants gathered much more research on Tracey. Just think of the headlines if we helped solve this mystery.”

  Dan gave a dismissive shrug. Shania seemed to think he wanted to be an investigator, probably because of that call he’d made for Emily. “Anthony would want to hear this,” he said, “but I’m primarily interested in the horse aspect.” He didn’t want to shake off Shania’s fingers and look rude, but this was a hectic morning and he had a lot
to do.

  “Oh, but I have plenty of horse research too.” Her hand fluttered higher on his arm. “I interviewed three grooms. One of them covered for Tracey the morning she went missing. The poor girl broke her wrist trying to hold Reckless for his bath. That’s when they noticed the colt’s violent behavior.”

  “Broke her wrist?” Dan rubbed his forehead. Anthony had requested a quiet horse for the bath scene and that had suited him fine, especially since Splash was safer for Emily to handle. But Emily was no longer here and the movie was taking a darker twist, one that the company seemed keen to pursue. Anthony might want to consider Shania’s information, especially since the script supervisor was still making changes.

  Dan’s phone vibrated and he slipped his hand in his pocket, using the movement as an excuse to free his arm.

  “Barrett,” he answered.

  “Hi, it’s Emily.”

  He hated his rush of relief, the pure happiness he felt at the sound of her voice. “Where are you?” he asked. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. It took me awhile to get your number. But Mrs. Hamilton was kind enough to help. Sorry I had to leave without talking to you.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” he said, more stiffly now, aware of Shania’s avid interest.

  “But it does.” Emily sounded rather breathless. “Peanut had an allergic reaction and my sister was away and I didn’t have time to leave a note.”

  Dan blinked in surprise. Her pony? Her absence was because of Peanut? “How’s he doing?” he asked, remembering the sparkle in her eyes whenever she mentioned her pony.

  “Much better. It was touch and go for a bit though. I’m hoping to come back soon, depending on what the vet says.”

  “Good. How did you get home?”

  “Oh, Mrs. Hamilton helped. Then I caught a couple drives,” she said, her voice drifting.

  “Hitchhiked?” He hated the disapproval in his voice, knew that wasn’t what she needed. She’d had enough censure to last a lifetime. “Never mind, Em,” he said. “I’m glad you’re okay. You and Peanut too.” But even to him, his words sounded flat.

  “The casting director said my scene with Splash’s bath was postponed until tomorrow. So that’s good…” Her voice trailed off to an uncomfortable silence.

  “It might be postponed even further,” Dan said. “And the horse might not be Splash. In fact, from what I’m hearing the bath could be a lot more energetic.”

  Shania gave a throaty laugh and leaned closer. “I like energetic,” she murmured.

  Dan pressed the phone closer to his ear, wishing Emily had called at a better time. Five people signaled for his attention, their eyes reflecting various degrees of urgency, and Shania had her hand plastered on his arm again. “I have to go, Emily,” he said. “We’re in the middle of filming. But I’m glad you and Peanut are okay. See you.”

  He slipped his phone back in his pocket. Then authorized an extra horse for the upcoming scene, signed for a rush delivery of bedding, soothed the stunt performer who claimed Anthony practiced verbal abuse, and then had Lizzie add some touch-up paint to a horse’s legs. Throughout the activity, Shania didn’t leave his side…or Emily his thoughts.

  “Sorry to bother you,” a quiet voice said, so tentative he could barely hear. “I’ve been waiting for a long time. I just need to pass on a message.”

  It took him a second to recognize Emily’s friend from their trailer stay. “Hello, Judith,” he said.

  “Emily wanted you to know that she’ll probably be back tonight.” Judith shuffled her feet, speaking quickly. Her self-conscious gaze bounced from the buttons on his shirt, to Shania, and back to his shirt again. “There was an…animal emergency and she had to leave. But you can call if you want. And if she had your number, she’d call you.”

  “I just spoke with her. She told me about Peanut.” His voice softened. “But thank you.”

  Judith’s shoulders visibly relaxed and she lifted her head, finally meeting his gaze. “That’s good. I better report to the background tent now.”

  Shania made an impatient sound, and Judith scooted away, clearly relieved the message had been delivered. Perhaps Shania’s imperious presence had been daunting, especially since Judith lacked Emily’s pluck. On her very first day, Emily had sashayed into the cast and crew’s dining room, acting like she owned it.

  The image of Emily cheered him, along with the knowledge that it must have taken considerable effort to persuade her meek friend to deliver a message in the middle of a bustling set…although Judith wasn’t always meek. She was the same woman who’d rifled through his papers, behavior that didn’t fit her conformist appearance. He frowned, bothered by the inconsistencies.

