And this colt they all were enamored with…the thing was just a black motor mouth that ate anything it could find. Which is why her plan was so perfect. The simplest things were so important, because they were often the most overlooked.
With all the extra attention of the Classic and finally having grown bigger than Jake, Bahadur swaggered around as if life couldn’t be much better. Jake still wouldn’t come near Sasha, but Bahadur wasn’t particular. He liked anyone who’d take time to give him a pat, or scratch behind the ears. From kids to grandmothers, the stupid colt was fascinated. And more than a few kind souls slipped him a treat or two. Carrots, apple slices, jelly beans, he’d eat anything. His ears pricked up when Sasha approached his stall.
It was broad daylight. Anyone could see her walk up to the colt and rub his nose, stroke his neck. He was accessible because Jared was using him as the class ‘trainer.’ Tyndal had schooled him in the lessons Basic Horsemanship students covered, and Bahadur accepted it all as a way to get more attention. Like a happy little sport, he played along with the game. Like a happy little spectator, Sasha smiled and walked along with the crowd. Nobody said a word or even noticed, really.
One morning Jared was with three students—three girls—and given their expressions, each one was in love with their instructor. They were learning how to put a halter on a horse, how to lead him on a line, and to make him stand in show position. Bahadur wiggled and squirmed and looked for treats, but eventually they figured out how to work with him and almost fainted when Jared praised them for their patience and persistence.
Sasha laughed. The girls were so busy flirting with him; it’d been almost pathetic to crush their hopes. Jared stood there as she walked up to him, winked at the trio, and, ignoring the warning in his eyes, fastened her mouth on his. She bit his lower lip, enough to draw blood.
“Jared, darling. Just to remind you. This is nothing, absolutely nothing. I intend to touch you here.” As she had earlier, she tapped his chest. “I think this is closest to your heart, right?”
When the flame started a slow burn in his eyes, she laughed. “Be sure, darling, I mean what I say.”
Just like she meant for Bahadur to scent nothing she didn’t intend. Spoiled baby. But he was an appealing little devil, she couldn’t help but admit that much. Spitting image of his sire. She’d coveted Raj since Chase introduced the stallion to the show world.
Turning away from Jared, she walked to the colt and held out her hand. Bahadur sniffed her arm, fingers, the skin on her palm, at the perfume she’d touched to her wrist. She wanted him to come to know her, to know her scent. Later, when she paid him another visit, he’d remember the scent and welcome the little treat she’d have for him.
The only person she hadn’t figured out was Jared’s new friend. The guy went around, all big and burly, like he knew something no one else did. He talked with Fionola, with Tyndal, with all of them. But when he looked at her, she felt like ants raced across her body. Like he knew her, intimately, without ever having been introduced. She’d remedy that situation, but at a time and place of her own choosing. Until then, let him look. He wouldn’t see anything she didn’t want him to see.
“He’s such a cute baby. Take good care of him, girls. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to him.” Sasha smiled at Jared’s students and then at him. “Bye for now, darling. Think of me.”
She walked away, feeling Jared’s eyes on her every move until she’d blended into the crowd. The barns were much too busy during the day with all the people milling around, especially if one didn’t want to be observed or interrupted. Plus, some things were better savored in the dark, and the quiet. It was laughable how well protected they thought they were—Pyralis, Jared, his mouse. They scurried around looking for the big, bad boogey-man.
As if she’d ever been obvious.
Maybe there’d been a flick of suspicion whipped her way once or twice. She’d felt the burn at some of the questions she’d had to answer, but the Count’s parents were like hounds after a fox. They’d never liked her, never once welcomed her into the family circle. And they’d never believed she hadn’t done something to contribute to their son’s death. It was so very sad, she told the investigator who’d come to talk with her. But of course, she understood. The police had to do their job, to investigate. She wept a bucket for the guy’s benefit; she was the grieving widow after all. It was just so unexpected that her husband, still a strong and vigorous man even at his age, had died. And to die by choking? So unusual. They were having a lovely dinner at a wonderful restaurant when all of a sudden, he sips his wine… So she wept copious tears in public. And made very sure that what she did alone, at night, was more of a celebration. The guy was dead. She had the estate, the title, and the condolences of the crown. And now, she was at Morgan’s Walk.
