Big Mikey

By Cher Griffin

Book 4 of the Marla Mesconti Mystery Series is set in the beautiful eventing mecca of Aiken, South Carolina. Readers will be transported from the frosty hills of New Hampshire to the breathtaking eventing fields of Aiken. Marla, Jay, Hilda, Rick and Jorge are all back as the main characters and this book introduces Lexie Garrod, a New York transplant that left her dismal city world to immerse herself in the sport of Three-Day Eventing. See where this book takes you when a mystery surrounding a loose horse, a bloody shirt and a missing rider starts to unravel. Hilda's friend is missing, her horse showed up at a stable in the middle of the night injured and afraid. The crew from Reach For The Stars Stables in Andover, NH make the journey to Aiken to find Hilda's friend. Some seedy characters make it hard for the team to figure out what the locals have determined is a case for the FBI. The FBI decided the missing rider was not the case for them so Team Mesconti steps up and helps solve the mystery surrounding Big Mikey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098310257

Book preview

25

Chapter 1

The ground reverberated under Lexie Garrod’s feet. She snapped her head in the direction of the sound to watch a gorgeous, bay horse thunder past her, clearing the three-foot-high jump she was judging. She shook out her long, curly blonde hair, repositioned her ball cap and checked her watch.

OK, Beans, we have a couple minutes before our next competitor comes our way, let’s fix the divots!

Beans, a scrappy Jack Russell terrier and Lexie’s constant shadow, obliged the call and trotted faithfully behind her as she tamped down the grass in front of the huge, vertical, log-wall jump she was attending to. He kept his snout in the air and ears at full alert waiting for the next horse and rider to round the bend in the field at Long Reach Farm’s cross-country course. Beans could sense the horse’s approach and whimpered for Lexie to get out of the way. The little terrier had been a gift from Willa, owner of Long Reach, when she first arrived at the farm as a working student. Lexie lived in a tiny apartment over the south barn and Beans had wandered onto the farm one day. He was checked out and wasn’t chipped or tagged, so Willa suggested Lexie keep him as a companion. Willa was a well-known rescue advocate for dogs. Beans made himself at home the very first night, jumping up onto Lexie’s bed and snuggling into the covers.

Lexie reached down and scrubbed his ears and returned to her judge’s spot at the far side of the jump. She kicked her feet up onto the dash of her golf cart and checked the sheet to see how many rides were left.

Cross-country jumping was Lexie’s passion. It haunted her dreams, day and night. At nineteen, she was on her own, having moved to the eventing mecca of Aiken, South Carolina. Lexie spent her days mucking out stalls and grooming the tall, leggy jumpers for the two full-time trainers at Long Reach Farm. It was a hard job that kept her moving eight to ten hours a day. On the weekends, she was a jump judge for the United States Eventing Association shows held at Long Reach. Lexie lived and breathed eventing as a sport and a life choice.

Growing up in New York City with a janitor dad and a drunken sod for a mother, Lexie didn’t have many opportunities for riding. One afternoon, Lexie and her best friend snuck away for an afternoon of show jumping at Madison Square Gardens. They pried open a rear access door and slithered along a wall until the arena came into view. Lexie was mesmerized by the horses that seemed to hop the fences with no effort at all. During one of the classes, a rider became unseated and the loose horse galloped happily around the arena. Lexie stared in disbelief at the freedom-loving gelding. He finally slowed his mad scramble and searched the rail for help, or a way out. The horse looked square into Lexie’s eyes and came to a stop right in front of her. She carefully reached over the rail and took hold of his reins. The horse immediately relaxed, chomping quietly on the bit while the rider made his way over to collect his horse. The big, dark gelding looked longingly into Lexie’s eyes and that stare sealed her fate. His deep, brown, soulful eyes almost beckoned her to come with him. She was transfixed until reality grabbed the reins from her hands. The horse was taken away and Lexie and her friend squealed in delight at the opportunity they were afforded to touch one of those magnificent horses!

While the jump crew readjusted the jumps, a tall, red-headed woman wearing skin-tight jeans and six-inch, spike-heeled shoes approached the two girls.

I just wanted to say thanks for catching my boy, she proffered a hand to Lexie.

Oh! I was just lucky to be in the right place! Lexie exclaimed.

Oh, I think that was more than luck. That horse doesn’t trust anyone yet, he’s a youngster and we are slowly bring him around but he locked onto you as if he knew you. Are you grooming for someone here?

Lexie shrugged her shoulders, No, we are just watching the show. I would give anything to groom for someone but I have a couple more years of high school before I can get out of New York.

The mysterious woman dug into her designer handbag and popped a business card in Lexie’s direction.

Call me when you get out of New York. I’m sure we could find a job for someone so star-struck with our horses.

