Chapter 3
The silence that followed Ian's words was broken by Robin's voice. "Ian! What happened to you?" Instantly he turned to see her, then at once she was beside him, holding him. "I'm ok, honey, just a little sore. Dr. Wells already looked at me. I missed you already, Robin!" he beamed at her.
"Ian, don't change the subject! Who did this to you, one of those wolves in the show?" she retorted. "Well, yeah, Randy and Scot, that's funny, they were the ones in the restaurant last night." he remembered, puzzled.
"Pop, the guys who did this, they were cat-calling and being jerks last night after dinner. I wonder, Robbie, remember the guy you saw outside our door last night, what did he look like?" she asked her brother.
"Older then those creeps; sis, dark hair, crooked nose...."he started, then was interrupted by Ian. "Rob, you saw Jason Washburn outside your door last night?"
"I don't know if that's his name, but there was some guy watching Robin go in last night. He disappeared fast, so I figured it was somebody looking for someone, but it was so odd." Robbie replied.
Rick took a deep breath; this was getting more serious by the minute.
"Ian, if you won't press charges, that's up to you, but I want to talk to this Mr. Peterson. If someone's planning to cause accidents that lead to this, he should bring the authorities in!"
"For example, who's this Jason Washburn who was watching you last night?", he added.
"He's the liaison between the company manager and the owners, he was one of the two men I heard talking behind the boxes on Wednesday.", Ian answered. As if on cue, the phone rang, and picking it up, Rick answered it "Simon Residence".
"This is Clyde Peterson, is this Mr. Simon?", a deep Texan voice answered. "Yes, Mr. Peterson, I'm Rick Simon. I'm glad you called; Ian just made it here a few minutes ago, and it looks like a couple of your knights did a number on his face.", he replied.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Simon, those two ingrates were a couple of our best riders but they've been acting up on a regular basis. I can't run an outfit with untrustworthy people. I was wondering, "the voice hesitated, "would you and your partner consider coming out to the video shoot tomorrow and investigating both the charges against Ian and the guys who went after him?"
"Sure, we can be there around 12 noon, Mr. Peterson. You can explain us away by saying the insurance company requires an investigation to determine fault, that way we can be present at both the set up and the take down of sets and backgrounds." Rick agreed.
"That's a good idea, Mr. Simon. As a matter of fact, I'd like to put this on an official basis by hiring you and your partner and paying your usual fee. I'll have your retainer waiting for you when you arrive, just ask Ian for directions to the site. My trailer will be the first thing set up.", the manager replied.
Surprised by the offer, Rick felt he had to make one thing clear. "Mr. Peterson, I'll accept your assignment, but you should also know that any evidence or conclusion for or against Ian will of course be shared with the authorities. Accusations are one thing, but attempted murder is something else."
"Fair enough, Mr. Simon. I'd heard good things about your work, I'm glad to see the actions match the words." Peterson added. "May I speak with Ian for a moment?"
"Sure, just a moment." covering the receiver, Rick looked at Ian. "Mr. Peterson wants to talk to you." "Okay." the young performer said, "I'll take it right here, thanks.
Taking the cordless extension, Ian spoke for a few minutes, seemingly more at ease. Whatever his reactions to his mistreatment by his fellow riders, it was clear he respected the company manager and trusted him.
"Yes, Mr. Peterson, I already filled Mr. Simon in.", the others listened as Ian related his having been examined by a doctor. "Just a minute, I'll ask him."
Putting his boss on hold, he glanced at Rick, who had been making notes. "Mr. Simon, Mr. Peterson wants to know if you will be staying in Flagstaff, he'll be happy to make a reservation at the motel the others are staying at. I was going to say, would you and Robin's uncle like to stay at my grandfather's, I'm sure he'd welcome you both."
Rick shook his head. "Thanks, Ian, but that wouldn't look right, plus it might cause problems if someone wants to interfere with the investigation. Please thank Mr. Peterson and ask if he'd make us a reservation."
Relaying the request, Ian smiled at the answer, then made his goodbyes and hung up.
Taking Robin's hand in his, he squeezed it as he said, "Sir, Mr. Peterson said you showed good judgment in taking the motel rooms, he'll have three rooms available for you. He asked if you would bring Mrs. Simon and Robin and Robbie too, he's a fan of Mrs. Simon and would like to meet her!" "Rick, what a nice idea, plus I think it would throw any suspicions off your investigation if we did go!" Laurie beamed. At first her husband shook his head, "No, darlin', I really don't think you and Robin should come," "Rick, I think you're wrong, it would look like our family was meeting with Ian's and was nothing more." A.J. contradicted him.
