Unfinished Business: Kovak & Quaid Horse Mystery Series (Kovak & Quaid Horse Mysteries Book 3)

by Toni Leland

  “Good idea. So, how are things going there?”

  “Well, the good news is that Wheeler is here, but the bad news is that she’s stalled in the barn next to my friends. I purchased a disguise so I can move around freely.”

  His laugh sounded wonderful. “What, a mustache and horn-rimmed glasses?”

  “Pretty close. I have to tell you, though – she’s spared no expense on her stall decorations and hospitality area. Beverages, food, candy, you name it. I also saw her in action in the ring this morning. You would never recognize her as the same woman we met at the farm in Indiana. So, am I watching for anything in particular?”

  “Try to see who she hobnobs with, watch for any extravagant expenditures at the show, that kind of thing. I’m looking into something that I’m not going to share right now, but anything you can learn will be a big help.”

  “Is the insurance company going to reopen the other cases?”

  “I haven’t talked to them yet. I’m going to do that this afternoon when I get back.

  After saying goodbye, Kim gazed toward the far end of the barn. What had Garrett found that he didn’t want to share?

  Chapter 28

  Quaid asked Marge where the local feed store was located, then paid for his lunch and left the café. Two blocks over, he found Dennison’s Hardware, Feed & Seed. A gray-haired man looked up from his newspaper.

  “Howdy. Help ya?”

  “Do you know of any local barns around here that rent stalls for horses? Or pasture?”

  “Only two around here. This ain’t big horse country.”

  “Can you tell me how to get to them?”

  “Go north on Route 53 about five miles. You’ll see a wood sign for boarding. Then the other place is east of there, on Township 114, oh about two miles. Fenced pasture on the road, usually horses grazing. They don’t have no sign, but you’ll know the place when you see it.”

  Half an hour later, Quaid saw the first sign and turned into the driveway. A trio of mutts ran out and barked him all the way to the barn. A man came out and shouted at the dogs to shut up.

  Quaid climbed out and looked around. “Vivica Wheeler said she keeps her horse here. I was wondering if you have any extra stalls.”

  The man pushed back a greasy ball cap and frowned. “Who’d ya say sent ya?”

  “Vivica Wheeler, from Coleville.”

  “Never heard of her. And I don’t have any empty stalls right now, but if you leave your name, I can call ya.”

  “No, that’s okay. I need something immediately. Thanks anyway.”

  Quaid climbed back into his truck and headed east. The man in the feed store had been right – the other place was easy to spot. Several blanketed horses nosed through the sparse snow near the fence. Quaid turned in and drove to the barn. A sign by the door said, “Please ring the bell.” Quaid pushed the button and nodded. Good security, especially if you were responsible for other people’s horses.

  A young woman opened the door and smiled. “Hi, what can I do for you?”

  Quaid gave his spiel again about Wheeler’s horse, watching as puzzlement crossed the woman’s face.

  She shook her head. “I don’t know her. Are you sure you have the right place? There’s another barn west of here.”

  “Huh, I’ll have to ask her again. I probably messed up the address.” He grinned brightly. “But I sure do thank you for your time.”

  As he drove down the lane, he scowled. Vivica Wheeler had everyone in town fooled. And the question was: Why?

  ~ ~

  Kim watched Shareen brush the filly’s coppery coat. “She’s really gorgeous, Shareen. Is she of your own breeding program?”

  “No, she is from another Egyptian line that has proven itself in the past decade. Our gene pool needed some diversification, so we invested in several filly foals to accomplish that.”

  Kim leaned against a post and let her thoughts wander. The Van Khotens were long-time breeders, with over thirty years in the business. Aside from their passion for the horses, they’d also lived comfortably off the profits from their operation and Albert’s salary as a physician to the foreign national communities based in Cairo. Kim chewed her lip. How had the move to America impacted that income? In the short time since they’d relocated, they couldn’t have sold many horses or stud bookings to their stallions. And what was Albert doing these days? The answers to those questions were none of Kim’s business, but the move to the U.S. and setting up their business had to have cost a great deal of money. And, as always, Kim wanted to know the full story.