That was two years ago and Lexie kept that business card with her the whole time. Three days after she graduated she called the owner of Long Reach Farm and was hired on the spot. Her graduation gift from her tired father and barely-awake mother was a one-way bus ticket to Aiken.

And here she was, immersed in the lifestyle of the event horse. She knew she would probably never own one, but just to be around them was food for her soul. The mysterious lady she met at Madison Square was none other than Willa Samson, owner of Long Reach Farm, and a staunch supporter of the sport of eventing. Willa promised Lexie that soon she would be able to take riding lessons once she proved her salt in the stable. Lexie fairly vibrated with delight at the thought of being able to ride. She didn’t really know if she could ride or not but she was ready to give it a shot. Willa had promised after six months of hard work she would be allowed to start in the beginner camp. She had cleared that hurdle with flying colors and now, two years later she was in line for a spot on the Beginner Novice team. Everyone at the farm gave her great marks for being on time, hard-working, and honest, and, as luck would have it, she turned out to be a natural rider.

Lexie checked her watch again and did a quick tally.

Well, Beans, I think we have six more riders and then we’re done for the day.

Lexie’s job as jump judge was to make sure each rider got over the fence correctly, to make note of any faults and to keep the path to the fence clear of any obstructions, which could be anything from stray dogs to downed riders. She also kept a sharp eye on the grass surface approaching the fence to make sure no holes were left behind. The surface in the sandy area of Aiken County provided an ideal footing for jumpers. The sandy soil drained quickly and jumpers could attack the course in any weather. Long Reach hosted many events during the year from beginner levels to Olympic hopefuls.

Finally, a huge grey horse rounded the bend and headed for her jump. Lexie watched closely while scratching Beans’ ears.

The big grey cleared the fence with plenty of room and galloped off towards the next one. Lexie grabbed her two-way radio.

Number 320 on a grey just went through, is that the last one? She asked the control booth.

Yes, come on in, we’re done for today, came the reply.

Lexie picked up her clipboard and tote bag full of water bottles, judging supplies and snacks, and stabbed the gas pedal on the golf cart. She expertly maneuvered the cart and her cargo back to the barn. The next-to-last jump on the course was over a quarter mile away and was Lexie’s favorite. She chose that jump because it was close to the riding trail and far away from all the people. She could see the pleasure trail riders pass nearby, waving occasionally, and Beans could chase a squirrel without getting in the way. The peace she felt out there in the huge open field was something hard for her to describe.

She double checked the footing in front of the jump before whistling to Beans to follow her home.

As she traversed the tree line around the field she heard some horses trotting up the trail a few feet through the trees. She stopped to see if it was anyone she knew. A huge, pinto-colored horse strode into view leading a small group of trail riders. His diminutive rider was holding a tight rein on him. Lexie could tell he was a bold mover. She loved his color! The predominantly-white horse had dark brown patches swirling over his rump and neck and his mane and tail were glossy black. Tri-colored pintos of this size were a rare sight and Lexie waved enthusiastically at the group as they passed by.

Whew, Beans, that horse was gorgeous! He must be seventeen hands if he’s an inch! Lexie exclaimed.

Beans seemed to agree with her assessment as he stood up against the seat back at full attention, watching the riders file by.

The riders hailed back to her and strode out of sight around the next bend in the trail. Lexie set out for the secretary’s booth to turn in her walkie-talkie and her clip board.

The gals in the booth waved her inside and listened to Lexie’s evaluation of the jump she judged and the overall thoughts of the day. This was think-tank time while the event was fresh in everyone’s mind. As tired as they were, they all sat around a long, plastic table discussing every aspect of the show, from the dressage ring, to the stadium jump ring, to the cross-country course. They hashed out any perceived problems and looked over any formal complaints that may have come in during the day. Overall, the group felt the event went well. Willa arrived in her custom-painted purple golf cart with jumping horses painted all over it. She hopped up the two small steps into the booth and surveyed the crew.

How did it go, gang?

The event manager stood and handed her the results and the official paperwork for USEA.

Stellar! she replied. We had 124 entries today and no complaints. We used the EMT once for a suspicious fall but the rider walked away on her own power, so all-in-all a great day!

Willa nodded her head, pleased with the report. Fantastic. Well, you all earned a good meal so meet us at the farmhouse at six o’clock for the barbeque. We’ll have five days to prepare for the next event and the meeting starts at seven tomorrow morning. Lexie, you are on night duty tonight so get a nap in before you report to the south barn at eleven.

Lexie gave Willa a salute and whistled for Beans, then made her way to her apartment for a long, hot shower. She grabbed a plate of smoked chicken and salad from the barbeque, then, threw herself onto the couch with the TV on low. She set her cell phone to ring her awake at ten-forty-five and settled in for a snooze with Beans curled up behind her knees.

