by Valerie Tate
“And ones who stole it are Jon and Marci.” Alex jumped up and faced Alicia.
“And so the killers are Jon and...” Alicia threw her arms wide.
“Marci!” Alex crowed.
Chris watched as Alex and Alicia collapsed on the sofa in ecstatic release. He was saved from making an unwise comment by the ringing of his phone. It was Parker.
“We found it on the phone,” he told them on speaker. “The cordless, not his cell. There were also traces of it in a shallow glass candy dish. We think whoever it was put the DMSO on the dish and then laid the phone in it. Dean probably wouldn’t have notice the liquid until he had picked up the phone and then it would be all over his hand. It was highly concentrated. Should have been enough to kill him, so the syringe was merely window-dressing.”
“We’ve had an idea about that,” Chris said and explained their theory.
Parker was quiet for a moment when he had finished and then said, “I’ll see them this afternoon.”
Things were a little flat after that. No detecting to be done. No interviewing of suspects. No clues to be examined. Chris decided to touch base with his office while the two Als headed to the barn to try the saddle on Harley. For once their hearts weren’t in it. Time seemed to crawl as they waited for word from Parker. Word that didn’t come.
There was a momentary diversion when Julie returned from picking up the mail from the box by the gate.
“Look at this!” she said, holding out a sheet of paper. On it was printed in bold type: STAY OUT OF THINGS THAT DON’T CONCERN YOU.
“Where did you find that?” Alex asked.
“In the mailbox. Who would send us such a thing?” Julie handed over the offending message with a look of distaste, wiping her hands on the seat of her jeans.
Thinking back, Alex said, “I’ll bet it was Fred Skinner, the guy who owns the farm that was raided, although I thought they were going to keep our names out of it.”
Alicia had another idea. “Maybe they’re trying to get us to stop looking into the breeding fraud. After all, we’ve spoiled a pretty lucrative business.”
“I suppose that’s a possibility, too. We’d better hang onto this and tell Detective Parker, if he ever gets back to us.”
“Why doesn’t he call and tell us what he found out?” Alex complained again later that evening.
Julie sighed. “I hate to burst your bubble, honey, but the police don’t usually report on their investigations. Detective Parker has been more than forthcoming. You can’t expect him to keep us in the loop.”
Alicia jumped up. “Well, I can’t stand the waiting any longer. I’m going out to say good-night to Harley and then I’m going to bed.”
As she walked to the door, Alicia passed Rosco, Chance and Snoopy sleeping in their baskets. The air was a little redolent of dog and she thought the three of them could use a bath. Seeing one empty bed, she wondered where the Goldie was.
Alex echoed her thoughts. “I wonder where Daisy is. See if she’s in the barn, Ali.”
The night air was balmy. Alicia followed the path to the barn under cloudless, star-filled skies, breathing in the heady scent of lilacs and making a mental note to plant some near the barn at home. A dark shape on the ground near the barn brought her up short. It looked like a body and then she realized it was, the body of a dog. She was running towards it when a soft sound sent a shiver down her spine. It was the sound of breathing and it didn’t come from the dog.
Spinning around, she found its source. In the dark shadows beside the barn a horse and rider waited. Her heart stopped briefly and then almost burst from her chest as it started again. She barely had time to breathe as instinct kicked in and she turned and ran for the paddock fence. Galloping hooves pounded the turf behind her. As she dove between the fence rails, she saw a flash of steel and felt a hot wind as the creature lifted itself in a mighty leap, clearing the fence and then galloped off across the pasture, taking other fences in stride to finally disappear over the hill.
She wasn’t aware of having screamed, but she must have because cries of concern burst from the house as Chris, Alex and Julie ran towards her.
“I’m OK,” she assured them as Chris scooped her up and clutched her fiercely. It was hard to tell who was more shaken as she told them what had happened. Then, remembering, she broke free and ran for the inert body of the dog.
