by Karen Rose
Now you know how it feels.
‘Blood?’
‘Yeah. Whether it’s human or not I don’t know.’
Kate came around the other side of the barn, looking grim. ‘I think it’s cow.’
‘How can you tell?’ Joseph asked.
‘Because there’s a dead cow in the back,’ she said. ‘Slaughtered. It was wearing a collar and a bell. I think it might have been their pet.’
Joseph’s heart lodged in his throat. ‘Did Daphne see the message?’
‘Yes,’ Hector said. ‘She and Maggie are in the barn now, along with the caretaker. They’re making sure the horses are all right.’
‘Who’s the caretaker?’
‘Scott Cooper. He was at her house yesterday when we got there. She trusts him. Apparently Cooper and Daphne go way back, since before her divorce. He has the next ranch over, but he works this one for Maggie.’ He pointed at a tidy, white wood-framed house. ‘That’s Maggie’s – Simone’s friend.’
‘I met her last night. She was Daphne’s nanny,’ Joseph remembered.
‘Now she lives here, generally oversees the horses. Cooper does the heavy work.’
‘How often is Daphne out here?’
‘Every day when she’s not in a big trial,’ Hector said. ‘She hadn’t been out in over two weeks, though. Before you ask, cameras were installed, but the power was out. Still is. Line was cut.’
‘Generator?’
‘Natural gas, and that line was turned off. I think someone knew they’d all be gathered down at Daphne’s, that Maggie wasn’t here. Cooper said he did the six P.M. feeding yesterday and the power was just fine.’
‘Have you called CSU?’
‘I did,’ Coppola said. ‘Brodie’s on her way.’
‘All right. Let’s get Daphne and Maggie out of here.’ Joseph went into the barn, where Maggie was standing watch, her mouth pinched tight. ‘Good morning, Maggie,’ he said softly, not wanting to scare her. She was holding a shotgun.
‘Agent Carter. This has to stop.’
‘I agree. I need to get you two out of here.’
‘I’m ready. She’s not.’ Maggie pointed to the stall at the end of the barn. ‘Give her a few more minutes if you can.’
‘I can’t. It’s not safe here.’
‘It’s not safe for her anywhere,’ Maggie said harshly.
‘It’s especially not safe here, for either of you. We can’t secure all the buildings.’
‘You sound like Clay.’
‘He’s right. I’m sorry. I know this is your home.’
She tried to smile. ‘No, it’s all Daphne’s. I still have my place back in Riverdale.’
‘West Virginia, right?’
She nodded. ‘I came out here eight years ago, thinking I’d stay for a few weeks. Six months, tops. Life doesn’t always behave the way you expect.’
‘That’s true. What brought you out here eight years ago?’
‘Daphne and Simone needed me.’
‘Because Daphne got cancer.’ The word made his stomach clench.
‘She said you knew. Yes. When I came down eight years ago she was nearly broken. And that wasn’t enough for those damn Elkharts. They wouldn’t have rested until she was in the ground.’
‘They wanted her to die?’ he asked, incredulous.
‘They didn’t care if she did as long as they got their way. Rich people play dirty.’ She looked around her. ‘But Daphne got the last laugh.’
‘Must have been one hell of a divorce settlement.’
‘It was.’
Joseph gave a hard nod. ‘Good for Daphne.’
‘The settlement made a difference in the broad sense, but it also allowed Daphne to cut all ties with the Elkharts. She didn’t have to put up with their bullshit or sacrifice Ford to pay for his education or her doctors or . . .’ She clamped her mouth closed.
‘Are you saying that Elkhart divorced her and wouldn’t pay for her health care?’
‘You should ask Daphne these questions.’
Joseph studied her a moment. She met his gaze so squarely that he wondered if her ‘running on’ had been calculated, that these were things she wanted him to know. Questions she wanted him to ask Daphne.
‘And I will,’ Joseph said. He gestured to the small office. ‘But first I’d like to talk to you some more, privately.’ She followed him into the office and Joseph closed the door, shutting them in. ‘Daphne’s under attack,’ he said baldly. ‘We don’t know who’s responsible, but we’re not sure it’s only the Millhouses. This threat on the barn wall is personal. It’s written in blood, for God’s sake. And this is the second time we’ve seen it.’
