Forever Ventured

by Kathleen Brooks

  “Thank you. That’s very kind of you to do when I know you must be as worried as I am about today.”

  The man who was around his father’s age looked relieved to have someone acknowledge the situation. His shoulders slumped and he let out a long breath. “It’s hard. But thanks to you, we can get ahead of the situation and take these people down.”

  “I’ll let you all get to it then. Text me if you need anything,” Wyatt said to the men but then directed a longer look to Piper, who gave a small nod of understanding. She’d keep him updated directly.

  Wyatt sent a text message to the town phone tree with the information about tickets. The gates had opened by now and the parking lot was slowly filling with people in their best attire. Some liked to head inside immediately, but most who arrived early did what Reagan called elegant tailgating.

  “How is everyone doing?” Wyatt asked as he approached his stables.

  Bud was dressed in an actual suit and tie. Of course he was still wearing a baseball cap, but this one was embroidered with WYATT FARM arched over a galloping red horse.

  “Great hat, Bud,” Wyatt said, taking it in.

  “Your Auntie Paige dropped them off just a minute ago,” Bud told him. “She brought one for everyone.”

  Bud reached into a Southern Charms bag and tossed a hat to Wyatt who slipped it onto his head and took a deep breath. The tension started to unravel as he hung out with this team.

  Gent was taken out and brushed down. Bud, Luke, and Cody took him on a little walk to keep him loose and relaxed as the grandstands began to fill.

  “Dr. Davies,” a young man called out as he approached him. “Would you mind giving an interview?”

  And so the morning went. All questions for C.C. were written down and then Camila filled them out as she stood with Bud, giving everyone the impression that Bud was C.C. Callahan. Finally the races were about to begin, and Wyatt was informed that everyone from Keeneston was there.

  “Shall we watch some races?” Wyatt asked the group.

  “I’d like to stay with Gent,” Bud told him.

  “I’ll stay, too,” Cody said, taking a seat on the large tack box to the side of Gent’s door. Gent leaned over and nudged Cody’s shoulder.

  “I’ll go with you to say hi to everyone, but I may not stay long,” Camila said as she reached out and took his hand in hers.

  “Great. Let’s go. We’ll be back at least two races before the stakes. I have my phone. Call me if anything is out of the ordinary.”

  * * *

  “I think everything is out of the ordinary today,” Camila admitted to Wyatt as they walked toward the grandstand. The first race had just gone off as they slowed to watch from the rail before heading up the side stairs to the grandstand.

  “I know what you mean. Everyone and everything is suspect. But we will know soon. Piper will begin testing the second the race is over.”

  Camila could only nod. She liked to think she was strong, but right now it was painful to stand still. There was so much tension in her body she was practically shaking. Instead she wrung her hands until Wyatt reached over and took one of her hands in his.

  “It’ll be okay.”

  “I don’t know about that. Let’s just say I have a very bad feeling about today. I’ve never looked so forward to a day while at the same time dreading it.”

  Camila watched as the horses raced by, and she squeezed Wyatt’s hand. At least she wasn’t alone. She turned her head slightly and saw Luke and Blythe not watching the race but the people around them. It gave her some comfort to know she wasn’t going to be caught off guard again, but it also drove home the fact that she had been targeted, as well as the horses.

  “Eight o’clock,” Luke said from behind them as he stepped closer.

  Wyatt and Camila turned and Camila could have sworn Wyatt cursed at the sight of Dr. Kyle Avery storming toward them.

  “Are you behind this?” he demanded at Wyatt.

  “Behind what, Kyle?”

  “The drug testing. Do you know how much extra work I have to do today because of your crazy theory that there’s a new drug out there hurting horses? We already tested the horses that have gone down on the track this entire season and none of them tested positive for any banned substances. But noooo, Mr. High and Mighty has to try to make me look inept. As if I can’t run a simple drug test.”

  “Kyle, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Wyatt said so convincingly that Camila believed him even though she knew the truth.