There was cry of concern from Alex as she recognized her pet. “It’s Daisy! What’s wrong with her?” She threw herself down beside the dog, frantically feeling for a pulse. “She’s alive. We need to get her to the vet. There’s an emergency clinic in Newmarket. We’ll have to take her there.”
It took 30 agonizing minutes to get her there but she was still alive and they had to hope they were in time.
Poison, probably rat bait, was the initial diagnosis.
“Poison! Who would poison our dog?” Alex and Julie clung to each other in despair and disbelief.
“I can think of a couple of people,” Alicia said from the safety of Chris’ arms. Reaction had set in and she was pale and shaky, feeling the effects of the night’s adventure. “Marci is a show jumper. Clearing those fences would be nothing for her or her horse.”
“And Jon used to event,” Alex added.
“Did you get a look at the rider? Can you describe the horse?” Detective Parker asked when he arrived later, grumpy at being dragged from his home at midnight.
Alicia shook her head. “The horse was big and dark. I think it had on a fly hood so if there were white markings I couldn’t see them. The rider had a helmet and something over his or her face.”
“So it looks like whoever it was came to send you a message by poisoning the dog and it was bad timing on your part that you arrived when you did.”
“That wasn’t the only message,” Alex said and proceeded to tell him about the letter in the mail.
“Somebody’s trying to warn you off. It might be a good idea for you to heed that warning and leave the detective work to the professionals.” Parker looked earnestly at the three friends. Seeing the stubborn line of Alicia’s mouth, he sighed and stood to go. “I’ll have another talk with the Allardyces, find out where they were tonight. Hang onto the letter for now. I’ll send someone to pick it up. And let me know if you receive any more. I hope your dog’s okay.”
It was the early hours of the morning before they learned that they had been in time and Daisy was going to make it. She would have to stay at the clinic for a day or two to make sure but the mood in the car was one of relief as they drove back to the farm to try to get a couple of hours’ sleep.
Parker called mid-morning to inquire about the dog and to tell them that while Jon and Marci had claimed to be at a Hunt Club dinner until after 11:00, no one could verify they were there after 10:00. Not surprisingly, they had hotly denied any involvement in or knowledge of the attacks on Alicia or Daisy.
“Well of course they denied it! But they did it. She did it!” Alex asserted and no one questioned who the ‘she’ was.
There was another warning in the mail that afternoon. It said merely: BUTT OUT.
Chapter 21
“You could have been killed!” It was the first big blow-up fight of their marriage. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since it happened. Things have gotten way out of hand. You’re going home.”
It was two days since the night of the assaults. The police forensic team had gone over the area for evidence but there was little to be found. Suspects without proof of guilt – endgame.
“I’m not! I promised I would stay until we knew what had happened to the semen and I intend to keep that promise.” Alicia’s face wore the uncompromising look Chris knew only too well.
“I can stay and clear that up. There isn’t much more we can do here, anyway, unless the police lay charges once the DNA results are all in. You go home and I’ll follow in a couple of days.”
“We can’t leave Alex. She’s even more involved than I am. If I’m in danger, s
o is she.”
“I agree. Take Alex and Julie with you. I was going to suggest that.”
The mutinous look in Alicia’s eyes didn’t bode well for that plan but before she could reply there was a knock on their door.
“They’re in!” Alex practically bounced into the room.
“What’s in?” Alicia asked.
“The last of the DNA results from Marci’s horses. I’ve just had a call from one of my friends. The police had called to let her know.”
Alicia threw a triumphant look at her husband. “Perfect! We can go and see if any of them are by Danzig and while we’re there, I can have a look to see if Marci’s horse could have been the one that almost took my head off the other night.”
Chris knew when he was beaten.
“Oh, no! I can’t go,” Alex cried. “I just remembered. Jon’s coming to check Fonzi’s shoulder.”
“Even more perfect! We’ll be able to have a good snoop around without worrying that he will show up unexpectedly.”
Chris and Alicia had a horrible feeling of déjà vu, pulling into the drive at Marci’s barn just as an ambulance was pulling out. There were police cars in the yard and an officer was putting up crime scene tape across the barn doorway.
