The Legacy (Tipperary Carriage Company Mystery Book 5)

by J A Whiting

  "I see that. Wow, can we get some pictures?" she asked.

  "Sure," said Mae. "And then you can all get in and show me where my pickup point is. Copper's ready to get started."

  They all smiled with delight and crowded around the carriage for pictures. Then a few got in while the others took more pictures, and on and on it went.

  Copper is going to have one easy day. I'll bet he spends more time standing and posing than he does pulling this carriage.

  While she waited for the picture-taking to finish, Mae glanced around to see if Crystal Walsh was there, but there was no sign of a news truck or anything else from a local TV station. Maybe Ms. Walsh had been delayed, or had been playing some kind of joke on Mae and Chloe when she said she wanted an interview, or got a better offer and just plain forgot.

  Not that it really mattered. Tipperary Carriage Company would have been there anyway to do the event, so getting a television interview would have been an added bonus. Mae was surprised at how much she really did want to ask that reporter what was going on with her and the Greene family. Finally, the whole group of employees had taken enough cell-phone photos for the moment, and they piled in to the carriage. Just as Mae sent Copper on his way towards the other side of the parking lot and the pick-up point, a large TV van came roaring into the lot with a very pretty blond woman sitting in the front passenger seat.

  Okay, then. Buckle up. She's here.

  18

  Mae drove Copper around the back of the large office building and over to the other side of the parking lot, where a mini-festival had been set up and a reserved pick-up stand was waiting for her. The employees in the back of her carriage all waved and yelled out to their excited co-workers, who crowded around as close as they dared and took picture after picture.

  Copper raised his head and hesitated, but Mae sent him into a few trotting steps and that cleared the crowd nicely. Yet they all continued to follow, and it seemed that every one of them had a cell phone raised up to take photos.

  Well, Copper, you're going to be the most famous horse in Franklin County by tonight. All those pictures are undoubtedly going all over social media. I just hope they got our company name included, too.

  She got to the pick-up stand and the employees quickly piled out of the carriage. A new group crowded around and was ready to get right in before a woman's voice cut through all the chatter.

  "Excuse me. Excuse me. We have an interview to do. Be done in just a minute. Then it's all yours."

  Crystal Walsh, blond and perfect in a tight green dress and matching heels, pushed her way through the crowd with a cameraman at least twice her size right behind her. The two of them crowded up to the side of the carriage while the employees were jostled out of the way.

  "Hello, Ms. Monahan. We're here for the interview. How do I get up there to sit beside you?"

  Might as well get this out of the way now.

  "Hold on just a minute, please, folks," Mae called out to the crowd, in a cheerful voice. "This won't take long. Then I'm all yours, just as she said."

  There were a few sounds of disappointment from the crowd, but they did step back, and continued taking pictures.

  I guess they're happy as long as they can get their shots for social media.

  Mae turned back to the reporter. "To get up here, you step on the hub of the front wheel and then climb up." Her sense of amusement rose at the sight of Crystal standing there in that tight sheath dress and four-inch stiletto heels.

  "Uh, I don't think I can do that," she said, scowling at Mae as though she must have arranged such a thing intentionally. "I'll sit in the back and hold the mic up to you. Help me get in, Todd."

  Todd managed to open the side door, help Crystal negotiate the small step, and get her into the carriage where she dropped onto the rear-facing front seat. Then he got in, too, and sat down across from her with the big camera on his shoulder.

  "Okay. Start him off," ordered Crystal, and got up on her knees on the seat so she could hold the microphone up to Mae. "Mic is on. Todd– rolling."

  Mae guessed that meant Todd was recording, but she had a horse to drive across a crowded parking lot so she simply looked straight ahead.

  "So, Ms. Monahan. This is an unusual business for a woman to own and run. What made you want to do this?"

  "Well, mostly, I enjoy bringing my horses out for people to see," Mae answered, glancing over her shoulder. She took Copper the rest of the way through the crowd and started towards the outer edge of the big parking lot. "Too many kids grow up never seeing a horse at all. This is one small way of changing that."

