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Big John had picked up his ATV, and with Tom at his side, he’d driven along the firebreak for over two hours, even detouring down slopes to check neighboring paddocks. The three horses were nowhere to be seen, nor were there any signs of hoof prints. Later that evening, over burgers and bourbon, Tom had reiterated his belief the horses had been taken and moved to Ben’s barn, then hauled to the show grounds.
“John, it’s obvious. Just look at the evidence.”
John had grabbed the bourbon bottle and poured more into his glass..
It wasn’t that he didn’t believe his cousin.
He didn’twantto believe him.
The last thing Big John needed was an issue with his wealthy neighbor. The man had important friends, and was held in high regard by the small community. But Tom finally convinced him they should check out the horses being temporarily boarded at the show grounds. After having breakfast at the diner, they headed off.
But throughout the drive, Big John was quiet.
His fury was returning.
The three horses were worth at least ten grand a piece.
Whoever took them would pay dearly.
“Hey, John, I know you’re pissed,” Tom began, breaking into his thoughts, “but at some point—”
“You think I’m pissed? I’m pissed when I’m runnin’ low on hay and a delivery is late. I’m not pissed. I’m fuckin’ furious.”
“Yeah, I know you’re fuckin’ furious, but we’re almost there and you need to keep your cool. If someone bumps into you, or a vendor takes too long gettin’ a drink or food or whatever, you can’t go crazy.”
“Go crazy? What the fuck are you talkin’ about?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. If you lose your temper and cause a scene we’ll be kicked out.”
“Then we’ll go back after hours and sneak the fuck in,” Big John snarled.
“John! Get a grip!”
“Yeah, yeah, Tommy boy, I know. I’ll keep my mouth shut and my eyes open,” Big John declared, turning into the parking lot. “Damn, this place is packed,” he muttered, stopping to hand five dollars to a parking attendant.
“The only spots available are over against the far fence, sir,” the young man said, pointing across the large field being used as a parking area.
“All that way?” John exclaimed. “To hell—”
“That’s fine,” Tom interrupted. “John, give him the money.”
“Are you shittin’ me?”
“Trust me, give him the money.”
Though he cursed under his breath, John handed over the five-dollar bill, then glared across at his cousin as he started driving across the field.
“Tom…you wanna tell me what’s goin’ on?”
“It’s the perfect place for us to park. We’ll be right behind the barns.”
* * *
While Big John and Tom were driving past row after row of parked cars, Rick was deep in conversation with Bailey.
“Bailey, if Big John’s on the prowl that’s a problem,” he declared. “You should seriously consider accepting Ben’s offer to lend you his truck and trailer.”
“I know, I’m so torn,” she began, but her phone rang, and picking it up she discovered the caller was Mandy, Lizzy’s owner. “Hi, Mandy, I was about to call you,” Bailey exclaimed. “I’ve moved the horses over here to the show grounds. It’s safer. The security is really tight.”
