STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery)

by Bev Pettersen

  It was surprising Judith hadn’t waited though. Emily blew out a frustrated breath. She could have taken the limo directly to the hotel and been there when Dan finished with Shania.

  Finished. The word raised all kinds of connotations. But even though he’d been reserved on the phone, his simple statement that he’d see her later filled her with an intuitive confidence. He wouldn’t touch another woman until he’d ended things with her. But maybe that was his plan.

  She pulled out her phone. It was nearly dark. She and Judith would have to catch transportation to the hotel or they’d be stuck paying for a cab. More importantly, she wanted to see Dan as quickly as possible.

  Her phone beeped and a message flashed. But it was from Judith, not Dan.

  Come to the stud barn, Judith texted. Did you tell anyone about the wash stall?

  Not yet but I’ll see Dan later, Emily texted back. Just dropped off at cottage. See you in a sec.

  Emily closed her phone and hurried toward the barn, keen to leave this forsaken place. It would be nice to see Barney and Ted, but there was no need to linger. She and Judith couldn’t do much about a concrete floor.

  It would be best to relay their suspicions to the police. Dan hadn’t shown much interest and Anthony was impossible to approach. Hopefully Judith wouldn’t be bullheaded about leaving.

  Low-lying clouds blotted the moon, but the concrete drive was smooth and easy to follow. She didn’t even need the light on her phone. The welcome glow from the stud barn was already visible through the trees and served as a beacon.

  She walked into the barn, swinging the bag Mrs. Hamilton had given her. She’d brush her hair and teeth here, just in case she saw Dan before being assigned a hotel room. But she fervently hoped she wouldn’t be sleeping single tonight.

  Barney nickered and thrust his head over the door. She paused to pat the friendly gelding. If Dan were half as happy to see her, she’d be delighted. The horse nuzzled at her pockets, his warm breath sweet from the smell of hay. “Do you have any peppermints?” she asked, spotting Judith crouched in the adjacent wash stall.

  Judith didn’t answer. The cover to the drain had been lifted. A rusty screwdriver lay in a matted tangle of black horse hair. But Judith remained on her knees, her eyes blank.

  “Was the drain plugged?” Emily asked. “Was that the problem?”

  Judith’s gaze shifted. Emily turned. Mrs. Hamilton edged from the empty stall across from Barney. She wore a tasteful pearl necklace, glistening coral lipstick, and pointed a rather stubby-looking gun.

  Emily’s automatic greeting shriveled.

  “You’re actually the problem,” Mrs. Hamilton said.

  Emily gulped, desperately trying to wet her throat. “I d-don’t know what you mean.”

  “You shouldn’t have come back here. Shouldn’t have made friends with Billy. And it’s truly unfortunate you have Dan Barrett’s ear.”

  “But I haven’t told him anything.” Emily’s gaze skittered to the floor of the wash stall then back to Mrs. Hamilton’s face. “So there’s no need to protect your husband. Or Billy. No one is even very interested.”

  Mrs. Hamilton gave a humorless smile. “Put down your phone and bag. Sit by your friend.”

  Emily gaped, too stunned to move. This woman sounded so different. No longer charming, but cold and ruthless. A dawning horror swept her. “It w-wasn’t Billy?”

  “Move.” Mrs. Hamilton gestured with the gun.

  Emily lowered her phone and bag with clumsy fingers. She shuffled to a spot beside Judith and dropped awkwardly on the cold concrete. Her gaze met Judith’s in a moment of mutual terror before shooting back to Mrs. Hamilton who now inspected Emily’s phone.

  “I just called Dan,” Emily said quickly. “He knows about the wash stall. In fact, he’s heading here now.”

  “Indeed.” Mrs. Hamilton lifted a disbelieving eyebrow. “According to my husband, Dan’s engrossed with Shania. And I can see your calls. Read your texts.”

  “But why are you doing this?” Emily shook her head, still struggling to absorb the significance of the gun. “We found Tracey’s bag. Everyone thinks it’s Billy.”

  “Yes, poor Billy,” Mrs. Hamilton said. “Loyal to the end. But he was supposed to burn that bag. Unfortunate about the dementia. It progressed so quickly. I couldn’t trust him not to talk.”

