by Toni Leland
“I know. I just can’t believe that poor horse has been abandoned.”
“Dixie told me that you want him.”
Kim gazed at Quaid’s sincere expression. Should she just tell him the truth? Once he’d closed his case, did the disposition of Bandit even concern him?
Quaid grinned. “Well, here’s a news flash. The fire marshal said the fire was started with a pile of file folders and papers doused in gasoline. You said the filing cabinet was empty. I suspect there’s no record anywhere of who really owns Bandit. He might just be yours for the taking.”
Chapter 42 ~ Cleveland
Quaid opened Kim’s e-mail and downloaded the photographs to his Talisman folder. He’d go over all his notes and evidence one more time before writing up the report for United Equine. He hated seeing Jasper profit from this deal, but there seemed no way to prove his involvement.
The phone rang and Dixie’s voice warmed his heart, as usual.
“Morning, Garrett. How you doin’?”
“Excellent, as always. Got home about seven last night, had a burger on the way, and was in my bed by nine.”
“Lucky you. I was late getting off shift and by the time I got home, Kim was in bed. We talked for a little while. You can’t imagine how happy she is about that horse being up for grabs.”
“Oh, yes I can. She lit up like a Christmas tree when I told her.”
“I believe it. Okay, my lab friend called awhile ago. She said there were quite a few smudges and partials, but she got a couple of hits on the prints you lifted, both the ones from the feed room door handle and the desk drawer. Reggie Fortune popped up as a result of a routine bonding investigation, and the other print belongs to a William “Willie” Shank. He’s in the system for petty larceny about fifteen years ago.”
Quaid’s shoulders sagged. “Crap. I was hoping to nail Warren. Why the hell was this Shank person at Fortune’s barn? Unless...”
“He was hired by Warren to set the fire?” said Dixie.
“That’s the only explanation, unless he was a barn client.”
“Sorry the news isn’t better. Listen, I need to get going. I’m on again at three and I need to check on Kim, then swing by and see my mother.”
“How’s she doing?”
Dixie sounded pensive. “Some days are better than others. I never know what to expect.”
“Call me any time if you need to talk.”
“Thanks, Garrett. I definitely will.”
Quaid hung up and stared at the name on the notepad. William “Willie” Shank. The man was somehow connected with Warren or Fortune, maybe both, but in what capacity? Recalling the brief conversation with the fire marshal, Quaid considered calling the guy back to see if they’d located this Shank person. Surely the arson investigators had checked the scene for fingerprints. Or maybe in a fire, they didn’t do that because of the smoke, heat, and water damage. Quaid scribbled a note to himself to make that call today.
Jenna phoned a few minutes later. “You busy?”
“Not at all. Everything okay?”
“Yes, we’re just fine. Ricky’s starting to come down from Cloud Nine. I can’t thank you enough for taking him to Arlington. He’s talked about nothing else. I actually feel like he’s going to be okay.”
“It was as good for me as it was for him. I had lots of time to think about stuff.”
Jenna’s voice changed slightly. “I got a call this morning from Wright-Patterson. A house became available unexpectedly and we can move in two weeks.”
“Wow, that was fast! Congratulations.”
Quaid didn’t feel quite as pleased as he tried to sound. Things were moving quickly and now he’d have to make some important decisions.
“How did you get bumped to the front of the line?”
Jenna chuckled. “Friends in high places. No, actually, the psychologist who interviewed Ricky recommended that we relocate as soon as possible. I was as surprised as you. But, oh Lord, now I have to start packing and figure out what to do with the stuff I’m not keeping.”
“Just give me a holler and I can come help you.”
“Thank you for that. I don’t think we can do it by ourselves.” Her voice cracked. “This will be the first house move I’ve made without Ben.”
After Quaid hung up, he thought about the new life that Jenna and Ricky would have. A new home, new friends, a break with the painful past and all the reminders of the way things had been. Ben would always be in their hearts, but Quaid was sure that, wherever his brother was right then, he was happy that his family was going to find peace.
