Now all he had to do was work out how to convince her.
##
Kaiser dropped a file on the table between Sarah and Caleb before taking the chair opposite. “I don’t believe in coincidences. I want you to look at those two horses again. Is there a connection between them, Jenner, and Ames? Because I sure as hell can’t see it.”
Caleb opened the file and took out photos of the two stallions. He set them side by side on the table and sat back. “What do you think, Sarah? You’re the expert.”
She glanced at them before looking up to meet Kaiser’s gaze intently studying her. “Like I told Caleb, and I’m sure he passed it on in his report to you, these two could be half-brothers. I’d almost stake my reputation on it.”
“And yet there is no paper trail linking them. How can that be, Ms. Tait? And how is it you are the only person to see it?”
Caleb backed her up. “Maybe Sarah is the only one brave enough to say it. Even I can see similarities between them and I’m no expert. Have you tracked down Aladdin’s former owner? What about Jenner’s wife? Does she know anything about her husband’s purchase?”
Kaiser linked his fingers together and rested them on the table. “Jeannette Jenner is in the next room giving her statement now. And Lex Ames arrived a few minutes after her and demanded to see her.”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “Ames and Jenner’s wife?”
Sarah and Caleb reached for the folder at the same time. His fingers brushed hers, sending tingles she rather liked up her arm. The sensation was unlike any other man’s touch. Any other man would have sent her defences up and locked in place. Why was it different with Caleb? Startled and more than a little curious, her gaze flicked up to meet his.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“No problem.” Their words overlapped and Sarah felt heat rising in her cheeks. She drew a deep breath and turned to Kaiser. “Lily Jenner confided in me that her parents were fighting and she thought they might be on the point of separating. I suspect that was the conversation the stockman overheard between Lily and her father before the fire in his stables.”
Caleb rifled through the file until he found a family photo of Jeannette Jenner with an arm around her daughter and her husband standing a little apart. She was attractive and appeared to be close to Lily. But not her husband. Caleb set the photo on the table in front of Kaiser. “Is it possible Jeannette Jenner and Lex Ames were having an affair?”
“That’s a question you can put to Mrs. Jenner now, Richards. Ms. Tait, would you join me in the observation room?” He pushed back his chair and opened the door and waited.
Sarah’s stomach turned somersaults. Alone—with Kaiser—in a small room? “Why do you want me there?”
“Two reasons. Because I don’t want Ames anywhere near you, and since Lily confided in you, you might be able to verify some of her mother’s answers. After you.”
Caleb took her elbow and gave it a gentle squeeze. Enough to let her know he understood her anxiety. “You’ll be listening and watching her through a one-way window. She won’t know you’re there. If something strikes you as odd, tell Kaiser and he’ll let me know to follow it up. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Seated on one of two chairs, she watched and listened to Jeannette Jenner. What struck her was how unlike cop shows the whole thing was. She’d expected drama and denial, and protestations of innocence from Lily’s mother. Instead, the woman opened up like a floodgate—an affair because she was bored, a small adventure and the chance to get back at her husband by dropping a snippet of overheard conversation provided by her lover.
“Lex said we’d get Ralph to drop a bundle on a worthless horse that Lex would leak lots of hints about.”
“What sort of hints, Mrs. Jenner?”
“Like Aladdin would win the Melbourne Cup but nobody knew about him. Ralph would think he’d beaten Lex to the purchase and discover he’d bought a dud. When I asked Ralph for the divorce, I’d offer to take Aladdin at the price he paid as part of my settlement. He’d be so pleased to get rid of a bad buy that he wouldn’t argue. Then Lexie and I would marry. He was happy for me to have Lily live with us. On the coast. Where I wanted to be.”
Sarah leaned her shoulder against the window frame and looked at Kaiser. “I think she’s telling the truth as she knows it. That fits with what her daughter said, although Lily wouldn’t agree that Aladdin is a bad buy. Both she and her father see potential in him.”
“How would you assess the stallion? Is he the dud Mrs. Jenner claims or is there more to him?” Kaiser gave little away but there was a subtle shift in his attitude, a lowering of suspicion in his tone and a willingness to listen to what she said that hadn’t been there before.