Before Rick could say no, Laurie came to her husband and slid next to him. Taking his hand, she told him "Darling, there is no way I would bring our children if I thought there was a risk of any kind. I really would like to meet Ian's grandfather and family. Can we come, please?" Meeting not only her eyes, but Robin's, he caved in. "All right, sweetheart," he sighed, then kissed her and his daughter. "Robbie, you're off tomorrow and Monday, aren't you?"
"Yes, Pop, as a matter of fact I work until 6am tomorrow then not again until Tuesday morning. I think it would be cool to see the video shoot; we could act as a blind while you and Uncle A.J. do your thing!" Robbie answered, mussing his sister's hair. "Besides, Ramona and her mother were talking about going someplace for her birthday on Sunday, this way they can really spend some time together!"
"Oh you're adult, I dare you to do something like that to Ramona!" she responded, whacking him back.
"Ok, truce you two." their mother laughed. "Honey, can you take off that long from the hotel, too? "Yes, Mom, as a matter of fact I can ride back to Phoenix with Robbie on Tuesday. ", her daughter explained as Ian put an arm around her.
"Mr. Simon, I really appreciate it! May I call my grandfather and let him know you all will be coming to town, I think he'd be upset if he knew you were there and he didn't get to meet you and Mrs. Simon and Robbie!" Ian asked.
"Go ahead, Ian. When you're done, please help yourself from the fridge, we've got plenty and you must be hungry." Rick told him. As Robin and Robbie helped Ian to stand, he turned to the older Simon. "Thank you, Mr. Simon, for helping me. Mr. Peterson has always believed in me, his standing by me today is something I'll never forget, and well, thank you for backing me up!" Putting a hand on the young man's shoulder, Rick answered, "If I know anything about you, son, it's that you wouldn't hurt anyone, let alone possibly injure a horse or rider!" As the three young people went to the kitchen, Oscar looked at his niece and frowned.
"I still don't like the idea of you and Robin going, honey. What if whoever's behind the attempt to ruin the Round Table show figures out they're being set up and comes after you two?"
Laurie got up and hugged her uncle. "Thank you for worrying, Oscar! But we'll be fine, and with Robbie around when Rick and A.J. are busy, I don't think anyone will try anything!"
"All right, missy, but you and Robin don't go anywhere by yourselves, promise?" Rudy stood up, and she hugged him also. "I promise, Rudy!" Laurie kissed his cheek.
Later, Rick said good night to their friends as they left for Oscar's cabin. As he closed the door, he gazed over at his wife as she finished straightening up the living room. As if feeling his thoughts on her she turned, then crossed the room and went into his embrace.
"Sweetheart, have I told you today I love you?" he whispered, kissing her lips then working his way down to her neck.
"Yes, in a hundred and one different ways, darling. When you refuse to put us in danger, open our home to our friends and family, spoil our dog, and help someone in trouble, just to name a few!" she told him softly, putting her cheek to his. "I love you, Rick, and I promise to stay out of your and A.J.'s way, so you won't have to worry!"
Just then Ian and Robin came into the room to say good night, as Ian was staying in Robbie's room overnight. "Thanks again, Mr. Simon, Mrs. Simon, for being there for me!" he told them, reluctantly letting his girl's hand go. "Of course, we would, Ian. You're important to us and our family!" Laurie told him, hugging him.
Seeing a realization that he wasn't alone in his eyes, Rick patted Ian awkwardly on the arm. "You just be on guard when A.J. or Robbie or I aren't around, I don't trust anyone in that outfit! Go get some rest now!"
"Thank you, sir!" Ian managed, then kissing Robin, went to bed. As the door closed behind him, Robin put an arm around each of her parents. "I love you guys, you're always there for me, and now for Ian. Thank you for caring!"
Her father kissed her cheek, saying, "I'll always care, honey, I love my little girl, and I want you to be happy." "I am, Pop, Ian is so overwhelmed by all this, but the fact he stood up to those goons, well, I'm proud of him.", she replied.
"We're proud of him, too, darling!" her mother replied, embracing her daughter. "Now you go get some rest, we'll have a big day tomorrow as your father and I get to meet the Chief's best friend!"
After Robin left the room, Rick looked at his wife, "Now, darlin', where were we?"
"I was telling you about the hundred and one ways you said "I love you" today." she smiled. "Oh, yeah." he grinned, then picked her up and kissed her. "How about I show you some more?"
"Oh, yes, my love!" she sighed, then put her arms around his neck as he carried her into their room. "You may have to show me more then once, in case I lose count!"
