Detective Murdoch and The Horse Race
Chapter 7 Race Day
"Alright Murdoch, we have nothing yet on whoever set the stable fire, right?"
"Correct, sir.
"And this horse race is day after tomorrow," Brackenreid stated.
"Yes sir."
"Alright then. What do we do now?"
"I guess we go ahead with the race and see what happens."
"Are you okay with this, Murdoch? You can still back out. No one at this station house will think any less you."
"I'm okay sir. And my horse seems to be in great shape."
"Where have you been keeping her?"
Murdoch just raised an eyebrow and gave a crooked smile.
"Alright. Keep your secrets. Continue looking into motives and maybe we'll finally find our perpetrator if not sooner then later at the race."
It was race day at last. Julia, Emily, Margaret, and Ruby decided to make a picnic of it. Even Susie's nanny, George's cousin, Penny was going to join them, as was James Pendrick. The race was to be run at 3:00 pm. The course would be revealed to the riders at noon. Station house eight had withdrawn so there were only five horses in the race now. An area had been set aside where the race would occur, for spectators, on Mr. Gooderham's property. Station house four had a large contingent in attendance as did the other four houses who were participating. There were also members of the rest of the constabulary there as well. It was quite a party atmosphere.
Susie was having a great time, as there were other children to play with. But mostly she stayed with William, who spent time taking turns with the men of station house four, guarding Peg. They weren't taking any chances at this late stage. When William was with the mare he put Susie on her and led her about. Earlier, William had walked the course himself after it had been revealed. There were four hedges and fences plus a big ditch. The course made a broad circle and ended almost where it began.
"William, Peggy is going to win the horse race."
"Is she, Sweetie? She is very fast."
"You won't fall off will you?"
"I'm not planning on it," he laughed.
For some reason William was not nervous at all. He felt very confident on this horse. But maybe after this he could give up horse racing and go back to bicycles. Of course he would have to keep Peg for Susannah's sake.
The ladies had spread out the vast array of food and everyone dug in except William.
"I don't think I want eat a big meal right before the race. Perhaps you might save me something for after."
"A victory meal, sir?" asked George.
"Don't count your races before they're won, George."
"Me ol' mucker, just do your best. We can't ask for more."
"I have a lot of confidence in you, Murdoch," added Pendrick.
A bugle blew calling all the horses and riders to the start. Murdoch and his contingent made their way over, meeting constable Hodge, who was leading Peg. William checked her tack, tightening the girth and lowering the stirrups. Again he was wearing just his shirtsleeves and they were rolled up.
"Daddy, go fast."
"I'll try Sweetie." He picked her up and hugged and kissed her.
Then Julia put her arms around his neck and gave him a deep, long, passionate kiss, which drew cheers from the station house four men. At last he had to break away gasping for breath.
"I feel like I've won already," he laughed.
Everybody clapped him on the back and then Mr. Gooderham called, "Riders up."
Again Pendrick gave William a leg up. "Just ride your race and don't worry about anyone else." Then Pendrick nodded and most of the men of station house four left with him.
William looked puzzled but nodded.
Peg felt very calm under him. The five horses were all lined up waiting for the gun. William looked around at the others and recognized all but one of the constables riding. Spectators were strung out along the three miles but most were at the start and would proceed to the nearby finish line.
"Bang!" And they were off. William and Peg broke well. The first hedge jump came up quicKly. As she sailed over it Peg drew slightly ahead of the pack which was soon out of sight of most of the crowd.
"I can't see William any more, Julia. Is the race over?"
"Not yet, little one. Come. We'll meet him at the finish." She took Susie's hand began walking.
