Chapter 5
Vaulting off his horse, Ian told the crew members who rushed to his side that he was all right then came over to where Rick was standing. "Are you ok, Ian, that wasn't part of the show!" he asked the performer, who was trying to catch his breath.
"Yes, Mr. Simon, thanks to Mrs. Simon! I don't know what happened to make my saddle slip, but Breeze was spooked and was about to toss me until she called to him!" Ian answered, then turned as the video director approached.
"That was good riding, Whitehorse." Grayson told Ian, then looking at Rick, said "If that was your wife, thank her for me. She really does command loyalty in these horses, doesn't she!"
"Well yes, sir. She raises them like pets, they can't help but mind her!" he chuckled. "Will you be able to use any of that footage, Brad?" Ian asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact with Mrs. Simon's permission, I'm going to write that into the script and have it be one of the ladies of the court that saves the Blue Knight!" Grayson replied. He turned to the crew. "30 minute break, everybody relax!" he told them.
"Ian, let me have a look at your saddle, will you?" Rick asked, suspicious at a third "loose" saddle. As Ian fetched the coal black horse, Laurie came out of the stands and joined them. "Thank you, Mrs. Simon", he hugged her. "You took care of Breezy, Breezy'll take care of you!" she reminded him, beaming.
"Sweetheart, look at this, is this fraying usual?" her husband asked her, as she went to examine the under buckles. "No, Rick, someone made the holes bigger and also detached the tongue of the buckle. That's why the saddle slipped." Laurie returned.
Ian shook his head. "This is crazy, Mr. Simon, who's pulling this stuff!" "I need to check with A.J., but I have a feeling our saboteur is one of your fellow riders, son. What I want to find out is how many of you have access to the horses before you go out to perform." Rick added.
During the rest of the break from filming, Rick got a hold of his brother and asked him to run all the rider's names past the Phoenix PD. computers.
"Already did, big brother. We've got a couple of goodies on the cast, plus I think we have a match for the fingerprints on the other damaged saddles. Our friend Jonathan Burnitz has a record for assault and battery and extortion, but for that matter so did Randall Pierce, aka Randy, one of the thugs who beat Ian." A.J. explained.
"Okay, we've got enough to pick up those two, but we need to nail down who the mastermind of this little operation is!" his brother told him. "A.J., what if one of us wore a wire and hung around the back of the stands while the action is going on, I wonder if we can catch Washburn and one of his buddies on tape."
"I doubt they'll be dumb enough to incriminate themselves around us, but what if we hid in the vicinity and may be have Ian drop a couple of misleading statements, I bet we could get something!" A.J. said thoughtfully.
"Little brother, I think you've got something, let me find him. Do you have your transmitter and earpiece?" Rick asked. "Got them in the car, you go ask Ian and I'll meet you behind the dressing rooms."
Twenty minutes later, Ian went into the riders' area with A.J.'s mike hidden on him. A.J. was nonchalantly sitting in the last row of bleachers while Rick was sequestered in the laundry closet of the costume room. "Ok, Ian, get in and get out." the older Simon reminded him. Both brothers heard some low-voiced conversation, then a familiar voice. "Hey, Ian, I saw you talking to that investigator, who does he think is messing with our gear?" "Jonathan Burnitz", Rick told A.J.
"He wouldn't tell me, but he says he has a tape of two people planning to stop the video shoot. As soon as he can identify the voices, he's going to a cop at Phoenix P.D., he says he's got enough to put them in prison and throw away the key." Whitehorse said, slowly changing his vest. "Oh wow, that's pretty good, these guys must be pros. At least that'll convince the others that we're better off without Randy and Scot!" Burnitz replied. "I'm going to find Art, that'll make him feel better, he was really nervous when you nearly were thrown!"
Hearing the performer leave, Rick relaxed, then heard Ian's name called. "Yes Mr. Washburn?" he replied. "I heard you've been talking to a private investigator, does Mr. Peterson know about this guy?" "Tell him yes, Ian." A.J. advised. "Yes, Mr. Washburn, he told everyone, I think. He's with some insurance company."
"Well, if he asks any more questions, you send him to me, I'm going to speak with Mr. Peterson. I don't believe the owners will be very pleased with him allowing an outsider to wander unsupervised around a working set." Washburn ordered.
"Yes, sir. I'm going out to the arena now, anything else?" the brothers held their collected breath. "No, Ian, thank you." As pre-arranged, Rick waited until Ian went to the arena before making sure the coast was clear then climbing out of the closet.
As soon as he was sure it was safe, Rick met up with A.J. "We'd better go see Peterson and warn him. Washburn might blow our cover otherwise and put Ian in danger!" Rick worried. Seeing that the taping was about to wrap up, they headed to the manager's trailer. Knocking on the door, they heard the Texan bellow, "Door's open!"
