The Michaela Bancroft Mysteries 1-3 (34 page)

"Soon." Audrey checked her watch. She
glanced around.

"You sure you're okay?" Michaela asked.
Poor Audrey. How was she going to tell her what Hudson Drake had related about
Bob? She had to, though. It wasn't something that could wait.

"Sure. A bit nervous is all. You know, for Olivia."

"She'll be great," Kathleen said and
tilted the light pink hat she wore with her matching Chanel suit. "I know
it. My girl can sing. And, my horse can run. Going to kick Hugh's horse's ass.
He'd better anyway. I'd love to see Hugh eat crow, along with that two-bit
whore he married."

"Now Kathleen," Audrey said, "I
thought you were past being bitter."

"Bitterness has nothing to do with the truth.
And you know that I'm saying the truth. You know, I really don't want to be
angry at Hugh or bitter about any of it. I wish I could let it all go. Wash my
hands. It's crazy, but I still love him. He was the love of my life. How can
you be married to someone for twenty-five years and then throw it away?"

Audrey sipped her champagne but didn't respond.

"Look ladies, I think the show is about to
start. Audrey, would you mind pouring me another glass of champagne?"
Kathleen handed her the glass. Michaela walked over to the champagne with
Audrey, who leaned in and whispered in Michaela's ear as an announcer bellowed
from the infield, "She gets tipsy easily, and then she gets on the Hugh
kick and there's no stopping her. Be prepared. I can't tell you how many nights
in recent months have started out with her in a great mood, only to turn dark
as soon as she's knocked back a few and started walking down memory lane."

"I think I can handle it," Michaela
said. "Look, there's something I have to tell you—"

"Hurry up, ladies. Sit, sit," Kathleen
ordered.

"Can it wait? I think we better take a seat
and prepare for the entertainment," Audrey replied.

Could it wait? Michaela struggled with that for a
minute. She could tell Audrey about her brother now and have her fretting
during Olivia's performance, possibly ruining the experience for her completely,
or she could at least wait until Olivia was finished. It wasn't as if Audrey
could do anything about her brother at that moment anyway. "Sure, it can
wait."

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman. It's a
great day for the races, isn't it?" The crowd's applause and cheers echoed
through the stands at the announcer's intro.

Michaela noticed that Audrey took another sip of
champagne but did not applaud, while Kathleen on the other hand was squealing
with delight.

"You should be really proud of
yourself," Michaela told Audrey, hoping to ease her nerves about Olivia's
performance.

Before Audrey could reply, the announcer welcomed
"Up-and-coming superstar Olivia Bowen," to the stage.

The crowd went nuts again, especially Kathleen,
who cried, "That's my baby! That's my girl!"

Olivia appeared on stage, her ethereal beauty
causing many to pause and study her. "Hi everyone," she said, seeming
uncomfortable.

"Goodness. I told her not to wear that. She
is such a beautiful girl. Why does she have to cover herself up in a
frock?" Kathleen turned to Audrey.

"You know that Olivia is shy. It's her
nature, Kathleen. You may have to accept that. It doesn't take away the fact
that she has talent."

"You think that Simpson girl has any talent?
Ha! My daughter is far prettier and more talented, but you know why that
blondie is always topping the charts? It's because she knows how to work
it." Kathleen muttered something under her breath. Michaela couldn't hear
what she said, but it likely wasn't a pleasantry.

Michaela squeezed Audrey's arm as Kathleen turned
back to watch Olivia sing her first song: a beautiful rendition of "Blue
Moon." "Don't listen to her. You're doing everything right for Olivia
and you know it. It's the way you've always been with us kids. Well, I guess
I'm not a kid anymore."

"Oh, honey, you'll always be a kid to me. But
what do you mean?"

"I mean, you've always let us be exactly who
we wanted to be. You allowed me to explore various aspects of riding and I
wound up finding my niche in reining. I'm sure you would have liked to see me
go down the path of say, maybe hunter jumping, or even racing?"

Audrey smiled at her. "Hmm. That
is
what I had in mind."

"Right. But I would have been the tallest
jockey in town. Granted I'm no giant, but not many are five foot six."
Michaela pointed at her. "Regardless, you still let me go where I needed
and wanted to, and that is what you're doing for Olivia."