  "Yes, I can see that. But, uh, there are no kids here today. This is an Employee Appreciation Day event."

  "That's true. There aren’t any children at this event. But these adults will remember this, and it may bring out an interest in horses and riding that carries over into something they can do as a family. Sometimes all you need is that one little nudge to get things in motion. And a horse like Copper is very good at nudging."

  Crystal laughed politely and then asked a few more simple questions. When they were about halfway around the parking lot, on the other side of the little festival, Crystal switched off her microphone. "Cut! Get out, Todd. Go to the middle of the lot. Get some shots of us with the building's company sign in the background."

  Mae halted Copper. Todd obediently got out and sauntered towards the middle of the lot, some distance away.

  "Okay. Go ahead and walk again," ordered Crystal, sitting down on the front seat.

  Mae sent the horse forward once more.

  "I want to ask you about something else,” Crystal said. “Are you driving a carriage at the Greene funeral? I understand it's coming up soon."

  Mae frowned, startled, and glanced back again. The microphone was lying on the seat and was off. "The family canceled Col. Greene's funeral. I'm sure you know that. You announced it on your show. That's how I found out."

  The reporter looked relieved at that. "Okay. I thought maybe it was back on and you were using that black horse you brought to the wedding."

  Mae shook her head and steered Copper across the lot so she could get back to the pick-up stand sooner. "No. If it's back on, I haven't heard anything about it. And yes, I would use a black horse and carriage for a funeral unless the family asked for something else."

  "Is that the only black horse you have?"

  Mae frowned again. "No, it isn’t. But tell me, Crystal, when Col. Greene's funeral was suddenly canceled, didn't you have something to do with that? Maybe a lot to do with it?"

  "Me? Why would I do that?"

  "Maybe because the family didn't want to see a big story on TV that might be less than honorable towards their husband and father and grandfather."

  The younger woman frowned too, but then suddenly smiled brightly and waved at Todd as he aimed the camera at her. "I doubt that we would have covered the funeral anyway. The man was known, but not that important. There isn't much public interest in military funerals right now. Most likely, the family just didn't want to be humiliated by whatever it was that came to light and decided to keep the ceremony private."

  "Maybe so," said Mae, looking straight ahead at Copper's green ribbons.

  "I only asked because I thought it might make a good story for this series," Crystal went on. "Driving a funeral carriage is unusual anyway, especially when it's part of a business run by a woman. That's all."

  "Yes, it is a little unusual. And I do appreciate the interview today. I haven’t been in business that long and publicity always helps."

  "You're very welcome," said Crystal. "I'll leave you and Copper to take all these happy people for rides, the same way you and Meteor made everyone very happy at the wedding, and even saved a man's life. Have a great day."

  Mae halted the horse at the pick-up point, where the employees waited eagerly. In a moment Todd helped Crystal get out of the carriage and then they were gone.

  "Step right in, everyone, and find a seat
. No, ma'am, please don't get too close to the horse. His name is Copper. Yes, his feet are very big, aren't they? Watch your sandals."

  In a moment, she was taking Copper around the parking lot with their first load of happy passengers, but as she listened to them talking and tried to pay attention to her horse, a sudden thought occurred to her.

  She called him "Meteor." How in the world would Crystal Walsh know Fireball's old name?

  "So, Crystal Walsh gets finished interviewing me, and then she says, 'you and Meteor made everyone very happy at the wedding.' Now, how did she know the horse's real name?"

  Ross shook his head. "That is strange. I didn't tell her. I doubt you did."

  "No, I didn’t. People ask about a horse's name all the time, but if they'd asked at the wedding I would have said ‘Fireball’ since that's what we call him now. Not ‘Meteor.’”

  They stood in the barn aisle in the fading light. Copper was resting in his stall after his work, with Steel right next door for company. The other horses were still outside in the pasture.

