Runaway Murder

by Leigh Hearon

“That brings me to the subject of grooming. Nicole, I know you have your own groom—”

  “Yes, he’s arriving this afternoon. I appreciate the offer of using yours, Hollis, but Andy won’t let anyone except Miguel clip his ears and bridle path.”

  Harriett looked at Nicole. “You should train your horse to accept any professional who works on him.”

  Nicole smiled at Harriett. It was a deprecating smile. “Whatever you say, Harriett.”

  Annie was certain that Nicole would have had a lot more to say if the three trainers hadn’t thoroughly chastised her yesterday.

  “Good, good,” Hollis said briskly. “Miguel will be staying in one of the double-wides out back, Nicole. I believe you can point him to the right one. Now, those of you who have signed up for a groom will be sharing Ann Corbett. She’ll be here in a few hours, and you can talk to her about any idiosyncrasies your horses may have. Otherwise, be assured that she’ll be hard at work throughout the night making sure your horses are absolutely clean and gorgeous by the time you greet them early tomorrow morning. Ann will leave a bill for each of you tacked on your horse’s stall door, and it would be nice if you could pay her promptly. And remember, tips are always welcome.”

  Annie was speechless. She couldn’t imagine paying someone else to groom her horse. When she’d attended shows as a teenager, she’d always taken care of this task herself. Nor had she seen anyone else hand it off to a total stranger. Sure, maybe a friend or family member would come by and help, but the job of grooming was never given to a paid professional. The grooming process for dressage horses must be far more elaborate than she could even imagine. She wondered which, if any women around the table, would tackle the job herself.

  When Hollis was finished, Patricia stood and took the floor.

  “Attention, ladies! I know that Hollis and Miriam have a long-standing tradition of feting the show judge the night before the event, so what do you say we give Chef Gustav a night off, and we have a ladies’ night in town? Liz and Melissa already are in. What say the rest of you?”

  A buzz of conversation ensued, and Patricia continued to speak over the noise.

  “I know it’s the night before the show, but honestly, it’ll just be a quick dinner out. We’ll be back in plenty of time to kiss our darlings good night and make sure all their creature comforts are met. And it would be a great time to kick back before the big day!”

  “Impossible,” Harriett muttered. “Too much to do. You, too, Gwen and Tabitha. You need to concentrate on your tests tomorrow.”

  “I need to look for my rhythm beads,” Tabitha muttered.

  “No, you do not,” Harriett said firmly.

  “So sorry, I have to wash my hair,” was Gwendolyn’s blithe reply, her hand rippling through her close-cropped spikes.

  “Douglas and I have an art opening to attend. Quite impossible to get out of.”

  Annie noticed that Nicole’s turndown did nothing to impact the enthusiasm of the rest of the group.

  “It sounds like it will be super fun,” Amy said. “C’mon, Lucy, let’s go. We’ll be back in time to make sure Prince is doing all right.” Lucy nodded. She still seemed on the fence.

  “You’ll come, won’t you, Annie?” Liz turned to her, asking with her eyes for her to say yes.

  Annie’s heart sank. The last thing she wanted to do was go out on the town, even if it was only an hour or two. She wasn’t a party animal by nature, and the thought of having to spend more time telling Lucy about her cowgirl life was mind-numbing. But there was no way out of it. She had no excuse. Marcus’s arrival was still a day away.

  “Of course,” she said simply.

  Fortunately, her reprieve was quick in coming. After lunch, Miriam took her aside.

  “Annie, I know you’ve probably got your heart set on going out with your friends, but Hollis and I wondered if you would mind having dinner with us, instead. It turns out Judge Bennett’s scribe won’t be arriving until late, and we’d love a fourth at dinner, and you’re such an interesting person to talk with. Would it be much of a hardship to stay in?”

  Annie gave her a broad smile. “I’d be happy to join you.”

  “That’s wonderful. I’ll tell Chef Gustav now. He’ll be delighted to know that he’s only preparing one dinner tonight. So thoughtful of Patricia to think of making his life easier at this busy time.”

  “It’s too bad the technical delegate can’t join us. I met her this morning, and she seems absolutely charming.”