  A chill settled on Emily’s neck. She gaped in dawning horror. “Billy was your man, not your husband’s? But his family worked for the estate—”

  “My family’s estate. Our properties were joined by marriage.” Mrs. Hamilton’s voice hardened. “And I wasn’t about to have it carved up because of that pregnant slut.”

  Judith jerked forward. “Pregnant?” she whispered, speaking for the first time since Emily arrived.

  “That baby should have been mine.” Mrs. Hamilton’s mouth flattened. “I went to the apartment, offered her money to leave. She grabbed a knife. Ordered me to go. And it was my property.”

  Emily’s hands shook. On the other side of the wall, Barney munched hay, the sound of his contented chewing discordant with the terror chilling her limbs.

  “So it was self defense.” Emily tried to shrug but her cold shoulders were too stiff to move. “No problem,” she croaked. “Everyone would understand. Let’s go and call a lawyer.”

  “For six months I watched them through that apartment window,” Mrs. Hamilton said. “Giggling and drawing hearts. I thought it would pass, like the others. She claimed I wasn’t woman enough to give Thomas a baby.” Mrs. Hamilton’s voice turned toneless. “I lost my temper… Billy helped me clean up.”

  Bile climbed Emily’s throat. She wanted to plug her ears. Stop listening. Beside her, Judith’s breath came in shallow gasps.

  “It’s okay.” Emily forced the words from her dry mouth. “All you need is a good lawyer. Everything will be fine.”

  “But he’d never forgive me. He’s already suspicious. Because of this, Reckless didn’t make the Derby.”

  “Tracey was pregnant,” Judith whispered, her voice reedy. She sat unmoving, almost trancelike, her words barely distinguishable over her ragged breathing.

  “It’s no problem. You just need a good lawyer,” Emily repeated, nudging her friend in the ribs, wishing Judith didn’t belie Emily’s words by sounding so horrified.

  “What I need is for you to go away,” Mrs. Hamilton said.

  “Sure.” Emily nodded quickly. “We can do that.”

  Mrs. Hamilton gave a tight smile. “I liked you. I really did. You never flirted with my husband. But you shouldn’t have been snooping. Now get up.”

  The past tense. She spoke in the past tense. A cold sweat prickled Emily’s neck. Neither she nor Judith moved.

  “They’re going to find the body anyway.” Emily gripped her sweaty hands so tightly they hurt. “When they run water, the aisle will flood. They’ll have to fix the floor.”

  “I had that scene moved to the other barn. And the apartment closed. Nothing will be shot here.” Mrs. Hamilton’s coral mouth twisted with dark humor. “Unless it’s necessary.”

  Emily stared into the muzzle of the gun, doubtful her numb legs would even work. “Where are we going?”

  “Just for a little drive. Now get up.”

  Emily reluctantly struggled to her feet and pulled up Judith. There would be no help from her friend. Judith’s face was pasty white, her eyes glazed. “It’s okay,” Emily said. “We’re just going to walk to her car.”

  “There’s hay on your jeans,” Mrs. Hamilton said. “Brush it off, please.”

  Relief coursed through Emily and she obligingly swiped at the hay, her arms and legs not quite so boneless. This was comforting. If Mrs. Hamilton worried about a dirty car, probably any fear she’d shoot them was groundless. Besides, there were security guards at both entrances. They’d have a chance to signal for help.

  “Good girl,” Mrs. Hamilton said. “You just lie where I say and you won’t get hurt.”

  An imag
e of the Lincoln’s clean and cavernous trunk flashed. Emily’s knees buckled and she grabbed Barney’s door for support. Of course Mrs. Hamilton remembered the guards. She didn’t want anything soiling her spotless trunk.

  Emily shook her head. “We’re not going.”

  “Yes,” Mrs. Hamilton said. “You are. Besides, I’m not going to hurt you.”

  But the woman’s gaze flickered, and it was obvious she was lying. Worse, if she was as adept at hiding their bodies as she had been with Tracey’s, she might never even be caught. The only witnesses were the two horses.

  Emily’s fingers clenched around the top of Barney’s door. She couldn’t think, could barely stand. Barney didn’t understand at all and sniffed at her hands, still hopeful for a treat.

  Mrs. Hamilton waved her gun at Judith. “You. Step closer. Walk beside Emily.”

  Emily’s gaze darted down the aisle. Burke had enrolled her and Jenna in a self-defense course. The instructor stressed if you intend to fight or flee, do it immediately. There might not be a second chance.