Maggie drew a sharp breath, her hand flying up to cover her mouth.
‘The more personal information I have on Daphne’s past, the better I’m prepared to protect her. Tell me about the divorce. Please.’
‘What a nightmare. Okay then, the divorce. The court probably wouldn’t have allowed Travis to do what he threatened, which was to leave her destitute, but Daphne didn’t know that for sure at the beginning. Travis made a horrible situation even worse for her. He told her she’d be left with nothing, that he’d get custody of Ford. She’d been an Elkhart long enough to know what influence their money bought.’
‘But he cheated on her with his secretary.’
‘Yes. And with hundreds of other women during the twelve years they were married. Except this time she caught him in the act. So he set her up to look like she was having an affair as well.’
‘With who?’
Maggie grimaced. ‘Let me explain before you get bent outta shape. It was Scott.’
‘The Scott who’s standing with her right now?’
‘Yes. Daphne met him when she first married Travis. He stabled the Elkharts’ horses. She missed my horses and spent whatever free time Nadine gave her down at Scott’s. Scott was one of her true friends during the years she lived with the Elkharts. Later, when Ford was old enough, he started training the boy to jump. Scott was one of the best trainers around, but poor. He grew up with money but his dad left him and his mother destitute. He used his contacts with his old school friends, like Travis Elkhart, to build his business, but he never made much money.’
‘So what happened?’
‘What did she tell you about her split with Travis?’
‘That she caught him having sex with his secretary during lunch.’
‘Hm. What she didn’t tell you is that she never visited Travis in his office, but that day she did because she was rattled to the core and Travis’s law office was only two blocks away from her ob-gyn. She’d started walking and ended up there.’
Joseph stared at her. ‘No way.’
Maggie lifted a shoulder. ‘It was not a good day, by all reports. She walked in, saw them, walked out. She did what she always does when she’s upset. Went to the barn.’
‘Why? Why horses?’
Maggie looked away. ‘That is something you’ll have to ask her.’
‘All right, then. I will. So she went to the barn. And?’
‘Scott found her there, crying. He did what anyone would do. He held her, not realizing that snake Travis’d had one of the PIs that worked for his law firm following Daphne for months. Travis couldn’t divorce Daphne unless he could prove she’d been cheating.’
‘Her mother’s contract with Nadine.’
Maggie looked surprised. ‘She told you a lot. Travis figured she had to be cheating, because she wasn’t getting any from him.’
Joseph wasn’t proud of the childish spurt of pleasure he felt at the last few words, but the relief he could live with. Travis was a womanizer and men like that, more often than not, brought STDs home to their wives. That she hadn’t been with Travis meant she’d been protected. It also meant she hadn’t been with Travis and that his jealousy could sit the hell down now.
‘He got pictures of this embrace, and used them against her when she had cancer?’
‘Basi
cally, yes. In any other normal, non-Elkhart world, what that PI had pieced together would have been laughed out of court. But the Elkharts run in more rarefied circles. Travis let a few hints drop and the rumor spread like wildfire. Standing up for Daphne cost Scott his business and what property he had left. The bankruptcy cracked his marriage.
‘When Daphne bought this place, she immediately reached out to him. He was alone at that point, so he moved up here. He started coaching Ford again, Ford started winning and things turned around for Scott. Clients started bringing their kids to train with him again and he was able to buy the next farm over a few years ago. Scott’s very loyal to Daphne and he’s been the male role model in Ford’s life.’
‘So what happened with Travis and the cancer doctors?’
‘Oh.’ Maggie smiled and Joseph relaxed a little. ‘Travis was holding a settlement over her head – but she had to cede custody of Ford to get it. It was one of those time-sensitive choices. She could fight him and probably win, but it could take a long time to get to court. She needed care then.’
Part of Joseph wished the watch they’d found in a pool of B negative blood really did belong to Travis Elkhart. No, all of me wishes it. ‘What did she do?’
