Photo Finish (10 page)

“Who’s Duncan Gibbs?” Max asked.

“Oh, he’s just a jockey we met,” Stevie explained quickly. “Stephen knows him.”

Luckily Max didn’t question them any further—it was time for the start of the race. Cheers rang out from the crowd as the horses emerged onto the track for the post parade, before warming up and heading for the starting gate. Everyone in the place seemed to be having a good time, and The Saddle Club was no exception. They forgot
all about moldy hay and mysterious motives as the horses warmed up and then were loaded into the starting gate. A few seconds later the horses were in the gate, a bell rang, and the race began. Stevie, Carole, and Lisa cheered as loudly as anyone. Lisa took a few pictures of the race, although she was afraid that she was too far away to get any really good shots.

When it was over, they watched the winning horse stand in the winner’s circle to have its picture taken. They also noticed with some satisfaction that Duncan Gibbs’s mount had come in last. After discussing the race with Max for a few minutes, the girls remembered their mission and excused themselves, saying they wanted to walk around and see the sights.

“All right,” Max said. “Just be sure to meet back here before the fourth race. That’s the one Hold Fast is in.”

“We’ll be here,” Stevie promised. Then The Saddle Club left the box and made their way to the top level of the clubhouse stands, where they could see all the seats below them.

“Now what?” Carole asked. “We still don’t know what Mr. Kennemere looks like.”

“Besides, if he has a horse running in the next race, he’s probably in the paddock or somewhere,” Lisa pointed out.

“Wrong,” Stevie said triumphantly. She had just spotted Kelly Kennemere’s blond head in a box not far from where the girls were standing. Sitting beside Kelly was a
portly, balding man in his fifties. “That must be him right there.”

She started down the steps toward the box, but Lisa put out a hand to stop her. “I really don’t think we should bother him right now,” she said. “The race starts in less than ten minutes. Let’s try to talk to him afterward.”

“Well, all right,” Stevie said. “But you’d better hope his horse doesn’t win, or he’ll disappear down to the winner’s circle and we’ll lose our chance.”

The Saddle Club wandered around the clubhouse for the few minutes remaining, then went back outside to watch the race. Mr. Kennemere’s horse didn’t win, but it came in second.

“Come on,” Stevie said, heading toward the Kennemeres’ box.

Carole and Lisa exchanged nervous glances and followed.

When they reached the box, Mr. Kennemere was chattering excitedly to his daughter about the race. Kelly was nodding and smiling.

“She’s actually very pretty when she smiles, isn’t she?” Lisa observed to Carole in a whisper.

Meanwhile Stevie had stepped up to Mr. Kennemere’s seat and cleared her throat. Mr. Kennemere looked up at her expectantly, a happy expression on his genial face. “Yes? What can I do for you, young lady?” he asked in a deep, booming voice with a touch of a southern accent.

“Hi there, Mr. Kennemere. We’re friends of Mr.
McLeod’s, and—” Stevie stopped and bit her lip, annoyed with herself. She hadn’t meant to say anything to let him know they were connected with Monkeyshines, at least not right away. Now Mr. Kennemere might have his guard up and be less likely to say something incriminating. She decided just to continue, hoping he hadn’t heard her.

But he had. “David McLeod!” Mr. Kennemere shouted cheerfully. “How is that old rascal doing? I haven’t seen him since the Derby! I can’t wait to see him today after the Preakness—from my spot in the winner’s circle, that is!” He grinned and elbowed his daughter, who smiled weakly. Stevie noticed that Kelly, for one, didn’t seem pleased to see The Saddle Club.

That gave her added confidence, and she pressed on. “Well, anyway, we just wanted to come over and congratulate you on your horse coming in second just now.”

“Why, thank you, young lady.” Mr. Kennemere beamed at her. “He’s a fine colt. We have high hopes for him.”

Stevie moved a little closer, staring into his eyes. “Although you probably would have liked it better if he had come in first, right? You probably don’t like to have your horses come in second, do you?”

Mr. Kennemere let out a laugh, as deep and booming as his voice. “Well, sure I’d like it if my horses won every time, honey!” he exclaimed. “But racing just doesn’t work that way, I’m afraid.” He gave Stevie a wink and a
grin. “Just ask your pal David McLeod about that, eh? Ask him how he liked coming in second to my colt in the Derby!” He burst out laughing again.