A tiny flare of hope warmed her battered sense of self. “I think it would be worth doing blood tests on both Aladdin and Sir Alain. If they are related, you have a whole new line of inquiry to pursue. And yes, I think Aladdin might live up to his magical name.”
“Thank you, Ms. Tait. I’d like you to stay in town while this investigation continues.”
Sarah’s heart sank. So much for thinking Kaiser trusted her, just a little. Frustration and fatigue snapped the slim thread of restraint she’d exercised until now. Fists clenched, she glared at the detective.
“Do you really think I’m involved in Sir Alain’s kidnapping? Why? How do I prove to you that I’m innocent? In your mind I’m a Tait, which equates with criminal.”
“Wrong, Ms. Tait. I don’t think you’re guilty of anything.”
Dumbfounded, she stared at him for several seconds before snapping her mouth shut. Folding her arms, she shook her head. “That wasn’t what you told Caleb when he reported in. I heard you. A woman in her position could make good money helping them cover up the switch. What changed?”
“Your rescue of Sir Alain. At great personal danger. Oh yes, Richards gave me all the details and told me I’m a fool if I can’t see your innate honesty. I’m no fool, Ms. Tait. I pride myself on recognising talent when I see it. And I want your continued assistance in this matter so please—do not leave town.” The inspector reached for the handle as Caleb pushed the door open. They nodded to one another and Kaiser said, “Five minutes, Richards, then I want you in with me.”
Caleb closed the door behind him and stood looking at her. “So, all okay?”
Sarah sank onto the chair she’d occupied during Caleb’s interview with Jeannette Jenner. “I think so. Frankly, I’m stunned. He wants me to stay and help but he didn’t elaborate.”
“Great. You’re in the clear and we’re moving ahead with the case.” Sandalwood soap and coffee replaced the smell of cleaning product as Caleb moved past her and turned the second chair to face hers. Resting his elbows on his knees, he leaned forward, his hands close to hers but not touching. “Sarah, it’s all thanks to you that we’ve reached this point. You do realise that, don’t you?”
Her see-sawing emotions struggled to catch up. With a single sentence from Kaiser, the cloud over her had lifted. With her name cleared, she was free to go. At least, in theory. Acceding to Kaiser’s request for help was her choice. It felt empowering and liberating. “I’ve tried hard to help but whatever I’ve done, it was with your help. We did it together, Caleb. That’s—a really good feeling. Thank you for believing in me, for giving me the chance to prove myself.”
A knock sounded and the desk sergeant stuck his head around the door. “Detective Richards? Inspector Kaiser would like you in the other room, sir. He’s ready to interview Mr. Ames.”
Caleb smiled at Sarah as he stood. “Dinner tonight?”
“Sure. Thanks.”
##
Caleb shut the door and pulled out his phone and texted his mother as he walked to the second interview room. If Sarah was staying in town, an invitation from Carla to stay with them was more likely to succeed than one from him. To win Sarah, he needed to be close, and see her regularly. What could be better than every morning over breakfast?
He grinned as he hit the send button. Let Carla think she was contributing to his love life. Together, they would turn hope into reality.
##
By the time Kaiser called a halt to the interview, it had gone six o’clock and they knew the investigation was far from over. Blood tests had been ordered for the two stallions at the holding yard, and requests for information sent to Townsville and Brisbane police, along with subpoenas for records from Racing Australia and the Registrar of Racehorses.
As for the kidnap of Sir Alain, Ames had given away nothing but Kaiser was confident the men employed to guard the stallion would prefer to co-operate with police once they knew Ames was being questioned.
Head full of Ames’s half-truths and sly innuendo, Caleb drove home. As he pulled into his driveway, one of Sarah’s theories persisted in coming to the fore. Was it possible this was a more sophisticated take on the Fine Cotton affair?
Taking his boots off outside, he stowed them on the shoe rack in the laundry and entered the kitchen on sock-clad feet.
