It was true. I had spent a few weekends on the campaign trail. Every minute of every day was allotted to something that hopefully would either ensure or bring in votes. Everyone wanted their time, their moment. It was exhausting. Not the life for me.
“It’s nice to meet you, Caroline. London has spoken warmly of you.” Jaxson extended his hand.
“My husband and I have a special place for London. She’s like a daughter to us.”
Rachel appeared beside Caroline dressed in black slacks and a long sleeve blue silk top—campaign trail ready. I remembered Charles critiquing my wardrobe before events. I hated it. Why had I stayed in his life for so long?
The voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Rachel was a mean-spirited person. “Caroline, I hate to interrupt, but the wedding coordinator has arrived to discuss the last of the details.”
With her hand extended, Caroline made introductions to Jaxson. Rachel appraised him for a second, and I felt Jaxson’s hand around my hip.
Rachel extended her hand. “Nice to meet you also. I wish we could have married quickly like the two of you, but planning the wedding of the century takes time.”
No one said anything until Caroline broke the silence.
“I need to go. We have some last-minute details to wrap before everything is finalized for the October wedding. Charles Senior and I flew in early this morning before we leave for our next stop.” Caroline gave me a quick hug. “I’m glad you found happiness. You deserve it, London. Let’s make a date to do lunch if you’re back in town anytime soon. I’ll get the details from your dad in case we’re in your area also.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
Caroline walked away. Rachel looked back with a hatred glare on her face followed by a sinister grin. “Well, I wonder how Rachel really feels about you,” Millie said sarcastically as she watched Rachel swing her hips with sass.
Rolling my eyes, I caught a glimpse of Charles before I turned away. A haunted look crossed his features.
Maybe we were victims of the same circumstance? We neither knew nor willingly participated in the game we were unknowingly drafted to play.
As the elevators door closed, Millie muttered, “I hate that woman. She was envious Caroline talked to you. You’re married. She’s trouble. Bitch.”
“I know.”
We rode the rest of the way up in silence to our room. As the door shut, I stood in front of Jaxson. “What did you find, Millie?” I asked.
She took a deep breath. “I found it three days ago. The only reason I didn’t say anything until last night is because I hadn’t wanted you to worry since you were coming to Mobile. I’m sorry.”
“I wouldn’t have slept at all. I appreciate it.”
Pulling out a tape recorder, she laid it on the bed. “Dr. Michaels, the one who did your blood work, had a locker with a tape recorder regarding you being framed.”
I interrupted her. “What? It clears me?”
“Yes, but one of the voices has been altered. I can’t make out who it is. Even if it’s male or female.”
Picking up the tape recorder, I looked at it while turning the black object in my hand. “Where’d you find this?”
“Under his desk, there was a key taped behind the drawer. I have spent the last two weeks going everywhere within an hour driving distance that had a lock number 212. Three days ago, I found it at the bus station.”
My head was swimming with everything. Glancing to Jaxson, he nodded. “Let’s hear it.”
I pressed play and the wheels spun. The recording was silent for a few seconds as I stared at the small device while nerves became more prevalent. The doctor started off the conversation while the background noise crackled. “It’s been done. London McNally’s blood results have been changed. It’ll appear she was driving drunk with no other substance in her blood.”
A strange digitally answered voice came on. “Good. She’ll be put away for a while with the evidence and what else I have planned.”
“Very well.”
The digital voice answered, but harsher this time. “No one must know or I’ll turn over the malpractice evidence I have. That bitch is going to get what she deserves in court after trying to take away what is mine.”
“You have my word.”
The line went dead. I waited for more to come, but it didn’t. Only static. “Is that it?”
Millie nodded. “That’s it. I know it’s not much, but I thought you’d want to hear it. The original lab results were also in the locker. I want to see if we can strip away the digital voice to any semblance of someone we know.”
I handed the recorder back to Millie, feeling sick remembering the hatred of the altered voice. They truly hated me to the depths of their soul.
