Notes: Thank you, once again, to all that take the time to read and review. I have a quick question for all of you who love the Frank/Nancy relationship: Why? Is it the unrequited thing? They seem the best match? What? I really am curious to know the reason some prefer Frank to Ned (other than myself, I know my reasons). I would love it if you could answer in your review. Thanks! :)

Chapter 7

"So what's really going on at Gordon Mitchell Racing besides a bunch of disgruntled employees?" Joe asked as he reached for more pizza. The group was tired after a long day at the stables and had returned to the house with several boxes from the local Pizza Express.

Nancy sighed as she began to drum her fingers on the dining room table where they had all gathered. "I don't know," she said the frustration evident in her voice. "Pauline seems to think it is impossible that anyone from GMR could be involved…"

"But you don't agree," Joe stated as matter-of-factly as one could with their mouth full of pizza. "Good. Neither do I."

"Joseph! Manners!" Vanessa cried as she covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. "Can't take him anywhere," she muttered.

The others laughed, but Nancy remained lost in thought. "No, I think someone definitely is up to something." They had caught each other up on their progress from the day and something was bothering her, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what.

"But who?" George asked earnestly. "All we've found so far is a few people that either want a promotion or need a vacation."

"Don't forget about Rooooger!" Bess sang playfully unable to resist an opportunity to embarrass her cousin.

"I haven't," George retorted. "I definitely want to know how it came about that a farrier has his own champion racehorses."

"You can ask him on your date!" Bess teased gleefully hoping this revelation would get the reaction she was expecting.

"Date? What date?" Nancy asked suddenly startled back into the conversation.

"It's not a date," George argued glaring at her cousin. "He invited me to ride horses with him sometime," she shrugged.

"Sounds like a date to me," Nancy grinned as she watched her friend's face flush with embarrassment. "He didn't ask me to ride horses."

"He didn't," Frank muttered, "but I bet Steve would."

"Wait! What?" Bess cried unhappily. She hated being the last to know even the smallest bit of gossip.

"It was nothing," Nancy insisted as Frank snorted. "Steve's kind of the flirtatious type."

"Weren't you with Frank?" Joe asked in confusion. "I've got your back, brother," he added confidently patting his older sibling on the shoulder.

"That will not be necessary," Nancy said rolling her eyes. "Can we try to focus, please? We have a case to solve."

"Fine," Frank conceded reluctantly. "I'd say the first thing we need to do is talk to Gordon Mitchell."

Nancy nodded. "I'll call Pauline tonight and see if she can arrange a meeting." It definitely sufficed to say that if you are investigating problems at Gordon Mitchell Racing you should talk to Gordon Mitchell.

"Vanessa and I will see if we can get anymore out of Steve and the riders," Joe offered. "Although that guy better keep his paws away from my fiancé."

"What about us?" Bess asked hesitantly. She was the least likely detective of the group and although this case had yet to see much in the way of danger she was still a little nervous.

"I was thinking maybe you could shadow Pauline tomorrow?" Nancy suggested. "It might be good to observe her interactions with the others. See if anyone is acting particularly suspicious. As for George," she turned towards her friend with a mischievous grin, "I think she better go on that date with Roger."

"IT'S NOT A DATE!" George protested while the others laughed.


"So, Pauline tells me you are detectives?" Gordon Mitchell asked Frank and Nancy once they were settled in his office the following morning. The trainer appeared to be in his early fifties, slightly balding, but still handsome. He had a cheery disposition and an obvious affection for his Assistant Trainer.

"Private investigators," Frank replied. "We work together with my Dad and brother back in New York."

"I see," the other man nodded politely. "And how long have the two of you been a couple?"

Frank and Nancy were briefly startled. "Um, I guess it has been about six months now?" Nancy looked to Frank questioningly.

"Yes," he agreed. "Did Pauline tell you?"

"You're not the only one with investigative skills, young man," Mitchell answered good-naturedly. "But, yes, in this instance, Pauline told me. Not that it isn't rather obvious."