She watched Jared practice his tall stallion across the jumps. She watched him kiss Tyndal, then make sure she was tucked inside her house safe and sound, doors and windows locked with Jake, on guard. She watched as Jared sat outside at night, thinking he was secure up there in that huge, elegant house.
She watched. Waited. Soon, she promised herself.
Soon.
****
That evening, long after the opening day festivities had concluded, Jared met with Keno in his office. “You said to keep it normal.” Jared switched on the lights, and offered Keno a chair. “But when I’m out on the balcony at night, it’s like the night has eyes.”
“It does. She’s not done anything yet. But she watches.” Keno grinned. “So do I.”
Jared knew the expression. He and Keno had been friends too many years for Jared not to know his job was dangerous and sometimes just on the edge of the law. Keno’s eyes, green and full of secrets, gave nothing away. But sometimes they were full of shadows.
“You’ve got to play along, Jared. I don’t want her to get a whiff of us being around. She noticed me, but I wanted her to feel some pressure. She doesn’t know what role I play around here.”
“Just put somebody closer to Bahadur. I’ve asked Tyndal to move him back over to the main barn. That colt is her pride and joy. Sasha paid him a visit today.”
“Yep. The first time she came by, she rubbed his ears like everybody else, and then moved off when some kids came up. They fed him potato chips.”
Jared groaned. “I suppose he ate those too.”
“Like candy. I think he also had half a peanut butter cookie.” Keno’s wide face lit up with a grin. “See ya round, Jared.”
“I’ll walk you to the door. Then I think I’ll turn in.” Jared locked his office, walked with Keno up the hill toward the house.
“Pretty sight,” Keno said.
“That it is.” The men paused to look at the great house, shining in the moonlight.
“You go ahead,” Keno said. “I’ll make one more trip around the grounds. Get some rest tonight, my friend.” Keno nodded at Jared.
“Same to you.” Jared walked up the stairs and opened the door. Wished for Tyndal. If Fionola had managed to convince her to move, he’d probably go to her room and wake her up. Just to talk. It was one of those nights everything felt unsettled and uncomfortable. Thinking of Tyndal, he went to the sideboard and poured a cup of coffee.
“Make that two.” Fionola came in from her study.
“What are you doing up?” Jared added a spoon of vanilla cream to hers.
“Same as you. Can’t sleep.”
“We’re a fine pair.” He kissed her cheek, handed her the coffee.
“Aren’t we?” Fionola smiled. “How’s the school? I haven’t been as present there as I wanted to be. But I hear a lot of good comments.”
“We’re doing fine. Next year, I may hire another instructor. Tyndal has a couple horses she wants to start competing, and I’d like to ride them for their first few times out. I’ve suspended classes until the Classic is over. Some of the advanced students are riding.”
“How exciting for them. If they do well here
…”
“They know. One would like to try her hand with the Olympics. She has a good chance.”
Fionola tried to hide a yawn. “Sorry, dear boy. I promise it’s not the company.”
Jared studied the pale cheeks and shadowed eyes. “No worries. Other than being busy, how are you?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Feeling my age, maybe. The Classic is always demanding. It’s like I have an endless stack of messages of my desk, and calls to return. But I’m okay, thanks for asking. And you?”
Jared started to say “waiting for Sasha to make her move,” but thought better of it. He worried Fionola wasn’t doing as well as she claimed. Instead, he spoke of Tyndal, and the love he felt for her.
She spoke about her memories of Scotland and described the area where she was born, of Chase and the life they’d shared. He threaded her arm through his, and walked beside her between the blooms of her tranquil and fragrant garden, the moon haloing her silver hair. For an hour, in the warmth of a summer evening, they dreamed together.