  Ross handed Mae a couple of halters with lead ropes. "Here. You can help me bring them in."

  "The event was easy," said Mae, walking beside him towards the pasture gate. Mick and Mack quickly followed. "Small. No cars to deal with. The company paid well. And I think the people there spent more time taking selfies with Copper than riding in the carriage, so he didn't have to work too hard."

  "Is that woman going to put your interview on the news?"

  "She said she would. Our business will probably double."

  "But that's not really why you talked to her."

  She sighed. "You're right."

  "You still think she's the one who railroaded the Greene family into canceling his memorial."

  "Yes, I do. She denied it, of course."

  "Then I don't see what more you can do."

  "Yeah, but, it's not about a funeral being canceled. It's his entire life, his whole legacy, that's being damaged."

  "Maybe so. But that's for the family to handle, if they even want to."

  "Why wouldn't they want to?"

  Ross shrugged. "Maybe there's truth to what's being said. Maybe he wasn't the leader he was made out to be. That's the trouble. We didn't know the man."

  "But I did meet him," said Mae. "I did know him, at least a little. I've heard about him practically all my life, ever since I got to Columbus. That's why I just don't think this is right. Not with the way Crystal Walsh dragged his name through the mud on television for all to see."

  "The press can be ruthless. But that's just the way it is." Ross unlocked the gate, and then closed it again after the two of them walked inside. "The man is dead, Mae. If his family is willing to let him rest, maybe we should be, too."

  "But that's my point," she said, her voice rising a little as they walked across the field. "Suddenly it's not enough that someone is dead. The only thing we have that lasts, that really lasts, is our legacy. If that's taken from us, it's like killing that person all over again and taking away the only thing they have left. That's cruel. And it's wrong. That man's family does not deserve to have his memory and legacy wiped away. His life was important and his legacy should be protected. Otherwise, what was his life for?"

  "His work remains. His family remains. They know the truth, even if the rest of us don't."

  The herd of some fifteen horses turned to look at them. They knew it was feeding time in the barn, but were in no particular hurry to leave the spring grass in their pleasant pasture.

  "We all deserve to be remembered after we're gone," Mae said, as they walked towards the horses. "Even if it's just for being a wonderful family member, or for the roses we grew in the yard, or for the volunteer work we did in the community."

  "Maybe the family didn't want a fuss. Maybe he didn't, either. Doesn't sound so strange. I think I'd feel the same."

  Finally, two of the horses, Blaze and Cupcake, wandered over and waited for the halters to be slipped on. They were soon joined by Sugarfoot, the black Friesian with the white feet, and Popcorn, a pale palomino gelding.

  Mack and Mick ran around and tried to help by herding the four horses together, until Ross called the dogs over so he and Mae could get the halters on.

  "I know you'd like to see the man honored," Ross said. He led Blaze and Sugarfoot while Mae took Cupcake and Popcorn. "On one level, I feel the same. I've seen a few law enforcement officers have their entire life's work discarded for one mistake, even a perceived mistake."

  "Then you do understand."

  "I do. But— "

  "But that's exactly what I'm talking about. Think of those you knew who passed on after a lifetime of service in law enforcement. I'll bet you've been part of ceremonies to take them to their final rest, to show the families and friends and communities how much that person meant and how much their service was appreciated."

  He just looked at her in silence.

  "Now imagine that service being erased as though it never happened. That's very different from the family simply wanting a private ceremony. Col. Greene's life history isn't being forgotten. It's being changed. It's being turned into a lie. If they can do this to a man like Greene, who was so well liked and respected in the community, they could do it to any of us. To you. To me. To my boys. To my late husband. Anyone. It's not right.”

  They stopped at the gate. Ross opened it and they led the four horses through. Once out, Mae saw the look on Ross's face and took a deep breath.

  "Listen to me," she whispered. "I'm sorry for getting so worked up over this. You're right. It's not my concern. Maybe a legacy is just for the family, and nothing more."