  Annie couldn’t put her finger on it, but Miriam’s face underwent a subtle change.

  “Yes, isn’t she? Brianna seems like a very nice young woman but terribly busy right now, I understand. I’m sure she’ll be joining us for dinner on Saturday.”

  Annie looked at Miriam, unable to read any specific emotion. But it had been evident that Brianna was trying to avoid contact with the judge, and now Miriam appeared to be endorsing that decision. Annie couldn’t fathom why this should be since there didn’t seem to be any rule prohibiting them from talking to each other. It was odd.

  * * *

  Annie took Hollis’s words about steering clear of the workers down at the stables to heart. She was curious about the entourage of women arriving with their horses and spent an enjoyable hour on the patio watching the procession of trailers roll in, followed by the careful unloading of each gorgeous horse inside each one. Walking by, Miriam noticed her interest and had suggested she enjoy the pool while she surveyed the arrival of contestants. When Annie confessed she’d omitted bringing a bathing suit with her, her host quickly showed her a cupboard filled with one-piece suits from L.L. Bean in various sizes, all still packaged in plastic.

  “You’re not the first guest to forget a bathing suit. Enjoy yourself.” Miriam then handed Annie a pair of binoculars, along with a wink. “Sometimes it’s more fun to see what’s happening from a distance.”

  Annie was now dressed in her new suit and enjoying her use of the binoculars very much from her private vantage point. There seemed to be a lot of paperwork for participants in a dressage event. Patricia earlier had told her that every horse had to have a CVI, or certificate of vet inspection, and a certified Coggins test no more than six months old. Annie thought she wouldn’t be surprised if the owners also had to bring along proof of the horse’s pedigree and identity. She was beginning to understand just how highly regulated the dressage world was.

  As she watched riders lug big, unwieldy tack chests into the stable, Annie wondered where they all would sleep tonight. Probably in nearby hotels, she thought, the same as Judge Bennett and her scribe. She scoured the crowds for anyone who had a distinct judicial bearing, but too many people were swarming around for her to keep track of whom she’d already seen. Well, she’d meet Judge Bennett this evening. She was looking forward to getting to know the woman so many other women feared or heartily disliked. Annie anticipated very interesting dinner conversation.

  She glided through the water, happy to be totally alone for once. She was deliriously happy that Marcus would be joining her and spent several minutes pondering his sudden change in attitude. “If you’ll have me” definitely implied that he’d changed his opinion of what she’d told him. But she would not pry. She would not ask him why he’d backed down from his original stance or even ask for an apology. Oh, no. She would remain sweetly silent about their last conversation. Knowing Marcus, he’d be back on the road Monday morning, and she wanted to make every minute with him count—and fight-free.

  “Now, what about this horse you’re so anxious to buy?” Harriett’s unmistakable voice filled the air. Annie was floating on her back and her ears were halfway in the water. But what she’d heard gave her a legitimate reason to eavesdrop. After all, they were discussing a horse she was trying to sell. She carefully made her way to the shallow end, where she could stand up and hear better. The sound seemed to be coming from behind her, near the parking area.

  “He’s a drop-dead-gorgeous Warmblood Hilda brou
ght over from Denmark. Stellar pedigree, and when I saw him, he was showing fourth level. Hilda wasted him trying to make him into a hunter. But I still think he’d be an excellent dressage horse for me, particularly as I move into FEI levels.”

  “How long ago did you see him?”

  “Oh, heavens. Five, six years ago. Hilda had recently moved to Washington and had just finished building her equestrian estate.”

  “Well, let’s take a look at him, then. As Patricia said, if you’re really serious about this, you can ride him on Sunday. Although I must say, Gwendolyn, there’s nothing wrong with Martinique. He’s young but is eager to learn. You could take him to FEI just as well, and more easily, too. Your horse is trained in dressage. The other horse is rusty, at best.”

  “Oh, I have my reasons for wanting this horse.”

  “I’m sure you do. Just make sure they’re the right ones.”

  Gwendolyn gave a low, conspiratorial laugh.

