Brightening, she rushed back to the front of the villa and lifted the doormat. And there it was, a silver key glinting up at her. She gave a thumbs-up to Eve, pushed the key in the lock and opened the front door.
She paused in the hall, debating if she should remove her boots, then gave her head a shake and merely brushed them off on the inside mat. They weren’t dirty anyway.
She started with the bathroom, opening drawers and checking the medicine cabinets. Some expired antidepressants, two types of diuretics and a guaranteed tooth whitener. Nothing odd or illegal.
She moved into the TV room, checking the coffee table and even pulling up the sofa cushions, not even sure what she was looking for. The stack of notes and magazines were related to horses and education. There was nothing specific about Mexico. Or Joey.
Lydia was meticulously neat although there were some redeeming dust bunnies beneath the sofa. Her life seemed fairly boring, but a well-stocked wine rack suggested she did enjoy her wine.
Megan checked her watch. Seven minutes. This wasn’t so scary.
More confident now, she strolled down the hall and into the main bedroom. The double bed was made as tightly as a marine’s, and she fought her impulse to check it with a coin toss. She scanned the closet and the bedside table but balked at rifling through Lydia’s underwear.
She moved through the door and into the spare bedroom. Lydia obviously didn’t anticipate any guests. The room had been converted to an office, stark and bare except for a cheap computer desk. The walls, however, were plastered with pictures. Megan edged closer, her eyes widening at the display.
‘Groom of the Week at Del Mar.’ ‘Apprentice Jockey Scores First Win,’ ‘Fighting the Odds.’ The coverage was extensive. Lydia obviously followed the careers of every student, even the man who’d ended up as a pari-mutuel clerk. Five students had written thank you notes, pitifully few considering the number of grads, but those were tacked on the wall in a place of honor.
Nothing about Joey. He hadn’t had time to make the grad wall.
A bag of golf clubs sat in the corner. She stepped closer, studying the heads. No obvious blood. She rubbed her finger over the ends. Dust or hair? She wasn’t certain. It seemed inconceivable that Lydia could club a dog, not considering how much she loved horses. But still…
Squaring her shoulders, Megan turned toward the computer.
Sonofabitch.
She stiffened, then charged forward and yanked off the cord connecting Joey’s iPod to the computer. Unbelievable. Lydia had raised such a stink about the iPod going to his family but hadn’t even bothered to return it. Instead was callously enjoying his music.
Megan shoved the iPod into her pocket, shaking her head in disgust. At least this visit had produced something.
She stomped back down the hall and checked the path through the front window. Eve sat on the ground, her lower back resting against the tree, arms clutched around her knees. She looked anxious but wasn’t using her phone. Not yet.
Megan opened the front door, locked it, then carefully replaced the key under the mat. She jogged back to Eve.
“Find anything?” Eve asked, her eyes anxious.
“No sign of drugs. Nothing about Mexico or the Baja Tinda.” Megan patted her pocket. “But I did get Joey’s iPod back.”
“It was there?” Eve’s eyes widened. “I thought she mailed it?”
“Guess it had some songs she really liked,” Megan said dryly. “So, what should we do now? Still want to go to town?”
“Definitely. I need to buy some stuff and I’m tired of tofu. Just thinking of a hamburger makes me drool.”
Megan glanced sideways, unable to block a visual of Eve gripping the toilet bowl and barfing a burger. It must be hellish for jockeys, knowing over-weights were announced to the world. Maybe Scott’s class would really help people like Eve. “Did Joey battle his weight while he was here?” she asked, struggling to keep the sympathy from her voice.
“No.” Eve gave a wistful smile. “He could consume way more calories than me. He spent a lot of time in the exercise room, jogged every morning. He tried to get me to join him, but it was way too early.”
“He was on the school cross country team,” Megan said. And a star on the juvie soccer team. But Joey never talked about his time at the institution.
“He told me how the juvies beat the local cops.” Eve smiled and for a moment looked almost happy. “He said the food at reform school was way better than here.”
“Wow. He told you those details?”
