“You both board horses out here too, huh?”
Reed caught the quick message I sent with my eyes. “The ladies just came to pick up their paychecks. Mary filled in for Jackson while he was out sick, and Zoe helped me get caught up on bookwork.”
“Oh?” Now, Nat lifted an arm in the air and pointed down the hill. “I used to own a Topaz a few years back. Pretty reliable car.”
Aunt Zoe edged closer to the other woman. “Yes, it most certainly is. I don’t know what Mary would do without it.”
My aunt and her big mouth. It’s hard enough trying to keep our detective work a secret, but we don’t need people knowing we’re related. “Well, I don’t mean to rush out of here, but Zoe does need to get back to her apartment as soon as possible. If she doesn’t, her place will end up being a total wreck.”
Poor Aunt Zoe had no clue what I was up to, but she stood there bravely waiting for the other shoe to fall.
Nat on the other hand, reacted like a cop when she first arrived at the scene of a crime. She slapped her feet together, hunched her shoulders and then tilted her head to one side. “What do you mean she might find her place torn up? Is someone threatening you, Zoe?”
“I, ah,” my roommate blubbered as she extended her hands in front of her, “I, ah . . . Mary?”
I grinned now. “I’m afraid you misinterpreted what I said, Nat. No one is bothering Zoe.”
My aunt’s orange-red penciled eyebrows suddenly appeared as spiked as her hairdo. “Why, no, no one’s bothering me.”
“The reason we’re in a hurry to get Zoe back home is a big black mutt called Jebb.”
Nat’s shoulders immediately relaxed “Oh?”
“Yes,” my roommate quickly added to my fabrication, “I’m babysitting my brother’s lab. He’s not kennel trained, so if I’m gone too long, the big mutt tears up everything he can get his paws on.”
“I understand completely,” Nat replied, “My friend’s German shepherd behaves just like that.” Now, she dug in her white pant pocket for another cigarette. “Well, it was nice meeting you. Maybe I’ll run into you two again someday.”
“You never know,” I replied and then my roommate and I walked briskly down the hill.
“Nat seems real nice, don’t you think, Mary?”
“Are you joking?”
“No,” Aunt Zoe opened her bucket-sized aquamarine-colored purse and began to dig through it, “What’s wrong with her?”
“She reeks of bad vibes.”
“She does? How can you tell?”
“It’s the teacher in me. We’ve learned to pick up on that.”
We had finally closed in on the Topaz, and I was relieved to be leaving the horse stalls behind, but then it suddenly dawned on me I was keyless. Shoot! I must’ve left them up at Reed’s house, or they were in the locked car. Well, I’m certainly not going to climb back up that hill and beg Reed for another ride if they’re in the car, especially in front of Nat. Now if dad’s sister went back up there, that’s a different story. Luckily, my worries were unfounded. I finally remembered handing the keys to Aunt Zoe for safe keeping when we first arrived.
She dangled them under my nose now like a carrot. I put my hand out to catch them and unlocked the door. “Do you feel like listening to music on the way home, Auntie?”
The passenger door swung open. “Doesn’t matter to me,” she replied as she slid in.
“Okay, I’ll leave it off then.” I locked my seatbelt in now before I adjusted the driving control knob to reverse. “I’d rather get back to Nat.”
“That’s fine with me.”
“Didn’t you think it was a bit odd for a rider to show up wearing a dressy blouse and white pants on one of the hottest July days ever recorded in Minnesota history?”
“Yeah. And what about the heavy makeup?”
“That too.”
“But if she wasn’t out here to spend time with her horse, Mary, then what motivated her to show up?”
“I don’t know, but whatever the reason was it must’ve been pretty important.”
“Mary . . . oh, never mind.”
“What?”
“You don’t think there’s anything going on between Reed and Nat, do you? Because, well, I’m starting to have feelings for him.”
No kidding. I only let her question brew for a split-second. “Nat and Reed? Absolutely not. But, have you already forgotten about Reed’s wife?”
