The strategy paid off six minutes later. The two intruders jumped over the gate and glanced around, but never registered the camouflaged jeep. Still in black balaclavas, they climbed into the van and drove north. Armand followed with lights off, so they didn’t notice him pull out. Once they reached the outskirts of Ardingly, he switched on the side and then the headlights.
Their route branched off onto a country lane. With the headlights on dim, he trailed them from a distance for a while. After three minutes, he reached for the goggles and cut the lights, accelerating to close on the van. He would take his chance with other cars, and the police.
Five minutes later, the intruders, unaware of their tail, turned into a walled property, with floodlights displaying the building’s elegance to anyone trapped in the glare.
Time to overstep the law—I have to do this.
Only after he had given Carly the Transit’s registration details and reassured her did he move forward.
“I’ll give the police that number, Loup. Don't do anything stupid, please.”
“Bien sur, I’ll just see who they are. It may take some time, so don’t wait up.”
“Ring when you’re coming back anyway. Good luck and take care, please.”
His conscience told him he should be at Hazelmead with Carly, especially if the two guys left again. She had Guinness, but would they return there?
Unlikely, as they don’t know I’m following. I need to discover more. This could be the chance to access their base of operations.
He followed the course of the stone barrier around shrouded grounds. A drive on the far side was closed, with a lodge defending the seclusion. He continued looking for a vulnerable point of entry. Where the road left the wall, he drove further and found a forest track to hide his jeep along.
He slipped on his camouflage jacket, darkened his face, and clipped some items to his webbing belt. His black chinos would do. It had been years since the adrenaline had impelled him, but he was ready.
Is this what the doctors meant by Exposure Therapy? Facing the root of my trauma?
If his mind remained centred, the nightmare would stay buried.
He hiked back along the three and a half metre obstacle into the forest and, where the undergrowth reached nearest to the house, he climbed over and melted into the night.
*
Carly had tried a DVD, then some music, but her fears kept plaguing her. The noises she could identify, but it was the not knowing that made her worry.
What was Gilles really doing? Why hadn’t he come home? Why hadn’t either of them returned?
On the fifth attempt, she reached Gilles who said, “I feel so alone, Vix, without you. Look forward to getting home tomorrow. Tell you all the news then.”
“Missing you too, honey, it’s much easier when we’re together. I need you here—”
“Tomorrow. Surely you can wait—just a few hours.”
She wanted to mention the burglars, but Gilles sounded so far away, unable to help, and pre-occupied. Distracted? By who?
“Where’s Lina?” she asked.
The answer was too immediate.
“Not sure... we’ve spoken, and I’m giving her a lift back tomorrow afternoon.”
Was she there with him? Was that noise Lina? She wanted to trust them, to believe Gilles and not the idle gossip. “So want you home. Love you always.”
She wanted to dismiss the fear. Had it had been her imagination before, at Burnham, or were they using the horses as a cover, again? The text message was more than a jealous acquaintance causing problems. It was what her heart had kept telling her. Even Mick suspected something, although he was trouble.
Should she discuss the rumours with Armand? But she knew she had to tell him about her concerns when he was back from playing at being the tough guy. Why was he being so stupid over a failed tack theft? Following the thieves could get nasty if he tried to bypass the law. Who did he think he was, pretending to be heroic? Maybe he wanted to be Gilles.
*
Armand moved in the shadows, choosing his route to evade detection, letting the sound of his passage merge with the night.
Beneath an oak, he took out his night-vision binoculars and scanned the approaches. The drive at the front was immaculate in the floodlights, which glinted off the SUV near the steps of the stone-railed terrace, a silver Jeep with a distinctive license plate.
There were people inside, and Mick must be one of them. Three silhouettes were behind the curtains, backlit by chandeliers given the height and spread.
No sign of the Transit, which must be around the back entrance.
Armand moved beside another oak from where he could see both entryways and all the vehicles. He studied the building for a way through the security cameras. There was one, but another obstacle strode into the glare; two grey shapes like wolves, although these were not Czech Wolfdogs. He had to stay downwind of them and out of sight until he was ready. Whoever lived here had something to protect, or hide. He suspected it must be Mick, but, with no proof, he needed grounds to investigate further. Was the meeting between the vets and Mick at Saumur reason enough to act?
He glanced at his watch, 22:04. He couldn’t leave Carly alone this long. Merde, if only Gilles hadn’t decided to go off to Gloucestershire with Lina. They’d been so evasive about their exact itinerary.
Maybe the rumours are true.
Two men walked out of the back entrance. The blonde one was carrying a metal briefcase. They climbed into the van, the dark-haired man taking the driver’s seat, and they drove off.
The third man must have stayed indoors. It would be impossible to investigate if he remained. The lights dimmed inside, and the man came out the front, turning to call the dogs. Having given the dogs some food, Mick climbed into his Jeep and left.
The house seemed empty, but Armand feared for Carly. Although he could have found his alternative access point, the incursion would have to wait.
He retraced his way back to the car, keeping downwind and out of sight of the dogs. They were some Shepherd-Wolf cross, like Mistico, so not reputed to be unduly aggressive, but not dogs to misjudge, either.