  Kyle looked pissed as he shook his head. “For some reason, I, and this racing commission vet, have to pull blood on every horse today right after they race. Do you know why?”

  Wyatt wrinkled his brow as if in thought. “To stop illegal drugging?”

  “Whatever, Wyatt. But I know you’re just the kind of goody-goody asshole to make the racing commissioner do this. Now I have to bust my ass instead of enjoying the day.” Kyle spun around and stormed off as the horses began to make their way off the track.

  Camila felt someone watching her and she turned around as if looking at the horses, but Kyle was already at work. She glanced around and saw Marco, his father, and his cousin approaching, but they were talking to each other and didn’t notice her. Camila tried to shake it off, but her Irish blood was telling her that something was off.

  “Come on, let’s go to our own box today,” Wyatt said as she held out his arm for her to take.

  Camila hadn’t placed her second foot on the box level of the grandstand when she heard. “Sugarbear! Lord have mercy, it’s a sign! A horse in the next race is named My Sugar Bear. Sugarbear, I need a hundred dollars to bet on you.”

  The tension in Camila’s shoulders relaxed as she burst out laughing. Aniyah came racing down the grandstand in five-inch stilettos and a form-fitting lime-green dress that hugged her scrumptious curves to the point that she had to go down the stairs sideways.

  “There they are. Go Keeneston!” Cassidy yelled as she saw Camila and Wyatt. Camila took in the scene as hope filled her heart. Surely nothing would go wrong when the entire town had her back.

  All of Wyatt’s aunts and uncles, along with his grandma and grandpa and the Rose sisters took up the first row. Behind them sat their families and friends. The last couple of rows held the firefighters surrounded by the girl group who called themselves the Belles. Wyatt explained that they were supposed to help with charity but were really hunting for potential husbands.

  Camila waved as Wyatt shook hands with his family in the front row before they made it to their box. Luke headed up into the stands to sit with his girlfriend, Ava Miller. Marshall and Katelyn sat in the back row of the Wyatt Farm box.

  “I guess you saw your sister,” Marshall said to Wyatt. “Apparently she thought we weren’t going to be fun enough. Since she and Deacon are on a date day, they wanted to party.”

  “Deacon probably wanted to kiss his wife without you being all growly,” Katelyn said as she laughed at her husband.

  Blythe took a seat behind them and left the last seat open for Bud. She leaned over and waved at Veronica, who was two boxes away. People in their parties talked easily to each other as the next lineup of horses began their parade down the front stretch.

  “That’s My Sugar Bear! I love you!” Aniyah yelled so loudly the jockey looked up into the stands.

  “Are you really going to bet against me?” Carter yelled up at Aniyah. Camila’s shoulders shook at the two of them teasing each other.

  The race went off as Aniyah and Carter got into a cheering match—Carter for his horse and Aniyah for My Sugar Bear. By the time the race ended with Carter winning and the long shot, My Sugar Bear, coming in third, Camila, Wyatt, and the rest of Keeneston were practically in tears.

  “Come on, Aniyah,” Carter yelled up to her as his family made their way to the winner’s circle. “You lost the bet and my bonus is that you and DeAndre get in the picture with us.”

  “Are you getting nervous?” Kate
lyn asked Camila as everything finally settled down between the races.

  “Yes,” Camila admitted, but didn’t tell her the real reason she was nervous was that she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched.

  23

  Camila wondered how time seemed to both fly by and drag by. Tension only grew with every text Wyatt got from Piper.

  “They found a pattern,” Wyatt whispered to her as the next race was about to go off. “So far, there are three confirmed uses of the drug. All long shots, but not the longest shot. And all were ridden by Julio. One horse was from DP Stables, one was from Titan Florida Stables, and one was from an OC Racing Syndicate.”

  “Are there any other connections?”

  “Piper doesn’t know yet. She said the commissioner is livid. They’ve put an undercover stable hand on him to record him.”

