Mystery of the Midnight Rider (8 page)

“Go.” Bess gave me a little shove. “Have a nice time.” She pulled me back toward her, gave a sniff, and wrinkled her nose. “But for Pete’s sake, stop off at home and take a shower first. You smell like a horse!”

*****

"This is nice,” I said, reaching for my water glass. The ice cubes clinked against the crystal as I took a sip. I glanced around. We were seated in the crowded dining room of the most popular Italian restaurant in River Heights. “I can’t believe you actually got us a table here on a Friday night.”

Across from me, Ned looked happy and handsome as he lifted his own water glass in a toast. “Only the best for you,” he said with a wink. Then he chuckled. “But seriously, it’s only because my mom plays tennis with the owner. Don’t tell Bess that, though.”

"Your secret’s safe with me.” My smile faded as I returned my attention to my pasta. It was delicious, even though I could barely remember ordering it. In fact, I’d spent most of the two-plus hours since leaving the show grounds only half-focused on what I was doing. The rest of my mind kept returning to the case. The Grand Prix was tomorrow night, and I had no idea when the powers that be would make their decision about whether Payton and Midnight could still enter. If I didn’t figure something out fast, there was a chance Payton could miss her chance to impress the Olympic chef d’equipe. And I didn’t want that to happen if I could help it.

It took me a moment to realize that Ned had said something. Blinking, I shot him a sheepish smile. “What? Um, sorry. Guess I’m a little distracted.”

He looked sympathetic “I hear you. I’m worried about Payton too.”

I reached over and squeezed his hand, grateful as always that he was so understanding about my sleuthing. "Thanks. It’s just that we don’t have much time, and—”

"I know.” Ned speared a meatball with his fork. "I called Mom and Dad to tell them Dana would be dropping Payton off when they finished for the day. They asked how everything went, but I didn’t mention that slashed-up saddle. Now I’m wondering
if
it’s a mistake to keep it from them. Whoever did that has some serious anger issues.”

“Maybe Payton will tell them when she gets home,” I said.

“Maybe.” Ned sounded dubious. “But she’s the one who didn’t even want to tell her parents about that note.” He sighed, setting down his fork. "I’m thinking it might be almost time to bring in the police.”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t really disagree with his point.

"Things just aren’t coming together,” I mused, staring at my plate. "There are a lot of people on our suspect list, but none of them quite fits all the evidence.”

"I know. Like that girl Jessica—she’s got a motive, but she wasn’t at the show where Midnight got drugged,” Ned said. “Plus,
could she really sneak into Dana’s bam in broad daylight to slash that saddle or tamper with Midnight’s feed without anyone seeing her?”

“I’m not sure. We did see her outside right after those horses were let loose. But what about those threatening notes? I’m not even sure she’s old enough to
drive—how would she follow Pay
ton all the way back to your house?”

"Unless she’s teaming up with that other trainer like you said,” Ned said.

I nodded. I’d filled Ned in on our latest theories on the ride over. "These big-time trainers all seem to attend most of the same shows, so I’m guessing Lenny was probably at the one in question,” I said. “But everyone says he’s super successful in the show world. Would he really risk his whole reputation on this kind of garbage, just to take out a teenager?”

Ned shrugged. “Okay, change of pace—how about those animal protester people?”

"You mean PAN?” We’d passed the protesters on our way out of the show, though I’d noticed that Annie Molina wasn’t with them. “I don’t know. I’m not sure they’d be likely to target any particular person, and so far everything seems to be aimed at Payton.”

"Good point.” Ned reached for the salt. "They did throw that tomato, though, right?”

"Yeah, but we’re wondering if someone put them up to it.” That made me realize we’d never followed up on that particular angle. I made a mental note to try to talk to Annie or one of her cohorts the next day.

"Okay,” Ned said. "So other than Lenny and Jessica, who else have you got? What about that Cal Kidd guy? Or Dana? Or the groom?”

"All still on the list.” I sighed. "It’s just that none of them quite . . . hold on.” My phone was buzzing from my purse. Fishing it out, I saw that I’d just received a text. It was from Payton:

NANCY, SORRY 2 BOTHER U—I’M STILL AT THE SHOW, EVERYONE ELSE WENT HOME, & NOW I THINK SOMEONE IS STALKING ME!