Jaxson chimed in, “I may know someone. It might be best if we have someone away from Alabama analyze a copy of the tape.”
Jaxson’s hand came to my leg, breaking me away from the memory. “You’re deep in thought.”
I rubbed my hand over my temples. “I wish I knew why this all started. There has to be something that triggered it all.”
Jaxson let out a sigh. “Hopefully seeing us happy together stops anything else after this weekend. You refused Charles repeatedly and made no attempt to speak to him this morning at breakfast. There’s something not right about Rachel.”
“I hope if it’s Rachel, she saw I have no interest.”
The barn came into view on the McCole Ranch. Ty and Levi were waiting outside. Jaxson had texted his parents as we came up the long drive. Vigorously, our son waved. “I’m glad to be home, Jaxson.”
Jaxson gave me a quick kiss as he turned off the truck. “Me too, sweetheart.”
As soon as the truck door opened, little feet spurred their way toward us. I knelt to embrace my son. “I missed you so much, Ty.”
“Did you miss me enough for a dog?”
Jaxson scooped Ty up. “You are persistent.”
“Like father, like son.” I smiled as I spoke.
Jaxson gave me a wink. “Means us McCole men get what we want.”
That perked Ty’s ears up as we headed inside. The dog persuasion doubled in efforts. As we caught up over dinner, a fog settled over me. I wasn’t sure what was wrong. An unsettling feeling loomed in the back of my mind. Thank goodness Ty kept the conversation going.
In the kitchen, I put the last of the leftovers away. Pam asked, “Are you feeling okay?”
“I . . . uh . . . I don’t know. I’m tired and I feel off.”
Loving, motherly arms embraced me. “Sometimes, we just need a hug.”
Tears I hadn’t known were being held, broke free. Between sniffles I responded, “Thank you for the hug. I needed it.”
I closed my eyes and continued to sob. The grip loosened. “I’m going to go keep Ty occupied. Jaxson’s here.”
Jaxson watched me with worried eyes as Pam walked past him while touching his shoulder briefly. “Do you want him to stay with me tonight?” Pam asked.
Jaxson looked to me for an answer. I shook my head. “I want us all under the same roof tonight. Thanks for offering, Pam.”
Jaxson enveloped me in his arms. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“I don’t know. Your mom hugged me and I started crying. She’s like a mom to me. Everything I was holding in came out.”
“She loves you.”
The tears continued. Jaxson held me while making promises everything would be okay.
TWO DAYS PASSED SINCE OUR trip to Mobile. Fall was upon us as the leaves changed colors. A few danced across the ground as I moseyed my way toward the barn.
Thinking back to the night we arrived, the emotional outburst in Pam’s kitchen had been unexpected. I still wasn’t sure what brought it on, but Jaxson held me through the night while I sought comfort in his arms.
Currently, Jaxson and his dad were meeting with security in the office area within the barn. There were gaps that had been noticed with the expanse of the property. Ty and Pam were
baking cookies for Mallory since she’d won her dance competition. There was a new horse named Pendragon who arrived a few days ago. He’d torn his ligament and was working through a rehabilitation regimen Jaxson designed. Watching him swim for a few minutes, I smiled at Dwayne at his progress before leaving the pool area.
I stretched my arms above my head to relieve the sore muscles forming. This morning I’d danced in the workout room of the house. It relieved the stress and let me escape. I learned dancing in front of an audience wasn’t something I needed. Only to dance.
My phone rang. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, punkin’. You got a minute? I have a surprise for you.”
“I love surprises.”
A horse whinnied in the background. He was probably in the barn at home wearing his flannel shirt and jeans. “Well, I thought I would come visit you guys for the McCole Classic if you were up for a visit from your old man.”
“Oh, Dad. I would love it. We didn’t get near enough time in Mobile. Millie mentioned coming also.”
“Good. I’ll get with her. I need to get to the shop to finish some furniture orders. Bye, punkin’.”