Chris parked and they got out of the car. They could see Detective Parker talking with someone by the door. He saw them and motioned them over.
“What are you two doing here?” he asked suspiciously. Alicia noticed the tell-tale twitch of his moustache that, she had reason to know, always indicated annoyance.
She put on a winning smile. “We heard that the DNA results for the babies were in and we came to find out if any of them are by Alex’s stallion. What’s happened here? We saw the ambulance leaving. Did someone get hurt?”
“Jonathon Allardyce is dead,” was the blunt reply.
That was the last thing they had expected to hear. “Jonathon? How awful,” Alicia said with a sick feeling that had been all too prevalent in the past few days. “When did it happen?”
“A groom found him this morning when she came to feed. Looks like he fell and hit his head on a brass bridle holder, but the question is, was it an accident or did he have help?”
They went into the barn where crime scene personnel were still searching the area where the body had been. There didn’t seem to be anything different from the last time they had been there. A pitch fork had fallen on the floor near the spot where the bridle hook had been removed.
The detective pointed to the fork. “That was under the body. It is possible that he tripped over it and fell back hitting his head on the bridle holder. We couldn’t see any other marks on the body and there are no signs of a struggle. We’re hoping the medical examiner can give us a clearer picture. If it weren’t for everything that has been going on here, I’d be inclined to think it was just a tragic accident but we are treating it as a possible homicide for the time being.”
“Another murder,” Alicia murmured. Chris put his arm around her.
Parker nodded. “Exactly. Another murder. First Dean Collins and now Jonathon Allardyce. It has to be connected to the breeding fraud but one of my chief suspects in the first murder is now dead.” He shook his head and then walked over to speak with one of the forensics team. Chris followed to see what else he could learn.
Alicia gravitated over to the line of heads hanging out of the stalls watching all of the goings on with interest. She patted the tiny, velvety muzzles, all the while whispering endearments into their little ears. Each stall had a sheet fastened to it with the results of the DNA testing and the name of the stallion who was the sire. One stall was empty.
When no one was looking, Alicia removed her jacket and casually dropped it on the floor beside a straw bale. She then went to Chris and slipped her arm through his.
“We should go and let these officers get on with their job.”
“Aren’t you forgetting ...”
“I haven’t forgotten. We promised Alex to get the information about the DNA tests but it will have to wait. She’ll understand when we explain what has happened.”
They said a quick good-bye to Parker, then climbed into their car and drove back to the road.
“You know what I meant. Where is your jacket?” Chris had an uncomfortable feeling that he wasn’t going to like the answer. He was right.
“Oops! I guess I forgot it. We’ll have to go back and get it - when the police have gone!” she replied, smiling smugly.
They had plenty to tell Alex and Julie when they got back but as it turned out they already knew.
“We heard,” Alex said. “An officer was here already. He wanted to know where I was last night!”
“Surely they don’t suspect you,” Alicia exclaimed, collapsing onto the sofa.
“I think anyone who was cheated by him is a suspect.”
“Then it’s a long list! What did you tell them?”
“That I was home alone. Mom was out with friends and...”
“We were celebrating out anniversary at Hogan’s Inn in town.” Chris finished.
“I told you you should have come with us!” Alicia pointed out. “Well, don’t worry. I have a plan. We’re going back to have a little snoop around. I left my jacket behind as an excuse. Hopefully the police will be gone tomorrow.”
“What are you hoping to find?”
“I don’t know, but it has been my experience that if you snoop around enough, things just pop up.”
There was a more sinister take on things when Alex picked up the mail and found another warning: MEDDLERS WILL GET WHAT THEY DESERVE.
“Had Jon ‘meddled’ in something?” she asked when she showed it to the others. “Is that why he’s dead?” No one had an answer and the letter was added to the growing pile for Detective Parker.