  Shareen unhooked the filly’s crossties and led her down the aisle to a stall, then walked back toward Kim. “We do not have another class until after the lunch break. Shall we go for a coffee?”

  “Sounds good, and I want to explore the rest of the grounds too. What’s in that big building on the other side of the arena?”

  Shareen rolled her beautiful dark eyes. “Oooh, the most magnificent things you’ve ever seen.” She chuckled. “You must leave your money and credit cards behind when you enter the North Hall.”

  “Ha, that won’t be a problem.”

  As they strolled toward a concessions area, Shareen talked about the horses she’d entered in the show.

  “We cut our entries by almost half this year, mostly because of the expense of moving to America, but we also needed to spend some money promoting our two stallions.”

  “How’s that going?”

  “Quite well. Both boys have already covered five outside mares each, and the season is still young. We did not breed many of our own mares last season.” She shook her head. “Unfortunately, this last crop of foals only produced two fillies.”

  Kim tilted her head. “You sound disappointed.”

  “Colts are hard to sell. Only a tiny fraction of them are stallion material. The rest should be gelded. It turns out to be an expensive and unproductive breeding operation to get so many colts.”

  “I see. So, how many horses did you leave behind?”

  Shareen’s face fell. “Six foundation broodmares, and all the young stock. When things calm down back home, and we are more settled here, I shall have them all shipped over.”

  At quite a great expense, I would expect.

  “What is Albert doing these days?”

  “He is retired now, but has been asked to join a medical group in Sun City three days a week.” She grinned. “I love him dearly, but it will be nice to have a little time to myself.”

  Kim toyed with her empty coffee cup, trying to decide whether to share her true reason for being in Scottsdale.

  Shareen solved the problem for her. “I know you came here in order to use your ticket, but are you going to do any work during your visit? Would you like me to set up appointments with some of the other exhibitors, or local ranches?”

  “Shareen, that’s very thoughtful, but I have to tell you something.” She glanced up at her friend’s curious expression. “I’m actually here on a fraud investigation. One of the exhibitors at this show is under suspicion, and I need to gather as much information as I can.”

  Shareen’s dark eyes widened. “Oh! Who is it?”

  “I can’t tell you that. I’m sorry. But getting to visit you and Albert again is an added bonus to the work trip.”

  Shareen tilted her head and smiled. “And I thought you were just a professional photographer.”

  “So did I.”

  Shareen rose from the chair. “Please let me know if I can help you in any way. I’d like to see punishment for the people in this business who harm horses or cheat or do scandalous things.”

  Kim stood up too. “That reminds me – I overheard a woman complaining that some judges in these classes can be bought. Is that true?”

  Shareen’s scowl darkened her exotic features. “I have never heard such a thing, but I assure you that there are those who would certainly try.”

  Albert’s description of the demise of the Arabian horse industry rang through Kim’s
head, and she wondered if that unscrupulous culture still remained, albeit underground.

  After Shareen left to tend to her horses, Kim gazed around the show grounds. The North Hall beckoned and curiosity overcame her better judgment.

  “Ah, there you are.”

  A familiar lilting accent sounded close by, and Kim turned. Albert’s startlingly blue eyes twinkled and a wide smile creased his tan cheeks.

  “Come, I have someone I want you to meet.”

  Kim grinned. “Thanks. I think you just saved me from myself.”

  ~ ~

  By the time Quaid pulled into his office parking lot, the snow was coming down heavily in fat fluffy flakes that stuck to everything. The weather forecast predicted up to five inches, and it looked like almost two inches of that was already on the ground. He stepped through the office door and stamped his feet on the mat.

  Gail turned in her chair. “Boy, I was beginning to worry about you.”

  “Main roads are fine, but the side roads are beginning to slick up. You should probably head for home now. I’m only staying long enough to call headquarters.”

  Gail rose and picked up her keys. “I’ll see you Monday. Call me if you can’t find something.”