‘Cried a lot. That’s when I came down. Simone was at her wits’ end, trying to get Daphne the care she needed. Daphne was having X-rays and biopsies and having to make some hard choices about her health. Travis made it so that she also had to choose between her son and her life.’
‘Sonofabitch.’
‘You’ll get no argument from me there.’
‘But she got the care she needed.’
Maggie’s smile widened. ‘Yeah. I’d only been in her house for about four hours when Ford approached me. He was twelve. So that day, he comes downstairs in a suit and tie and asks me if I’ll drive him to his grandmother’s estate in Virginia. I was very curious why, but he didn’t seem inclined to share. I took him there, and waited in the “parlor” while he met with his grandmother behind a closed door. When he came out he was slipping a piece of paper into his pocket, looking damn satisfied. Nadine, though, she was pale. Ford turned and said, as adult as you please, “We have an agreement. All bills will be paid on time.” Nadine said they would and that she’d inform Daphne’s doctors of the new billing address the next morning. Then the kid gave her this look and patted the pocket where he put the paper.’
Joseph’s brows shot up. ‘He blackmailed his grandmother?’
‘I guess so. He never told me what he’d said and I never brought it up. After that, things were different. Daphne got treatment and pretty much anything else she wanted. It was a good settlement. I’ll admit, I’ve always wondered what Ford had in his pocket. But I never told Simone or Daphne. That was between me and Ford. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell unless you have to.’
‘I’ll do my best. That Ford has been blackmailing his grandmother might also explain why the judge and his mother haven’t taken a great interest in Ford’s being missing.’ She shrugged and Joseph shifted the subject. ‘You said you were Daphne’s nanny. When was this, and where?’
‘Daphne was eight and in Riverdale.’
‘Why did Daphne need a nanny? At eight, a lot of kids are latch-key kids if their parents work. Especially poor kids.’
‘Oh. Not a babysitter nanny. A granny nanny. Simone was by herself and needed a little moral support. I wanted people to take care of.’
‘Where was Simone’s husband?’
Maggie’s face turned to stone, and she changed the subject. ‘I haven’t introduced you to Scott yet. Come.’
Wednesday, December 4, 7.45 A.M.
Joseph followed Maggie to the last stall in the barn, his step slowing as he approached. Daphne was brushing a chocolate brown horse that appeared to be falling asleep on her feet. Something about her had changed. A serenity that hadn’t been there before. The worry was still there, but muted.
Joseph got a little closer to see her better and noticed a set of human knees behind the horse. A man crouched, inspecting the animal’s back leg.
Maggie leaned into the stall. ‘How’s our girl?’ she crooned.
The man rose. ‘She needs to be re-shoed. I’ll do it while she’s up at my place.’
Daphne turned and her smile bloomed. ‘Joseph.’ The smile faded. ‘You saw the wall outside. Is it human?’
‘Don’t know yet. Brodie’s on her way.’ He looked at the man who was studying him carefully. ‘I’m Special Agent Carter, FBI.’
‘Scott Cooper.’
‘Scott says he can take the horses for a few days,’ Daphne said. ‘He’s got some empty stalls right now. We’re not taking any chances.’ She gave Maggie a careful glance. ‘With the horses or you. I want you to stay with us until all this is over, Maggie.’
Maggie looked apprehensive. ‘That’s a lot of work for Scott.’
‘My son will help me. He’s always looking for extra income. I wouldn’t sleep a wink knowing you were alone out here, Maggie. Not with that psycho on the loose.’
‘It would be safer,’ Joseph said.
Maggie sighed. ‘We’ll try it for a few days. Scott, that new rescue might have a touch of colic. Can you come look?’ She shot Joseph a look of make-this-count over her shoulder as she walked with Scott to the other side of the barn.
Bless her heart, Joseph thought. ‘Can I come in?’ he asked Daphne.
‘Please do.’ Uncertainly he picked his way over the hay and she smiled at him. ‘Not your cuppa, huh?’
‘Just not used to it. Are all of these horses yours? Or just this one?’
