Author Anon

“Are you showing any of your horses?” asks Alex.

“I’ve been too busy running between the stables to have much time to work with the horses,” says Tara. “I feel stuck behind a desk.”

“I’m sorry,” says Alex. “That’s not what we had intended.”

“I know,” says Tara. “But it has freed up more time for you and Phillip to be in the stables.”

“Do you miss the horses?” asks Alex.

“Of course, I do. I also miss teaching.”

“Then it’s time you delegate some responsibilities. We’d like to see you outside more often. Maybe we can get at least one horse in the next show.”

“Yes,” says Tara. “That would be nice. The next show is in Lightfield and it’s always been a big one. Silver Moon Stables has a long-standing friendly competition with Pegasus Riding Academy. Clayton Thornsby enjoys his rivalry with me.”

“What’s the score?” asks Alex.

“It’s just about even.”

“Well, we’ve got to get down to serious business, then.”

——————————————————————————————–

“How did things go in Brighton?” asks Margaret Van Ness.

“I don’t think they’ll hunt us down for anything,” says Justin. “I told them you were invalids and I was still in school. They were hoping we’d take in Lucas Golde, Stephanie’s boy.”

“Lucas Golde, huh? So he’s one of them. Why didn’t the Golde family take him? They have more than enough money.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“No. And I’ll bet they didn’t either. The rich can have their fun and thrust the responsibility on others.”

“You can’t say that about all of them,” says Justin. “The Silverman family seemed pretty nice. They took care of the funeral expenses and even let me stay with them while I was there.”

“You seem quite taken with them,” says Margaret, watching him.

“Some of them,” says Justin, thinking of Belle.

——————————————————————————————–

Nicholas and Cody stare at Gavin as he relates to them what happened at Les Carr’s. Suddenly, Nicholas laughs. “I wish I could have been there.”

“It might not have been as easy for Belle if you had. And you wouldn’t want Carl to associate you with Belle right now. That would put her in danger.”

“That’s true,” says Nicholas. “But I would have loved to see Carl dressed up as a woman. No doubt it was him. I can’t imagine another man doing that unless he wants to stay hidden.”

“You’d be surprised,” says Cody. “But in this case, I think you’re right. From what you’ve told me, Carl must be in there somewhere. They wouldn’t hire another person. I just want to get my hands on him.”

“Sorry,” says Gavin. “But your case against him is insignificant compared to our interests.”

“What if we make an announcement that all charges have been dropped against him?” asks Cody.

“It wouldn’t help much. He already knows Nicholas is on his tail regardless.”

“What next?” asks Nicholas.

“We still have to wait for contact between him and the rest of the organization.”

——————————————————————————————–

Belle takes the briefcase back to her apartment and examines its contents to reassure herself that everything is there. “What’s this?” she asks herself, pulling out a large gem, the size of a small jewelry chest. She carefully inspects it, turning it over, knocking on it, feeling its weight. Questions form in her mind. Finally, she puts it back in her briefcase, locks it, then leaves her apartment again.

——————————————————————————————–

“Oh my God, what is she going to do?” asks Leslie, frantically wringing her hands.

“Calm down,” says Carl.

“Do you think she’ll go to the police?” asks Leslie.

“What’s going on?” asks Carrie, coming into the office. “I saw Belle Silverman leaving here.”

They briefly explain what happened. “Are we going to be in trouble?” asks Carrie.

“Not if I can help it,” says Carl. “I’m going to get that case back.”

——————————————————————————————–

Filed under: All That Glitters