  Ross closed the gate, pushing the two horses back. "Maybe a person needs to get worked up over something every now and then. It's true that an attempt to ruin a man's reputation may have led to other crimes. Serious crimes."

  Mae looked up, with a horse on either side of her. "I think Crystal Walsh, and maybe Wes Duncan from the horse farm, had something to do with hurting Fireball … and my carriage was nearly wrecked with seven people in it, including a man who was having a heart attack. That could have killed him outright. Or he might have died from being kept from the ambulance. They shot that dart at my horse. They could have hit a person."

  Ross turned his two horses and started walking to the barn. "We've already gone to the county sheriff about the blowgun dart, and even though you're not wrong about any of this, Mae, I'm telling you as a former sheriff myself, I just don't know what more anyone can do about it."

  19

  "Hey, Ross. Nice to see you here. I knew the bride wanted a carriage, but wasn't sure it would be yours."

  Ross turned around from locking up the trailer and shook hands with Joe Burke. "Hey, Joe. Not surprised to see you here, either."

  "We should probably form a road show with Mae," said Joe, laughing. He was all turned out in the kilt and was carrying his bagpipes. "Weddings and funerals done, with a horse-drawn carriage and a piper. One-stop shopping."

  "She might go for that," agreed Ross, and glanced out across the parking lot of the suburban hotel. Mae was driving Steel to the white Landau, which she'd decorated with real white roses and lots of bright purple ribbon. The horse was doing fine with his warm-up and Ross knew that the chances of having any trouble with Steel were just about zero.

  "Looks like we're a little early," said Ross. "Bride hasn't come down yet."

  "No real rush," said Joe. "Church is barely a quarter mile from here. A lot shorter than all those parades."

  "No kidding. Say… mind if I ask you a question?"

  "Shoot."

  "You mentioned before that you served under Miles Greene some years ago. Mae was supposed to drive a carriage for the family at his funeral, but the whole thing was suddenly called off. You happen to know why?"

  "I did hear about that," said Joe. "It was on the news, for some reason. To answer your question, no, I don't know why it was canceled. But it sounds like maybe somebody had
it in for him, trying to destroy his reputation now that he's gone. The funeral would have drawn too much negative attention."

  "That's what Mae thought, too. Maybe somebody who thought he was too tough on his troops out there is causing some trouble."

  Joe sat down on the wheel fender of the trailer. "If anything, I thought Greene wasn't tough enough on his troops. Years after I left the service, I heard about a guy. I think his name was Sam. He was a nice kid and never hesitated to put himself out there to help somebody else, no matter what the danger."

  Joe glanced out at Mae who was now jogging Steel around the edges of the parking lot. A few of the hotel guests had gathered to watch and take pictures. "One evening," Joe said, "while out on patrol through a village with a few other guys, Sam, well, he never made it back."

  Ross just stood silently.

  Joe sighed. "Like I said, he was always trying to help somebody else. There was a little village boy who had a couple of goats stray from his herd. They'd gotten out into a field on the other side of the road. The others yelled at Sam to come back, the lieutenant ordered him to come back, but he wanted to help that little boy and thought it would be all right. That's how he ended up killed when he stepped on a land mine."

  "Maybe Sam's family, or the others in the outfit, blamed Greene for not disciplining his troops enough?” Ross asked.

  Joe nodded. "You could say that. But as far as I knew, nothing happened that we ever heard about. There was the usual investigation and that was the end of it."

  "Until now."

  "Apparently so."

  Ross walked a few steps and then turned back to his friend. "I want to ask you something because it would put Mae's mind at ease if she knew. Did you tip off the press about Greene? Maybe felt like he didn't deserve to get military honors after what happened to Sam. Or maybe to other troops as well?"

  Joe looked up at him, a little startled. "No. I promise you, and Mae, it was not me."

  "Even if it was, that's your business. We were just curious as to how that might have come about."