“Bye, Daddy.”
I hung up the phone, excited to see Dad again. First, I would stop by to see Sparkles.
“Hey girl, do you want to go for a ride together later when I finish working?”
Sparkles didn’t put her head out of the stall as I approached, which was odd. I glanced in her stall. Something was wrong. Froth came out of her mouth as she staggered back and forth in the corner before collapsing on her side. Her breathing was irregular.
Poison. Dad taught me the signs. A few times we’d seen it in our barn. The training kicked in. I ran to the tack room to grab the stimulant syringes, mineral oil, and tubing.
Jaxson was only a few doors down. “Jaxson! I need you!”
Quickly, I gathered the supplies and ran to Sparkles’ stall as I heard Jaxson calling for me. “I’m in Sparkles’ stall.”
My poor horse continued to froth while jerky nervous movements consumed her muscles. “Hold on, baby. I’m going to get you better.”
“What happened? Are you okay?” There wasn’t time to look up at Jaxson.
I unsheathed the syringe and tapped the end a few times. “Sparkles was poisoned. Help me get the tube and mineral oil in as I injected her with the stimulant.”
Please not Sparkles. Please. Please. Please. I can’t lose her.
Quickly, I injected Sparkles, who barely responded to the stab. Jaxson knelt beside me while using the tubing and mineral oil. Methodically, I checked Sparkles to see if there were any other entry points of the poison in case it were administered via the skin.
“Do you see anything, London? The mineral oil and tube is in.”
Jaxson grabbed a bucket as the tube worked getting Sparkles’ stomach contents out. Hopefully the oil was administered fast enough to stop the absorption before permanent damage was caused. “It doesn’t appear there are any cuts. I’m checking her feed.”
I went over to the bucket and saw it full of her treats along with pieces of a plant. My heart sank. I knew this plant well.
Hemlock. A poisonous plant that led to death in many cases if not caught in time.
Dread filled me. “It’s Hemlock, Jaxson. Crushed in a bucket full of treats.”
“Fuck.”
Kneeling in front of Sparkles, I ran my hand through her soft black coat. Jaxson called the vet. “Hang in there, girl. Hang in there. Please don’t die. I’m so sorry. So, so, sorry.”
I had to keep it together. Hearing my distressed voice, Sparkles tried to raise her head. “Shh . . . stay right there. I’m okay.”
The breathing evened out but more shallow. Sparkles relaxed as I soothingly spoke to her. I knew this was normal, but I was scared. What if she was taken from me? I tried not to let myself slip back into old habits.
Please let her be okay.
Jaxson brought me to his lap. “The vet is on her way. We’re supposed to inject another stimulant shot in thirty minutes.”
I nodded. “How did she get hemlock in her treats bucket, Jaxson?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. We’ll look at the security feeds to see if there are any answers.”
There was no doubt this was done intentionally. Jaxson knew it too. I was able to tell by the stiffness of the way he held himself.
Was there a note?
Anything?
Something that would connect the incident to Charles?
I started searching through the hay. Then everywhere. “What are you doing, London?”
“Seeing if they left a message.” Then a fearful thought formed. “Can you call my dad? See if everyone is okay? I’ll check on Ty.”
Jaxson grabbed me and brought me to him while holding the phone to his ear, keeping me from leaving. “Hey, Mom. Is Ty with you? Okay. Sparkles’ been poisoned. Yeah. Keep him in the house. Call Dad.” He hung up the phone. “Hey, Ken. Jaxson. London wanted me to let you know Sparkles is sick. We have a vet coming to see her. She’s hanging in there. I will.”
Before I was able to ask, Jaxson sat us back down near Sparkles. “Everyone is okay.”
I leaned back against Jaxson. “Do you think this was an accident?”
“No, I don’t.”
The tenseness in his jaw told me Jaxson was holding something back.