  “They are. The plan is to cruise through this test with Martinique. Then I’ll sell him and buy Victory.”

  “Stop being so smug. With Judge Bennett in the booth, you’re not likely to cruise through this or any other test. I’ve seen her eliminate a rider for just wearing a stock tie without a jacket. She once eliminated a student for supposedly talking to his horse because she couldn’t tell the difference between a human voice and a squeaky saddle.”

  “Oh, Harriett. She can’t be all that bad.”

  “She is, and more. What’s worse is that she’s not even a competent rider herself.”

  “C’mon. She wouldn’t have an ‘S’ behind her title if she wasn’t a damn good dressage rider.”

  “The only reason she can judge FEI levels is that she bought the horses who could do the work. If you choose to do that, I can’t stop you, although I think you’re going in the opposite direction with this new horse you’re thinking of buying. But with a judge, it’s different.”

  “Oh, that’s not the only deep-dark secret Judge Bennett keeps hidden in her personal tack chest.”

  It was a new voice—Nicole’s. Annie wished she could see the speakers. She felt certain that Gwendolyn’s face had either gone bright red or ashen, depending on who had prevailed at their fisticuffs a few hours ago.

  Annie heard the sound of feet shifting on gravel, confirming her guess that the conversation was taking place near the parked cars.

  “Whatever do you mean, Nicole?” Gwendolyn’s voice was icy.

  “Just that. This is a very difficult time for Judge Bennett.” Nicole’s voice dripped with false sincerity. “Her husband filed for divorce two weeks ago. It’s pretty nasty, from what I hear. Another woman.”

  Harriett tsk-tsked. “Her husband’s a film producer, isn’t he? He’s probably around beautiful women all day long. What did she expect?”

  Nicole snickered. “Apparently not this.”

  Annie heard a car door open and shut and the sound of Nicole’s Jaguar roaring to life. She dove underneath the water as the car peeled past the patio and down the driveway. She was pretty sure Nicole couldn’t have seen her in the pool even if she’d looked in her direction but wasn’t taking any chances.

  From the parking lot, she heard Gwendolyn give an unladylike cackle.

  “So, Judge Bennett is being dumped?”

  “Don’t be so flippant. If her husband is in love with another woman, she’s going to be in a foul mood. Which means she’ll be even tougher than usual.”

  Yes, this was going to be an interesting dinner party, indeed.

  Chapter Twelve

  FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 13

  “I’m so sorry you won’t be able to join us, Annie.” Patricia looked genuinely disappointed that she wouldn’t be joining the rest of the gang.

  “It’s fine, really. I’m happy to be the fourth at the table, particularly since you’ll all be dying to know what I’ve learned about the judge afterward.”

  “True,” Liz said eagerly. “We have dibs on you.”

  “But do tell me what I’m missing. You know whatever Chef Gustav serves will be mouthwatering good.”

  “Well, we’re starting at a martini bar on the south side of town and working our way up to an Asian fusion place that’s just opened to rave reviews.”

  “Sounds yummy.”

  “Oh, and then a stop at the local ice cream shop, apparently one of the original eateries in the valley that has withstood the advance of commerce.”

  “I should hope so. If Wolf were here, I’d make you bring back a vanilla cone just for him.” Wolf was Annie’s Blue Heeler and boon companion.

  “Oh, I miss my critters,” Patricia said.

  “So do I. But remember, in a few days we’ll be back with them, along with the wind, rain, and creeping darkness.”

  There was a collective groan. No one liked to see daylight inch away on the Olympic Peninsula, culminating in late December at the winter equinox, the shortest day of the year. For months, the sun would rise long after Annie had jumped out of the bed and set long before her workday was over.

  “So, we should all enjoy ourselves. Oh, and Liz, I have a question for you.”

  “Shoot. Is it about dressage? If so, you’d better ask the professional standing next to me.”

  “Actually, it’s a simple math problem.”

  “Definitely better ask Patricia.”

  “As it turns out, you’re the only one who can solve it.”

  “I hate math questions. But go ahead.”