~~
Kim sat on the couch, a pillow propping her leg on the coffee table. Miss Kitty seemed to think the whole arrangement was for her benefit. She walked all over Kim’s lap and chest, paraded down the cast to the table and back, tail held high. But even her feline antics didn’t raise Kim’s spirits.
“This is the absolute pits. Glad I’m not booked to do a horse show any time soon.”
Which was both good news and bad news. The expense of replacing her stolen equipment and any medical costs not covered by her insurance would make a significant dent in her bank account. And for the time being, she had no way to refill the coffers. She stared out the deck doors, feeling sorry for herself.
The doorknob rattled and her punk mood disappeared as Dixie came in, carrying a white bakery bag.
“Thought you could use a little sugar jolt.” She came over and set the bag on the couch beside Kim, then leaned down and examined her face. “Your bruising is already starting to fade. You’ll be good as new in a couple of days.”
“The bruises I can live with. The cast, not so much.”
Dixie pulled a plump blueberry muffin out of the bag, placed it on a napkin, and handed it over. “Consider the time as a resource. How often do you have the opportunity to do nothing but think and ponder things?”
“I’ve tried real hard not to let that happen.”
Dixie sat down and rested her hand lightly on Kim’s arm. “You can’t run forever. Use this time to face whatever demons you’re battling and bring them to task. Don’t dwell on the past—you don’t live there anymore.”
“Thanks, you’re right. I’m just being a big baby. I do have some things I can do while I’m immobilized. Would you bring my laptop over here? I have about ten thousand photographs to sort and store.”
Dixie set the computer on the couch next to Kim, then put her hands on her hips. “I have to go now. Mom’s having a good day, according to the staff, so I’d like to see her before I go to work. You call me if you need anything, okay? I’m in the car with Saskie today, so I can get here if need be.”
Kim’s throat tightened and her voice cracked. “Thank you for everything. I—”
Dixie put a finger to her lips and shook her head.
Kim listened to the soft thud of the door against the frame and the sound of Dixie’s footsteps. An ache grew in Kim’s chest. The time had come to face the things that paralyzed her.
~~
Quaid typed the final summary of the Talisman case, then printed it out and sat back to read through it. The whole thing was pretty basic. With the photographs of Bandit’s unblemished penis to support Jasper’s claim of non-ownership, plus the identification flyer for Bandit’s legal owner, United Equine would have no option other than full payment. Irritation prickled Quaid’s neck. Jasper Martin would be a hundred grand richer at the expense of hundreds of other customers. Equine insurance was not cheap, and those honest horse owners who protected their investments in good faith would end up paying higher premiums because of people like Martin.
Had the guy hired someone to steal the horse? Or had he simply gotten tangled up with the wrong people and become a victim? Would Quaid ever know? Probably not.
He fixed two typos in the report, then transferred the whole file to the FTP server at headquarters. A feeling of disappointment washed over him as he hit the upload button. This hadn’t been one of his better cases.
He rose from his chair and wandered out into the living room. The place was a mess, just like he’d left it. Had he expected the housekeeper fairy to come during his absence? He opened the drapes and basked for a moment in the sunshine pouring through, then started picking up newspapers and magazines. As he tidied the room, he thought about Kim Kovak’s unfortunate situation. She’d be laid up for at least four weeks, maybe more, and that could put a dangerous crimp in her pocketbook. All that time with no work and nothing to do. And what about Bandit? How would that turn out?
A nice memory worked its way into Quaid’s head, long-ago rides through the pastures on a spunky Quarter Horse named “Spark.” At the time, in his disdain for country life, Quaid had taken his horse for granted. Every kid who lived in the sticks had a horse. Not a car or a good bike, but a horse. And yet, those solitary treks over the rolling hills and through knee-high rye grass had been Quaid’s salvation, though he hadn’t known it at the time. He hadn’t been on a horse since his platoon days.
