STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery) (39 page)

She lasted another interminable six minutes but it wasn’t her nature to pussyfoot. She picked up her phone and pressed Dan’s number.

He answered on the second ring. “Barrett.”

His deep voice seemed to suck the oxygen from the car, and it took a second to gather her senses. “Hi,” she finally said. “I’m less than half an hour away. Just wondered if you were busy tonight?”

“Yes, I’m at the hotel. Doing some research.”

“Okay.” She paused, but he didn’t speak and she understood firsthand how he’d become so adept at fending off women. Her chest tightened but she kept her voice light. “Peanut’s doing well,” she said. “The vet was happy with his blood work.”

“Good.”

Questions. She needed a question, some way to get him talking. “Did you decide if you’re using Splash?” she asked.

“Not sure yet. Shania has some interesting recordings we’re checking now.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, her chest constricting. Shania and Dan. At a hotel. It was impossible to stop the painful stream of images. And he wasn’t making it easy. But his job involved working with actresses, and he didn’t need another drama queen. He’d made that clear. Besides, this was Dan. Everyone knew he was famously immune to co-workers.

“Good luck,” she said, ignoring a woman’s sultry laugh in the background. “I hope you find something that helps.”

“We discovered Reckless couldn’t be washed inside,” Dan said. “And a lot of people knew it. Anthony may cut that scene.”

“But was the trouble only in the little barn? Because Judith and I think…” She paused, but her fear tumbled out. “We think Reckless smelled something and that’s why he acted up. Maybe we could even find Tracey’s body.”

“Reckless acted up everywhere.” Dan gave a humorless laugh. “But don’t worry. Anthony has already guaranteed you a speaking role.”

“The role doesn’t matter.” She fought a wash of despair. She hadn’t considered the ramifications of dropping the bath scene. Didn’t care if she was ever accepted in the union. But clearly Dan thought that was her main concern.

Of course, at one time it had been.

“Your name is on the actors’ sheet for a hotel room,” he said. “So at least you don’t have to worry about a place to stay.”

“Great.” She forced some enthusiasm into her voice. “I’m meeting Judith now but maybe I’ll see you at the hotel later?”

“Yeah. Give me a call,” he said, before hanging up.

She leaned back against the headrest, her tension marginally easing. It wasn’t all bad. He wasn’t bursting with enthusiasm but at least she’d see him. Surely she could make him understand why it had been so important to go home.

She pressed Judith’s number. “I’ll be at Billy’s cottage in about fifteen minutes,” she said.

“Good. There’s so much debris lying around here, it’s impossible to find a duffle bag. But it looks like there was a small pen about thirty feet from the house. Do pigs use little houses?”

“It’s probably just the dog kennel,” Emily said. “Is it boarded? Or wired?”

“Nothing like that. Just some rotten planks and a shovel. But it’s close to the spot where Hamilton was looking.” Judith’s voice lowered. “Is Dan coming? This is kind of creepy.”

“He’s working at the hotel.”

“Darn. But at least there are two of us. Maybe we can find something to grab his interest.”

“I hope,” Emily said. But she blew out a tormented breath, hating to think what Shania might be doing to arouse Dan’s interest.

*

“This is the last interview,” Shania said. She reached for the wine bottle and raised a questioning eyebrow at Dan.

“No, thanks.” He jotted down another notation. Anthony’s decision to include the mystery of Tracey’s disappearance required some adjustment with the horses, but fortunately Shania had conducted extensive research. Her reputation of accurately portraying true characters was well deserved. He’d never met an actress who gathered so much material, and his respect for her professionalism mushroomed.

Anthony wanted the horse to mirror Reckless’s actual behavior on the day Tracey was reported missing. Splash definitely couldn’t be used for that scene, not after reading Shania’s notes. And they would have to shoot outside, since by all accounts Reckless had been unmanageable in the little barn. Maybe Emily was onto something about the smell.

“This groom lived in the area,” Shania said, “and worked for the neighboring estate. When Louise and Thomas married, the two properties were joined, and Hamilton Stud became one of the largest horse farms in the state. She knew Tracey well and rode with her in the evenings. But she said Tracey stopped riding and turned rather secretive. That would have been a few months after she was given the apartment in the stud barn.”