Signing Statement

“CAN’T YOU DRIVE ANY FASTER?” I COMPLAINED, gripping the armrest of Ned’s car.

“Not without breaking the sound barrier.” Ned spun the steering wheel, sending his car screeching into the fairgrounds’ parking lot. It was a much different sight from the one we’d left a couple of hours earlier. Only a few cars were still parked there, along with several large horse trailers hulking in the pale floodlights positioned here and there throughout the lot.

Ned screeched to a stop near the gate, not bothering to park between the lines. “Let’s go,” I said, hopping out of the car.

We sprinted in through the gate, the guard barely looking up as we passed. “Where did she say she was?” Ned asked.

“She didn’t.” I put on a burst of speed. "Let’s check Dana’s barn. If Payton’s not there, I’ll text her again.”

We burst into the barn. It was dim and quiet in there, the only light coming from a few safety bulbs in the aisle.

"Payton!” Ned hollered. “Where are you? It’s Ned and Nancy! Payton!”

I held my breath, listening for a response. “There,” I said, spinning and pointing toward the tack stall. "I heard footsteps.”

"Payton?” Ned hurried that way. Halfway there, he skidded to a stop as Mickey emerged, rubbing his eyes.

"Hello?” the groom said, sounding sleepy. "What’s all the shouting about?”

“Mickey!” I rushed over to him. “Have you seen Payton?”

“Payton?” Mickey blinked at me. “What do you mean? I thought she left with Dana and the others an hour ago.”

I pulled out my cell phone and sent Payton a text: WHERE ARE U?

"If everyone else left an hour ago, what are you still doing here?” Ned asked Mickey, sounding suspicious.

Mickey was looking more awake by the second. "I stay here every night,” he said. “Extra security. Dana doesn’t want to take the chance of anyone messing with the horses overnight.”

I couldn’t help thinking he wasn’t doing such a hot job as an amateur security guard. He hadn’t even known Payton was still here.

Unless he’s the one who was stalking her
, I thought with a shiver.

"Any response yet?” Ned asked, glancing at the phone in my hand.

I shook my head. “Let’s check her horses’ stalls. Maybe she’s in with one of
them.”

Leaving a confused-looking Mickey behind, we jogged down the aisle. The first stall we checked contained only a sleepy-looking gray mare.

“Midnight’s stall is right over there.” I hurried across the aisle and peered inside. "Payton!”

"Nancy!” Payton was leaning against Midnight’s side. She straightened up and came to the d
oor. "Thanks for coming. I’m re
ally sorry to bother you guys—Bess told me you were out on a date.”

"It’s no problem.” Ned undipped the stall guard to let her out. "What happened?”

Payton bit her lip. "I kind of lost track of time and never told Dana I needed a ride,” she admitted. “By the time I realized it, everyone was gone.”

"You could have called my parents,” Ned said. "They’d come get you. Or I would have.”

“I know. I was planning to call your dad.” Payton glanced at Midnight, who was hanging his head out over the door as if
listening to the conversation. "I was just going to say good night to the horses first. I was coming out of Midnight’s stall when I saw someone in the aisle.”

"Was it Mickey?” I asked.

Payton shook her head. "That’s what I thought at first, but it wasn’t him. I called out, and instead of answering, the person ran away.”

"What did he look like?” I said. "Was it definitely a man?”

“I think so—I’m not sure.” Payton bit her lip again. "I really didn’t get a good look. It was pretty dark. But it looked like a big guy with broad shoulders. Maybe bald?” She shrugged. “Like I said, it was hard to see, and I guess I wasn’t thinking too clearly. . . .”

"It’s okay.” I put an arm around her shoulders. “Are you sure it wasn’t show security or something?”

"I don’t think so. Why would a security guard run away as soon as I said something to him?” Payton sounded shaken. “Anyway, I wasn’t sure what to do. I was still standing here in the aisle when I heard a weird whistle.”

“A whistle?” Ned echoed. “What do you mean?”

"It’s hard to describe. It sounded like some kind of—of signal or something, you know? Like in the movies?” Payton let out a low two-note whistle, then shook her head. "I know that sounds

crazy.”

"Not really,” I said. "Not after everything else that’s happened around here lately.”

She nodded. “Anyway, I was kind of spooked. So I ducked back into Midnight’s stall and hid behind him while I texted you.”

