Toni Petti - Horse Girl Homicide

Chapter Twenty Three

Inside the riding arena, Mrs. Brummel works with Dr. Swansea and Monica Locksley to assess the condition of her beautiful Norwegian dressage horse. Charlie is the prettiest animal on the farm. Dun in colour, he has black zebra stripes on his legs and a forelock-to-tail dorsal stripe. His mane has black center hair and white outer hair cut short like bristle comb.

Monica faces the overhead door and spots us right away. Rather than wave hello, or make any mention of our appearance, she turns her back. Oh no. Things have changed.

Candace senses our entrance by how we momentarily block the sun. She leaves Jon and Monica to intercept us, but keeps her eyes on the sand, composing her thoughts. Teodor pretends not to notice her approach. He works on Scissor, loosening straps on the young horse's saddle as we make our way toward the side entrance to the stables.

"Teo. We need to talk."

"Not now please." The young man turns his back on his stepmother and motions me to follow him. "We have work to do."

Teodor avoids Candace only to encounter his father who blocks our path at the arch. Terrence occupies the parlor.

"Ah, there you are. Everyone's been looking for you two," Mr. Brummel remains seated so we cannot easily pass with the horses. "The police got the bloodwork back and... There were some surprises."

"Like?" I ask him directly. But Candace takes over the conversation.

"Tanya's horse was poisoned by Ainsley," Mrs. Brummel huffs, "and she dosed Charlie too."

"Is that what the police are saying?" I ask her, forcing myself to keep calm.

"Both horses were interfered with..." Terrence says.

"What are you still doing here?" Candace interrupts her husband to attack me personally. "Are you making a documentary?"

"I was invited to stay." I look to Terrence.

"I asked her to stay on and help," Terrence tells his wife.

"I'm rescinding the offer," Candace informs me and her husband and then she points to Jon and Monica behind her, "we have plenty of help. We don't need Nancy Drew YouTuber hanging around." She says loud enough for Miss Locksley to hear. The blond snickers and Dr. Swansea adjusts his glasses to better stare at me which means they've all discussed my social media profiles.

I look over at Teodor to thank him for the lovely afternoon. I'm prepared to leave now but first I'll visit that equipment shed and then I'll check my trap. After that, I'll either be happy, or sad and scared, but either way I'll just sit by the pool and wait for the police; I promised I'd be here this evening when they arrive.

"I'd like you to stay," Teo takes my hand and my heart melts.

"She's leaving, and that's final." Candace raises her voice and Teodor gets red with anger.

"Oh, it's final? It's final is it?" Teo glares at Candace and then waves her away dismissively. He looks at me and speaks calmly as though we're alone, "you can just ignore that stupid broad. Nobody's gonna make you leave."

"Teodor! You apologize this instant." Mr. Brummel's eyebrows knit and his handlebar mustache makes a pyramid over his frown.

"Go to hell. Both of you." Teo bumps Jasper back so he can lead Scissor past his father. "Come on Toni," he mouth-clicks his horse to move ahead. Prince and I follow through the open space he creates. I keep my eyes on the ground because I don't want to look at anyone and be forced to take sides. Prince issues a throaty half-whinny response to Terrence on our behalf.