  Maybe they could bolt once they were closer to the door. Mrs. Hamilton might miss. And the sound of the shot would bring someone, or at least be remembered tomorrow—or whenever she and Judith were reported missing.

  But when would that be? Judith didn’t have any family, and Jenna and Burke were in England. Dan expected her at the hotel but probably wouldn’t be too surprised if she didn’t show. After all, she’d left once before without telling him.

  She pressed against the stall, sucking in a ragged gulp of air. Her entire body trembled and she had to get her shaky legs under control. Needed to be ready to run. She could bolt down the driveway and Judith could swerve toward the trees. Hopefully, clouds still covered the sky. Together they could do this.

  She glanced sideways, willing Judith to understand. But Judith’s eyes were stark against her bloodless face, her arms clamped woodenly against her chest.

  “It’s okay, Judith,” Emily said, trying to hide her own debilitating fear. “We’re just going to walk toward Mrs. Hamilton’s car.” She squeezed Judith’s arm. “It’ll be okay, outside.”

  However, Judith’s horrified gaze remained locked on Mrs. Hamilton’s face.

  Emily squeezed her eyes shut, fighting a rush of hopelessness. Judith couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move. She’d never be able to run. And Emily couldn’t abandon her.

  But she didn’t want to die. She had to see Dan again. And Jenna. Needed to thank Burke in person. And Peanut might have another setback. She tightened her grip on Judith’s arm, shaking it almost frantically. But Judith was in a zombie state, and Mrs. Hamilton was far too shrewd.

  Her eyes narrowed. “If you do anything rash, Emily, I will shoot your friend.” She motioned with the gun. “Now keep holding her arm and walk slowly down the aisle.”

  “Please,” Emily said. “You don’t need to do this. A good lawyer would get you off.”

  “Maybe,” Mrs. Hamilton said, “but the scandal would kill my marriage. Now walk.”

  Emily gave Judith’s arm another frantic squeeze. But despite her death grip, Judith remained oblivious to any attempts at communication. If only she were as alert as Barney.

  Unlike Judith, the horse was totally attentive, not understanding why three people lingered in front of his stall but clearly expecting it might result in a treat. His bright eyes tracked Emily’s every movement.

  This isn’t a movie, Barney, she thought despairingly. There’d be no trick or treat games tonight. But his gaze remained on her hands, as though determined not to miss his stage call.

  And he’s already shown that he’s dependable.

  She sucked in a fortifying breath and edged to the side of the stall, tugging Judith with her.

  “Keep walking,” Mrs. Hamilton snapped, stepping in front of Barney and waving the gun.

  “Get it!” Emily said. She pushed Judith aside and charged forward, catching a blur of movement as Barney reached over the stall and grabbed the gun. Mrs. Hamilton’s furious eyes held Emily’s as she tried to wrench the gun from Barney’s mouth.

  Crack.

  A bullet ricocheted off the steel grill. Barney’s head jerked in alarm, his nostrils flaring at the unexpected noise. The gun clattered to the floor.

  Emily launched herself at Mrs. Hamilton, rocketed by adrenaline and fear. They tumbled to the floor in a tangle. She grappled with flailing limbs, trying to pin the woman to the floor. But a pointed knee drove into Emily’s chest. The impact emptied her lungs in a painful whoosh. For a moment, she couldn’t move.

  “Bitch.” Rage thickened Mrs. Hamilton’s voice. She twisted sideways, groping for the fallen gun.

  “Looking for this?” a voice asked.

  Emily peered up, aching for breath. Despite Judith’s odd voice, the gun in her hand looked surprisingly steady.

  Emily stumbled to her feet. Mrs. Hamilton rose more gracefully. But she didn’t look as beautiful now, even though her clothes and makeup were still elegant despite their rumble in the aisle. Barney edged back to the front of his stall, reassured that the humans were acting normally again. Mrs. Hamilton shot him a venomous look and appeared far from beaten.

  “Careful, Judith,” Emily warned.

  But Judith stepped closer. “You k-killed her. My sister was pregnant and you killed her.”

  Emily gaped. So did Mrs. Hamilton. But only for a moment.

  “Your sister? Really,” Mrs. Hamilton said coolly. “Your parents must have been delighted to have raised such a slut.”