  Quaid set his briefcase on the desk and reached for the phone. He dialed the senior adjuster with whom he dealt on fraud cases, but the adjuster’s phone went directly to voice mail.

  “Hi, Garrett Quaid here. I’ve finished my preliminaries on the Wheeler Arabians case. I think we may have clear-cut markers for fraud all across the board.”

  He disconnected, then had a thought. Dialing another number, he left a message for United Equine’s consulting veterinarian.

  Chapter 29

  The next day, Kim spent most of the morning photographing several horses for Albert’s friend in Cave Creek. At first, she’d thought she should turn down the request, but it finally dawned on her that she couldn’t hang around the Wheeler stalls all day, or shadow Vivica 24/7 without being noticed. With the show in full swing, Wheeler wasn’t going anywhere and Kim could definitely use the extra money.

  A couple of barn workers groomed the last two horses to be photographed while Kim glanced appreciatively around the small barn. Everything was spotless, and the horses were lovely. She took several shots of the interior, bathed in morning sunlight coming through the eave windows.

  She turned to the owner. “You have a beautiful place here. Must be nice to have such gorgeous weather year ’round.”

  “My wife and I retired here from Nebraska. The cold weather was too much for her.” The man’s voice faltered. “We hoped the warmer climate would lengthen her life, but it wasn’t meant to be.” He gazed around the barn. “At least she had a couple of years with her beloved horses.”

  Kim’s throat tightened. “I’m so sorry.” She glanced at the grey mare being led toward the door to the area where she was taking the photos. “Do you show your horses?”

  “No, I don’t have the skill or the desire. I’m selling out, moving to California to be near our son and his wife.”

  One of the grooms motioned from the doorway, and Kim cleared her throat. “I’d better get back to work.”

  As she walked away, a heaviness settled over her. More horses that would suddenly find themselves in new homes – maybe good ones, maybe not. Her heart ached. How must it feel to these animals to be shuffled around so many times in their lives? One day, content in a warm stall with plenty of food, maybe the next turned out to pasture with only a run-in shed and the occasional flake of hay. She shuddered, wishing there were some way that she could effect a change in those sad circumstances. Bandit’s sweet face appeared in her mind’s eye and she smiled. Not so far from impossible, since she’d already saved two beauties from the unknown.

  She stopped suddenly, stunned by her next thought. What if something happens to me? Who will look after my horses?

  An hour later, she drove back to West World, her thoughts churning. Since taking up equine photography on a professional level, she’d seen so much more of the culture of horse owners. Like any other avocation or business, the range of people ran from excellent to horrible and, unfortunately, she was now seeing mostly the worst view of the picture. Not that there was anything wrong with Albert’s friend selling his horses – that was unavoidable – and he’d seemed genuinely sad to be doing so. But Kim suspected that, past finding buyers for them, he hadn’t given any thought to where they might end up. At least, thankfully, he intended to sell them privately rather than by auction.

  As Kim passed the magnificent sculpture at the entrance to West World, her thoughts refocused on Vivica Wheeler. Would this spying expedition reveal anything that would confirm that the woman was a thief? And there was no other word for it – if she was defrauding the insurance company, she was stealing.

  The visitor parking lots were jammed and Kim was forced to park a long way from the main entrance. She checked the show program and found Wheeler’s name listed as an exhibitor in one of the afternoon classes. Perhaps while she was in the ring, Kim could do some snooping at the barn. She attached the gaudy earrings and settled the ball cap onto her head, then picked up her camera and made her way through the maze of vehicles. As she entered the main gate, she flashed her exhibitor pass and glanced over at the North Hall. No way would she leave Scottsdale without taking a peek.

  Albert was steadying a horse while Shareen helped a young girl adjust her stirrups. Kim stayed out of the way, but snapped off a few candid shots of the preparations. Shareen stepped back, then saw Kim.

  “Oh, good, you’re back. This is Cassie and she’s thinking about buying Junior.” Shareen’s smile glowed. “Her parents would love pictures of the two of them.” She turned and patted the girl’s leg. “She’s going to come back home with a blue ribbon.”