Going inside, they found Clyde Peterson looking over galleys for a new program. "Hey, guys, I was hoping you'd stop in, how's the show look?"
"Uh, the show's good, Mr. Peterson. But we may have a problem with your Mr. Washburn." Rick began. Describing the plan to obtain information about the sabotage plot, he told him how Washburn had warned Ian not to speak to them, that he was going to go to the owners.
"He said that to Ian, did he?" the manager replied, then let out a loud chuckle. "Now I know he's involved, the owners are the ones who authorized me to hire you! You go ahead and call Phoenix PD. By the way, I heard about what Mrs. Simon did to help Ian, she's a miracle that one, I hope you appreciate what you have in her!"
"I do, Mr. Peterson, she's my inspiration. Horses just naturally take to her training, that's why Breezey obeyed her." Rick proudly answered. "Well, I want to put in a standing order with your ranch; every horse you raise I want first crack at!" Peterson requested firmly.
Just then the phone rang and the manager answered it, then looked at the two Simons. "Captain Johnson from Phoenix PD's on the line, he says he'll send some men right to arrest both Burnitz and Washburn. He wants to talk to you." "Thanks, sir. Captain Ron, it's Rick, what do you have?" he asked eagerly.
"Enough to pick up one of your assault suspects, Scot Jacobsen. He's already talking and he wants to make a deal. I'm sending a couple of men with an arrest warrant for Burnitz and Washburn. Just in case, I want you and A.J. to get Ian and Robin to safety; Jacobsen mentioned they had planned to take her hostage if Whitehorse gave them any problems. Don't take any chances, do it right now!"
Alarmed, Rick thanked the Captain then handed the phone to Peterson. "Mr. Peterson, A.J. and I have to go get my family and Ian and take them to safety, apparently they may be targets of Burnitz and Washburn. I'll call and let you know when everything's wrapped up."
"Don't worry about that now, Mr. Simon, you get to that wife of yours and your children right now. Take care, and I'll be talking to you." Peterson assured him.
As they left the trailer and started toward the stands, Rick suddenly got a cold feeling, then felt dizzy. "A.J., something's wrong!"
"What is it, Rick, here, hang on to me." Frightened, A.J. went to guide him toward a bench, only for his brother to stop in his tracks. "It's Laurie, someone just grabbed her and they're taking her away, we've got to hurry!"
Practically running, the two brothers got inside the arena and found it deserted. "A.J., go see if you can find Robin and Robbie, I'll head toward the parking lot!"
Calling out mentally to his wife, he kept feeling her trying to respond. Seeing no sign of his family anywhere, he remembered they were supposed to be at Ian's grandfather's at 6:00 pm. Finding a payphone, he called only to find no one at home. Running back to the performers area, he called Ian's name and heard him answer, "Mr. Simon?" As Ian came out, he was still buttoning his shirt and was alarmed at the news that Robin and Robbie were in danger and that someone had just taken Mrs. Simon.
"We ended at about 4:20 pm, and I told Robin that I would meet her at grandfathers', She and Robbie were waiting for Mrs. Simon to come back from speaking with Brad about the shooting script. That's the last time I spoke with them, you don't Think they took them too?" Ian grew pale.
"I don't know what to think, son, except...." Rick suddenly got a flash of something, then "heard" Laurie, calling to him. "Darling, I'm being taken somewhere, can't move, hurry please!"
"Laurie, where are you?" he mentally responded to her call for help. Suddenly he felt her presence literally fading away, then he saw his transmitter light up. Terrified, he called out to her both on his watch and in his thoughts. Getting no response, Rick called A.J. on his transmitter and found that he had located his children and was going back to the motel with them. Frantic, Rick hustled Ian into his car and sped over to the Moonglow.
When the two men got there, they found A.J. just coming out of his hotel suite, Robin and Robbie with him.
"Thank God you two are all right!" Rick gulped, hugging his children, then putting an arm around A.J. "What is it, Pop, where's Mom?" Robbie asked, then paled as his father told them that someone had taken their mother. "Oh, no Pop, you'd better tell that Mr. Peterson and call the police, this thing is a nightmare!" Robin choked then accepted a handkerchief from her brother.
Abruptly the phone rang, and picking it up, Rick heard a static-filled transmission, "Mr. Simon, you have something we want, I have something you want." "Where's my wife, what have you done with her!" Rick replied, growling.
"Easy, Mr. Simon, she's safe, and if you want to keep her that way, you need to come to the back entrance of the Caverns, at 8pm. You bring the tape you mentioned to Whitehorse and we'll give you back your wife! Don't call the authorities or she's dead!"