Chapter 2

At ten-thirty Lexie awoke with a start. It never failed that when she set her alarm, she would waken well before the alarm went off. She pulled herself up from the couch, stretching her sore, cramped muscles. Beans stretched as well then began the bum wagging. His little, stumpy tail wagging away made his whole bum swivel back and forth. He knew it was time to go out to the barn, a favorite pastime chasing critters and boogers in the woods.

Lexie put some coffee on her machine, made a quick bathroom trip then grabbed the coffee and walked out to the south barn.

The barn was state-of-the-art, with gorgeous wood siding and hunter-green metal roofing. She could see the outline of the spires sticking up in the air from the roof with the bright moonlight. The lightning arresters kept the barn safe from the notoriously violent summer lightning storms. There were forty stalls in this barn. All were currently rented out to riders on the eventing circuit. Lexie slid open the wide, herringbone-designed front door and slipped inside, with Beans at her heels. Gentle nickering followed as the first few horses in the stall rows saw her enter and were hoping for a midnight snack. Lexie softly talked to them and walked down the aisles in the light of the dim nightlights placed on the wall every other stall. She glanced briefly in each stall to be sure none of the horses were cast against the wall or showing any signs of illness. Colic was a big killer of horses and often struck for no apparent reason in the middle of the night. Vigilant owners saved thousands of dollars and many of their precious horse lives by investing in a night watchman. Lexie did this watch two nights a week, from eleven to six in the morning. The extra cash and tips she received all went into her buy-a-horse fund.

Lexie rounded the end of the first row of back-to-back stalls and thought she heard clip-clopping in the next aisle over. That sound shouldn’t be coming from a barn locked up for the night.

Beans! Heel! Lexie commanded the little sniffer to her side.

She furtively traveled the length of the next aisle, glancing in each stall to make sure the occupants were peacefully munching or sleeping. When she reached the far end of the aisle, the clip-clopping became louder and a few small squeals echoed through the barn. Lexie picked up the pace to the corner of the next aisle and peered carefully down the length of it to the source of the noise.

There stood the giant tri-colored pinto horse she’d seen earlier that day on the pleasure trail! He was saddled, bridled, and sticking his nose into a stall where a somewhat nasty chestnut mare was having no part of his wee-hour visit.

Lexie gave Beans the down-stay command and slowly approached the big gelding. In the gloominess of the night lights, the horse appeared to be just wandering around looking for a place to hang his bridle. But as Lexie got closer, she could see a gash on his front cannon bone, just below the knee. The blood was dripping steadily from the horizontal slash. Lexie did a quick head count of the twenty stalls as she advanced on the injured horse and realized all stalls were accounted for and full of other horses. Where did this guy come from? Where was his owner? How did he hurt himself?

The vast, colorful gelding stayed steady when Lexie took hold of his reins. She noted that they had snapped at the buckle and there was a dirty streak on his cheek and the bridle had gouges down the cheek piece. It was apparent to Lexie that the horse took a nasty spill and snapped the reins when he got back up. But, where was the rider?

Hello? Lexie called out while she led the horse to the wash rack. Anybody here?

She backed the gelding into the wash stall and slid a spare halter on over his bridle and clipped him to the crossties. She peeked around the wall and noticed that the back door of the barn was open slightly, something that was never done at Long Reach. Doors were buttoned up after the evening meals were distributed to keep night critters from helping themselves to the place.

Hello? Lexie called out again but all she could here were munching horses and night insects outside.

Her immediate thoughts were to stem the bleeding, wash the leg and get it wrapped before calling a veterinarian in and alerting the main house of the errant guest. She released Beans from his stay and began hosing down the leg. With the lights on full in the wash stall, she could see the extent of the damage to his leg. It was a deep gash, one that would require stitches, so she flushed the wound greatly and took a close look to make sure nothing foreign lay in it. Then she pulled the emergency kit off the wall and began bandaging the cut.

The big horse took her ministrations well. He sniffed at her head while she kneeled in front of him. She cooed to him while she picked grass and dirt from the wound and he responded with a wiggly kiss to her head. It was as if he knew she was going to make him better and he showed no fear as many horses do after an injury.

Once the wound was dressed, she quickly un-saddled him and removed the bridle. Not wanting to leave him alone on the cross-ties, she unhooked him and decided to bring him to the show barn where there were some empty stalls so she could safely leave him to get help.

On the short walk to the show barn, she scanned the night for any signs of a rider, quite possibly injured, stalking the woods looking for their horse. She stopped twice to listen intently, but heard nothing out of the ordinary.

Once the horse was settled into a large box stall, Lexie filled the water bucket, checked his bandages once more, then,