  “Julio is racing in almost every race,” she said as she flipped through the program. “He races a horse for practically every trainer and every farm.”

  “I know. We need more information to complete the puzzle.”

  The Keeneston section went wild and Camila looked up to see Julio crossing the finish line first on a horse owned by Desert Sun Farm.

  “Shit,” Wyatt cursed before sending off a quick text to Piper. “Congratulations, guys,” Wyatt called out to the Ali Rahman family and the Mueez family.

  “They would never allow drugs to be used on their horses,” Camila whispered as she gave them a thumbs-up.

  “He might not be using them on every horse. This horse was already a favorite. And I know if he was, it was without the farm’s knowledge. Mo is the most ethical person I know. Right now we don’t know if any owners are part of it or not,” Wyatt whispered back.

  Camila took a deep breath to center herself. It was time.

  “I need to go and get Gent ready.” Her hands were beginning to shake with nerves. Everything felt off.

  “Mom, Dad, we’ll be back in a couple of races. We need to get Gent ready for the big race.”

  Wyatt’s mother stood up and wrapped Camila in a hug. “No matter what happens in the race, you are a wonderful trainer.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Davies,” Camila said, letting the warm mom-hug calm her.

  “Good luck, you two!” Marshall called out as they made their way out of the box. Blythe and Luke fell into line behind them as they walked down the grandstand stairs.

  “Dr. Davies!”

  Camila turned to see an older man she didn’t recognize. But by his air of superiority and the deference everyone passing gave him she figured he must be someone important.

  “Commissioner,” Wyatt said and then Camila realized why he was being shown such respect.

  “I need a moment, Dr. Davies.” He looked at Camila and dismissed her.

  “I’ll meet you all at the stables,” Wyatt told them.

  Camila, Blythe, and Luke began to walk away when Camila got the feeling of being watched again.

  “What is it?” Blythe asked.

  “I can’t help but feel someone is watching me. Or maybe Wyatt.” Camila turned to see Wyatt and the commissioner deep in discussion.

  “Luke, will you stay here and watch Wyatt? Blythe can come with me. Today can’t be over soon enough.” Camila shivered as if someone had run a cold fingernail down her spine.

  “Sure thing. We’ll be with you faster than green grass through a goose.”

  Camila cocked her head, perplexed but then decided to let it go. She could guess that meant they’d be with them quickly.

  They passed through security and into the barn area. Camila was lost in thought as Blythe grabbed her arm to stop her. “Do you hear something?”

  The sound of boots scuffling against concrete in an unnatural way could be heard nearby. Camila turned in that direction. It was coming from the small cement outbuilding that housed men’s and women’s bathrooms and showers for the grooms.

  “Stay here,” Blythe ordered.

  “My arse,” Camila muttered as she followed close behind.

  “I won’t do it!”

  “Mike!” Camila gasped as soon as she recognized the voice coming from the women’s restroom.

  Blythe and Camila took off running. The restrooms didn’t have a door, but an open maze-like entrance that led into the restrooms. Beyond them were the showers and a door capable of being locked. The noise level indicated that Mike wasn’t back in the showers, but in the restroom.

  “Get off me!” Mike hissed and then they both heard the sounds of struggle.

  “You will do what I say or you won’t leave this bathroom alive,” a low voice snarled.

  Blythe held up her hand and stopped Camila from rushing inside. “Stay,” she whispered but Camila just rolled her eyes. “Then stay behind me. We don’t know if he’s armed or not.” Blythe pulled out a stun gun that looked almost identical to a real gun except for the neon tip that indicated where the prongs were.

  The sound of boots being dragged had Blythe hurrying forward. “Freeze and let her go!”

  The commanding voice that boomed from Blythe with no hesitation was surprising. It was almost as surprising as the sight of Mike being dragged along the dirty concrete floor by her hair. Mike’s eyes were wide and wild. She wasn’t going quietly. Her hands gripped her assailant’s to prevent her hair from being pulled out and she was kicking, cursing, and fighting with all she had.