And during that hour, a nightmare worked its effect.
****
Bahadur’s Halter class was scheduled for the second afternoon. He was, as Fionola predicted, the youngest competitor in the Classic. The news spread quickly this was his first time to show.
Sasha had watched Tyndal work on his manners—poor at best—and his stance, a posture he’d hold only until something more interesting caught his attention. Like a butterfly twirling overhead, or someone laughing, or a child that raced past the ring where he worked.
For some reason, Tyndal dressed like a normal human that day and was easily recognizable. The reporters followed her around, taking photos of her and the baby, while nobody paid any attention to a tourist in a John Deere cap. Especially one that looked harmless as apple pie. Like everyone else, Sasha was half in love with the goofy colt. She laughed when he shimmied out of his show stance, and exasperated, Tyndal announced to the small crowd watching that his next lesson would be the Texas two-step. When questioned about Bahadur’s chances, Tyndal said she had no anticipation he’d win. She wanted it to be fun and a good learning experience.
Sasha wanted it to be an experience. And later that evening, she took extra care to make sure it wouldn’t be painful. She wasn’t heartless after all. Death could be prolonged and built up over time, if time were a luxury to enjoy. She’d had to learn proper dosages since she hadn’t wanted the Count to die too soon. Or hang on when she tired of him. The expense for medical care was staggering and she’d spent quite enough of her own money already. The estate that came with the Count needed a serious influx of cash, which she was happy to provide. In exchange, the Count specified his estate would come to her, and her alone, should something unforeseen happen in regards to his longevity. Wasn’t that just altogether generous? It was pure convenience his mother mentioned he’d had stomach issues as a child. Foods that were too spicy occasionally hadn’t agreed with him. Unfortunately, the problem still plagued him. She poured her dear, dear husband a glass of Syrah after a particularly upsetting dinner at their favorite restaurant, and it hadn’t sat well either. At all.
So it was a simple thing to doctor a small bit of carrot and slide it into her pocket. To dress like a woman out for a good time. It was even simpler to distract the guard that hadn’t been stationed in the main barn the night before. He leaned against post at Bahadur’s stall. “Hey, ya,” she said. “You mind if I pass a little time here?”
“Help yourself. The air’s free and I like the view.” The guy eyed her up and down like she intended. Gave her a smile that was supposed to be inviting.
Bahadur, wide-awake and curious, stuck his nose over the stall’s half-door. He recognized her scent, like she knew he would. Such a good little baby.
Sasha lifted her long blonde hair and fanned her neck. “I was bored tonight, and thought I’d take a walk. You look like a man who understands. I felt restless, sort of hot and bothered, you know how it is?”
“Sure, honey. I know just how it is. I have to patrol this hallway all night.”
“Seems like a waste of talent for a man like yourself.” She took her time, let him look his fill at her long, long legs. Tight shorts and a halter-top—she was as sweet as sugar on a hot summer day. When she kissed him like she meant it, when his hands were on the girls and her hips ground into his, she tossed death into a certain stall. And smiled. The guard “on duty” hadn’t noticed a thing.
“You sure have made the time more interesting. Maybe you’d want a beer or something later on?”
“Or something.” Sasha smiled again. Casually she untangled herself from the guard’s clutching hands, swore she could hardly wait until his shift ended. They’d finish what they started, she promised. Of course, he believed her. Men always believed her.
She went to her room, to the long, hot shower she’d been anticipating, and then a well-earned glass of champagne. It was a night to celebrate. She tasted the golden liquid, appreciated how it danced on her tongue, and laughed, and laughed.
****
Jared took the call.
“Come now,” Seth said. “Main Barn. It’s Bahadur.”
“I can walk and talk. Tell me what happened.”
“Somebody called my office about a mare that developed a nasty crack in a front hoof. It’s likely to keep her out of competition. Since I was there, I decided to look in on everyone. Other than Bahadur, the other horses are fine.”