“Yes, and said you never gave up on him. You were his best friend.”
Megan stared at Eve, her throat thickening, realizing this girl had been exceedingly special to Joey. And that maybe she had been a pretty good sister too.
She reached out, linking Eve’s arm with hers, and they continued down the path, their voices mingling as they shared family secrets.
***
Megan shifted in the driver’s seat, her discomfort growing. She wasn’t used to greasy food, and the fries and hamburger, though delicious an hour ago, now sat in her stomach like a brick. Despite feeling slightly ill, it had been a lovely evening, sharing memories of Joey with someone else who had loved him.
But now she was eager to return to the school. She’d promised Scott she’d be back by nine.
She peered through the window, trying to see into the drug store. A customer, much too tall to be Eve, stood in the checkout line. Eve had said she wanted to run in and pick up a few things, but perhaps she was really searching for a bathroom.
Megan sighed and tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, grateful Tami wasn’t a jockey. It was less distressing to room with someone who enjoyed chocolate than to agonize about someone wrapped around the toilet bowl. And Tami was so young, so impressionable. Despite Megan’s firm policy not to get involved, it was hard not to worry about her roommate. At least tonight Tami would be happy that Megan had given her some privacy.
Tami might appreciate more chocolate too. Sales had been steady and their current stash was running low. It could take her mind off Miguel and his little mind games. Megan didn’t intend to poke her nose in Tami’s affairs, no way, but it wouldn’t hurt to cheer her up with a little gift. She grabbed her purse and slid from the truck.
A bell jangled above the doorway announcing her entry in the store. She grabbed a plastic basket and filled it with an assortment of bars. She and Tami liked Crispy Crunch, Peter preferred Mars Bars—she didn’t pick up any Snickers for Miguel.
She walked to the counter with her basket, relieved Eve was the only person in line. They’d be home in twenty minutes.
Eve saw Megan and flinched. Her gaze darted to a pink box on the counter.
“I just wanted—” Megan’s words mired in her throat when she recognized the pregnancy kit.
Eve squared her shoulders and paid the cashier without looking at Megan.
“Anything else?”
Megan blinked, realizing the cashier was talking to her. She fumbled in her purse and somehow paid for the chocolate.
She followed Eve to the truck, her legs wooden. Neither girl spoke as they settled in their seats.
“So that’s why you threw up,” Megan said. “Oh, Eve.” She leaned over and hugged her, feeling Eve’s physical struggle for composure.
“I’m pretty sure I’m p-pregnant,” Eve choked. “But I need to know for sure. That’s why I needed to go to town.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.”
The misery in her voice made Megan’s eyes prick, and she averted her gaze. Eve needed someone strong, not a blubbering idiot. “I can help,” Megan said, “in whatever way you want. I have some money too. Just let me know—” But her throat constricted and she gripped the wheel, struggling to find some semblance of control.
Joey’s baby. God, she wanted it in her world. She wanted it so badly.
“I want to ride, not take time off for a pregnancy,” Eve said,
her voice so low it was barely discernable. “And Joey’s gone. So I’m leaning towards…well, you know.”
Megan’s fingers gripped the steering wheel. “I guess the first step is to take the test,” she said, her voice surprisingly even. “Find out for sure. Did Joey know?”
“We knew I was late, but we weren’t certain. That’s why, well I knew he wasn’t the type to run off.”
“No.” Megan pried her hands off the wheel. “Of course he wouldn’t. Do you need a bottle of water? Some juice?” She scanned the stores. “Let’s find a bathroom.”
“No.” Eve’s voice firmed. “I want to go home.”
“But don’t you want to know?”
“What I want is to be alone.”
It was a quiet drive. Eve spoke in monosyllables, her face shadowed in the dark while Megan drove on autopilot, battered by a flood of emotions, teetering from ragged despair to the optimistic hope of new life.
They turned into the driveway leading to the school. Megan eased to a stop in front of the jock barn.
“Will you at least let me know…what you f-find out,” she asked, trying to keep her voice from cracking.