Alicia was passing by the door later that evening when the bell rang. Fending off the crazed descent of the dogs, she opened it. It was as if the cover of a romance novel had come to life. Standing on the porch, in the last golden rays of the setting sun, was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. Lancelot had come to Avalon! (And she had to remind herself that she wasn’t Gwenevere.) Wavy blond hair, chiselled features, sapphire eyes combined with a lithe, muscular body. He smiled and her jaw dropped. If teeth could glint, his did. She cleared her throat and was about to ask him who he wanted when the question was answered by Alex who, rushing past her, threw her arms around the newcomer crying, “Jake!” It was ‘The Cowboy’. Alicia should have known by the boots.
“Hey, babe!” he drawled. “What’s going on?”
Alicia fully expected Alex to bristle at the ‘babe’. She had always hated anyone calling her that. She waited for it... Nothing! No bristling, no gentle rebuke, not even a small face. Instead, Alex gazed at him with dreamy adoration. ‘It really must be love,’ Alicia decided.
Alex finally realized that they were still standing on the porch and, turning to go inside, noticed Alicia standing by the door.
“Oh, sorry, Al! I didn’t see you there! Jake, this is my best friend, Ali. Ali, this is Jake Hammond. You remember, I told you about him.”
She remembered. What Alex hadn’t mentioned was the drop-dead gorgeous part.
“It’s nice to meet you!” she said, and meant it.
He smiled that smile again. “Alex has talked about you so often, I feel as if I know you.”
“And this is Chris, Ali’s husband,” Alex went on.
Startled, Alicia turned and saw Chris standing behind her. She hadn’t heard him arrive.
The two men shook hands and then Alex led Jake into the living room. As they walked away, Alicia couldn’t help noticing the cowboy’s swaggering hips. She thought she’d like to see him in chaps!
Seeing the look, Chris said, “He’s a good-looking guy.”
“Oh, I’ve seen better,” she lied. Seeing his self-satisfied smirk, she added, “Hugh Jameson is better looking than he is.”
When they were seated, Jake asked again, “What�
��s going on?”
“What do you mean?” Alex asked, although she knew the answer.
“I was in Texas at a competition and read a news story on MSN about the death of a local vet and the police questioning a number of people including Olympic Dressage rider, Alex Craig!”
“Oh, that,” she said, as if it were an everyday occurrence.
Once she had explained he asked the question he had really been asking the first time. “Why didn’t you tell me all this before?”
“You were competing. I didn’t want you distracted by my problems. I called Ali and Chris and they came and we’ve been handling things.” It was an answer he understood, even if he didn’t like it.
“Well, I’m here now and I’m available for anything you need me to do.”
“What about King? Where is he?” She turned to Ali and Chris, “Dixie’s Rugged King is his reining horse.”
“He’s on his way back by trailer with my coach and my groom. He’ll be home in a few days. I flew back, rented a car at the airport and came straight here. In fact, I’d better be going now. I promised to stop in at my parents’. I haven’t seen them in a couple of months and my mom will have a fit if I don’t get there this evening. I’ll come back tomorrow and you can tell me what you plan to do next and how I can help.” He stood up to go and Chris and Alicia quietly made themselves scarce.
Afterwards, before going to bed, Alex and Alicia had a heart-to-heart and Alex promised to never again keep such important information from her best friend.
Alicia was in the barn the next morning, grooming Harley before her ride, when Jake returned. He was just as gorgeous in the early morning light.
“Hi, Jake. Alex is riding Brin in the sand ring.”
“I know. I saw her there. It’s you I wanted to talk to.”
She kept brushing as she asked, “Me? Why?”
“You’re Alex’s best friend. I know I need the ‘Ali Seal of Approval’.”
Remembering the look on Alex’s face when he arrived, she wondered about that. She was really happy that Alex had met someone special but there was still a niggling thought in the back of her mind. Alex had had a lot of problems in the past with men pursuing her because of her money. It was something she tried to keep quiet about, but eventually, the farm and the horses always spelled money. Alicia didn’t want to see her friend hurt again but she also didn’t want to lose her friend by suggesting that the golden boyfriend was just a gold-digger.