“I’m glad you did.” I glanced at Ned. "Speaking of show security, maybe we should let them know about this. They can keep a lookout for this guy. They might’ve noticed him entering or leaving the grounds.”

“I’ll run over to the gate and talk to the guard there,” Ned offered. "You guys should probably stay with Mickey until I get back.”

“Okay.” As he hurried away, Payton and I headed toward the tack room. Mickey was still in the aisle where we’d left him.

"What’s going on?” he asked, sounding totally awake by now. “Payton? I didn’t know you were here.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” Payton smiled weakly. “I should have remembered you’d be around and come to find you. Then I wouldn’t have had to bother Nancy and Ned.”

“It’s okay, we really don’t mind.” I steered her into the tack room and over to a chair. "You should sit down fora minute.”

Mickey followed us in, perching on the edge of a cot that was
now sitting in the middle of the small room. "Is someone going to tell me what this is all about?”

I filled him in on what Payton had just told me. “Have you seen or heard anything unusual tonight?” I asked.

“Not a thing, sorry.” Mickey shot Payton a worried look. “Are you sure it wasn’t me you saw?” he asked. “I was pretty tired when I made my rounds last time. Might not have heard you.”

"It definitely wasn’t you,” Payton told the groom with a shaky smile. "This guy was a lot bigger t
han you. Plus, he definitely re
acted when he realized I’d seen him.” She glanced at me. "Still, I’m starting to wonder if I panicked for no reason. Maybe it was just some local guy poking around after hours out of curiosity. He might’ve been as scared as I was.”

"What about that weird whistle?” I asked.

“Maybe it was a bird?” She stifled a yawn. "Like I said, I was kind of panicked, so I didn’t know what I was hearing at that point.”

Just then Ned rushed into the tack room. “Alerted the guards,” he said breathlessly. "They’ll be on the lookout. Also, Dana just called.”

“She called you?” Payton asked in surprise.

"Yeah. I guess she’s been trying to reach you, but couldn’t get
an answer.

“Oops.” Payton reached into her pocket. "I forgot, I turned off my phone when I hid in Midnight’s stall.” She looked sheepish. "I was afraid it would ring and give away where I was hiding. So what did Dana want?” She looked apprehensive, and I couldn’t blame her. In her current condition, the last thing Payton needed was another scolding from her trainer.

But I felt better when I noticed that Ned was grinning. “She was calling with good news,” he said. “She just heard from the show officials or whoever. You guys are in for the Grand Prix tomorrow!”

“What?” Payton looked startled.

"That’s great news!” I exclaimed. “So they decided not to suspend?”

“That’s right.” Ned flopped into another chair. “You guys know how fast Dana talks—I couldn’t keep up with all of what she was saying. But I guess the fact that the levels were so low, plus your good reps, made them decide in your favor.”

I shot a look at Mickey. The groom looked thoughtful, but his weathered face was difficult to read beyond that. Was he thinking that his plan had failed? I just couldn’t tell.

“Wow,” Payton said. “I can’t believe this.”

My attention shifted back to her. "You don’t look as thrilled as I
thought you’d be,” I said. “Aren’t you happy that you’ll get to ride in the Grand Prix?”

"Sure, of course,” Payton said quickly. "It’s just that this has all been so crazy, you know?”

“What do you mean?” Ned asked.

Payton sighed. “I feel bad for putting Dana through so much trouble. She likes a drama-free barn—that’s why she won’t take on just anyone as a client, no matter how talented they are. Like, have you guys ever heard of Cal Kidd?”

"As a matter of fact, we have.” I was surprised that she even had to ask. Then I realized I hadn’t yet had a chance to mention my suspicions to her. “Urn, what about him?”

“I heard he wanted to train with Dana for his big comeback,” Payton said. “I guess they’ve known each other for a long time or something—at least that’s what I heard.” She added, "But he has kind of a bad rep from his gambling days—too much drama and gossip—so Dana turned him down.”

“She did?” This added yet another new wrinkle to things. Could we be looking at this all wrong? C
ould Cal be our culprit—but try
ing to punish Dana rather than Payton?

"Interesting you should mention Kidd,” Mickey spoke up, breaking me out of my thoughts. "I caught him skulking around
here last night after hours.”