As they raced by William noticed station house four constables spread out along the way and wondered what that was about. The next obstacle to be encountered was a wide ditch. Peg never hesitated and flew over it. Out of the corner of his eye, William saw one of the other horses refuse to jump. The course was grueling with many hills as well as the obstacles, but Peg and William took it in stride. William had a small lead over the horse from station house 7, the one constable he didn't recognize. There were only a few bystanders along the course and William again wondered why his men were spread out along the way. Three more hedges and then they would end with a flat straight-away for a mile. The next two jumps were a close together combination requiring horse and rider to no sooner jump one than they had to jump the next. Again Peg had no trouble as William and number7 were drawing away from the other three horses. Suddenly William saw two of his men tackle a third man but he was going too fast to see any more. As they came to the last jump, the rider on number 7 drew next to William, close enough to bump him hard with his horse and reach over to shove him. William was almost unseated but despite the bumping Peg held steady. But the other horse was now running several lengths ahead. As William collected himself he leaned forward, up in his stirrups and squeezed Peg for the final homestretch run. This is where Peg excelled, yet she had already run two miles full out. But the mare had heart, and seemed to do anything William asked of her. He slowly drew even with the other horse. The crowd noise was coming into his hearing now. The other horse seemed to be flagging a bit as William and Peg drew slowly ahead. He leaned even lower over his mare's withers. The wind in his face felt spectacular. He could see the finish line and gave a quick look behind him. The race was his to win as they sailed past the tape. It took a moment for him to slow Peg down, but when she did, he hopped off, went over to the unknown rider of #7, who had slowed to a walk, reached up and pulled him out of the saddle.
"Just what was that business at the last jump?" he yelled. "Were you trying to get me killed?" William was shaking with rage.
The other man just smirked.
James Pendrick ran up to them. "I was afraid there would be foul play along the course, and your men did stop two, but I didn't think one of the riders would try anything. Are you alright, Murdoch?" William nodded.
"I want this man arrested for arson," he called to George, who got some of the men to take him into custody.
As Brackenreid strode up he slapped Murdoch on the back. "Bloody well done, Murdoch. I believe there will an investigation into the whole of station house 7."
By now Julia and Susie were vying for his attention. He immediately traded the look of rage on his face for a genuine smile as he picked up his daughter who kissed his cheek as he hugged her. "I told you, Daddy, that Peggy would win."
"Yes you did Sweetie."
Julia hugged them both. After things had settled, Mr. Gooderham came over to William and his contingent and handed him a package with $5000 in cash.
"That's some horse you have there, Detective Murdoch. She's not a registered thoroughbred by any chance, is she?"
"No sir, she's not a registered anything. Just a good horse."
William turned the prize money over to the inspector and walked away with his family and friends. Pendrick was opening bottles of champagne and pouring them for all the station house four people.
When he got to William he said, "You know Murdoch, when I first saw you ride your horse at my place, I knew you were going to win, barring some kind of interference. I don't think you realize what an extraordinary animal you have there."
William laughed, "She's just my daughter's pony."
"Are you hungry, now dear?" Julia asked as she handed him a plate of food.
"Starved," he answered.
The rest of the day was spent leisurely. Peg had been given a treat of molasses and oats and was grazing nearby. Susie sat in William's lap. Brackenreid was beside him.
"Sir, I've been thinking," began Murdoch. "I think it might be a nice gesture to split the prize money with the other station houses in the race and the two who lost horses. $2500 for our men is still a lot of money."
"You won the pot, Murdoch. If that's what you want to do, I don't think anyone will object."
"Yes sir. I think that's what we should do." Brackenreid smiled.
As the sun began to set, the picnic things were gathered up and people started to leave. William carried his sleeping daughter as the ladies toted the leftovers.
When they arrived home Julia and William tucked Susie into bed, then retired to their room. Ruby was still out with Mr. Pendrick.
"That's a nice thing you are doing with the prize money."
"I'm a nice person," he laughed.
"Yes you are, sweetheart. Now let me show you what a nice person I can be too."
She started unbuttoning his shirt as he got that look in his eye that she so loved. It was a perfect end to a not quite perfect day.
