Number 06 │ A Leverage Fanfiction

The Two Horse Job │Part 4

<Stable Yard>

With my brightest grin plastered across my face, I stepped up to Todd Hazen, Kentucky Thunder's trainer. "Whoo-hoo, Todd? Lina Watters. Todd Hazen, right? Kentucky Thunder's trainer?"

Todd eyed me cautiously, "Yes. Can I help you with something?"

I clapped my hands, "Great! Well, we're all set."

Todd blinked. "Set?"

I tilted my head, feigning confusion. "You are ready for the interview, aren't you?"

Todd frowned. "Excuse me?"

I let out an exaggerated sigh. "My office has been calling you all day! I've set up an interview for you with Sports Illustrated."

<Owner's Office>

Hardison leaned back, his fingers flying across the keyboard with ease. "A couple of years ago, all the cell phone companies switched to digital voicemail systems. Man, it was like somebody put a brand-new swing set on my playground."

He tapped a final key, and Todd's phone logs appeared on the screen.

Hardison smirked. "And boom. We've got a day's worth of missed calls right here."

<Back in the stable yard>

Todd's face twisted in frustration as he pulled out his phone, scrolling through the missed call list that Hardison had generously curated.

"Damn it," he muttered, scratching the back of his head.

I gave him a sympathetic smile. "Like I said, we've been calling you all day."

Todd pinched the bridge of his nose. "I hear you."

I sighed. "So, listen, the reporter's going to be waiting at the Turf Club any second now."

Todd exhaled through his nose, nodding, already making his way to the turf club, "I hear you."

"Thank you" I shot him a bright smile. "Um, listen, if he's not there, please wait for him for half an hour. Maybe an hour... or two... have a snack."

<Paddock>

Sophie stood chatting amiably with a Chinese couple, her smile bright as she greeted them. The couple seemed charmed by her warmth, nodding along as she pointed out various features of the racetrack.

Meanwhile, Nate kept his eyes peeled, scanning the crowd. "Any sign of Sterling?" he asked, a hint of tension in his voice.

Hardison, focused on his tech, replied confidently, "No, all clear."

Nate turned to Parker, who was perched high above in the grandstand, watching the entrance with a hawk-like gaze. "Parker?"

"Nope," she answered, shaking her head.

Nate shifted his attention back to the paddock, where a few more tourists mingled with the horses. "What about these guys?" he asked, nodding towards a group of tourists in the corner. "Any trouble getting them here?"

[Flashback]

I stood at the airport, scanning the throngs of passengers disembarking from their flights. The air buzzed with excitement as families reunited and travelers hurried past. Consulting a passenger list, I jotted down a name on a sign, holding it high above my head.

As the crowd parted, I spotted the couple I was waiting for: a pair of Asian tourists, clearly a little lost but enthusiastic. "Welcome!" I called out, waving them over with a grin.