“Keno had a guy assigned to the barn. Where was he? You didn’t see him?”
“Oh sure, he was there. He’s a bouncer from one of the bars in town wanting to make some extra money. We shot the breeze a few minutes. His excitement for the night is a hot date he has planned for later on. Other than that, he said everything’s been quiet. I was leaving when I heard something I thought was part of the storm. There’s been a fair amount of dry lightning and thunder tonight.”
“But it wasn’t.”
“No. I started a stall-to-stall check. Raj was cranky and wanted to take my hand off when I felt of him. Bhetami was her usual sweet self, and the horses in for the Classic were all fine. The last stall I checked was Bahadur’s. He’s down, Jared.”
“Call Tyndal. Have her meet us here. I’m almost to you now.”
Jared pulled in the frustration coursing through him when he knelt beside Bahadur. The baby had his eyes closed.
“How bad?”
“Feel his stomach. He’s colicking, but God knows what else is in his system. His heart rate’s up, so is his temperature. There’s a tremor in his muscles and his breathing is difficult. This guy hasn’t known one moment of lethargy in his life. Now he can’t lift his head.”
“You think he’s been poisoned.”
“You’ve always caught on quick, son.”
Jared stood when the guard came in. “You were here tonight and you didn’t see anyone?”
“Like I told him”—he motioned toward Seth—“no problems this way. A few of the riders have been in and out checking on their horses, but nobody’s messed with this colt since I’ve been on. I guarantee it.”
“I want to see the log. Have you had everyone sign in?”
“It’s out on the stand just like you left it earlier. I figured everyone knew what to do.”
“I’ll be back in a minute. Tyndal is on her way.”
“Somebody still managed to slip you something didn’t they, little one.” Seth’s voice was soft as he spoke to the colt and started an IV. When Tyndal, in her housecoat and bare feet, with Jake at her heels, ran into the stall, Bahadur opened his eyes and thumped his tail on the straw once or twice.
“Easy, sweet baby.” She cuddled his head onto her lap. As he rubbed his nose against her hand, Tyndal sighed. “Lie still, now. We’re all here. You’ll be fine.” After he licked Bahadur on the nose, Jake moved to the door.
“Who are you trying to reassure most? Yourself or him?” Seth glanced at Tyndal as he listened to the colt’s heart rate.
“How is he? How high is his fever?”
“High enough. But it hasn’t risen anymore. I’m going to tube him. Then start another IV. The one he has now is for the fever.”
“Here then, let me. I can do that much while you start the tube. He’s going to hate that.”
“Probably.” Seth grinned. “However, I recall a certain young lady survived it fine when her stomach was pumped.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t like it.” Tyndal wrinkled her nose. “It was also the last time I ate sweet feed.”
“Well, there you go. If you hadn’t eaten so much of it, you probably would have been okay. You were something, Tyndal. I didn’t know a girl could get herself into so much trouble. Getting stuck in the tree was the best though. Chase and I had a good laugh about that one.”
“I know. Jared dared me to climb it and when I did, he left me up there.”
“What am I being accused of? I’m bringing the law as back-up, whatever it is.” Jared stepped back inside with Keno, the sheriff from town, and Fionola.
“Jared,” Seth said, “I fed this guy myself earlier today. He was fine. I hate to think of what could’ve happened if we’d waited until morning to look in on him. I don’t think he’d lasted that long.”
“That he wouldn’t was the plan, Doc. You weren’t supposed to find him. I figure you have, but did you test for drugs in his bloodstream?” Keno leaned over the stall gate, his eyes on the colt and Seth.
“You bet. I’ve drawn two samples. This one’s for you.” Seth held out a vial. “I know you’ll want to send it to your people. I’ve already sent the other to the University. I’ll get results faster here.”
The sheriff searched through the straw in Bahadur’s stall looking for anything that might be evidence. “I’ll check the building and the grounds, but the stall is clean. I doubt whoever did this is still hanging around. But I’ll look anyway. If I find something, I’ll let you know.”
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