“No, I haven’t. Luckily, Reed and I have had a chance to talk since learning about her. He says there’s nothing more between them, and I believe him.”
Keep your trap shut, Mary, until you get the facts from the horse’s mouth. There’s nothing like putting a damper on romance before you have to, especially when it’s coming from someone who has a poor track record in the romance department like yourself.
The car came to a grinding halt. As usual, the Bar X’s massive gates were barring our departure from the premises. Aunt Zoe readily offered to take care of our problem.
The minute the Topaz’s tires hit the street someone started honking at us. I immediately stopped and waited for a car to swerve around us, but none ever did. Obviously, I hadn’t missed anything in my blind spot. I glanced in my rearview mirror now. There was a car on the shoulder of the road a short distance from me. I didn’t recognize it. Maybe the person’s elbow accidently hit the horn while he or she were talking on his or her cell phone. Just as I decided to ignore whoever it was, the honking began anew. “Aunt Zoe, do me a favor. Turn around and see if that car looks familiar to you.”
She undid her seatbelt and turned to face the back of the car. “I’ve never seen it before. You sure you don’t know who it belongs to? Maybe it’s one of your fellow teachers.”
I shook my head. “Don’t think so.”
The owner of the black Ford Focus pulled up alongside of me. I glanced in the car. The passenger window was rolled down which made it easier to recognize the person. Aunt Zoe leaned over to my side, so she could catch a glimpse of the driver too. “Oh, no. It’s Clint Russell,” she breathed out excitedly, “What does that man want?”
“I don’t know.” It was hard to remain calm when my emotions had just spiked to new highs. I crossed my fingers hoping Clint’s sexy mouth wouldn’t blab about Ziggy Piggy’s, and then I rolled my window down. “Hi. Can I help you?”
“Yeah, I just have a quick question for you. Oh, sorry, I see you’re with someone.”
I turned toward my aunt and then back to Clint. “Why don’t you pull in front of me, and I’ll meet you at your car.”
“Okay.”
“Mary, are you crazy? If Reed finds out you’re speaking with him, he’ll fire you.”
“Look,” I said as I closed my window and then parked the car, “How am I going to find out what the enemy is thinking if I keep ignoring him?”
“Well, if you put it that way.”
I jumped out of the car and approached the Ford Focus. “Whatever you have to say, make it quick, Clint. I don’t want my passenger to report back to Reed.” Now that I had said what I planned to say, I soaked in what the hunk was wearing. Too be honest I was a bit disappointed in what I found today. Instead of shorts and shirts screaming Tommy Bahama, the scrumptious dude was clad in what looked like a basic blue jean shorts and a navy-and-white striped, short-sleeved knit shirt, the kind of apparel that sells for twelve bucks a pop at any discount store. Well, Mary, I guess what they say about the wealthy is true. The more money they have the more pennies they pinch.
“No problem,” the suave Clint Eastwood look-alike said. “I just wanted your phone number. The guy you were with at the barbecue joint tore you away too fast.”
“Oh?” Well, this works to your benefit, Mary. You’ve been trying to figure out how to arrange to meet with Clint aga
in. I can’t believe he actually wants my number. How cool is that? Real cool, girl, so don’t blow it. My heart skipped a beat. Wait a second. What if he’s just playing you? Nah. What’s in it for him?
Clint Russell snapped his fingers. “Hey, I thought you wanted to hurry this up.”
“Ah, yeah. I just realized I don’t have anything to write my number on.”
“That can be arranged.” Now Clint offered me an envelope addressed to him and a pen. “I believe in being prepared.”
You would, you handsome devil. “Thanks.” I took what he was holding and quickly scribbled a number and then double-checked it to make sure I hadn’t given him Matt’s land line by mistake. “There you go.” I handed his pen and envelope back. “Don’t make me wait too long for that call,” I gushed.
“I won’t.” Clint rolled his window up and made a sharp U-turn. Returning to his property I suspected.
“Okay, Aunt Zoe, let’s go.”
