by Abigail Keam
18
I was in the barn giving Morning Glory a rubdown when I heard the sirens. The piercing sound of the sirens caused Morning Glory to nicker and bob her head in an agitated manner.
“I know, girl. They bother me, too.”
When finished, I led her out in the paddock, turning her loose. It was then I saw red and blue lights flashing from June’s property. Fearing someone had been hurt, I jumped into my beat-up golf cart and rushed over, but was stopped by a cop at the gate between our two properties.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t come in,” said the officer.
“What’s happened? Is anyone hurt?” I asked, expecting to learn that my daughter had accidentally shot herself in the foot while cleaning her Glock, or June had succumbed to a stroke due to her smoking.
What I did not expect to see was Rosie being led out of the foaling barn in handcuffs by Norbet Drake, nor did I expect to see Charles, also in cuffs, standing by a squad car.
I yelled, “Charles! Charles!”
Hearing his name, Charles looked up in my direction and yelled back, “Josiah, feed Rosie’s animals. I’m counting on you.”
I didn’t get a chance to answer before Charles was placed in the back of a police vehicle and whisked off.
My heart sank.
I knew what this meant.
Charles had hidden Rosie in the foaling barn, which meant he had been arrested for harboring a fugitive.
I zeroed in on the Big House, where I spied Asa, Boris, Bess, and June standing on the pool patio watching.
Did they also know Rosie had been hiding in the barn?
I saw Norbet Drake march up the pathway to the patio, speak with June, and motion to his men.
The gathering retreated inside June’s house. Drake followed, after ordering his men to surround the house with one posted at every exit.
I couldn’t pass the police barricade, so I had no choice but to return home. It was about six before Bess called to tell me the last police car had exited June’s property. I immediately sped over in my little golf cart and joined them by the pool to drown our sorrows in Mint Juleps.
I can honestly say my drink tasted flat.
What had Mark Twain said about lies and damned lies? They sure kill the taste buds.
19
I couldn’t stand the silence any longer. “Is anyone going to tell me what’s going on?”
Asa took a sip of her watery drink with its melted ice cubes. “I think we are in shock.”
“You? In shock, Asa? Was hiding Rosie in the barn your idea?”
“I didn’t know, Mother.”
I gave her the “I think you are lying big time” mother look.
Turning my attention to June, I said heatedly, “If Charles wasn’t alone in hiding Rosie, Drake is going to come back and arrest all of you as accessories, and Lord knows what else he might throw into the soup.”
Ignoring me, June leaned over and tapped Boris on the shoulder. “Young man, may I borrow one of your coffin nails?”
Exasperated, I threw my hands up in the air.
June sniffed the cigarette handed to her. “Smells like Turkish tobacco.” She looked to Boris for confirmation.
He gave a short nod.
“Bess, are you going to let June smoke cigarettes?”
“Jo, I’ve got a lot on my mind right now. If Miss June wants to smoke cancer sticks, that’s her business. Right now, I’m figuring out how to tell my mother that her husband is not coming home tonight because he’s in jail for harboring a fugitive.”
June inhaled deeply and blew smoke rings.
“You didn’t know?” I asked June.
June’s reply was a smoke ring blown into my face.
I coughed a couple times, waving the smoke away.
“I didn’t,” replied Bess. “Daddy’s always had a fondness for Rosie and wanted something done about Gage. I can see him thinking arresting Rosie was a miscarriage of justice.”
Asa tapped the patio table. “I think we are missing an important point here.”
We gave Asa our undivided attention.
“The question is not that Rosie was hiding in June’s barn, but who snitched on her? Whoever snitched on Rosie threw Charles into the mix as well. So again, who fingered Rosie and Charles?”
“Perhaps Charles was with Rosie when the police entered the barn?” I suggested.
“Daddy was in the stallion barn when the police came. I got hold of him via the landline in the barn. Daddy doesn’t like to take his phone around the horses. He’s afraid he’ll accidentally drop it, and a horse will ingest it.”
“There’s always the chance Mr. Charles didn’t know Miss Rosie was here,” Boris offered.
It was apparent June didn’t want to discuss Charles any longer. She crushed out her half-smoked ciggy. “Bess, don’t worry. My lawyer is already working on their behalf. Charles will be home by tomorrow afternoon. You go to your mother. I’ll call later.”
“Are you sure, Miss June?”
“Absolutely. Now scat. Be with your mother. She must be worried sick.”
“Don’t worry, Bess. Boris and I will take care of Miss June until this thing is settled. We’ll call you if there is a need.”
Bess rose. “Miss June’s medication is already laid out, and there’s plenty of food in the fridge. Labeled quiches and casseroles are in the freezer. All you have to do is thaw them and then bake for thirty minutes at 350 degrees.”
“Get going, Bess,” June ordered.
“I think I will, but I’ll call tomorrow to see how everyone is.”
June said, “Vamoose. Get out of here.”
“I’ll just get my purse and go.” Bess gave June one last glance before heading for the Big House.
“I don’t know what worries Bess more—her father being arrested or that someone besides herself will be rummaging through her kitchen,” June said.