"I don't know about that."

When Olivia finished with "Blue Moon,"
she played an original song of hers, which was more upbeat, and she had the
crowd on their feet clapping. Kathleen turned. "Amazing. She is amazing. I
know she's going to be a superstar."

Once Olivia was done with her set, Steve Benz came
on and rocked the crowd with his mixture of good looks, rock 'n' roll moves,
and sweet southern sound. Even so, Michaela's brief encounter with him had
soured her on enjoying his performance.

"I can see why he's a star," Kathleen
said as he left the stage. "I think I'll go and refresh my drink, maybe
see if I can spot anyone I know before the race starts, and get a look at
Halliday." She held up a pair of crossed fingers. "Come with
me?"

Before Audrey could respond, Michaela said,
"I think we have some bets to place, don't we, Audrey?" She wanted a
chance to speak with her about Bob.

"We do."

"I'm sure you're betting on my horse, aren't
you? The odds are in Halliday's favor."

"Of course," Audrey replied as they left
the box.

They entered the betting lines. Standing in line,
Michaela turned to her. "Audrey, when was the last time you spoke
with—"

"Audrey!" an older man shouted out as he
approached them. Michaela recognized Hugh Bowen. She glanced at Audrey and
caught a genuine smile spreading across her friend's face. That was the first
time today that Audrey had
really
smiled, and it lit her up.

Hugh leaned in and kissed Audrey's cheek, then
Michaela's. His thick silver hair, dark brown eyes, and navy blazer paired with
khakis gave him quite the distinguished look. He definitely appeared happier
than his ex-wife. "Olivia was wonderful up there. I am so proud of her and
everything you've done," he said.

"I haven't really done anything," she
replied.

He waved a hand at her. "Nonsense. I take it
you're in Kathleen's box?"

"We are." Audrey sighed.

Hugh placed a hand on Michaela's shoulder.
"So, you two are coming by tomorrow to take a look at some of my retirees,
huh? Audrey mentioned your new venture into giving riding lessons."

"I've got a couple of students right now, and
may be taking on some more," Michaela replied.

"Sounds great. I think I have some horses
that might work for you. So, Kathleen pressuring you to bet on Halliday, I
suppose? It's not a bad bet. But you may want to put some money down on my
guy—Flashing Chico. I've got a good feeling about him, and I've got one of the best
jockeys around up on him—Enrique Perez. The man can ride. Plus, I've been
watching this horse out on the track every morning this week and he has it.
It's a gut thing. His times have been phenomenal. Since your brother had me put
him on Eq Tech's new supplement, I think it really is improving this horse's
speed. I'm a real believer in that stuff."

"Bobby is here today, isn't he?" Audrey
asked. "He's vetting the track, right?" she asked, a note of
apprehension to her voice.

Michaela looked at Hugh Bowen. Did he know that
Bob hadn't shown up at work? Oh no. Maybe she should have told Audrey before
now. She wanted to jump in and tell her what Hudson Drake had told her, but she
couldn't find the words.

"Should be. I haven't seen him. I missed the
vet check earlier, but I'm sure my trainer and jockey saw him. He's probably
swamped. You know what it's like. He's probably busy testing and checking
everything. Quit worrying about him. He's doing great. I saw him the other day
and he's fine. Trust me, the man is back on his feet again."

Michaela swallowed hard. Hugh had seen Bob the
other day? Which day? This was getting really complicated. How would she break
it to Audrey that it wasn't looking as though her brother was really back on
his feet, but had taken a step backward?

"I can thank you for that, too," Audrey
replied.

"Audrey, I don't know why you won't ever take
any credit. You do so much for everyone." He reached out and took her
hand. The touch was somehow intimate, and the way they looked at each other further
cemented that thought in Michaela's mind. She noticed Hugh squeeze Audrey's
hand and then let it go, the two of them smiling at each other.

Okay,
something
was going on between these
two. Michaela wasn't quite sure what it was, but her friend had some explaining
to do about Hugh.

"Hughie, sweetie, c'mon. They're about to
run. Let's go." They all turned around to see Bridgette Bowen, Hugh's
trophy wife, hollering out to him—tall, voluptuous, blue-eyed and dark-haired,
and about twenty years younger than him. She walked over to them. "Hi,
ladies." She stretched out her hand to Michaela. "Bridgette Bowen.
You must be a friend of Audrey's. Hello, Audrey."