  Kim guided them out of the barn and toward a strip of grass. The bustle of the show grounds and a white tent rising in the background would make a good photo. As she worked, Kim marveled at Shareen’s resiliency, how strong she seemed in the face of all that had turned her world upside down. She just marched on, accepting what she couldn’t change and managing what she could. A good lesson for anyone.

  Thirty minutes later, Kim watched Cassie go through her routine in the Junior Saddle Seat Equitation class. She rode beautifully, and Kim suspected that if she won the class, the parents wouldn’t hesitate to purchase the pretty bay gelding. Shareen and Albert stood at the in-gate, offering encouragement to the girl as she made her way around the ring. Kim snapped off several shots, ever aware that the show photographer would be the one to record the winning exhibitor. But Kim liked having a variety of show shots in her portfolio, even if they weren’t commissioned.

  While the exhibitors lined up to await the judges’ decisions, Kim gazed around the large arena. Row after row of bright blue spectator seats filled three sides of the structure. The patron’s lounge and reserved box seats faced the in-gate. Owners, VIPs, and their guests filled those box seats, sipping cocktails and enjoying fancy food while the classes churned on through the afternoon. Kim used the zoom on her camera to inspect the patron’s lounge area, wondering if Vivica Wheeler inhabited one of them.

  Sure enough, the Wheeler Arabians colors draped the front of one of the reserved sections facing the in-gate. Wheeler was there, talking to a man with a gorgeous mane of white hair. Kim zoomed further, focusing on his face. He had an exotic look, with dark eyes and sharp features. He smiled widely and gestured a great deal as he talked, and Vivica seemed to hang on his every word. Kim sharpened the focus and pressed the shutter. The man might be someone Garrett needed to know about.

  A roar of applause startled Kim and she looked back to the ring. Young Cassie and Junior were trotting toward the ring steward to accept the blue ribbon. Kim smiled. Cha-ching.

  She turned her attention back to Wheeler’s box, now empty. A quick check on the show program indicated that Wheeler would be exhibiting in the second class after this one –
a split class with over twenty exhibitors in each section. Wheeler would be tied up for quite a while.

  A few minutes later, Shareen beamed. “Did you see? Didn’t she do a wonderful job?”

  “Very nice. You’re the one who’s done a good job. I didn’t know that you teach riding.”

  “Only young people. They are the future, and I believe in helping them any way I can.”

  “It certainly paid off for Cassie. So, I’m going to be out for a couple of hours. Shall I just meet you at your home? What’s the plan?”

  “Oh, there’s an exhibitors’ party tonight. We want you to come with us. It will be fun.”

  Kim thought quickly. Probably not a great idea to get involved in such a function. Wheeler would most definitely be there and Kim would have no way of staying out of her line of sight. But what a perfect chance to scope out Wheeler’s setup, even better than trying to do it now.

  “Sounds good. I’ll see you at the house around six.”

  Kim walked determinedly toward the North Hall. She was a master at not spending money she didn’t have, so what could it hurt to take a look? She stepped into the large building and exhaled sharply.

  “Wow. Just wow.”

  The effect was like entering another world, one filled with every extravagance a person could imagine. She walked slowly along the first aisle, her senses on overdrive with the glitter and the fragrances and the textures and colors of the magnificent wares on display. A glass case to the right held diamond-studded jewelry in a wide variety of horse motifs. An arched Arabian head with pavé diamonds on white gold, a black sapphire for the eye. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, even bolo ties – all exquisitely crafted – and all with the price tags turned down. She didn’t have the nerve to look. Actually, didn’t have to look. They would be incredibly expensive.

  She moved past the glittering display and stopped at a booth filled with all manner of hand-tooled leather goods, from gorgeous boots and chaps to handbags and belts. The next booth was filled with the beautifully framed work of a wonderful artist whom Kim had always admired. Across the aisle, more jewelry, Native American designs in silver and turquoise and coral, each more dazzling than the last. Shareen’s words echoed in Kim’s head. Yes, this could be a dangerous place if a person wasn’t careful.