“The two properties were joined?” For some reason that detail bothered Dan, but he couldn’t pinpoint his unease. “Sorry,” he said. “Please continue.”

Shania paused to take a sip of wine then resumed talking. “This groom agrees with the consensus that Tracey and Thomas were having an affair. She claims Tracey was only a mediocre groom who happened to have a special bond with Reckless. And his owner.

“There was plenty of jealousy about Tracey being assigned a Derby hopeful,” she went on. “At least five grooms felt they deserved the colt and the bonuses that came with his wins. But they didn’t want the…extra duties that came with the apartment.” Shania gave a meaningful smile.

Dan scribbled down a notation. Clearly there were plenty of people who resented Tracey, and the missing person case should be re-opened. But he didn’t like gossip, and his responsibility related to the colt and how to best simulate the horse’s actions. “So this groom confirmed Reckless’s behavior changed that morning?” he asked. “The exact day Tracey didn’t show for work?”

“Absolutely. A media shoot had been scheduled and the girl I interviewed tried to prep Reckless. But he was too rambunctious. He almost scrambled over the stall door. It took three of them to hold him for his bath. She said it was like he’d lost his mind.”

Dan sighed. Based on this information, Bruno would be the best horse. He looked formidable when rearing. Emily would have to evade the horse’s front feet as well as deliver her lines, but she would certainly be center stage. It would be a great opportunity, especially since interest in the movie was skyrocketing.

“Media attention will make this a blockbuster,” Shania said, as if reading his mind. “Anthony and the producer are masters at grabbing opportunities. It’s not just your horses that are affected. He’s changed several of my scenes to demonstrate a growing fear of Billy. The timing of the explosion couldn’t have been more convenient.”

“Not so convenient for Billy,” Dan said dryly.

“Yes, and normally I’d give a more concrete thanks. But he doesn’t have any children.” She gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “Otherwise, I’d start a fund of some sort.”

“You still could,” Dan said. Billy’s death and subsequent rumors about his involvement had boosted movie interest. However, it was still a tragedy, and he wasn’t going to let Shania escape with cheap platitudes. “What about Tracey’s family?” he asked. “They must have gone through hell and back. This stirs up fresh agony. I’m sure your fans would be quite impressed with your compassion.”

“Yes.” Shania tapped a thoughtful finger against her lips. “My publicist should have considered that angle. A fund would keep the movie in the news until its release. And Tracey is a more sympathetic figure than Billy—who was no doubt her murderer. That was my pick, by the way.” She peered at Dan from beneath long dark eyelashes. “Or did you bet on Hamilton?”

“Bet?”

“There’s a betting pool. Hamilton, Billy or the field which includes all the jealous grooms as well as any random creeps. Anthony threw in a thousand bucks trying to stoke interest. The win pool is swelling.”

Dan abruptly laid down his pen. There wasn’t any winner in this, and he craved fresh air. And maybe someone who wouldn’t sell their soul for ratings.

Shania leaned forward, laying her manicured fingers over his wrist. “This conference room isn’t very cozy. Perhaps we should order dinner and finish in my suite?”

“No, thanks. I’m meeting someone later.” He scraped back his chair and rose. “Thanks for sharing your notes.”

She made a moue of disappointment. “At the very least we should join Anthony and Hamilton in the media room. A few pictures would boost our movie. Besides, what’s your rush? Your little actress already skipped out.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Anthony said so. He was going to give her a speaking role and she blew it. Simply walked away. She’s definitely not dedicated.”

“Not to the movie,” Dan said. “But clearly to other things.”

Shania sniffed. “When you’re making a movie, nothing can be more important. Not to a
real
actress.”

Dan paused. Emily claimed she didn’t want to be an actress. He hadn’t believed her. Deep down, he’d suspected part of the attraction she had for him was based on his position. Yet she’d dropped everything for a geriatric pony—a family pet cherished by both her and her sister.

“You’re right.” His voice thickened, and a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. “Obviously she’s not a real actress.”

Shania glided around the table, encouraged by his sudden smile. “And everyone knows you’re all about commitment. We’d make an attractive couple. I could be very committed, at least for the length of the movie.”

Dan laughed, still pumped from thinking about Emily and her spontaneous selflessness. But Shania’s eyes narrowed with displeasure, and he quickly sobered. “I’m very honored,” he said. “But you don’t need a horse trainer.”