“Yes. And thanks for the hamburger and the drive.” But Eve said no more. She just pushed open the door and disappeared inside.
Oh, my God. Megan jerked the truck into the parking lot, then dropped her forehead on the steering wheel. Her mother would be delirious with joy. If, if, if…so many ifs. She sucked in a breath, cast a last wistful glance at the row of lights shining from Eve’s dorm, then turned and walked into the barn.
“Hey, Megan. Are you here to help with night hay?” Peter asked, his voice hopeful.
Megan dropped the plastic bag of chocolate bars and slumped onto the closest bale of hay, too drained to walk any further. “Sure, I’ll help,” she said. “But I didn’t know it was your turn.”
“Yeah, only guys are allowed to feed at night now. Joey broke into Lydia’s villa. All the girls are terrified.”
“What!”
“Yeah. Lydia’s okay but Garrett and Scott were here an hour ago. Garrett made some more rules. Also his fancy Quarter Horse is moving into this barn.” Peter’s eyes narrowed on the bag at her feet. “Oh, wow. Did you bring more chocolate?”
Megan nodded, still absorbing Peter’s words. Joey broke into Lydia’s villa? It was all too staggering, especially after Eve’s possible pregnancy. She picked up a whip, gripping it in her hands, trying to find stability in something, anything. “But nobody saw Joey,” she managed. “At Lydia’s. Why is he always blamed for everything?”
Peter shrugged. “Who else would it be? And apparently they know from what was taken.” He pulled out a Mars Bar and gave a conspiratorial wink. “Tami won’t want hers for a while. She’s still upstairs, holed up with Miguel.”
Pain spiked behind Megan’s eyes, and she pressed a palm against her forehead. Pregnancy, break-ins, Joey. She wanted to crawl into bed, and pray and cry and pray some more. Unfortunately her room was off limits, and Scott was expecting her.
She stared down at the whip. Scott wanted her to practice using it on the ground, but her fingers felt numb and the idea of being able to switch whip hands while galloping now seemed ludicrous.
“Hey, move your ass.” Peter’s boots shuffled in front of her. “I need that bale of hay.”
She looked up, blinking.
“Never mind,” he said. “You just sit. I’ll grab another bale.”
Stall doors clanged open and shut while Peter tossed hay, but her thoughts remained wrapped around pregnancy. She was older. Single. She didn’t want to ride for a living. Maybe Eve would let her keep the baby—if Eve would only carry it to full term. But was she even pregnant?
“I’m almost finished.” Peter materialized in front of her, his kind face concerned. “Just need to check some water.” He cocked his head. “I’m assuming you didn’t go to your room because Tami and Miguel are there. Want to hang out with me and Skip?”
“No, but I appreciate the offer.” She forced a smile. “I’m sure Miguel will leave soon.”
“I wouldn’t if I were him,” Peter said.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“I won’t be able to sleep a wink.” Lydia shuddered. “Knowing Joey Collins was in my bedroom.”
“What makes you think he was in your room?” Scott asked. “You said the iPod was on the kitchen table, ready to go in the mail.”
Garrett raised an amused eyebrow but blanked his face when Lydia looked at the two men.
“I just know,” she said, “that I don’t feel safe.” She fluttered her eyelashes at Scott. “Is there another place I could stay?”
“Yes,” Garrett’s voice bubbled. “Scott’s villa is big enough—”
“Garrett has seven empty bedrooms,” Scott broke in, “so if you really think safety is an issue, that’s the logical alternative.”
“There’s no need to panic,” Garrett said quickly. “The measures Scott suggested will be enough. And I don’t think Joey is a big threat.”
Scott leaned forward. It was hard to get an accurate gauge of Joey Collins. He ranged from a violent kid to a gang dealer and then to a hopeless addict. Now he was harmless? Even Garrett waffled.
“But he was certainly a threat to Rex,” Scott said.
Garrett shrugged. “Yes, but with this last incident he took nothing but his own iPod. That’s not exactly stealing.”