  As soon as the man saw Blythe’s gun, he yanked Mike up and used her as a shield. He looked to be in his late twenties, dark hair, brown eyes, and had a slight five-o’clock shadow. He was also dressed as a stable hand for the track.

  “Who are you?” Camila asked as she stepped out from behind Blythe. The man was armed, but it wasn’t with a gun. He pulled an ivory and gold handle from his pocket, pushed something on the handle and a nine-inch stiletto-style blade shot out.

  “Ah, Miss Callahan. You can talk some sense into your jockey. You will let us give a little boost to your horse today, or I’ll kill your jockey.”

  “Why would you want to give drugs to our horse? Won’t that just make him win?” Camila asked and then sucked in her breath. “That’s exactly why you want to do it. You’re rigging the racing and making a fortune on it by placing bets. I’ll give it to you, you have some big bollocks to rig a race as big as the Capitol Stakes.”

  “Your horse will be fine. You’ll qualify for the Derby and win a very large purse. It’s a win-win.”

  Camila looked to Mike whose eyes were filled with rage and over at Blythe holding the stun gun and smiled slowly. “I’m the last piece. You need me or the plan won’t go down. Gent is good enough to pull off the win without drawing suspicion. The other jockeys have agreed to hold back the favorites. You just need a winner.”

  “You’re smarter than I gave you credit for. I should have just come to you instead of this bitch. But one way or the other, Gent will be involved.”

  “I want in. I want to know where to place my bets. Only then will I agree to drug Gent.”

  “Camila,” Mike hissed in shocked disappointment.

  “What do we do about her?” the man asked as he gave Mike a little shake.

  “She’ll fall into line, won’t you, Michaela? She never liked Gent anyway.” Camila hardened her eyes at Mike and silently willed her to agree.

  Mike was quiet for a moment. “I want double what you’re paying the other jockeys.”

  “Double?” The man laughed. “I’m doing you a favor by skyrocketing your career.”

  “Double or nothing,” Mike said, again no longer struggling. “And don’t you dare think you can cheat me. I can find out in five minutes what you paid the others.”

  “Fine. Double. But you only get paid after you win the race.”

  Blythe slowly lowered the stun gun as the man eyed her.

  “Deal,” Mike and Camila said a second before the guy shoved Mike away from him.

  “Now!” Camila yelled and Blythe didn’t hesitate as Mike dropped to the gro
und. She raised the stun gun and fired right at the man.

  Mike rolled out of the way of the falling body, twitching as Blythe held down the trigger sending electricity through him.

  “Oh my gosh!”

  Camila turned around ready to throw a punch but stopped as she came face to face with Veronica.

  “Call the police,” Blythe ordered as Veronica was already pulling out her phone.

  “DeAndre, you’re needed immediately in the women’s restroom halfway between the security check and the barns. Blythe has a man in custody.”

  “Who is he?” Camila asked.

  “He’s the one who tried to attack me on Daisy,” Mike said as she stood up.

  “Blythe, this might not be the most romantic time, but goodness, my heart is pounding,” Veronica said fully composed. “How about dinner tomorrow night?”

  “That would be lovely, thank you.” Blythe beamed at Veronica as she sent another jolt to the man groaning on the ground.

  Camila wanted to relax but something was still bothering her. And then it hit her like a truck. “He said one way or the other they’d get Gent.”

  Spinning to the door, she pushed Veronica out of the way and sprinted from the bathroom. She had to get to Gent. The stupid heels were getting in the way so Camila simply ran out of them, leaving them behind in the dust.

  She heard the sounds of an upset horse as she neared the barn. People were crowded around, but it wasn’t Gent’s stall. It was Daisy’s. It was then she saw a man reach into his pocket and pull out something as he slipped from the crowd. He turned in profile and Camila saw who it was as he walked toward Gent.

  “Bud!” Camila screamed, causing Bud to look over his shoulder from where he was trying to calm Daisy. “Gent!”