“Um …” Stevie thought fast. She had the sinking feeling that she was losing control of this conversation. She had to get Mr. Kennemere talking about the upcoming race. There was no time to be subtle. “So, then, how do you think you’ll feel if Garamond loses to Monkeyshines today?” she asked.

Mr. Kennemere stopped laughing and assumed a serious expression, though the girls could still see a twinkle in his eye. “Well, now, that would be a shame,” he said. “You see, David and I have a little private bet on today’s race, don’t we, sweetheart?” He nudged Kelly again, and she nodded.

“A private bet?” Lisa said. “What is it?”

“Well, I suppose it would be all right if I told you.” Mr. Kennemere leaned a little closer. “Whoever loses has to dress up in a butler’s uniform and serve refreshments at the winner’s victory party!” He chuckled again, and even Kelly smiled a little.

Carole smiled too. It was hard to picture the serious and dignified Mr. McLeod dressed up as a servant, carrying a tray of appetizers. She had the funniest feeling that the bet had been Mr. Kennemere’s idea. And she also had the feeling that this jolly, friendly man couldn’t possibly be behind any sort of plot against Monkeyshines.

However, Stevie hadn’t given up yet. “So you’d really be upset if Monkeyshines were to win, right?”

“Upset? Of course I’d be upset!” Mr. Kennemere roared good-naturedly. “I’d miss out on the chance to see David scurrying around in a penguin suit!”

“No,” Stevie said frantically, “that’s not what I mean. I mean you’d probably even be willing to do something to make sure your horse wins the race.”

Mr. Kennemere looked puzzled. “I’m not sure what you’re driving at, honey. Of course I do everything I can to make sure my horses are ready to race—doesn’t everyone?”

“No, no, that’s not what I mean. I mean you might even consider, um, having someone do something to Monkeyshines—maybe even feed him some moldy hay to make him sick before the race,” Stevie said. As soon as the words had left her mouth, Stevie wished she could take them back. She had meant to question Mr. Kennemere so subtly that he’d have no idea it was happening—not blurt out their suspicions point-blank.

Carole and Lisa gaped. They couldn’t believe Stevie had just blurted out their suspicions either. They turned to Mr. Kennemere, wondering if he would react angrily.

But he just continued to look confused. “Moldy hay?” he repeated. “What in the great green world are you talking about, sweetheart? Who’s been eating moldy hay?”

Stevie stared at her feet, her face red. “Uh, we found some in Monkeyshines’s stall this morning. We thought
someone in your barn might have had something to do with it,” she mumbled, wishing she could sink through the floor.

Mr. Kennemere was shaking his head, looking concerned. “Monkeyshines ate some moldy hay?” he asked. “Is he all right?”

“He’s fine, sir,” Stevie said. She glanced at Kelly out of the corner of her eye and saw that the young woman was frowning. That gave her new determination. Even if Mr. Kennemere didn’t know anything about the incident, it didn’t necessarily mean his daughter was innocent as well. “We do have reason to think someone connected with Garamond might have been involved though. Maybe even your daughter.”

Kelly sat up straighter in her seat, looking startled, but she didn’t say anything.

“Oh, really?” Mr. Kennemere said, beginning to smile again. “Let’s hear your reasons.”

“First of all,” Stevie said, “Kelly didn’t seem to want us around last night when we went to look at Garamond—especially when she heard we were friends of Mr. McLeod’s. Then this morning, after we found the hay, we saw her again, and she seemed really nervous.” Stevie paused to let that sink in. “And finally,” she continued, “we saw her having a secret meeting with Monkeyshines’s groom, who we think might be in cahoots with her.”

Carole had been watching Kelly Kennemere carefully
throughout Stevie’s speech. The young woman’s face had been growing redder and redder with every word, so that in the end she looked as if she were about to explode. Carole raised her eyebrows. Maybe Stevie’s suspicions were right!

“Daddy, I have something to tell you,” Kelly blurted out suddenly.

The Saddle Club exchanged a triumphant look. She was about to confess!