"You did?” I spun to face him. “What happened?”

"Just what I said.” The groom shrugged. "I was making the rounds right after everyone left, and saw him hanging around near the feed room. When I asked what he was doing there, Kidd refused to answer and took off.”

"Interesting.” I shot Ned a meaningful look. "Um, come on, Payton. We’d better get you home.”

“Right.” Ned clapped Mickey on the shoulder. "Thanks
for your
help.”

“Sure,” Mickey murmured, stifling a yawn.

Leaving him to his cot, Ned and Payton and I headed out. Soon we were outside in the cool evening air. Nobody was in sight out there; the only activity was a cat stalking something in the shadow
of the
next barn.

"That’s it, then!” I blurted out. “I bet Cal Kidd is our culprit!” "Exactly what I was thinking,” Ned agreed.

Payton wrinkled her brow. "What are you guys talking about?”

"It all makes sense!” I was feeling excited now. "All this time we’ve been thinking the mischief around here has been aimed at you. But it’s really been aimed at
D
an
a
!
Cal must be mad at Dana for turning him down, so he’s trying to get back at her.”

"I don’t understand,” Payton said, shaking her head. “Most of the stuff hasn’t had anything to do with Dana.”

“Sure it has. Any sabotage of her star rider could be considered sabotage of her as well.” My mind raced as I tried to fit all the pieces together. “And what about those loose horses? We thought whoever let them out was targeting you, because one of them was from Dana’s barn and looked a little like Midnight. But maybe the Midnight thing was a
coincidence. Maybe the only im
portant thing was that the horse came from Dana’s barn.”

“But about Midnight.
.,” Ned began.

“I was just getting to that,” I said. “The suspension thing works too. Because as Midnight’s trainer, Dana was the one who’d pay the price if the horse got suspended. It all makes perfect sense!” “Okay, I see what you’re getting at,” Payton said. “And it
would
make perfect sense. Except that everyone on the circuit knows I always sign the entry forms as my own trainer.”

That brought me up short. “What?”

Payton nodded. “I sign my own entry forms. There was even an article about it in one
of the
industry magazines just last month. So I’m sure someone like Cal probably knows about it.”

I was struggling to catch up to this new twist. "Wait, but someone told us it’s always the trainer who signs,” I said.

"Yeah, that’s the normal way.” Payton glanced at Ned with the ghost of a smile. “But you know my parents don’t believe in doing things the normal way. They’ve always insisted I sign for myself. Dana wasn’t thrilled about that at first. In fact, I was afraid that drama might get me kicked out before my first show with Dana.”

“I still don’t get it,” I said. "Why would your parents even care who signs some horse show entry form?”

“I don’t know. I guess it’s supposed to teach me to be responsible for myself, or more independent, or something,” Payton replied. "Just another part of the Evans Edge.”

"Can you even do that, though?” Ned wondered. “I mean, you’re still a minor.”

"You’re right, actually my parents have to sign too because of my age,” Payton amended. “But in their eyes,
I'm
the one who’s ultimately responsible.” She glanced at me. “So anyway, this means that even if Midnight had ended up suspended, Dana would have been in the clear. I’m the only one who would’ve been in trouble.”

“Oh.” I thought about that for a second. “And you’re sure Cal would know about that? You said he’s been away from the show scene for a while.”

"That doesn’t matter,” Payton said. “The gambling stuff was
only part of the reason Dana didn’t want Cal in her barn. The other reason is that he’s supposed to be some huge gossip. Trust me, he’s got to know.”

My shoulders slumped. “Okay, so much for that theory,” I muttered. Come to think of it, maybe I’d been too quick to latch onto it anyway. After all, those threatening notes didn’t really fit either. Why would someone targeting Dana leave them in such obscure spots, knowing that Payton might not even tell her trainer about them?

Ned stifled a yawn. “Okay, back to the drawing board, I guess,” he said. “Maybe we should all head home and sleep on it.”

“But what about your date?” Payton sounded worried as we headed toward the parking lot. "I didn’t mean to ruin it.”

"It’s okay, we were almost finished anyway,” I said.

"Yeah.” Ned grinned at Payton. "Although I was kind of looking forward to dessert. You can make it up to me by giving me half of yours next time our families go out together.”

That actually made Payton laugh. "It’s a deal.”