He was sitting in the P4 about to leave when the phone rang on silent. The number flashed: Carly.
“There may be a problem, Loup.”
Armand prayed Mick, or his minions, hadn’t returned.
THIRTY-NINE
Carly glowered at Lina and resisted hitting her for ruining what had been a good day, with rosettes for both Pin and Huginn at Borde Hill. Shutting out her suspicions all day, Carly was ready to challenge Lina when she showed her face at Hazelmead. Carly wasn’t willing to let the two-timer win anything, especially now that Lina continued manipulating Gilles, the way she must have been doing for months.
“She has to go,” said Lina jabbing her finger, “this stud doesn’t need her, as I keep saying.”
“No way, I’ve a job here. You only pretend to have one and order me around.”
“Anybody can do your job. Gilles was riding every horse, until you scared him.”
Lina deserved the riding crop for sleeping with Gilles, and now she was after total control of Hazelmead, but only if Carly abandoned the fight.
“You’re a snake. Why did I see you as a friend? Saumur proved who I need—Wanda.”
“Puta, without me the mare would still be a loser.”
“Oh great, forget the real work—exercising her, whatever the weather, mucking out, grooming her—and while you waste my time.”
She headed to the tack room as a torrent of Spanish abuse hurtled by, punctuated by the phrase, “I know who Gilles will choose.”
*
Gilles chewed his lip and paced across the workshop, scuffing his shoes.
“I don't know what to say, Loup. I'm sorry... I’m confused...”
Armand resisted hitting him. Gilles wasn’t worth tackling, not when there were other priorities.
“Damn you, I feel betrayed, but Carly’s the one yo
u've wounded.”
“You don’t understand; I love them both—in different ways.”
Armand tried to relate to those feelings. Lina and Carly were both friends, but only Carly deserved his support.
And Lina? Can I ever defend her? How deep is her betrayal? Does she genuinely care about Gilles?
He wasn’t ready to let his Canadian friend evade responsibility either.
“Okay, but Carly is the one you’ve given up everything for—you’ve committed everything to her.”
His faithless friend stopped and looked out of the window towards the yard.
“I know, and I need her. Without Carly, this makes no sense. It’s her fire that drives me, and her determination to help the horses achieve, especially Wanda.”
“Then you must tell Lina it’s over. Now.”
“But I need her too. For... her knowledge, what she does for the breeding, for the horses, their feed.”
“Merde, you’re out of order, Gilles. You can’t use people like this. Where’s your commitment?”
But Lina had been part of the team in Canada. This betrayal wasn’t some sudden affair.
Is this what ended the relationship with Odette? Is that why she died? Jealousy?
Gilles stared at him as if the guilt forced him to answer.
“I admit we flirted, in Québec... but that’s just my way... never meant anything.”
“You want me to accept that it was never serious before?” he said, gauging whether Odette had discovered something about Gilles and Lina. Answers were one death too late, but he had to ask, “Can you give Lina up? And work with her? Will she accept your decision? It might be better if you got her to leave.”
“I have to end our affair... for Carly. But Lina must stay at Hazelmead, at least as staff. Lina knows we must be a team again. Vecheech demands that–”
“What do they want?”
“They need us all. Lina is the key to the science, Carly is the only one who clicks with the horses.”
Armand wanted to ensure his devious friend delivered on his promises—before the past repeated.
Did Gilles or Lina kill Odette? Is Carly safe? I must protect her whoever I face.
He grasped Gilles by his shoulders. “Then you need to tell Lina now before it’s too late.”
Gilles continued pacing and chewing his lip. “Okay. Lina keeps her job, and I make a commitment to Carly. Thanks for helping me sort out the mess in my head.”
*
“If Lina stays, then I’m leaving—today.” Despite the threat, Carly remained on the farmhouse steps.
“Don’t you understand, babe, we can make this work again. Vecheech needs the whole team, otherwise Papa wins, like he always does.”
“It’s time to choose, Gilles. We can’t both stay,” said Carly. “How do I know you won’t still be fucking the slut?”
“Madre de Dios. You’re la puta, throwing yourself at him to get a job when you had nothing. Make her go, Gilles. The horses need me. You can ride again, and win.”
The two women were standing outside the farmhouse, both spitting venom. Gilles’s attempt at ending his affair with Lina was pointless now. When Gilles had gone to see her, Armand had hoped that he would resolve the conflict.
But the Frenchman had known compromise was impossible when Carly said, “I can do her job. Gilles forgets I have an Equine BSc. Anyway, who else can ride Wanda? We don’t need her, Loup, she betrayed both of us.”
As he studied both women now and analysed their roles, Armand knew Carly was right.
I can’t trust Lina anymore. Nor Gilles. I’ve let this happen. I’ve been distracted by my suspicions over Roman and Mick yet this is now clouding their illegal activities.
“You’re not helping, either of you,” said Gilles. “Batêche, I know what Vecheech needs, and this isn’t it. I'm tempted to let you both go, and start again.”
Lina slithered forward. “Forget what’s happened. Just remember what we share. I’ve known what you want ever since university.”
Carly’s face was red, and Armand realised she was fighting to control herself.