  “Those extras should know better than to barge up like that,” Shania said, clearly misinterpreting his frown. “How about we meet back at the hotel where it’s private? You can listen to my interviews and pick out what’s important for your horses.”

  Dan turned back to Shania. “Do you have notes from the groom with the broken wrist? And more information on Reckless’s bath?”

  “Of course. There are both notes and audio.” Shania’s voice turned sultry. “And I’d be delighted to show you everything I have.”

  *

  “I’ll send you a daily report,” Wally said, holding open the back door of the limo. “But don’t worry. The way Peanut is stealing Molly’s hay shows he’s back to normal.”

  Emily nodded and slid onto the luxurious leather seat. Burke hadn’t skimped with the car. Of course, Burke never skimped on anything.

  Wally dropped a new phone charger on her lap. “Thought this might come in handy while you’re on that movie location. Charlie picked it up. And the way you were with Peanut—your dedication—well, if you ever need a reference for horse care, I’d be pleased to talk to any future employer. Your mother would be proud of the way you and Jenna support each other.” He cleared his throat. “I am too.”

  He closed the door and tapped the roof of the car.

  Emily gripped the charger, staring out the window as the driver eased the car down the manicured driveway. Wally remained on the cobblestones, waving, and his rare sendoff filled her with a sense of belonging.

  “Your dad left an envelope from Mr. Burke in the side pocket,” the driver said.

  “That’s not my dad, more like an uncle,” Emily said, still waving to Wally. “An uncle I never appreciated enough.”

  The driver smiled in understanding, his eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror. “Refreshments are in the fridge. Let me know if you want to stop before Lexington.”

  Emily nodded and cautiously reached for Burke’s envelope. It might be an invoice for the drive—something she could ill afford—but at least travel time back to the set would be minimal.

  Dan had sounded so stiff on the phone, as though she’d committed a serious offense. And maybe, in his opinion, she had. However, Peanut was recovering, Wally was happy and Jenna was able to enjoy her vacation. Those things were far more important than any job. Always would be.

  Squaring her shoulders, she ripped open the envelope. A golden airline ticket dropped onto her lap. “Oh, wow,” she breathed, staring at the pass, good for unlimited air travel anywhere in the USA. No upkeep or gas required. She could go home for vacations. Heck, she’d be able to fly home whenever she wanted.

  There was a typed message on a thick white sheet. Obviously Burke’s scarily competent office had looked after this.

  Flying might work out better for you than car maintenance. Come home often. Do you want a skylight in your bedroom?

  Burke

  He hadn’t written anything about Peanut but his appreciation was clear and by Burke’s standards, the note was absolutely gushing.

  She folded his letter and reverently tucked it into the side pocket of Mrs. Hamilton’s gift bag. She’d been a fool to think Burke resented her visits, that they were in competition for Jenna’s attention. Heck, he’d even said ‘come home’ not ‘visit.’ A
nd he hadn’t mentioned her wrecked car. In fact, his toughest question had been about skylights.

  And heck she wanted skylights, sure she did. She wanted to take Dan home, play cards with Burke and Jenna, and then lie in bed and admire the stars. There wasn’t a prettier sight than watching the reddening horizon from the porch. But having Dan beside her would definitely move the bedroom view to first place.

  She fingered her phone, tempted to call him again. Maybe he’d have more time to talk. But it was only three o’clock, and they’d still be filming. Judith might not be busy though. Emily pressed her number.

  “Hi,” Judith said. “Is your phone charged?”

  “Totally. And I’ll be back about seven tonight.”

  “That’s great,” Judith said. “I went over to Billy’s cottage. Guess who was there?” Her voice rose. “Thomas Hamilton. He was poking around but not in the rubble. He was checking the grass, like he knew there was something hidden.”

  “Did he see you?” Emily adjusted the heat in the back seat, suddenly chilled.

  “No, I hid in the woods. But he knows something. I’m sure of it.”

  “But the yard is too open. If they dug a grave there, someone would have noticed.” Emily lowered her voice, but the driver stared straight ahead, stoically concentrating on the road. “What about Dan?” She blew out a breath. “Did you see him?”

  “Yes. I passed on your message. He’d already spoken with you.”

  “Thanks,” Emily said gratefully. “How did Bruno do this morning? Did they finish the rail stunt?”

  “He wasn’t with any horses. Only Shania.”

  Emily frowned. “I thought all her scenes were finished until next week.”

  “Yes, but the producer added some parts with Billy. That’s good because more attention could force the police to reopen Tracey’s case. The actor playing him is super creepy. I looked him up on the Internet and he did some stalking movies. They’re going to show him watching Shania ride.”