He walked into his office and sat down at the computer. A window informed him that the file transfer had been successful. He opened a browser and, grabbing a pen, pulled his notebook closer to focus on William Shank’s name. Who was this guy, anyway?
A Google search turned up nothing. Opening the Tracer Database, he plugged in the name and waited while the search engines worked. Sure enough, William Shank was in there. In fact, he had more than just a petty theft arrest. He’d been involved in gambling and some investment scams. It appeared that Willie Shank might have had a reason to be in Teri Fortune’s barn after all.
Switching to Google images, Quaid again used the man’s name to search the files. The screen loaded and Quaid jumped out of his chair, punching the air.
“Yesss!”
William “Willie” Shank was none other than Wade Warren.
Chapter 43
Kim picked up the phone and gazed at Quaid’s number for a moment, surprised at the mixed emotions churning through her head. With the final piece of evidence for the Talisman case, Garrett Quaid would end his involvement, making it unlikely that Kim would ever see him again.
“Hi, Quaid. What’s up?”
“I just wanted to bring you up to speed on those fingerprints. Remember we wondered why Wade Warren seemed to have no apparent history? Well, I just discovered that he’s someone else, a transplanted thug from London by the name of Willie Shank. Came over here—or rather escaped from the law in the UK—about twenty years ago. Apparently, he was heavily involved in some nasty racing scandals. He’s on Interpol’s wanted list.”
“Wow, just like a Dick Francis novel.”
“Pretty close, and Shank’s just written a few more chapters here in the States. Did you ever talk to the police while you were in the hospital?”
“Yes, they came and took my statement, but they didn’t stay long. At least, I don’t think they did. Whatever pain killer I was on did a number on my memory. The whole thing seems like a dream, except for the cast. That’s for real.”
“I suspect they’ll question you again, give you some time to remember the events. So, if the arson team ran fingerprints, Warren’s going to get caught. At least for the fire. I’m sure the Fire Department shares information with the police, so it’s only a matter of time before Wade Warren is arrested. Right?”
“Possibly, although things don’t usually move as fast as in the movies.”
Quaid thought a moment. “You know, if the police pursue the assault aspect, you might have some more involvement.”
“That suits me just fine. I’d like to nail the bastard for anything that will take him out of circulation in the horse industry.” She shifted her hips, trying to relieve the cramp that was starting in her thigh. “Any more info on Jasper?”
“No, but I suspect he’s still trying to dig himself out of whatever financial sinkhole he’s in. I’ll tell you one thing, though, if he was even remotely involved in the thefts in any way, he could go to jail. I checked with an FBI friend of mine. Transporting stolen goods across state lines is a federal crime. I just wish we could figure out who organized this. It has to be someone with connections and a lot of knowledge about both horses and international law, someone who can mix comfortably with both the legitimate community and the lowlifes.”
Kim nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly jerked so hard she made her head hurt. “Wait a minute! I called Reggie Fortune’s office Friday afternoon and his secretary told me he was out of town, but I’d been with him face-to-face early that morning.”
“Out of town, like where?”
“Mexico. She said he goes there every month for—”
“That’s it! He’s the connection!”
“Quaid, what are you talking about? Slow down.”
“I never got a chance to tell you about my trip through Texas, but after I put some pieces together, it looks like the horse auctions near the Mexican border might be the key.”
Kim blinked. “You’re going to have to spell this out for me.”
“There is some paperwork required to transport horses across the border, but papers are easy to manipulate. Horses bound for slaughter must have a number-coded microchip, as well as paperwork. I think our stolen horses are tracked by tiny transmitters attached to their halters, then loaded at the auction site onto Mexico-bound trucks, and taken to a holding area for the slaughter house. The contact for the buyers is waiting on the other side to collect the animals that don’t have microchips. You did say that there’s a hot market for good horses in other countries. With his financial background, Fortune would be a perfect person to coordinate this thing.”