‘They’re all technically mine. The four over here belong to me and Mama and Maggie and Ford. All of our horses were rescues except for Ford’s. Ford’s horse is a hunter – way different price bracket. We usually keep at least two rescues, sometimes more. Scott just brought one of them home a few days ago. He finds abused and abandoned animals while he’s on the road. If he has room in the trailer, he’ll persuade the horse’s owner to sell it or give it up. We rehab them and find them homes.’
‘Where do they go during the day?’
‘Pasture. They’re in here at night and in bad weather. I tell you, I saw that paint on the side of the barn and I was terrified of what I’d find inside. But it doesn’t look like he came in. Everything’s the way it should be.’
Except for the dead cow. He figured he’d tell her once he got her safely away from the farm. There wasn’t anything she could do and no reason she should see such a senseless slaughter. Joseph edged his way to her side, realizing that cowboy boots were in his immediate future. ‘Why horses?’
She shrugged. ‘There’s something about caring for an animal. It’s healing.’
A curious choice of words, he thought. And then he couldn’t think because she’d moved close enough to touch. ‘How did you sleep?’ he asked, dropping his voice.
She looked away. ‘Not well.’
‘I can’t tell.’ He skimmed a fingertip under her eye.
‘The miracle of a good concealer. I’m ready to go, Joseph. I know we should have left already. I’m putting everyone in danger every minute we stay.’
‘I was going to wait for Brodie. But if you want to go, we can.’
She gave the animal’s neck a final stroke. ‘Maybe we can see Stevie?’
‘We’ll have to get our names on the waiting list.’ He followed her out of the stall and Tasha fell in line behind them. ‘There was a thirty minute wait this morning.’
Daphne shook her head. ‘Stevie’s as popular as the Olive Garden. We can call from the car. It’ll take us at least forty-five minutes to get into town.’
‘Let me talk to Cooper first. He does the maintenance around here, right?’
‘His son does.’ She frowned. ‘Why are you talking to him? Scott’s a good guy.’
‘I didn’t say he wasn’t. I have some questions about your power lines and generator. You can stay here a few more minutes while I talk to him.’
Cooper was standing next to his truck, filling a syringe topped with a seriously large needle. ‘Agent Carter, what can I do for you?’
Joseph’s radar went off at the sight of the syringe. ‘What’s that you’re filling those syringes with?’
Cooper gave him a calm, sideways glance. ‘Banamine. Non-narcotic pain reliever. Use it for colic. One of the rescues is on it. You can call the vet and ask.’
‘Okay. Do you keep any narcotics on your property?’
‘Not on this property because it’s not that secure. I’ve got narcotics up at my place. Keep ’em locked up. You’re free to check.’
‘You’re very cooperative.’
Cooper’s mouth curved, not quite enough to be a smile. ‘Daphne likes you. I want her to be happy. She’ll be happy if I cooperate with you. And I got nothin’ to hide.’
‘Do you keep ketamine?’
‘Nope.’
‘What about fentanyl?’
‘Yes. Don’t use it very often. May be expired. You’re free to check.’
‘I will.’
‘Now I’ve got a few questions. You’ve got quite an entourage around Daphne, protecting her. How long can you keep that up before you eat through your budget?’
‘Not long.’
Cooper stared at him with sharp eyes. ‘So what the fucking hell are you doing about this pissant psycho drama queen?’
The fear Joseph saw in the man’s gaze kept him from snarling back. ‘Not enough,’ he said quietly. ‘Do you have any thoughts?’
‘Yeah. He wants to be seen. Like any punk that does graffiti. His fascination with blood scares the hell out of me. And he knows how to butcher a cow,’ he added bitterly.
‘I’m sorry. Detective Rivera thought it was a pet.’
‘Maggie’s. She rescued that damn cow. Bottle fed it because it was weaned too soon and left to die. And then some punk kills it to do graffiti?’ Cooper’s voice shook with suppressed rage. ‘He’d want to see her reaction. Daphne’s.’ He lifted his eyes, swept his gaze across the trees. He’s out there now. Or was. Guaranteed.
Joseph agreed. ‘Does Maggie know about the cow?’
‘Yes. She’ll fall apart later, in private. That’s her way. She’s far more worried about Daphne right now. As am I. Who the hell would kill a defenseless cow for graffiti?’