Chapter Four #3
“There’s nowhere he could hide it with MDOL looking for it. I swear, Tracy, if you had anything to do with that— ”
“What? You going to divorce me?”
“I just might if I find out you did. I don’t know why you and Rachel can’t get along.”
“She hates me because I’m not her mother.”
“And surrendering her horse made her hate you more. Damn. I have work to do.”
Case stepped into the doorway and cleared his throat.
“Agent Anderson, what brings you here?” Roy Norton asked.
“I wanted to speak to your wife again. About why she surrendered the horse.”
“I told you; it bit me.”
“Horses don’t usually bite without a reason.
” Case folded his arms and leaned against the door jamb.
“But I’ve heard enough. When I find that horse, there better not be any scars on it from you hitting it with a little whip because if there is, I’ll arrest you for animal cruelty.
” Case watched her eyes widen as she swallowed hard.
“I’m going inside.” Tracy walked past him and out of the barn.
He looked at Roy Norton, who sighed. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough. The horse isn’t at the Gibbs ranch. We searched everywhere, but I do have some shoe impressions to compare now.”
“Do you need mine?”
“No, sir. I honestly believe you were upset that your wife surrendered the horse.”
“I’ve lost my daughter over this.”
“I’m sorry about that, but maybe one day you two can work it out.”
The late sun slanted through the barn’s open doors, as Case folded his arms and studied Mr. Norton. The air smelled of fresh hay and damp wood. Norton shifted his weight from one booted foot to the other, fingertips brushing flecks of straw from his jeans.
“I hope so,” Norton said, voice low.
Case clenched his jaw. He glanced toward the stalls and saw empty troughs. “I wanted to speak with your wife again,” he replied, “but after hearing you two arguing, I have all the information I need for now.”
Norton’s shoulders dropped in a brief shrug. He ran a hand through his hair, the cold breeze from the open barn doors stirring loose strands. “Alright, Agent. I hope you do find that horse, even though it doesn’t belong to Rachel anymore.” He shook his head.
“I hope, for your sake, your wife isn’t involved.”
Norton exhaled, a rasping sound that mingled with the faint creak of the barn’s beams. “Me too. It’s been rough for the past few years. I thought we were doing fine until Tracy started to complain about the horse.”
“Yes, sir,” Case said respectfully, though his eyes never wavered. “I hope you can all get past it. But I need to find that horse. If Gibbs did take the mare, any idea where he’d hide her?”
Norton rubbed his chin, brow furrowed. “Not a clue. I’ve never met him, but Rachel seemed to think he was the best thing since sliced bread.” He offered a faint grin that didn’t reach his eyes.
Case smiled. “Young love.”
“I can’t remember back that far.” Norton shook his head.
A shaft of sunlight glinted off Case’s badge. “Well, I’m heading back to the office. I hope I get a match on those footprints from the field.”
Norton glanced toward the barn door. “Do you think Gibbs had anything to do with it?”
Case paused, one hand on the latch of the barn door. “I can’t say for sure. I don’t pin things on someone without proof. At the beginning of a case, I can’t rule anyone out.”
“I understand that,” Norton said earnestly, stepping forward, voice quiet. “But I’m telling you the truth, I had nothing to do with it.”
“I believe you,” Case assured him, voice softer now. “but I will be running background checks on everyone.”
Norton straightened, squared his shoulders. “I have nothing to hide, Agent Anderson.”
Case nodded. “I appreciate that, but I’ll still have to look into everyone.”
“I get it,” Norton said, relief flickering across his face. “If I can help in any way at all, please let me know.”
“I appreciate that.” Case gave a curt nod. “You have a good evening, Mr. Norton. I’ll be in touch.”
He stepped into the fading light. Just as he reached his truck, Mrs. Norton stepped onto the porch.
Case sighed, adjusting the collar of his coat, and walked back toward the house. Mrs. Norton leaned against the porch railing, shoulders tense beneath her cardigan, eyes fixed on him as he stood at the bottom of the steps.
“Is there something you want to tell me, Mrs. Norton?” he asked, voice calm but firm.
Her gaze dropped to the wooden boards underfoot. She pressed her lips together. “I had nothing to do with the theft of that horse,” she said softly .
Case studied her, a trembling hand clutched the railing, her knuckles pale. He crossed his arms. “You might not have taken the horse yourself, but if you hadn’t surrendered her, this theft wouldn’t have happened.”
Mrs. Norton said nothing. She turned and slipped inside, the door clicking shut before he could say another word.
Case stood staring at the door, jaw clenched, anger simmering in his chest. The thought of abused animals, creatures trusting humans completely, stoked something fierce in him.
He looked back toward the barn, his resolve hardening.
He would find that mare and bring her home to Sydney.