Vaulting off his horse, Ian told the crew members who rushed to his side that he was all right then came over to where Rick was standing. "Are you ok, Ian, that wasn't part of the show!" he asked the performer, who was trying to catch his breath.
"Yes, Mr. Simon, thanks to Mrs. Simon! I don't know what happened to make my saddle slip, but Breeze was spooked and was about to toss me until she called to him!" Ian answered, then turned as the video director approached.
"That was good riding, Whitehorse." Grayson told Ian, then looking at Rick, said "If that was your wife, thank her for me. She really does command loyalty in these horses, doesn't she!"
"Well yes, sir. She raises them like pets, they can't help but mind her!" he chuckled. "Will you be able to use any of that footage, Brad?" Ian asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact with Mrs. Simon's permission, I'm going to write that into the script and have it be one of the ladies of the court that saves the Blue Knight!" Grayson replied. He turned to the crew. "30 minute break, everybody relax!" he told them.
"Ian, let me have a look at your saddle, will you?" Rick asked, suspicious at a third "loose" saddle. As Ian fetched the coal black horse, Laurie came out of the stands and joined them. "Thank you, Mrs. Simon", he hugged her. "You took care of Breezy, Breezy'll take care of you!" she reminded him, beaming.
"Sweetheart, look at this, is this fraying usual?" her husband asked her, as she went to examine the under buckles. "No, Rick, someone made the holes bigger and also detached the tongue of the buckle. That's why the saddle slipped." Laurie returned.
Ian shook his head. "This is crazy, Mr. Simon, who's pulling this stuff!" "I need to check with A.J., but I have a feeling our saboteur is one of your fellow riders, son. What I want to find out is how many of you have access to the horses before you go out to perform." Rick added.
During the rest of the break from filming, Rick got a hold of his brother and asked him to run all the rider's names past the Phoenix PD. computers.
"Already did, big brother. We've got a couple of goodies on the cast, plus I think we have a match for the fingerprints on the other damaged saddles. Our friend Jonathan Burnitz has a record for assault and battery and extortion, but for that matter so did Randall Pierce, aka Randy, one of the thugs who beat Ian." A.J. explained.
"Okay, we've got enough to pick up those two, but we need to nail down who the mastermind of this little operation is!" his brother told him. "A.J., what if one of us wore a wire and hung around the back of the stands while the action is going on, I wonder if we can catch Washburn and one of his buddies on tape."
"I doubt they'll be dumb enough to incriminate themselves around us, but what if we hid in the vicinity and may be have Ian drop a couple of misleading statements, I bet we could get something!" A.J. said thoughtfully.
"Little brother, I think you've got something, let me find him. Do you have your transmitter and earpiece?" Rick asked. "Got them in the car, you go ask Ian and I'll meet you behind the dressing rooms."
Twenty minutes later, Ian went into the riders' area with A.J.'s mike hidden on him. A.J. was nonchalantly sitting in the last row of bleachers while Rick was sequestered in the laundry closet of the costume room. "Ok, Ian, get in and get out." the older Simon reminded him. Both brothers heard some low-voiced conversation, then a familiar voice. "Hey, Ian, I saw you talking to that investigator, who does he think is messing with our gear?" "Jonathan Burnitz", Rick told A.J.
"He wouldn't tell me, but he says he has a tape of two people planning to stop the video shoot. As soon as he can identify the voices, he's going to a cop at Phoenix P.D., he says he's got enough to put them in prison and throw away the key." Whitehorse said, slowly changing his vest. "Oh wow, that's pretty good, these guys must be pros. At least that'll convince the others that we're better off without Randy and Scot!" Burnitz replied. "I'm going to find Art, that'll make him feel better, he was really nervous when you nearly were thrown!"
Hearing the performer leave, Rick relaxed, then heard Ian's name called. "Yes Mr. Washburn?" he replied. "I heard you've been talking to a private investigator, does Mr. Peterson know about this guy?" "Tell him yes, Ian." A.J. advised. "Yes, Mr. Washburn, he told everyone, I think. He's with some insurance company."
"Well, if he asks any more questions, you send him to me, I'm going to speak with Mr. Peterson. I don't believe the owners will be very pleased with him allowing an outsider to wander unsupervised around a working set." Washburn ordered.
"Yes, sir. I'm going out to the arena now, anything else?" the brothers held their collected breath. "No, Ian, thank you." As pre-arranged, Rick waited until Ian went to the arena before making sure the coast was clear then climbing out of the closet.
As soon as he was sure it was safe, Rick met up with A.J. "We'd better go see Peterson and warn him. Washburn might blow our cover otherwise and put Ian in danger!" Rick worried. Seeing that the taping was about to wrap up, they headed to the manager's trailer. Knocking on the door, they heard the Texan bellow, "Door's open!"
