Detective Murdoch and The Horse Race

Chapter 1 My Pony

Murdoch found himself spending a lot more time at the stables than he had intended when he bought his mare, who he called Peggy's Cove, after a place in Nova Scotia, where he first rode. It seemed that his new four year old daughter, Susannah, was infatuated with the animal. She wanted William to lead her around on the horse, which she called "my pony". Or she wanted him to take her with him on rides. Julia wasn't really interested in their equestrian endeavors, so it did give William a lot of alone time with Susannah, albeit on horseback. Actually his daughter took up almost all his off time, and he loved it. Except for Julia he had never loved anyone so much.

William sat up in bed reading while Julia sat at her vanity brushing her hair.

"William, are you sorry you have a daughter instead of a son? I know you always dreamed of a son."

"Julia! What a question! But I suppose every man dreams of having a son, to carry on his name; someone to share guy things with. But those are men who have never had a daughter. I wouldn't trade Susannah for a dozen William juniors."

Julia laughed. "I knew that. I just wanted to hear you say it." Laughing as well, he threw a pillow at her.

"I promised Susannah that I would take her riding tomorrow after work. Is that alright with you?"

"If you've already promised her then I guess it is."

"Would you like to join us? I can rent you a mount."

"No dear. You have your fun. I have some paper work I can work on."

He slid down in the bed. "Why don't you lock the door and come to bed?"

He had that look in his eyes, that sleepy, yet provocative one. She turned to look at him, returning his stare. Then she locked the door. They didn't want Susie surprising them. She slid in next to him and he took her in his arms. It was a memorable night.

Murdoch had just gotten back to his office after accompanying George to a crime scene when Brackenreid popped in.

"Murdoch, do you still have that horse you bought in Port Credit?"

"Yes sir. Why?"

"There's a challenge race being set up by stations three and five for the whole constabulary. You are the only one at this station who owns a horse, and a fast one at that."

"Oh no. I do not want to race my horse. Why, she's practically become a pet to Susannah."

"It's a winner take all race. Could be a lot of money for the lads to divvy up, not counting a few bets on the side."

"Please don't put me in this position, sir."

"Alright, Murdoch. But think about it."

Murdoch heard George talking and laughing and he looked up to see Penny Renton, George's cousin and the Murdoch's nanny. The windows didn't go down far enough to see but he knew Susannah was there beside Penny.

He waited patiently for the whirlwind that was to come. One, two three..."William!" Susannah came running in and threw herself into his lap. "Is it time to go ride my pony?"

"It must be. You're here aren't you?"

Penny entered the office. "Thanks for bringing Susannah, Penny. I guess that's all for the day."

"Okay, detective Murdoch . And I'll see you tomorrow, Susie."

"Bye Penny. Tomorrow we can play with the doll house." The so-called doll house was a crime scene mock-up that William had made. He was slowly making it into more of a child friendly toy.

"Well let's go Sweetie. Peg is waiting."

When they got to the the stable Susie knew just what to do. While William brushed the mare's back and neck, Susie took a small brush to Peg's legs. The grey roan stood patiently as all this attention fell on her. William picked up each hoof and cleaned it with a pick. He threw a small pad on Peg's back and then a black English saddle, buckling the girth tightly. Next came the bridle with Pelham bit and double reins. He led Peg out of her stall and swung Susie up onto the saddle. Then got up right behind her as they trotted out of the barn.

"Can I steer William?" He laughed at her term 'steer'.

"Just put your hands on top of mine." William's hands hardly moved as he squeezed his knees to trot or turn.

"Can we go fast?"

"Not till we get out of town." Finally when they were on the road William said, "Are you ready?"

"Oh, yes!" William leaned forward a little, squeezing his legs more, urging Peg into an easy cantor. Susie's squealed in delight. Her hair was blowing and a big smile was plastered on her face. Finally William slowed the mare to a trot, then a walk.

"We have to go back now, Susannah."

"Okay. Can we go again tomorrow?"

"Not tomorrow, but soon."

Back at the stable Susie played with the barn cat while William unsaddled and rubbed the horse down. When he finished he stood back, squinting, looking at Peg's conformation, trying to figure out just what breed she was. He had no papers on her. He'd bought her from a livery in Port Credit. She certainly could have some thoroughbred in her. She was fast enough. Well it didn't really matter. He wasn't going to race her.

"Come on sweetie. We better get home and see what Julia is up to." They walked back to where William had left his bicycle. He put Susie on the handlebars and headed home.

As he opened their door, Susie ran into the house calling,"Julia, Julia. William made my pony go fast today. It was so much fun."

"How exciting! And I suppose you both came home on the bicycle?"

"Uh huh. I got to ride on the handlebars!"

"That's nice," but she looked at William with her eyebrows raised.

"Before you start, she was perfectly safe. You know I wouldn't do anything to endanger her."

"I know. She just seems like such a daredevil child."

"I guess she takes after her parents," he grinned. She punched him on the arm.

After dinner, they asked Susie what she wanted to do.

"Can we play the piano, and read our new book, and play Julia's new game, and...?"

"Hold on. We don't have time to do all those things before bed. You're going to have to pick one," answered William.

"Oh," she said as she wrinkled her brow in deep thought. Then she said, "Let's play Julia's game and we can all play."

"Alright," said Julia. "But I'm very good at this, so you'll have try very hard to beat me," she winked.

Julia got out some large paper and a box of a new product, crayons. The object of the game was to draw a picture and the others to guess what it was. Julia would give each round a category. Their first round was animal. William went first. His fat little circles were unidentifiable until he put long ears on it.

"A bunny! William drew a bunny." Susie was excited to guess right, because the first one to do so got to draw next.

It was a simple little game that Julia devised to entertain Susie. After three quarters of an hour, William announced it was somebody's bedtime. He scooped Susannah up in his arms and carried her upstairs. Julia followed. When Susie was all tucked in they kissed her goodnight and retired their room. Susie slept much better these days and hardly ever had a nightmare.

In their room William mentioned the horse racing conversation that the inspector had had with him.

"Do you want to do that, dear?"

"No I don't. But I have this feeling I'm going to get pulled in for the 'good of the station' or some such nonsense."

"Well you're just going to have to be firm and stand your ground."

"We'll see how well that goes," he sighed.

"Goodnight William. I love you."

"I love you too." They kissed and turned out the light.