“Where to?”
“Home. Didn’t you tell Nat a mutt was waiting for you?”
Chapter 31
Aunt Zoe was extremely antsy all the way home, and I knew it was only a matter of time before she boiled over and coerced me into telling her what my private meeting with Clint Russell was all about. I just didn’t expect her to pounce on me the moment she crossed our apartment threshold.
“All right, Mary,” my roommate said as she lightly tapped her newly purchased crimson-colored boot to an imaginary tune,” I think I’ve waited long enough.”
I played hardball. “For what?”
She tapped her booted foot harder now. “Enough stalling, Missy. I’m not an acquaintance you can play games with. You forget I watched you grow up. Now what did that schmuck want?”
Geez, Mary Colleen, what kind of sleuth are you? You were in the car for over twenty-five minutes, and you never once thought up a yarn you could spin for your roommate. She’s cornered you. Well, whatever you say it better be sellable. “Oh, the jerk just wanted to tell me my left taillight was cracked.”
The foot tapping stopped abruptly. “That’s it? Why couldn’t he have shared that when he pulled alongside of us?”
Thankfully, Matt’s mutt suddenly appeared out of nowhere eagerly pressing her body between the two of us, expelling a little gas in the process and cutting off any thoughts my aunt may have had on delving deeper into the reason Clint Russell did what he did.
“Gracie, how could you?” I said as I gently nudged her out of our way. “I guess I’d better get her outside pronto, Auntie. Otherwise, there’s no telling what other stinky mess I’ll have to clean up today.”
“Forget the dog, Mary. I’ll take her out.”
“But it’s my turn to walk her,” I said not very convincingly.
“It’s all right. I haven’t done anything all afternoon.”
Other than flirting with Reed. “Okay. I’ll do double duty another day,” I offered as they marched out the door.
Now that the apartment was cleared out, I pulled off my filthy boots and immediately went to the bedroom to claim a scruffy two-piece summer lounging outfit before moving on to the shower where I could scrub away the filth and stink of the barn. The thought of all that pee and poop made me shudder. Hopefully, my apple-scented body wash and shampoo would help me feel clean again.
It’s not your body you should be worrying about, but rather your case and the things revolving around it. What did the kitty uncover? Why did Nat show up of all days? “Oh, and don’t forget your encounter with that rich dandy.” Yeah, why did he suddenly want a date with me? My body isn’t that yummy. “There’s got to be a common denominator, but what?”
Practice what you preach to your math students, Mary. If the answer didn’t work, start over. The problem is where do I start from? The very beginning when the first horse ended up on Clint’s property?
I stepped out of the shower and quickly dressed and combed my hair. The answers are out there. Maybe my scope has been too narrow. I needed to go beyond Reed’s horse realm. “Brilliant idea.” Start with Clint Russell? Hmm? “Why not? It sure beats working around horses.”
Now that I was feeling as fresh as a daisy again, I left the bathroom behind, charged into the bedroom to retrieve my cell phone, and then moved on to the kitchen where I planned to pamper my stomach with comfort foods before making any necessary calls.
“What’s it going to be, Mary?” I asked as I stood gazing at the contents in the fridge. Macaroni and cheese or the juicy blueberry pie. “Decisions. Decisions.” How about both?
Just as I was about to yank the two plastic storage containers out of the fridge, there was a light knock at our door. Shoot! Why is it whenever I’m ready to succumb to the ranting of my stomach someone has other plans for me? I shut the fridge and scrambled to the door. “Margaret, what a surprise. Come in.”
The elderly woman came through the door a little slower than usual. Maybe she had over taxed herself dancing this week. Matt said she sometimes danced five days in a row. It just amazed me someone her age could still twirl up a storm when I couldn’t even make it through one evening of dance without falling on my fanny. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything, Mary?”
“No, not at all.” Unless you consider the plan I had to stuff my teeny body with tons of food right before supper. Of course, pigging out probably doesn’t count in my neighbor’s world. “So, what’s up? Are you having trouble with one of your crossword puzzles?”