Nancy laughed. She liked Gordon Mitchell and couldn't help but feel happy for her friend. "I guess I could ask you the same thing then," she said pointedly. "You and Pauline?" she urged hoping he would elaborate.

"Fair enough," he laughed heartily folding his hands on the desk in front of him. "I have been fond of Pauline for a long time. Took a long time for me to convince her to go out with me though."

"Pauline said she was a little worried about dating her boss," Nancy admitted. "I can see where that would be a concern."

"Pffffffft!"

This sudden, dismissive sound startled Frank. "I'm sorry, what did I miss?"

Mitchell chuckled. "Just that while it may be my name on the sign, I am hardly the boss."

"But you're the trainer," Nancy said simply as her eyebrows rose in question.

"True," he agreed, "but Pauline runs the place. Ask anyone. I would be nowhere without her. Actually, that was the problem. When things started going…um, less than stellar around here," he continued, "Pauline blamed herself. She has taken it really hard. Harder than me and it's my butt on the line."

"So the problems started before you and Pauline started dating?" Nancy asked with surprise. This contradicted what the riders had told Joe and Vanessa.

"Of course. She felt she had let me down. Offered her resignation and everything. Took a lot for me to talk her out of it."

"Tom seemed to suggest that the problems around here started because of your relationship," Frank explained. "That you weren't paying enough attention to the job anymore."

Mitchell laughed aloud at this. "Tom is just a bitter, old spoilsport," he said shaking his head. "He doesn't think we're not paying enough attention to the job, he just thinks Pauline isn't paying enough attention to him."

"Wait, Tom has feelings for Pauline?" Nancy shook her head in amazement. She had not had the pleasure of a conversation with the man, but from all she had seen and heard she didn't know he had it in him.

"Yeah," Mitchell chuckled. "Has for years. I suspect that's one of the reasons he still works here. Although, I'm not sure Pauline knows come to think of it. He's never actually told her, but everyone else knows."

Frank was watching this entire exchange in bewilderment. "This place is like one of those soap operas Joe swears he doesn't watch."

Nancy paused to smirk at this before turning back to the other man. "Mr. Mitchell-" she began.

"Please, call me Gordon," he insisted. "Mr. Mitchell was my father."

"Okay, Gordon," she continued, "Do you think that Tom is causing the accidents and other issues around here out of jealousy?"

"I suppose it isn't impossible," he said reflectively, "but it would surprise me. Tom needs this job."

"Wouldn't that be true of all of you?" Frank asked curiously.

"Some are in better situations than others," Gordon said carefully. "Steve, for example, has loads of experience, so while it's hurtful to him, it's not devastating. He has other successes on his resume. There's Roger. Farriers are important, naturally, but most people would not consider him bad at his job because the horses aren't winning races. Besides, Roger doesn't need the money."

"We had heard he owns some of the horses out here?" Nancy prodded.

Gordon nodded. "Several actually. Well, his father does, but Roger is the only heir."

"Interesting that he's chosen to be a farrier then," Frank murmured. "They don't make a lot of money do they?"

"Well, not what someone like Roger would be used to anyway," Gordon agreed, "but then, he doesn't need it, does he? From what I understand, he just loves horses." He shrugged as if it made perfect sense to him.

"We've heard some grumblings that nobody is allowed to take any time off right now?" Nancy asked carefully.

"That's not technically true," Gordon sighed, "but yeah, I made it pretty clear I didn't like the idea. Things are bad and if everyone around here wants to still have a job then we need them here working and trying to get a win before all of our owners pull out."

Nancy personally believed that low morale wasn't going to do anybody any favors, but didn't share this thought out loud. Just as she was about to ask more about the accidents that had been occurring, they heard a bloodcurdling scream. "That was Bess!" she cried looking at Frank her face white with fear.

He only nodded in way of response as they rushed to find their friend.


Please review! All feedback- positive or negative- is appreciated. And if you don't mind, please don't forget my question from the notes. Thanks in advance!