"Bridgette."

Michaela shook her hand. "Hi, I am. Michaela
Bancroft. Nice to meet you."

"Pleasure is mine. You two should come by
after the races. We're having a get-together at the house."

"Thank you, Bridgette," Audrey said
coolly, "but we have plans."

"If you change your mind, you are more than
welcome." Bridgette started to walk away. "Come on, hon."

"Be right there. Get those bets in, ladies,
and I will see you both in the morning. Wave to me in the winner's
circle." He whispered something in Audrey's ear. Michaela thought about
asking her what their secret was, but knew it would be rude, so she let it go
as they placed a small bet on Halliday and a bigger one on Hugh's horse,
Flashing Chico.

"We better hurry." Audrey grabbed
Michaela's arm and they jogged back up to the box where Kathleen was already
seated.

"Olivia should be here by now," Kathleen
said. "I don't know what's taking the girl so long."

"She probably wanted to change, and I'm sure
people are asking her to sign autographs," Michaela said.

"She should be here. This is an important
race." Kathleen crossed her arms, frowning.

Michaela looked down at the track, watching the
horses being led out by their handler horse. A couple were being squirrelly,
tossing their heads about and letting out shrill whinnies, ready to race—do
what they were born to do. But for the most part, the horses on the track
remained calm; it was another wonderful quality about the quarter horse
breed—they typically had good heads about them. The one horse that noticeably
was the most amped was Halliday.

"What's wrong with him?" Kathleen said.
"He doesn't get the jitters."

Again the well-muscled, sorrel-colored
four-year-old stallion let out another shrill whinny. Kathleen stood up
watching, strain tightening her face as the crew got him into the chute.
"I don't understand. I've never seen him behave this way."

"Oh, Kathleen, horses have moods just like
people do. Maybe he's in a funk," Audrey said.

"You know, Audrey, I wanted to talk to you
about something earlier," Michaela said.

"Yes?"

"It's about Bob."

"My brother?"

"Yes. I ran into his boss at Eq Tech
and—"

The chute buzzer rang out and the horses were off.
"There they go," Kathleen said.

Audrey jumped to her feet. Michaela realized that
she had to find the right words to say to her in the next couple of minutes,
when the race would be over. Maybe she should have just waited until the end of
the day. Too late now. Besides, Audrey really did need to know about Bob not
showing up for work. It was the right thing to do.

The horses came down the straightaway, running at
break-neck speed, jockeys vying for the best positions, a blur of browns,
blacks, and grays intermingled with the bright colors of the jockeys' silks.
Long tails flew in the air like flags as the pounding of hooves slammed hard
against the ground, the rapid thud of their hooves kicking up soil. Halliday
came around the bend and moved into the lead, Flashing Chico right on his tail.
They were almost neck and neck, and then…It all happened so fast. A wrong cue,
a bump from the other horse—the cause was not the issue. Michaela cringed as
her stomach churned. The movement was so subtle, but Michaela knew what had
happened immediately, and within seconds so did the crowd as Halliday's jockey
pulled him up. The gorgeous animal had broken his leg.

"OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD!" KATHLEEN BROUGHT
her hands up to her face as the reality of what they'd all just seen
registered.

Audrey's jaw dropped. Michaela leaned forward in
the box. Low murmurs rose from the crowd as they began to understand what they
had witnessed. The pounding of hooves in the distance continued but soon stopped
as the race ended. Hugh's horse won. Mixed cries sounded throughout the throng
of spectators.

Audrey raised a pair of binoculars to see what was
going on. A moment later, she put them down and started to run out of the box.

"Where are you going?" Michaela asked.

"Down to the track to find my brother. I'm
going to see what I can find out."

"Wait," Michaela yelled as Audrey dashed
away. "Audrey!" But her friend didn't stop.

Michaela started to go after her when Kathleen
grabbed her arm. "Oh God, what are they doing? What's going on? I can't
see!" She stood up on her tiptoes trying to get a better vantage point.
Even though they had excellent seats, everyone else was also standing in an
attempt to see what was going on.