“The ban on slaughterhouses in this country provided the perfect environment for such a plan. Quaid, you are a genius.”
“It’s only a theory and without some bad guys, who would believe us?”
“I think we need to talk to your Deputy Dexton, give her what we know and what we think. Maybe this thing will turn out the way we want it to after all.”
Quaid sounded resigned. “Let’s hope so. Listen, I have to run. You take care of yourself. I’ll see about setting up a meeting with Dexton when you feel up to it. You keep me posted if you hear anything more.”
Kim spent some time thinking about all that had transpired in such a short time. With any luck, the loose ends would be tied up soon. Except for the mare stolen from Teri’s trailer and the possible switch of Robidoux.
Remembering the items she’d found in the palomino’s stall, Kim did a quick search on Buscopan. The drug was used for control of colic pain, but Teri had said she didn’t give anything to the mare. Kim read further through the pharmacological data, then sat back, cold realization sweeping over her. When administered to a perfectly healthy horse, the side effects mimicked colic: dilated pupils, increased heart rate, no gut sounds. Someone had set up Teri to take the mare off the property.
Kim dug through her bag and found David Craig’s card.
“Mr. Craig? This is Kim Kovak. We met at the show in Burbank...”
“Oh, yeah, the show photographer. I hope you got some good shots of Robidoux ’cause we lost him on the trip home.”
Kim’s chest caved in. “Oh, I am so sorry!”
“So are we. Apparently, one of the grooms gave him too much sedative and he had heart failure.” Craig’s voice cracked. “He was the best horse I ever had.”
Kim slowly closed her phone. The beautiful Robidoux was undoubtedly now living in another country, and some poor look-alike had been killed to cover up the theft. Feelings of helplessness crashed over her. This thing had a life of its own.
~~
Quaid sat back and reviewed everything he’d just learned. Why would a small Ohio financial company have monthly dealings in Mexico unless there was something shady going on? First thought would be drugs, but Reggie Fortune’s involvement with the horses and the mess at Teri’s barn made theft-for-profit a more likely reason. Time to make some calls.
“Delaware Coun
ty Sheriff’s Department.”
“Deputy Dexton, please.”
“She’s not in until tomorrow. Do you want to leave a call-back, or can someone else help you?”
“No, just ask her call me when she comes in.”
He gave his number, then immediately dialed the City of Delaware Fire Department.
“Good afternoon, this is Garrett Quaid with United Equine Assurance. I understand the barn fire last week is being looked at as arson. May I speak to the investigator on the case?”
“He isn’t here today, but maybe I can help you. What do you need to know?”
Quaid smiled. It was always helpful to get hold of someone who had no idea that they shouldn’t be giving out information.
“Did the arson crew get any fingerprints, or was the place a complete loss?”
“I think they did take some prints, but of course getting the results back takes a long time. Your company the one to contact with information?”
“Yes, but we haven’t started the paperwork yet. Someone will get back to you in a day or two, and I’ll call back later when your arson guy is in.”
Quaid hung up. He was venturing into dangerous territory here, planning to reveal criminal information that he shouldn’t even have. Deputy Dexton would probably eat him for lunch, and who knew how the fire department people would react. Nevertheless, it was the right thing to do. Both he and Kovak needed closure on this, and soon.
The insurance case was wrapped up, the perpetrator of the fire and Kim’s assault soon to be under arrest, and Teri Fortune’s murderer identified. So why did he feel this way? He stood up and walked into the living room. All the really bad stuff was more or less under control, but the theft network—the reason he’d become more involved—was still out there, slithering through an unsuspecting horse community. And he could think of no way to stop it.
Chapter 44
Kim’s armpits ached from the pressure of the crutches. More painful was the pressure in her chest as she stared at the small Kahr 9mm handgun lying on the sofa cushion. It would take her awhile to get used to having it in plain sight, but common sense had finally overridden her painful memories. She ran a finger lightly over the smooth steel and a shiver sluiced through her body.