I took a sip of my drink and turned my gaze toward the horse barns in the distance. Had someone working on the farm turned in Rosie with the ultimate goal of getting at Charles? Even that could have a disturbing purpose.
What if their real goal was to gain access to June?
Getting Charles out of the way would certainly make June more vulnerable to jewelry theft, horse tampering, or even kidnapping for ransom.
Boris was apparently thinking along the same lines. He pulled his Glock out and checked the clip.
Asa said, “Miss June, I think we should move you out of the Big House. You shouldn’t stay here tonight.”
“Folderol!” June waved her hand in the air as if swatting a fly.
“I’m packing a bag for you, and then we’re leaving. Don’t argue with me,” Asa insisted. She hurried into the house while Boris stationed himself where he could observe all entry points to the pool area.
Well! Things certainly got more interesting real fast.
20
Amelia, Bess, and I were sitting in the courtroom for Charles’ arraignment. Charles was brought in and sat with the other prisoners waiting for their turn with the judge.
I scanned the room and found Norbet Drake seated behind the Commonwealth DA. I caught his eye and nodded, but he stared back with his lizard eyes, never blinking until the prosecutor whispered to him, causing Drake to turn around.
“All rise.”
The three of us jumped to our feet as the judge strode in.
“The Honorable Judge Maureen Lassetter presiding. Be seated.”
We sat down and waited until Charles was called. June’s lawyer tangled with the DA about the bail amount, but the DA won out. Bail was set at fifty thousand dollars, which meant Charles had to pay ten percent to get out of the hoosegow. He turned and waved to us before being led out of the courtroom.
June’s lawyer came and instructed Amelia and Bess to wait downstairs momentarily, as he was going to pay the bail. No doubt, June had instructed him to pay any amount, and Charles would be home before lunch.
Saying a crisp g
oodbye, Amelia and Bess left, but I stayed for Rosie’s arraignment. She wasn’t so lucky. She was remanded into custody until her trial and was led from the courtroom sobbing.
Apparently, Gage’s influence reached Fayette County. He must have some long arms. Nursing a churning stomach, I picked up my purse and rushed out.
I had to get out of there.
21
I found Kelly where I always find him.
Al’s Bar.
I threw my purse into the empty booth seat and sat down beside him, making him scoot over. He shielded his plate from me, but not before I snagged some French fries and dragged them through a mound of ketchup.
“I never have a moment to myself,” Kelly mumbled, his eyes shut.
“Hey, whatcha reading?” I asked, picking up a book from his lap. “Short stories by Raymond Carver. Branching out, I see.”
“He was also a poet.”
“Are you still scribbling out blank verse?”
Kelly looked embarrassed. “Yeah.”
“Published yet?”
“Got one poem in the Kenyon Review. Comes out next issue.”
“Kenyon Review. Impressive.” I snatched another fry.
“What do you want, Jo?”
“Why is your buddy Norbet Drake riding my bumper?”
“He’s a good cop.”
“Didn’t say he wasn’t.”
Kelly slapped my hand as I reached for more fries. “If I tell you, will you leave?”
I stuck out my bottom lip the way Asa used to do when I made her eat Brussels sprouts. “You hurt my feelings, Kelly. Makes me want to stick to you like glue until you tell me what I want.”
“He’s being thorough. Doing his job. He really thinks Rosamond Rose killed Gage Cagle.”
“If this case goes to trial, Rosie may have a good chance of getting off because of the self-defense angle.”
“I cautioned Drake and the DA to keep in mind that Gage threatened Ms. Rosamond’s dogs and made veiled references to killing her on the night of his death.”
“But Drake wouldn’t listen?”
“He’s a kind of black-and-white guy.”
“He’s not out to get Charles or Lady Elsmere because of personal feelings?”
“I’ve never known Drake to do anything but strictly by the book. He’s got a blemish-free record.”
“Tell me something. How would you know about those death threats made by Gage if you’re not working on the case?”
“I’m handling all the paperwork for Drake at the station, so I read all the witness statements. When the DA came in to talk with Drake, I happened to be there and gave my two cents worth. There’s no conspiracy involved, Josiah. Put your mind at rest.”
“Do you know who put the whammy on Charles and Rosie?”
“No, but even if I did, I couldn’t tell you.”
“If you’re handling all the paperwork on the case, how is it you don’t know?”
“Drake knows my connection to your family and wouldn’t put the name in the case file at the police station. The informant’s name is with the DA.”
“If Drake feels that way, why hasn’t he taken you off the case?”
“Two reasons. We are short-staffed at the moment, and I know most of the players involved. I can winnow through the witness statements quickly.”
“Okay. I’ll leave you alone. Read your stories.” I got up to leave, but Kelly put his hand on my wrist.
“Wait a minute. Is Asa still in town?”
“Why do you ask?”
“No reason. She got something going on with that Slavic gorilla who works for her?”
“Tell your wife hello for me,” I said before grabbing my purse and leaving.
22
Passing my barn, I spied Franklin’s smart car. I parked my car and hurried inside where I found Hunter saddling his Hanoverian.
We kissed in greeting. Was I ever happy to see him!