“Of course I don’t. But I need you. For now.” She grabbed his arm and tugged him in front of a gilded mirror. “What do you see?”

“An astonishingly beautiful woman.”

“Not me.” Her voice rose. “You! Look at yourself.”

Dan’s mouth tightened. His mother had passed on some attractive genes but he rather resented it. If she’d been ugly, she might have stayed home.

“I’m thirty-two years old,” Shania went on. “I need to be seen with a stud. Besides, you’re not married so what does it matter? Or will your little actress be jealous?”

He thought for a moment. Emily constantly saw him with other women. But unlike him, she’d trusted his words, every one of them. “No,” he said, letting out a big breath. “Emily’s good. Surprisingly…perfect.”

“Then, please. A few photos. Just smile adoringly. Besides, you owe me.” Shania had already pulled out her phone and pressed a number. Obviously her press secretary, judging from her terse instructions.

“Twenty minutes,” he said. “And then I have some pressing business.”

Shania cut the connection. “Thirty minutes.” She looped her arm through his and gave a triumphant smile. “And be sure to kiss me on the lips when you leave.”

“You can let me out here, please,” Emily said, reaching for the door handle.

The driver stopped the car by the wreckage of Billy’s cottage. “What a mess,” he said, peering through the murky light. “Gas stove?”

“The police haven’t released much information yet.” Emily grabbed her bag and slid from the seat before the driver could open her door. “Thanks for the drive.”

The man nodded. He turned the car and eased along the road until his glowing taillights disappeared into the gloom.

Emily skirted the yellow caution tape that circled the charred ruins. The handle of a pot poked from beneath a blackened beam and a coffee mug, curiously intact, tilted against a skeletal bed frame. She swallowed. Billy’s body had been removed but the place felt like a grave—sad, desolate, creepy.

“Judith,” she called, scanning the grassy yard. The wide plot of green looked benign, a contrast of color against the scorched cottage, lush even in the fading light. A shovel leaned against a wooden sawhorse, and a clear water hose was neatly coiled.

She checked over her shoulder. The curving drive was visible from every point. Clearly this was a poor place to hide a body, assuming Billy was even involved in Tracey’s disappearance. At any rate, they needed more sophisticated help. Judith had probably reached a similar conclusion.

It was surprising Judith hadn’t waited though. Emily blew out a frustrated breath. She could have taken the limo directly to the hotel and been there when Dan finished with Shania.

Finished. The word raised all kinds of connotations. But even though he’d been reserved on the phone, his simple statement that he’d see her later filled her with an intuitive confidence. He wouldn’t touch another woman until he’d ended things with her. But maybe that was his plan.

She pulled out her phone. It was nearly dark. She and Judith would have to catch transportation to the hotel or they’d be stuck paying for a cab. More importantly, she wanted to see Dan as quickly as possible.

Her phone beeped and a message flashed. But it was from Judith, not Dan.

Come to the stud barn
, Judith texted.
Did you tell anyone about the wash stall?

Not yet but I’ll see Dan later
, Emily texted back.
Just dropped off at cottage. See you in a sec
.

Emily closed her phone and hurried toward the barn, keen to leave this forsaken place. It would be nice to see Barney and Ted, but there was no need to linger. She and Judith couldn’t do much about a concrete floor.

It would be best to relay their suspicions to the police. Dan hadn’t shown much interest and Anthony was impossible to approach. Hopefully Judith wouldn’t be bullheaded about leaving.

Low-lying clouds blotted the moon, but the concrete drive was smooth and easy to follow. She didn’t even need the light on her phone. The welcome glow from the stud barn was already visible through the trees and served as a beacon.

She walked into the barn, swinging the bag Mrs. Hamilton had given her. She’d brush her hair and teeth here, just in case she saw Dan before being assigned a hotel room. But she fervently hoped she wouldn’t be sleeping single tonight.

Barney nickered and thrust his head over the door. She paused to pat the friendly gelding. If Dan were half as happy to see her, she’d be delighted. The horse nuzzled at her pockets, his warm breath sweet from the smell of hay. “Do you have any peppermints?” she asked, spotting Judith crouched in the adjacent wash stall.