Sarah was leaning on the bench, her back to him, in conversation with his mother. “I’d love to show you, and now that I have to stay in town for a while, I might as well make a start on the school.”
“Hi, Mum, Sarah. How was your day?” He kissed his mother on the cheek and grabbed a glass of water from the urn.
“It was good. Even better when Sarah came in and told me her news. What a relief, my dear, knowing you’re in the clear with Glen Kaiser.” She smiled at both of them.
“Your mum has invited me to stay while the investigation is ongoing.”
“I’d love to have your company, Sarah. Tell her, Caleb, tell her it’s no trouble.”
“No trouble at all. So long as you don’t mind Mum talking your ear off about horses.” There were so many positives to his plan to keep Sarah nearby. Both women had blossomed in each other’s company.
“Sarah tells me you’re taking her out to dinner. You’d better get a move on.”
Sarah beat him to the punch. “Carla, you’re welcome to join us.”
“Not tonight, dear. Too much excitement last night. I’m going to bed early with a good book.”
“Are you sure, Mum?”
“Go take a shower and let me get on with my book. I’m pretty sure I’ve figured out who the bad guy is but I like to be certain.” She winked at Sarah and rolled out of the kitchen.
“So, dinner?”
##
The restaurant wasn’t fancy but the lighting was low enough to hide her bruises. And even better, the food smelled divine as Sarah inhaled the aroma of tomatoes and herbs from her dish of pasta.
“Caleb, why didn’t you tell Kaiser about the Fine Cotton affair?” All day she’d been feeling good, daring to look beyond the troubles of her family over recent months. This felt like a backward step. Didn’t Caleb trust her theory? Was it too way out?
“I’ll tell him tomorrow. I only put the pieces all together as I drove home and I wanted to see what you thought first.” He cut into his steak, medium-rare with pepper sauce, and took his first bite.
He wanted to ask what she thought. She thought he was the nicest man she knew. She blinked, and twirled fettucine around her fork before she answered. “I think it’s a possibility. A substitution plot seems to fit the facts and it’s a reasonable line to follow. There are other possibilities though, depending what information comes back from the Racing Board. I mean, it’s not impossible that the stallions are half-brothers. And if that’s the case, you could start looking into the theft of sperm and—”
Caleb held up one hand and grinned. “I get it, Sarah. We’ll wait for more information. But tonight is meant to be a celebration.”
He raised his glass of wine. “Here’s to you, to your rescue of two horses and one upset teenage girl, to your completing the endurance ride and securing funds for the riding school, and to winning over a grumpy detective inspector.”
She touched her glass to his. “And to finding a friend. I think we are friends.” Friendship was something she’d never sought from a man but with Caleb, it felt right. Like he could be her best friend. One day. “Aren’t we?”
“I hope so, Sarah.”
Chapter Sixteen
Four weeks later
Caleb turned onto the track leading to Sarah’s riding school. As he pulled into a parking spot near the main gate, he marvelled at the progress made since their first visit a bare month earlier.
Set on the outskirts of town, the facility Sarah had leased for the riding school was quiet and spacious. Funds from her endurance ride had been used to construct a training ground but the roof wouldn’t go on for another month. What she had accomplished, with help from his mother, was a small miracle. And today was Tabitha’s final run before their assessment.
He helped Carla out of the car and together they followed the concrete path to the arena. “Sarah’s been very quiet about the training. I can’t wait to see how she and Tabitha do it.”
As he held the gate open, Sarah and the mare were already in the arena, going through their paces. As soon as she caught sight of them, Sarah led Tabitha to the centre and dismounted. She patted the mare and beckoned to his mother.
Carla looked up at him. “You might be surprised what can be achieved, darling. Come on, you sit over there while I say hello to Tabitha and Sarah.”
Carla rolled her wheelchair up to the mare and held out her hand. Despite knowing how well trained the horse was, Caleb felt a twinge of anxiety. Tabitha towered over the wheelchair. Seated in front of the horse, his mother seemed so small and vulnerable. Sarah held the mare’s leading rope but still he gripped the edge of the bench as the urge to remove his mother from danger fired his adrenaline. He knew Tabitha wouldn’t hurt her, knew Sarah had her under total control but—
“You’re a beautiful girl, aren’t you, Tabitha.”