“Whatcha up to?” I asked.
“I couldn’t stand working on my house any longer and wanted to steal a few hours away. Thought you might want to go horseback riding with me, but you weren’t home. I should have called first.”
“I was at the courthouse, but I’ll tell you about it during our ride. It’s been crazy around here.”
“Franklin’s up at the Big House having tea with Her Ladyship. Looks like the Queen is visiting. There’s a security team surrounding the house.”
“They’re Asa’s people. That’s what I want to tell you. It’s been a wild twenty-four hours.”
“Asa, who’s supposed to be an insurance fraud agent, has her own security team?”
“Frightening, isn’t she?”
“As little contact as I have had with your daughter, I know I would never want to cross her.”
“I know her cover story is thin.”
“Let’s not focus on Batgirl. I want to hear your story. Go home and change. I’ll bring the horses up to the Butterfly.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I reached up and kissed Hunter on the lips.
Hunter said, “If you keep kissing me like that, the only thing that’s going to happen in this barn is horseplay, and not between the horses.”
Laughing, I gave Hunter a playful slap on the shoulder before turning to leave.
“Hey, one more thing before you go.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“Tell me where you’ve stashed Morning Glory so I can saddle her for you.”
“She’s in the paddock, Hunter.”
“No, she’s not.”
“I put Glory in the paddock myself yesterday.”
“She’s not there, Josiah.”
I rushed to the paddock, and it was true. Morning Glory was not there. Frantically, I checked all the stalls in the barn, but none of the horses were mine.
“Don’t fret, Josiah. One of your hands must have put Morning Glory in a pasture.”
“You’re probably right.”
“I’m going to unsaddle my horse. We can use your golf cart and check all the fields. Just give me a minute.”
Hunter quickly unsaddled his Hanoverian and put the horse in a stall after scooping oats into the horse’s bucket. His horse seemed content to stay home and eat.
Following me in his car, Hunter parked in front of the Butterfly, and we jumped into my golf cart and took off.
We checked every one of my pastures. There were horses in them, but no Morning Glory. Hastily we rode over to June’s property and checked every pasture, barn, and stall. Nothing.
“What’s left?”
“Only the road that leads to the river,” I replied, sick with worry.
“Let’s try it. She could have wandered to the river for a drink.”
We hurried down the bumpy gravel road to the river, but no Morning Glory. Both Hunter and I searched for hoofprints, but saw no sign of them.
We widened our search until it had grown dark and reluctantly headed back to the Butterfly. Since I had cameras around the farm, Hunter wanted to check the video log.
He studied the tapes while I changed and made a quick salad for dinner. The Kitten Kaboodle meowed at the back patio door, so I let them in and fed them before setting the dining table.
“Jo, come look at this,” Hunter called.
I hurried to the little cloakroom where I kept all the surveillance equipment.
“Did someone take her?”
“Watch.”
Hunter rolled back the tape and played it.
To my amazement, Morning Glory ran around the paddock, gaining speed until she jumped the fence.
“Pintos don’t do that! Can’t be.”
“At least you can relax ’cause it looks like no one stole her.”
“She’s out there somewhere.”
“Having the time of her life.” Hunter did his best to reassure me.
“You don’t know that. Maybe something spooked her. We’ve got to find her.”
“Let’s eat, and then we’ll go bac
k out. I’ll call the Big House and see if they can spare some men to help us search.”
“Good idea.”
We ate, but the salad sat like a lump in my throat. I was worried about my horse and was glad when we got back on the road to search for her. Tyrone and Malcolm helped us, but we came back to the house hours later defeated.
No Morning Glory.
With nothing left to do, Hunter went home, pledging to return the next day, but I told him to stay put. I knew searching for Morning Glory would take up valuable time he didn’t have at the moment.
Once Hunter left, I was alone at the Butterfly. I had no man. No horse.
Baby and his pet kitty-cats did their best to distract me with scratching the furniture, playing tag, knocking over knickknacks, and regurgitating furballs on my slate floors, but their antics didn’t alleviate my worry.
I was in a blue funk and was going to stay that way until I could find my horse—dead or alive.
23
Early the next morning, Marjorie Hughes, a neighbor of Rosie’s, called. “Josiah, this is Marge, over by Rosie’s place. Do you remember me?”
“Of course, I do. What can I do you for?”
“There’s a rumor going ’round that you’re missing a horse.”
I grabbed the phone tighter. “Yes, ma’am. She jumped the fence yesterday.”
“Is she black and white?”
“Yes. Yes. A little pinto.”
“I found your horse meandering on the road this morning. She came right up to me. I put her in Gage’s cattle field where there’s a pond. She looked thirsty. Since Gage’s dead and Rosie’s in jail, I thought no one would bother her there.”
“Marge. Thank you so much. I’ll be right over to get her.”
“I’m glad. I knew she belonged to someone. Her coat looked really good. You say she jumped over the fence?”
“Can you beat that?”
“Never heard of such a thing. I gotta go to work, but you know where she is . . . that is, if she hasn’t jumped the fence again and taken off. Haha.”
“Yeah, real funny.”