The silence that followed Ian's words was broken by Robin's voice. "Ian! What happened to you?" Instantly he turned to see her, then at once she was beside him, holding him. "I'm ok, honey, just a little sore. Dr. Wells already looked at me. I missed you already, Robin!" he beamed at her.
"Ian, don't change the subject! Who did this to you, one of those wolves in the show?" she retorted. "Well, yeah, Randy and Scot, that's funny, they were the ones in the restaurant last night." he remembered, puzzled.
"Pop, the guys who did this, they were cat-calling and being jerks last night after dinner. I wonder, Robbie, remember the guy you saw outside our door last night, what did he look like?" she asked her brother.
"Older then those creeps; sis, dark hair, crooked nose...."he started, then was interrupted by Ian. "Rob, you saw Jason Washburn outside your door last night?"
"I don't know if that's his name, but there was some guy watching Robin go in last night. He disappeared fast, so I figured it was somebody looking for someone, but it was so odd." Robbie replied.
Rick took a deep breath; this was getting more serious by the minute.
"Ian, if you won't press charges, that's up to you, but I want to talk to this Mr. Peterson. If someone's planning to cause accidents that lead to this, he should bring the authorities in!"
"For example, who's this Jason Washburn who was watching you last night?", he added.
"He's the liaison between the company manager and the owners, he was one of the two men I heard talking behind the boxes on Wednesday.", Ian answered. As if on cue, the phone rang, and picking it up, Rick answered it "Simon Residence".
"This is Clyde Peterson, is this Mr. Simon?", a deep Texan voice answered. "Yes, Mr. Peterson, I'm Rick Simon. I'm glad you called; Ian just made it here a few minutes ago, and it looks like a couple of your knights did a number on his face.", he replied.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Simon, those two ingrates were a couple of our best riders but they've been acting up on a regular basis. I can't run an outfit with untrustworthy people. I was wondering, "the voice hesitated, "would you and your partner consider coming out to the video shoot tomorrow and investigating both the charges against Ian and the guys who went after him?"
"Sure, we can be there around 12 noon, Mr. Peterson. You can explain us away by saying the insurance company requires an investigation to determine fault, that way we can be present at both the set up and the take down of sets and backgrounds." Rick agreed.
"That's a good idea, Mr. Simon. As a matter of fact, I'd like to put this on an official basis by hiring you and your partner and paying your usual fee. I'll have your retainer waiting for you when you arrive, just ask Ian for directions to the site. My trailer will be the first thing set up.", the manager replied.
Surprised by the offer, Rick felt he had to make one thing clear. "Mr. Peterson, I'll accept your assignment, but you should also know that any evidence or conclusion for or against Ian will of course be shared with the authorities. Accusations are one thing, but attempted murder is something else."
"Fair enough, Mr. Simon. I'd heard good things about your work, I'm glad to see the actions match the words." Peterson added. "May I speak with Ian for a moment?"
"Sure, just a moment." covering the receiver, Rick looked at Ian. "Mr. Peterson wants to talk to you." "Okay." the young performer said, "I'll take it right here, thanks.
Taking the cordless extension, Ian spoke for a few minutes, seemingly more at ease. Whatever his reactions to his mistreatment by his fellow riders, it was clear he respected the company manager and trusted him.
"Yes, Mr. Peterson, I already filled Mr. Simon in.", the others listened as Ian related his having been examined by a doctor. "Just a minute, I'll ask him."
Putting his boss on hold, he glanced at Rick, who had been making notes. "Mr. Simon, Mr. Peterson wants to know if you will be staying in Flagstaff, he'll be happy to make a reservation at the motel the others are staying at. I was going to say, would you and Robin's uncle like to stay at my grandfather's, I'm sure he'd welcome you both."
Rick shook his head. "Thanks, Ian, but that wouldn't look right, plus it might cause problems if someone wants to interfere with the investigation. Please thank Mr. Peterson and ask if he'd make us a reservation."
Relaying the request, Ian smiled at the answer, then made his goodbyes and hung up.
Taking Robin's hand in his, he squeezed it as he said, "Sir, Mr. Peterson said you showed good judgment in taking the motel rooms, he'll have three rooms available for you. He asked if you would bring Mrs. Simon and Robin and Robbie too, he's a fan of Mrs. Simon and would like to meet her!" "Rick, what a nice idea, plus I think it would throw any suspicions off your investigation if we did go!" Laurie beamed. At first her husband shook his head, "No, darlin', I really don't think you and Robin should come," "Rick, I think you're wrong, it would look like our family was meeting with Ian's and was nothing more." A.J. contradicted him.