It was the middle of the night. The vet came and left after attending to Sparkles. It was comforting the vet believed Sparkles would pull through. The question was if there would be permanent damage. Her vitals were strong as I watched her stomach rise and fall in a steady motion. The frothing of her mouth finished hours ago.
We were nearing hour twelve after I found her. Generally death occurred within ten hours of the onset of symptoms with hemlock poisoning. With each hour that passed, the burden of my heart lessened more. I wanted to sob with relief, but kept myself calm for Sparkles’ sake. Later, I would be able to fall apart.
Someone poisoned my horse. No other horses had treat buckets, but only the normal feed. After investigating further, there was no doubt it had been intentional.
No note had been discovered.
No message received.
The hemlock was freshly pulled from the ground.
What did they want?
As I stirred, Jaxson’s grip tightened on me. We were on a cot outside of Sparkles’ since I refused to leave. Ty was staying with Pam and Levi tonight.
“How are you doing?”
“I think not receiving any type of message is driving me mad. What happened this time? I’m married. I’m happy. I want no part of Charles. It makes no sense. Unless . . .” A new thought formed. “Unless, it’s Crystal fucking with my life.” I turned to face Jaxson. “Do you think Crystal had anything to do with this since we’re married?”
The way Jaxson’s eyes tightened told me he had similar thoughts. “I’ve talked to my lawyer. We’ve had someone keeping tabs on Crystal. They lost her a day ago.” I gasped and closed my eyes. He continued. “They got an ass chewing for not telling me. I increased the security. Dad is reviewing all of the cameras from the last day. Hopefully we’ll have something by morning.”
Crystal wasn’t done with us. I hated the thought she was so close to where Ty and I came every morning. The very thought sickened me. “When were you going to tell me?”
“When I had answers. Or you asked.”
Ty’s mother was crazy mad. There was no reasoning with her. For some reason, the thought of Crystal scared me more than whoever was tied to Charles. It seemed all I had to do was stay away from Charles and the person left me alone.
“London, I wasn’t trying to keep it from you. I want you to know that.”
“I know. Tell me next time. You wouldn’t want me keeping something secret about Charles.”
He kissed me. “You’re right. I won’t.”
The grunt from my horse turned my attention back to the stall. She lifted her head as a joyful sob
escaped me. Scrambling off the cot, I went to her side. Jaxson stayed near us. “Hey, girl. Take it easy. You’re okay.”
She lifted her head again with more noise, the tube long removed. “Are you trying to get up, Sparkles?”
My spirits lifted as she tried again and made it. Jaxson and I put comforting hands along her neck as I praised her. “Good, girl. Oh, Sparkles, you’re going to be okay. You’re such a strong girl.”
Sparkles was unsteady on her feet as she walked toward the water bucket only three steps away; Jaxson was by my side watching her. Her coat gleamed with sweat. As soon as she was strong enough, we’d wash her off.
“She’s going to be okay, sweetheart.”
Eagerly, I nodded and watched. Going to the corner, Sparkles laid back down in her normal resting position. Jaxson’s chest pressed against my back. I took a deep breath. “She’s going to be okay.”
THE DAY OF THE MCCOLE Classic drew near. Every minute of the day was busy with preparation. We hadn’t told Ty yet, but we’d found a Golden Retriever puppy who would be ready to leave her mom in a week.
In a book I bought him, Ty fell in love with Golden Retrievers. His cousin, Mallory, gave him the idea of putting pictures of them in every drawer of the house to remind us of what he wanted. Needless to say, it worked.
The camera feeds confirmed Crystal was on the premises. She’d used an employee’s card to get access. The employee had been scared to report it being stolen.
The camera feeds outlined Crystal’s movements. After entering, she paused in front of the stalls reading the horses’ nametags on the front. How had she known Sparkles was mine? There was still no connection we could find. Goose bumps ran down my arms as I remembered her in a McCole baseball cap bringing the bucket to Sparkles’ stall. She’d known exactly when to come and the place was almost deserted. Perfect timing.
Innocence Page 18