  “The first night I was here, last Wednesday, when Patricia and I were called away from the house, do you remember how many people came to the cocktail hour? We left too soon for me to take notice.”

  “What a funny question! Everyone, I assume. Hold on, let me think.” Liz tilted her head à la the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. “Okay, I think I remember where everyone was seated. Here goes. Hollis was at the bar as usual. Miriam was sitting down nearby, and you were next to her, at least until Hollis had to answer the door. Lucy and Amy were sitting near the back of the pool, the shallow side. I remember they talked between themselves most of the time. Gwendolyn was in back of you, Annie. I remembered she was throwing invisible daggers at the back of your head.”

  “Not surprised. Your recall is excellent. Who else?”

  “Let me think again. Patricia was with me until, well, you know. We were standing close to Hollis, and looking for a place to sit down although I think most of the lounge chairs were taken. Where was Harriett? Oh, she wasn’t there. She and Melissa didn’t start taking meals with us until the next day, Thursday at lunch.”

  “Which leaves Tabitha and Nicole,” Annie said encouragingly.

  “Tabitha was . . . oh, yes, she was a bit to the left of Gwendolyn, who was doing her best to annoy her. Nicole was . . .” Liz stopped. “Nicole wasn’t there when both of you left. She came in late. Now I remember. I thought it extremely rude of her to show up midway through cocktails, but Miriam, being the perfect hostess, just said she was glad to see her and made her a drink.”

  “What was her excuse? Did she give one?”

  “I think something about talking to her fiancé on the phone. She didn’t exactly announce her late arrival to the group. I just happened to be standing near Miriam and overheard a bit of what she said when she came in. And that was all. There’s something about the woman that makes you want to walk in the opposite direction as soon as you share airspace, so that’s what I did. I went over to talk to Lucy and Amy, right up until dinner.”

  Nicole hadn’t been at cocktail hour the entire time. Maybe Gwendolyn’s suspicions weren’t so preposterous after all.

  “How did she look?”

  “Annie, now you’re venturing beyond simple addition. I don’t know. She looked like Nicole. Dressed and made up to the nines, nose slightly tilted in the air, eyes averted from the rest of us commoners. You know. She looked like Nicole.”

  “Not upset? Worried? Out of breath? Nothing out of place?”

  �
�Good heavens, Annie!” Patricia was looking at her with a curious gleam in her eye. “Are you detecting again? What is she accused of? You don’t seriously think she’s involved in Betsy’s death, do you?”

  “I admit, it doesn’t sound likely,” Annie replied. “Tell me, do either of you remember seeing her down at the stables that afternoon?”

  “I wasn’t there. After lunch, I was off to pick you up at the airport, remember?” Patricia reminded her.

  “Of course. How about you, Liz?”

  “We worked in the morning right up until lunch, too. I confess I took most of the afternoon off. I checked on Sammy around three, but then spent the rest of the day out by the pool. I didn’t want to be a nuisance while you were showing your first potential customer the horses.”

  Annie smiled at Liz. “As if. One last question, then I’m done. Did everyone who was present at cocktails also trail into dinner that night?”

  “A resounding yes. The only people missing at the table that night were you and Patricia. And dinner was wonderful, by the way.”

  “I know. I got the remnants later that night; and then, just like Nicole, got my own private tour of the kitchen.”

  The three women laughed hysterically.

  * * *

  As Annie dressed that night, she wondered if her friend Luann had been right. Maybe she should have taken a look at one more adorable cocktail dress. She was now wearing the one she’d worn the first night. By Sunday evening, she’d be wearing it again—l’horreur!

  Miriam had informed her earlier that tonight’s cocktails and dinner would be served in their suite, which had its own dining area. Annie felt as if she were about to enter the inner sanctum. She managed to put on mascara without smudging it on her eyelids and was gratified to see that no blush was necessary. Mother Nature was doing the job very nicely, and it had only been forty-eight hours since she had arrived.

  She rang the doorbell on the second-floor suite but heard nothing from inside. She was just about to ring it again when the door opened. Hollis ushered her in, and Annie saw a small sitting area in front of her, in a room that had nearly floor-to-ceiling artwork on every side.