He watched as the mare lowered her head and Carla reached up and rubbed the long nose, and smiled. A real, beautiful, genuine smile like he remembered from his childhood. A smile of wonder and intense pleasure that crinkled at the corner of her eyes and brought moisture to his.
Knowing his mother’s love of horses, why hadn’t he thought of this sort of outing before now? Maybe not quite so up close and personal, but he would definitely organise similar outings in future.
Carla patted the horse’s neck and then Sarah handed the reins to her. “What do you think, Carla? Would you like to ride Tabitha?”
What? He bounded off the bench, only to be brought up short by the rapt expression on his mother’s face. How could she ride the horse that towered over her chair? “How? Mum, is it a good idea?”
“Caleb, my dear boy, I trust Sarah, and I trust Tabitha. Now, will you trust me enough to loosen the reins and let me enjoy myself?”
Had he really been overprotective to the point of stifling her? He looked from the horse, to his mother. Sarah’s project was riding for the disabled, a key aspect he’d conveniently forgotten when Carla had suggested this outing. He’d ridden Tabitha for an entire day, knew her sweet temperament, knew she was the ideal horse for a disabled rider. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Sarah.
Confidence, reassurance, control—all those and more were in Sarah’s smile. She would never do anything to endanger Carla. He knew that. “It truly will be safe, Caleb.”
He swallowed the lump of dread and realised he was gripping the handles of the wheelchair. With a conscious effort of will, he released his hold and stepped back. “Okay, so, do I lift Mum on or what?”
“No need. Please sit back where you were and watch your mum do it all by herself.”
By herself? All by herself? How?
Sand squeaked beneath the soles of his boots as he forced himself to walk away and resume his seat. Sunlight burnished Tabitha’s coat as she waited patiently.
Heart in his mouth, he watched Sarah ask Tabitha to lie down. Carla wheeled her chair along the mare’s left side then, under Sarah�
��s direction, she lifted her right leg over the adapted saddle, and shuffled her bottom forward on the chair.
“Now hold onto the saddle and transfer your weight onto Tabitha.” Sarah’s low tone was soothing, and Caleb was mesmerised by the apparent ease with which his mother mounted. Within seconds she was sitting astride the mare and then Tabitha rose in a slick, smooth, effortless move.
Sarah clicked her tongue and, still holding the rope, led Tabitha at a slow walk around the perimeter of the arena. “How are you doing up there, Carla?”
“Loving the view. I feel—liberated.”
Watching his mother smiling, that big, happy, genuine smile he hadn’t seen in years, Caleb felt as though a weight lifted off his shoulders. Why hadn’t he thought of offering her more physical challenges before now?
Several circuits of walking progressed to a trot and finally, Carla guided Tabitha over to where he sat.
“How did it feel to be back in the saddle?” He loosened his death grasp on the bench and stood.
Her cheeks flushed with colour, a line of sweat glistened along her upper lip, but the brightness in her eyes gave him his answer. “Fabulous. Oh, Caleb, right now I feel like I could take on the world.”
“Will I feel like that too?” Caleb hadn’t noticed the arrival at his side of young Luke and his family. The boy pointed at the wheelchair parked nearby and looked up at Carla. “You’re in a chair like me, aren’t you? And you can ride Tabitha. Sarah said I’d be able to when she’d finished training her horse. Is she trained now?”
Sarah joined the group and sat on the end of Caleb’s bench so she was level with Luke. “Very soon, Luke. Carla already knows how to ride a horse, and she’s going to give Tabitha her final training.”
Caleb looked from Sarah to his mother. His jaw must have dropped because she laughed and nodded.
“Yes, Luke, I’m going to help Tabitha learn how to help her rider and then you’ll be able to learn how to ride on her.”
Luke looked longingly at the horse, disappointed he couldn’t trade places with Carla.
Long Way Home (Hearts of the Outback Book 3) Page 13