“Don’t listen to her, Gilles. She had her chance before you offered me the job. If you can survive without me, it’s time I left. I’ve been moved out of Hazelmead before.”
She turned and walked to the door of the farmhouse.
“Please Vix, you know I can’t let you go. If you go, Vecheech will still want you to compete on Wanda, as I do. You’re a winning combination.”
“Carajo, Wanda’s crucial to my research. Don’t let her take the mare. Armand, support me... you know what’s happening out there.”
Was she trying to win his support by suggesting she could help against Vidarranj? However, the Duchesnes had already told him that someone, probably Vidarranj, was gathering the DNA from successful horses whenever they could access it. Lina had implied she knew what they wanted, but how much Boissard Équestre DNA had she supplied to Vidarranj? Was obtaining Wanda’s her next objective or was there another motive?
I should never have trusted Lina. Nor should Gilles.
“Madre de Dios, Gilles. You’ve already sent her foals somewhere else. Not this as well, it makes no sense, please.”
“I'm sorry, Lina. You’ve helped a lot, but I’m not losing Carly. Hazelmead needs her and Wanda. You no longer fit with that strategy, so it’s time you went. Thanks for everything, but goodbye.”
“Loup, don’t let him. I need to be here. I can help you. I know the truth.”
“Too late, I can’t ever trust you. You failed everyone. Just leave, please. It’s best.”
Armand knew he had a chance to prise more information from her, but the lies would bury the truth if there were any.
“Bastardo. You don’t understand real love. What did you want with that Odette puta? Does Gilles know you were sleeping with her?”
“Stop blaming Loup. His Odette is someone else,” said Carly, stepping alongside him. “You’re so stupid—she’s Odette Duchesne.”
Carly looked at Armand and mouthed her apology for exposing him to the past, but its resurrection was inevitable.
“Please Lina, let’s try and remain friends. Stay rightful,” said Gilles.
“I will, it’s my call, and I know where to go. You’ll all regret this, and this puta will get nothing. I never lose when I know what I want. Venganza—revenge.”
As she spun on her heels then strode towards the bungalow, Armand prayed that revenge was not why Odette Fédon had died.
Do I have to eliminate Lina? Can I kill again?
FORTY
Armand had heard a wolf howling, and now it was licking his face.
It must be Mistico. Lina’s found me. Does she know about Odette? Has Lina been nearby watching? Is that why she’s here now? To murder my cousin?
Armand forced his eyes open and saw Guinness, and he looked up at Carly. The worry in her eyes touched him, and he wanted to hold her, but this was his friend’s girl; he couldn’t fall in love with her. Except with the light framing her, the sound of the stream and the birds, and the smell of grass and apricots, he was captivated.
It’s too late. Or is it just my need to defend Carly? My desire for someone to love?
“What happened, Loup? You look terrible. Can I get you something?”
“Thanks, I’m okay... just resting,” he explained as he pulled himself up. “I was repairing the old shed, so the horses had some shelter.”
Was she studying him? He leant on the rail looking at the water and said, “This feels like a special place, quiet. A place to come to be alone.”
Carly dismounted and walked to where he was standing.
“Yes. I find peace here, with my memories. It helps me.”
“It reminds me of where... they think Odette Fédon drowned.”
“At Du Noroît, the Canadian stud?”
“Yes. But there was snow, and the trees were closer.”
He fought to ignore the ruined shed that reminded
him of another death. He had to forget, but he had struggled with the memories earlier.
I need to face the past. Fight for my life.
“Do you think it was an accident, Loup?”
The past was approaching too fast, and he didn’t want to involve her, but yet he had nobody to share anything with.
“I’m not sure. It was convenient for some people, like Roman.”
“Because she was pregnant?”
It was too late; she seemed to have worked out too much.
“How much did Gilles tell you, Vix?”
“Enough to realise Roman was opposed to them. But Gilles and Roman were together in a meeting when she disappeared.”
The list of suspects was still too long, and even his name remained prominent.
“He could still have found someone else to do it, Vix. If only I’d...”
“Don’t torture yourself, Loup. There’s nothing we can do. If there were a murder, the police would have found the evidence.”
“Absolutely, you’re right,” he said, accepting the release.
Lina had been there, and Odette’s position at Du Noroît threatened her. Lina, who had been implicated in Vidarranj’s breeding plans and threatening to protect her interests. It might not stop at just Odette Fédon’s murder.
Does she want to kill Carly now? Will Lina do that to regain the reins of Wanda, the key to the breeding and the cloning? What will she do to get Gilles back, or has she set her sights higher? She said she knew where to go. Patrick Harfang?
“Loup, please just stop worrying.”
She hitched the horse and put her arms around him. The mix of horse and apricot comforted his churning mind. He clung to her, although she was Gilles’s partner. His friend didn’t deserve her loyalty.
Would Gilles remain with Carly, or would he cheat on her again? Armand could never cheat on someone as special as her.
“This place is so peaceful,” he said, wanting to linger.
“I come here a lot, Loup... to remember my mother. Although she died at our farm, from a heart attack...collapsed face down in the mud.”
Spiral of Hooves Page 15