Going inside, they found Clyde Peterson looking over galleys for a new program. "Hey, guys, I was hoping you'd stop in, how's the show look?"
"Uh, the show's good, Mr. Peterson. But we may have a problem with your Mr. Washburn." Rick began. Describing the plan to obtain information about the sabotage plot, he told him how Washburn had warned Ian not to speak to them, that he was going to go to the owners.
"He said that to Ian, did he?" the manager replied, then let out a loud chuckle. "Now I know he's involved, the owners are the ones who authorized me to hire you! You go ahead and call Phoenix PD. By the way, I heard about what Mrs. Simon did to help Ian, she's a miracle that one, I hope you appreciate what you have in her!"
"I do, Mr. Peterson, she's my inspiration. Horses just naturally take to her training, that's why Breezey obeyed her." Rick proudly answered. "Well, I want to put in a standing order with your ranch; every horse you raise I want first crack at!" Peterson requested firmly.
Just then the phone rang and the manager answered it, then looked at the two Simons. "Captain Johnson from Phoenix PD's on the line, he says he'll send some men right to arrest both Burnitz and Washburn. He wants to talk to you." "Thanks, sir. Captain Ron, it's Rick, what do you have?" he asked eagerly.
"Enough to pick up one of your assault suspects, Scot Jacobsen. He's already talking and he wants to make a deal. I'm sending a couple of men with an arrest warrant for Burnitz and Washburn. Just in case, I want you and A.J. to get Ian and Robin to safety; Jacobsen mentioned they had planned to take her hostage if Whitehorse gave them any problems. Don't take any chances, do it right now!"
Alarmed, Rick thanked the Captain then handed the phone to Peterson. "Mr. Peterson, A.J. and I have to go get my family and Ian and take them to safety, apparently they may be targets of Burnitz and Washburn. I'll call and let you know when everything's wrapped up."
"Don't worry about that now, Mr. Simon, you get to that wife of yours and your children right now. Take care, and I'll be talking to you." Peterson assured him.
As they left the trailer and started toward the stands, Rick suddenly got a cold feeling, then felt dizzy. "A.J., something's wrong!"
"What is it, Rick, here, hang on to me." Frightened, A.J. went to guide him toward a bench, only for his brother to stop in his tracks. "It's Laurie, someone just grabbed her and they're taking her away, we've got to hurry!"
Practically running, the two brothers got inside the arena and found it deserted. "A.J., go see if you can find Robin and Robbie, I'll head toward the parking lot!"
Calling out mentally to his wife, he kept feeling her trying to respond. Seeing no sign of his family anywhere, he remembered they were supposed to be at Ian's grandfather's at 6:00 pm. Finding a payphone, he called only to find no one at home. Running back to the performers area, he called Ian's name and heard him answer, "Mr. Simon?" As Ian came out, he was still buttoning his shirt and was alarmed at the news that Robin and Robbie were in danger and that someone had just taken Mrs. Simon.
"We ended at about 4:20 pm, and I told Robin that I would meet her at grandfathers', She and Robbie were waiting for Mrs. Simon to come back from speaking with Brad about the shooting script. That's the last time I spoke with them, you don't Think they took them too?" Ian grew pale.
"I don't know what to think, son, except...." Rick suddenly got a flash of something, then "heard" Laurie, calling to him. "Darling, I'm being taken somewhere, can't move, hurry please!"
"Laurie, where are you?" he mentally responded to her call for help. Suddenly he felt her presence literally fading away, then he saw his transmitter light up. Terrified, he called out to her both on his watch and in his thoughts. Getting no response, Rick called A.J. on his transmitter and found that he had located his children and was going back to the motel with them. Frantic, Rick hustled Ian into his car and sped over to the Moonglow.
When the two men got there, they found A.J. just coming out of his hotel suite, Robin and Robbie with him.
"Thank God you two are all right!" Rick gulped, hugging his children, then putting an arm around A.J. "What is it, Pop, where's Mom?" Robbie asked, then paled as his father told them that someone had taken their mother. "Oh, no Pop, you'd better tell that Mr. Peterson and call the police, this thing is a nightmare!" Robin choked then accepted a handkerchief from her brother.
Abruptly the phone rang, and picking it up, Rick heard a static-filled transmission, "Mr. Simon, you have something we want, I have something you want." "Where's my wife, what have you done with her!" Rick replied, growling.
"Easy, Mr. Simon, she's safe, and if you want to keep her that way, you need to come to the back entrance of the Caverns, at 8pm. You bring the tape you mentioned to Whitehorse and we'll give you back your wife! Don't call the authorities or she's dead!"