  “My parents died of broken hearts.” Judith’s voice shook. “They searched and hoped and prayed until they gave up. You shouldn’t have done that… She was just a kid. You didn’t have to kill her.”

  “It was humiliating.” Mrs. Hamilton spat so vehemently a drop of spittle formed at the corner of her sculpted mouth. “My husband wanted a divorce, all because of a twenty-year-old nobody who’d barely finished high school. He kept sneaking off to the apartment. Even Reckless was infatuated. Well, I fixed it so they both could sleep with her.”

  Judith flinched. Her gaze shot to the wash stall and the muzzle of the gun quivered.

  “Give me the gun,” Emily said.

  “No. I’m going to shoot her.” Judith’s voice turned eerily calm. “Otherwise she’ll get a lawyer and be out in five years. I did the research.”

  “Don’t. It’s not worth it.”

  “She killed my sister. And her baby. Then buried them like trash. What would you do?”

  Emily gulped. If someone killed Jenna… It was too horrible to contemplate. But she shook her head and inched closer. “Don’t wreck your life. My dad died in prison. Really, it’s no fun.”

  Judith waved the gun, her voice firming. “Stay back, Emily. She took everything. I have to make her pay.”

  Barney’s ears shot forward. He raised his head and stared down the aisle.

  “Of course she needs to pay.” Dan’s easy voice sounded behind them. Emily twisted, sagging with relief. He looked so calm, as if he handled murderous gun scenes every day.

  “What’s the most important thing in her life?” Dan said, easing between Judith and Emily.

  “Her husband,” Judith muttered, keeping the gun trained on Mrs. Hamilton.

  “Yes, and Hamilton Stud. What will happen when she faces two murder charges?” Dan’s voice remained level, but his gaze flickered over Emily and his eyes were arctic shards of blue. “Along with the attempted murder tonight.”

  Judith’s throat convulsed. “I imagine he’ll divorce her.”

  “I imagine he will.” Dan edged even closer. “Put down the gun, Judith. Security is on its way. They’ll handle this.”

  “I knew Tracey didn’t run away, no matter what the police thought,” Judith said brokenly. “She wouldn’t do that, especially before the Derby. She loved Reckless. He was all she talked about.”

  “And clearly the horse knew that,” Dan said, easing the gun from Judith’s hands.

  M
rs. Hamilton immediately swelled with bravado. “I’m calling security,” she snapped. “These intruders were in my barn. Trespassing, threatening—”

  “Don’t speak.” Dan’s voice sliced the air. “Don’t move. Don’t even look.”

  His command was low but full of such menace Emily half hoped Mrs. Hamilton would try to say something else. She also hoped Dan would never, ever speak to her in such a scary voice.

  As if aware of her thoughts, he reached back and gave her a one-armed hug, his voice instantly gentling. “Are you okay, Em?”

  He stuck the gun in the waistband of his jeans and cupped her face. Anger still vibrated from him in waves, but his touch was achingly sweet. “I heard a shot.”

  Emily shook her head. “It didn’t hit anything. It went off when Barney grabbed the gun.”

  “The horse grabbed it? The Reckless lookalike?” He gave a tight smile. “How fitting.”

  “His name is Barney,” she said. Suddenly it was important that Dan say his name. After all, the horse was a hero. “It’s not fair to be nice and then dump him when the movie’s over,” she went on, her words tripping over each other. “Barney’s a good horse and he’s dependable. And someone needs to look after his leg.”

  Dan looked at her oddly then reached for two horse blankets, draping one over her and one over Judith. “We should watch you two for shock. Get checked out by the paramedic. Here are some cars now.”

  Headlights slashed the dark beyond the entrance. Car doors slammed. Moments later two security guards swept in, their eyes wide, hands close to their holsters.

  Dan met them in the aisle. They spoke for a moment in low voices.

  One guard walked up to Mrs. Hamilton. She opened her mouth to protest but cast a wary look at Dan and remained silent. The other man accompanied Judith, following Mrs. Hamilton and her escort out the door.

  And then Dan’s arms wrapped around Emily, and he was holding her so tightly she could barely breathe. “It’s over,” he said, adjusting the blanket. “But we need to stay here until the police take your statement. Are you cold?”

  “Not anymore. But I need to check on Judith.” She tried to twist away, her voice choking with compassion. “Now I understand much better. Why she acted that way. Tracey was her sister.”