HORSES AND HEROIN (Romantic Mystery) (4 page)

She doubted Joey had visited the sauna much. Like her, he was naturally slim. He probably hadn’t liked Lydia either. Nor would he have been enthralled with the cafeteria and the sugar-free Jello—a dessert staple.

When he was little, she’d made him Jello, the real stuff with whipped cream. Purple had been his favorite. She would have made it for him more often, but her dad had called it ‘fairy’ food.

Her chest tightened in a familiar vise. Joey had been so cute and later so resentful. How could a father desert a kid like that? Her father had taught her how to ride but he hadn’t had much time for Joey. Didn’t matter though. She’d taught her brother, and since Joey was a better rider than her, obviously she was a better teacher than her dad.

If not for her, Joey wouldn’t even have considered jock school. She’d encouraged his love for horses. Even paid his tuition…so his disappearance was really her fault.

Tami was still rambling about junk food and misunderstood Megan’s anguished sigh. “Hey, you don’t have to worry about chocolate,” Tami said. “Weigh-ins are for jocks only. They’re competitive about everything, especially since the top student gets to go to Mexico.”

Megan made a muffled sound, hoping Tami would keep talking. Joey had mentioned the Baja Tinda, a ranch in the Baja where students were sometimes invited. He’d even worried about his passport, afraid his record might ban entry. He’d been excited, definitely not sounding like a student ready to quit.

“The school nearly lost the travel perk though,” Tami went on. “The government almost blocked foreign students too. That Joey guy caused a mess.”

“But no one’s thinking of Joey,” Megan said. “His family must be so worried—” She clamped her mouth, nearly biting her lip in the process. It wasn’t Tami’s fault. She only parroted the crazy tales.

The police confirmed Joey had accompanied Ramon, head instructor, to Mexico along with four horses. Joey had never returned. Apparently he’d deserted the truck and trailer at a small town ten miles north of the Baja Tinda Ranch, claiming he was sick of jock school.

She didn’t believe it.

He was only three months from graduating. He’d already spoken to several trainers. One had even offered a job galloping at Santa Anita. Besides, Joey would never abandon anyone. Would never abandon horses.

Not if he was clean.

She fought a traitorous sliver of doubt. Joey
was
clean. His texts had always been upbeat. There’d been no sign he was using again. Clearly he’d been enjoying the classes, the riding, the people.

“Does Ramon decide who goes to Mexico?” Megan asked. “Or is it Garrett?”

“Who knows.” Tami shrugged. “But they need two people to haul. Usually it’s the Mexicans that go but if they’re short, Ramon invites one of his better students. It’s a reward.”

“So Joey was doing well or he wouldn’t have been asked by Ramon. He couldn’t have been that wasted.”

Tami shrugged again, clearly bored with the topic. “Don’t know. But if you’re trying to wrangle a trip to Mexico, forget it. You can’t even two-point on the Equicizer.”

The Equicizer. Megan jammed her hands in her pockets. The mechanical horse was physically demanding, and she wasn’t accustomed to a tiny saddle with stunted stirrups. Her background was pure western.

She’d come from her jewelry studio with only a daily jog for exercise. Her cardiovascular fitness didn’t match the other students, most of whom had been riding daily. She’d never imagined she’d be at the back of the class, but after six days on the Equicizer she still lost her balance at speed—she, who had galloped stock horses since she was four. It was frustrating.

At first, being limited to trotting hadn’t bothered her. She didn’t want to exercise horses for a living anyway, had only wanted admission to the school. But if riding was critical to meet the jockeys—and perhaps earn a trip to Mexico—she was going to have to pick up the pace.

Ironically, she’d always been considered an excellent rider in Western disciplines. However, the exercise saddles were very different and so tiny, weighing approximately five pounds. She’d been taught to sit straight and keep her butt in the saddle. Leaning forward and standing in the stirrups was a precarious position, one she hadn’t yet mastered.

Joey would have laughed at her difficulties. Clearly, he hadn’t struggled, but he was a superb athlete with excellent balance and reflexes. He could ride anything. He probably would have made it as a jockey too—she gulped back a wave of grief and turned her head from Tami, hating how she always thought of Joey in the past tense.

Was it her subconscious saying something terrible had happened? And where was her positive thinking when she needed it most?