Scott rubbed his forehead in frustration. According to Ramon and Lydia, Joey was a hard-core dealer with an expensive habit and gang affiliations. It was difficult to understand Garrett’s ambivalence, especially with a group of students on the grounds.
“Look, do you want to catch this guy or not?” Scott asked, crossing his arms. “I can run a check. Find the area he works. Snake knows most of the gangs—”
Garrett shook his head. “I don’t want you to spend any extra time on this. There’s no need to scare the students. Just concentrate on teaching your course. And if you see anyone hanging around, nab him.” Garrett turned to Lydia. “About that other matter, can you spare me a racehorse?”
“I don’t think so.” Her brow furrowed in thought. “The grooms need the quiet ones. Sphinx is out with a tendon, Cody pulled his stifle. We don’t have any extra mounts.”
“Then we’ll have to ship Rambo.”
“Not Rambo!” She jerked forward but quelled under Garrett’s hard stare. “I hate to send Rambo to Mexico,” she added, settling back in her seat. “You know what will happen to him there. He deserves better.”
Scott had been scanning his phone, hoping for a message from Megan, but glanced up, alerted by the genuine passion in Lydia’s voice. She wasn’t pulling any helpless act now.
“What’s Rambo’s story?” he asked, remembering the name of Megan’s horse and the animal’s regal appearance.
“He’s an old stakes horse,” Lydia said. “Won almost a million dollars. Donated to the school. Supposed to be semi-retired.” She shot an accusing look at Garrett.
“He’s supposed to be teaching students to gallop,” Garrett said. “Not how to hit the ground. And if that horse isn’t any use, he’s going on the trailer next week.”
Scott’s phone vibrated. Probably Snake again. However, the screen showed ‘Megan Spence.’ He leaped to his feet and walked into Garrett’s office.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said, her voice subdued. “I just have to grab some stuff from my room, and I’ll be right over.”
He wished she’d grab everything and move in, but at least she was coming. “Don’t walk,” he said. “There’s been another incident. I’ll pick you up.”
“Okay, but I need to wait a few minutes. To get in my room.”
“Yeah, fine,” he said. “I’ll be right there.”
Garrett and Lydia were in deep discussion about the scarcity of usable horses, and it sounded like Ramon had now joined in, via speaker phone. Scott poked his head in the kitchen, gave a quick wave and escaped out Garrett’s ba
ck door
He strode back to his villa and slid into his car. Drove quickly, keeping a watchful eye on the shadows. Both barns and adjoining dorms were well lit, but he circled the parking lot, relieved Megan’s truck was parked close to the side door. He didn’t like the idea of her hanging out with Joey’s old girlfriend. Lydia said it had been a transient affair. However, if Joey was looking for Eve, Scott wanted Megan a safe distance from any action.
He parked by the end door and walked in, passing a bright-eyed student with hay sticking to his chest and a dark smear on the side of his mouth. “Good evening, sir,” the student said.
Scott nodded but his gaze swept the aisle. Megan sat on a bale of hay, practicing switching her whip hand. She rose slowly to her feet.
“Peter told me Braun is moving here tomorrow,” she said.
He’d been eager to see her, to touch her, but hesitated. There was something strained in her expression, a darkness to her eyes, and her voice had an accusatory note. “That’s right,” he said, keeping his hands at his side. “Garrett is rounding up some horses for Mexico. He wants to use the cowshed as a base.”
“And I also understand Joey broke into Lydia’s villa.”
“That’s also correct.” He stiffened at the hostility in her voice, the aggressive way she twirled the whip, almost hitting him in the chin. He reached out and stilled the whip, gently guiding it to her side. “Which is why you shouldn’t be sitting in the aisle alone,” he added.
“I’m not worried. And Peter stayed until he heard your car.” She swallowed and her words came in a rush. “Do you really believe Joey is doing all this stuff? That he was into drugs? Eve knew him better than anyone else. And she swears he was clean.”
“I think Garrett and Lydia know his history best,” Scott said cautiously.
HORSES AND HEROIN (Romantic Mystery) Page 18