Before Rick could say no, Laurie came to her husband and slid next to him. Taking his hand, she told him "Darling, there is no way I would bring our children if I thought there was a risk of any kind. I really would like to meet Ian's grandfather and family. Can we come, please?" Meeting not only her eyes, but Robin's, he caved in. "All right, sweetheart," he sighed, then kissed her and his daughter. "Robbie, you're off tomorrow and Monday, aren't you?"
"Yes, Pop, as a matter of fact I work until 6am tomorrow then not again until Tuesday morning. I think it would be cool to see the video shoot; we could act as a blind while you and Uncle A.J. do your thing!" Robbie answered, mussing his sister's hair. "Besides, Ramona and her mother were talking about going someplace for her birthday on Sunday, this way they can really spend some time together!"
"Oh you're adult, I dare you to do something like that to Ramona!" she responded, whacking him back.
"Ok, truce you two." their mother laughed. "Honey, can you take off that long from the hotel, too? "Yes, Mom, as a matter of fact I can ride back to Phoenix with Robbie on Tuesday. ", her daughter explained as Ian put an arm around her.
"Mr. Simon, I really appreciate it! May I call my grandfather and let him know you all will be coming to town, I think he'd be upset if he knew you were there and he didn't get to meet you and Mrs. Simon and Robbie!" Ian asked.
"Go ahead, Ian. When you're done, please help yourself from the fridge, we've got plenty and you must be hungry." Rick told him. As Robin and Robbie helped Ian to stand, he turned to the older Simon. "Thank you, Mr. Simon, for helping me. Mr. Peterson has always believed in me, his standing by me today is something I'll never forget, and well, thank you for backing me up!" Putting a hand on the young man's shoulder, Rick answered, "If I know anything about you, son, it's that you wouldn't hurt anyone, let alone possibly injure a horse or rider!" As the three young people went to the kitchen, Oscar looked at his niece and frowned.
"I still don't like the idea of you and Robin going, honey. What if whoever's behind the attempt to ruin the Round Table show figures out they're being set up and comes after you two?"
Laurie got up and hugged her uncle. "Thank you for worrying, Oscar! But we'll be fine, and with Robbie around when Rick and A.J. are busy, I don't think anyone will try anything!"
"All right, missy, but you and Robin don't go anywhere by yourselves, promise?" Rudy stood up, and she hugged him also. "I promise, Rudy!" Laurie kissed his cheek.
Later, Rick said good night to their friends as they left for Oscar's cabin. As he closed the door, he gazed over at his wife as she finished straightening up the living room. As if feeling his thoughts on her she turned, then crossed the room and went into his embrace.
"Sweetheart, have I told you today I love you?" he whispered, kissing her lips then working his way down to her neck.
"Yes, in a hundred and one different ways, darling. When you refuse to put us in danger, open our home to our friends and family, spoil our dog, and help someone in trouble, just to name a few!" she told him softly, putting her cheek to his. "I love you, Rick, and I promise to stay out of your and A.J.'s way, so you won't have to worry!"
Just then Ian and Robin came into the room to say good night, as Ian was staying in Robbie's room overnight. "Thanks again, Mr. Simon, Mrs. Simon, for being there for me!" he told them, reluctantly letting his girl's hand go. "Of course, we would, Ian. You're important to us and our family!" Laurie told him, hugging him.
Seeing a realization that he wasn't alone in his eyes, Rick patted Ian awkwardly on the arm. "You just be on guard when A.J. or Robbie or I aren't around, I don't trust anyone in that outfit! Go get some rest now!"
"Thank you, sir!" Ian managed, then kissing Robin, went to bed. As the door closed behind him, Robin put an arm around each of her parents. "I love you guys, you're always there for me, and now for Ian. Thank you for caring!"
Her father kissed her cheek, saying, "I'll always care, honey, I love my little girl, and I want you to be happy." "I am, Pop, Ian is so overwhelmed by all this, but the fact he stood up to those goons, well, I'm proud of him.", she replied.
"We're proud of him, too, darling!" her mother replied, embracing her daughter. "Now you go get some rest, we'll have a big day tomorrow as your father and I get to meet the Chief's best friend!"
After Robin left the room, Rick looked at his wife, "Now, darlin', where were we?"
"I was telling you about the hundred and one ways you said "I love you" today." she smiled. "Oh, yeah." he grinned, then picked her up and kissed her. "How about I show you some more?"
"Oh, yes, my love!" she sighed, then put her arms around his neck as he carried her into their room. "You may have to show me more then once, in case I lose count!"