Ramon stalked from the grooms’ barn, sweeping both of them with an enigmatic stare. He inspected their barn every afternoon but spent most of his day teaching the jockeys. He was also the liaison with the Mexican students and the Baja Tinda. The police report stated he’d been the last person to see Joey, that he’d been the instructor Joey had abandoned, so either Joey was back on drugs…or Ramon was lying.

An odd expression flashed across Ramon’s face and for a moment, she feared he’d sensed her simmering hostility.

“Hurry it up,” he said softly. Ramon always talked in a quiet voice, yet even Lydia listened when he spoke. “Horses are hungry. And the outside water tubs need scrubbing.”

“Why us?” Tami asked. “Isn’t that grooms’ work?” She pushed back her shoulders and swished her hair.

“Why not you?” Ramon asked, unaffected by her posturing. “Exercise riders need to learn a groom’s job too. Makes for better horsemen.”

Megan forced an agreeable smile. Ramon gave her a slight nod but certainly not one that qualified as friendly. Of all the staff, he was the most difficult to approach. He was a retired jockey and a national hero in Mexico but spent the bulk of his time with his students.

It would be easier to poke around if she were in his class. Yet for jockey admission, students had to weigh less than one hundred and fifteen pounds, and there was also a height restriction of five foot six inches. At five foot seven, one hundred and twenty-two pounds, her application had been rejected.

She’d have to get to know Ramon some other way.

“I’ll clean the tubs,” she said brightly.

His eyes narrowed. “Is your name Megan? The one who just started the groom program?”

“Exercise program,” she corrected, feeling exposed beneath his penetrating stare. She and Joey didn’t really look alike but there was some resemblance, especially in the nose and mouth. Everyone said they had the same mouth.

“Why haven’t I seen you on the track?” Ramon’s eyes locked on her face.

“I’m still riding in the field,” she admitted.

“Well, if your name is Megan,” he said, “forget the tubs. Tami can do them. You need to see Garrett now. He has a friend arriving tonight so he moved up your interview.” Ramon cast her another dark stare before turning away. He walked with a faint limp and a not-so-faint swagger… a swagger that most of the jock students emulated.

Megan looked at Tami’s dismayed face. “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “I’ll clean the tubs when I come back.”

“I hope you do come back.” Tami pressed her knuckles against her mouth, her voice mournful. “You’re a cool roommate, but he was looking at you kind of weird. Maybe he knows Garrett’s going to kick you out.”

“It’ll be fine. They want my tuition money as much as anyone else’s.” She gave Tami a reassuring smile because after all, she was ten years older and supposed to be cool. But her heart hammered against her ribs because Tami was right; Ramon had been looking at her oddly.

CHAPTER FOUR

Megan trudged up Garrett’s cobblestone drive, pulling in deep breaths, trying to boost her confidence. Ramon’s odd expression might have been related to dirty water tubs, a sick horse or any number of things; it didn’t necessarily mean she’d flunked. Joey had never worried about lasting the trial period, although he probably hadn’t been stuck trotting in the field with the grooms either.

She fought another grinding fear. Had Garrett and Ramon discovered she was Joey’s sister? She’d assumed they wouldn’t make the connection since her name and address were different. She also was taller than Joey…and obviously didn’t ride like him. But her mother and step-dad were filing a lawsuit. Maybe her name had popped up on the initial papers.

She rubbed damp hands on her jeans, trying to quell paralyzing thoughts. She’d find out soon enough.

At least it was a lovely evening. A pastel sky colored the ridge and stately elms shaded the drive. A sprinkler whirred. She slowed her steps, absorbing the cooling air, the smell of budding eucalyptus, the blessed silence. It was wonderfully serene, like her studio—no students hollering, no instructors lecturing, no Tami chattering. Blissful actually. If she weren’t so apprehensive, she might have enjoyed the walk.

This was her first visit to the restricted section of the grounds. Her entrance interview with Garrett had been off campus. The property was much larger than she’d anticipated and obviously, the school was prospering. This part was like an oasis, far removed from the dust and parched grass that marked the stable area. An ornate brass sign pointed directions to the track, the dorms, the classrooms and the cowshed.