Margaret rested her frail hand against her chest. “Me? Good heavens, no. I was just curious to see how today’s events unfolded.”
“Ah, yes. Well, your timing couldn’t be more perfect.”
“How so?”
“Aunt Zoe’s out walking Gracie,” I said as I ushered our neighbor to the living room couch and then sat.
“Oh.”
“It’s hard living with her, Margaret. She gets so excited about the littlest thing.”
“Are we talking about your aunt or the mutt?
I shook my head. “Oh, sorry. I assumed you knew who I was talking about. I meant Aunt Zoe.”
“Yes, she does seem to get frazzled easily, doesn’t she?”
“You, on the other hand, are always so calm.”
My neighbor immediately covered her mouth. “I have my moments too, Mary. You’re just not around when it happens.”
I shoved my damp hair over my ears. “Ah, I don’t believe that. Anyway I’m glad you stopped by. I need to chat with someone other than my roommate about the case. Get some good feedback.”
Margaret’s boney hands formed a steeple. “I’ll do my best. You know, Matt used me as a sounding board whenever a case was giving him problems too.”
“I kind’a suspected that. Besides, two heads are better than one, right?”
My neighbor laughed lightly. “Definitely. So what’s your problem?”
“Problems,” I stressed.
I leaned against the back of the couch. “I’m not really sure where to begin.”
“Towards the beginning is usually a good place to start,” Margaret sweetly suggested.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you’d make a great teacher?” I asked as I reached out and clutched one of her small hands.
“No. Not that I can recall.”
“Believe me, you would. Remember my second trip to the farm when I had to fill in for one of Reed’s employees?”
The elderly woman nodded ever so slightly. “That was the same day you got knocked on the head by some kook.”
“Right. Well, I never told you what happened when I went into Reed’s house for the morning break.”
“What’s that?”
“Aunt Zoe let me know how scary I looked.”
My neighbor’s soft eyes opened wide. “She didn’t?”
&nbs
p; I raised a couple fingers. “In front of two men no less. Embarrassed, I ran straight to the bathroom.”
“To make yourself more presentable.”
“Exactly. Aunt Zoe doesn’t know she did me a favor that morning.”
Margaret displayed an expression of surprise. “She did?”
“Yup. Why, if I hadn’t been forced to use the bathroom for emergency primping, I never would’ve found a small, square metal object on the floor.”
Margaret shifted her body a smidgen. “Did you ask anyone what it could be?”
“Nope. I forgot all about it. Coffee and cookies were uppermost in my mind. Sure glad I stashed it in my jeans though instead of tossing it.”
“Why’s that?”
“This afternoon I found another one,” I replied.
“Where, Mary?”
I scooted off the couch now and began pacing excitedly. “In Cinnamon’s stall. A pesky little kitten uncovered it.”
“So, what do you think the metal pieces are from?”
“My hunch is a bridle, but I could be wrong. The only way I’ll know for sure is to connect with someone who sells horse equipment. Hopefully, it doesn’t entail driving to Wayzata or Buffalo.”
“Is Bloomington close enough?”
“You mean there’s something out there besides the Mega Mall and Ikea?”
My neighbor laughed. “Yes, there is. A man from my church owns a saddle and harness shop just a short distance from the mall. I can get his number from the church directory.”
“Great. I can scratch that off my list.”
“You mentioned problems as in plural. What else did you want to run by me, Mary?”
“Well, a boarder showed up right out of the blue just before we left Reed’s property.”
The elderly woman rested her hands on her lap. “Are the boarders expected to call before they come out to Reed’s?”
“No. It’s just that it was too hot to take a horse for a ride, and she never explained what she was doing there. Hopefully, she wasn’t there to make a play for Reed. Aunt Zoe would be devastated.” I took a short breather before continuing. “You’ll never guess who else I bumped into while we were in Cottage Grove.”
Death at the Bar X Ranch Page 19