But the girls were as surprised as Mr. Kennemere at Kelly’s next words. “I’ve got a new boyfriend,” she said. “Well, actually not that new—we’ve been seeing each other for a couple of months now. But I’ve been keeping it a secret because I wasn’t sure you’d approve. He’s not the kind of guy I usually date—he didn’t even go to college.”

“What?” Mr. Kennemere exclaimed. “Who is it, sweetie?”

Kelly took a deep breath. “It’s Eddie Hernandez—he’s the groom these girls were talking about. We’re in love.”

Stevie’s jaw dropped. Carole gasped. Lisa almost dropped her camera in surprise. “You and Eddie are—a couple?” Stevie stammered.

Kelly nodded. “Sorry to blow your theory. I’m not your horse poisoner. But I
have
been sneaking around. And any contact with people from Maskee Farms makes me nervous, for obvious reasons.” She turned to her father. “Just today Eddie was trying to convince me that it was
time to stop hiding our relationship.” She glanced at The Saddle Club. “I guess that’s when these girls saw us. But I was just so afraid you’d be mad, Daddy.”

By this time Mr. Kennemere had recovered from his initial surprise. For a second his mouth turned down in a frown. “Well, I’ll admit I’m a little disappointed—”

“I knew it,” Kelly interrupted. “I knew you wouldn’t approve!”

“Hold on, sweetheart,” Mr. Kennemere said. “You didn’t let me finish. I’m disappointed only that you kept this from me.” His face broke into a wide smile. “But how could I be mad that my only daughter is in love? And with an honest and hardworking fellow like young Hernandez, no less?”

“Really?” Kelly said. “You approve of Eddie even though he’s only a groom? You really do?”

“Of course!” Mr. Kennemere boomed. “I’ve known the young man for some time now—through David McLeod, of course. He swears by Eddie Hernandez—after all, he trusts him completely with Monkeyshines.” He paused. “But how did you meet him, Kelly?”

“We met when I flew down to Hialeah to visit you for my spring break,” Kelly explained. “Eddie was there with Monkeyshines then.” She looked over at The Saddle Club and smiled. “Hialeah is a racetrack in Florida,” she explained. “And by the way, thanks for your snooping. I guess I underestimated my father.”

“I guess you did, my dear!” Mr. Kennemere said with a
grin. “But never mind. This is wonderful news. Just wonderful.” He reached out to give his daughter a hug. The Saddle Club watched, feeling a little touched in spite of themselves.

The tender moment was interrupted by a loud nasal voice from the aisle. It was Kent Calhoun, the reporter. “Excuse me, Mr. Kennemere,” he said loudly. “Could I have a word with you about the Preakness?”

“Come on,” Carole whispered to her friends. “I think that’s our cue to leave.” The Saddle Club crept away as Kent Calhoun began to question Mr. Kennemere about Garamond’s chances.

“W
ELL
,
SO MUCH
for most of our suspects,” Stevie exclaimed in disgust when the girls were back inside the clubhouse. “It wasn’t Mr. Kennemere, or Kelly Kennemere,
or
Eddie.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t Eddie,” Carole said. “I always knew he was too nice to be a horse poisoner.”

“Me too,” Lisa agreed. “But we do still have one suspect left, and he’s not so nice.”

“Duncan Gibbs,” Stevie said with a nod. “It has to be him.”

“But how can we prove it?” Carole said. She pulled her program out of her pocket and flipped through it. “He’s riding in three or four other races today. He won’t have time to do anything suspicious.”

Stevie thought for a second. “I have an idea. Let’s go
talk to some of the other jockeys. They must know Duncan pretty well. Maybe one of them can give us some clues. Maybe he even told one of them about his plot.”

Carole and Lisa shrugged. Stevie’s plan sounded a little farfetched, but they couldn’t think of anything better to suggest.

They walked to the stable area, showing their special passes. After the frenzy of the stands, the stable area seemed relatively peaceful. The girls took up a position outside the jockeys’ room just beyond the paddock and waited for someone to come out.

They didn’t have long to wait. Less than five minutes later a small, wiry, red-haired man came out of the building. Stevie hurried forward to meet him.