Cowshed? She’d never even seen that building. It must be behind one of the imposing grilled gates. Judging from the prices on the school website, the cattle clinics targeted an elite clientele. She took an experimental sniff but couldn’t catch a whiff of cow.

There were no signs pointing to Garrett’s house or to the luxurious villa settled to the right of the drive. This must be the back entrance, the student route. She wondered what Joey had thought when he’d made this all-important walk. Maybe he hadn’t noticed the contrast between the stark dorms and Garrett’s private property.

Joey hadn’t cared about anything but horses, not since he’d straightened out his life. So, where was he? And what the hell had happened to him? It was as if he’d fallen into a black hole.

Her fists tightened, her steps lengthening. She strode up the driveway and rapped on the thick door. Wondered what the mighty Garrett Baldwin would think if she just blurted out, ‘Where’s my brother!’

A muffled bark sounded, followed by a sharp command. The door swung open. Garrett was tall, blond and just as tanned as he’d been last month. “Come in, Megan,” he said. “Sorry I had to switch your time.”

“No problem.” She stepped into the spacious entry, her gaze shooting to the magnificent German Shepherd sitting on the cool tiles. He didn’t move but his watchful eyes and ears were locked on her face.

“Do you mind dogs?” Garrett asked. “Rex is very obedient but I can lock him up, if you prefer.”

“I love dogs,” she said, “but thanks for asking.” Twice in the last year she’d almost brought home a puppy, then decided she wasn’t ready for the commitment. Besides, a dog’s life span was short and it hurt too much when loved ones left.

Garrett shot her a relaxed smile, looking like a surfer with his golden tan and rumpled bronzed hair. “I usually do these interviews in the office but let’s sit in the den. I’ve been at my desk all day.”

She nodded, trying to settle her jangling nerves, and followed him down the cool hall. Rex’s nails clicked behind them. She scrambled to remember all the Internet details about Garrett: divorced, no kids, passionate about the race industry. But he’d sent two students home yesterday so clearly, he wasn’t a pushover.

The thin lady who’d clearly been uncomfortable with horses had been booted out as well as the curly haired man who chain smoked behind the barn. Surely the school couldn’t afford to lose three students in one week? She knew of no way to hunt down Joey other than to start at the spot where he’d disappeared.

Garrett gestured at the sofa. She sat, keeping her arms loose, hoping he wouldn’t sense her desperation. He lowered himself on a chair and thumbed through several files, obviously searching for her progress report. Rex sniffed curiously at her jeans and she patted his big head, grateful for the diversion.

“You initially applied for the jockey program,” Garrett finally said, “but didn’t meet the physical requirements.” He lifted his head, his eyes narrowing. “Now that you’ve been here a week, do you think you’ll be happy galloping horses for a living?”

“Oh, yes,” she said. “I love being around horses. I’m not used to the short stirrups but it’s getting a lot better.” She crossed her fingers at the blatant lie. She didn’t feel like she was improving, not a bit.

He smiled, but not unkindly. “Lydia tells me you’re having a little difficulty with the position. A lot of experienced riders have trouble, especially dressage and some of the western disciplines.”

“That’s good to know.” She let out a cautious breath. “I feel like I’ve never been on a horse before. Lydia said I was the worst she’d ever seen.”

His face flashed with amusement. “Lydia tends to exaggerate, but she does a heck of a job teaching. A bit of fear is often good for the younger students.”

The tension in Megan’s shoulders eased a notch. She leaned forward and scratched the itchy spot at the base of Rex’s left ear. It didn’t sound as if Garrett were going to kick her out. In fact, he seemed rather friendly. Too friendly? His warm gaze lingered on her breasts, and she wished she hadn’t followed Tami’s suggestion about wearing a low-cut shirt.

“Remember it’s about balance, not grip,” he added, glancing back at her resume. “I see you finished high school ten years ago and have been working at your family ranch. Have you thought about building on your program? Our courses are recognized at Bay University. A degree would open up more opportunities in the equine field.”

His voice strengthened with sincerity and she swallowed, hating to lie. She’d neglected to list her fine arts degree from Berkeley. Garrett may have earned his reputation as a womanizer, but he seemed to genuinely care about the future of his students.

“I can’t afford to go to school for longer than six months.” She scratched harder at Rex’s ear, avoiding Garrett’s gaze. “I just need to finish the exercise rider program and find a job.”