Visitor
Chapter 2
Max Regnery stood in his office looked out the window that over looked the practice ring. The moonlight glistened off the white fence rails of the ring. Max, however hardly noticed the serene scene before him. His mind was elsewhere.
"Either you've got something on your mind, Max, or that is very interesting jumping ring," said a quiet but amused voice behind him. Max, brought out of his musings, turned to see the boy in blue denim standing just inside the doorway of the office.
"Michael," said Max with a smile, "From Stevie's description of her mysterious benefactor this morning and earlier this afternoon it sounded like you were here."
"Shh," hissed Michael, "keep it quiet!"
"Are you worried about, Dana?" said Max
"You're the one who should be worried, Max." said Michael, "If my hellcat sister finds out that you hired me to investigate Powell without telling her, your life won't be worth much."
"Oh come on," said Max, "She wouldn't really be that mad would she?"
Michael gave Max a-you -wanna- bet look. Max's eyebrows shot into his hairline.
"Okay," said Max, "Mum's the word."
"Now Max," said Michael, "you still haven't told me why you want me to investigate Powell. I mean none of the other equestrians in the valley like him either but for you it has always seemed like there was more."
Max took a deep breath that came out it a sigh.
"Michael," he said motioning for Michael to close the door, "I'm going to tell you something that I've never told anyone before."
Michael pulled up a chair and Max continued,
"To start with," said Max, "I know that its common knowledge that I was once a member of the Olympic equestrian team, but what is not known is the real reason that I left the team right before the games." Max drew a breath and went on,
"I was sent to Europe to put the finishing touches on my skills at some of the most prestigious riding schools in the world. While I was in Spain I was studying dressage at the School of Senor Fernando de la Cruz. That is where I had my first encounter with Barton Powell." Max scowled at his own mention of the name.
Mike motion for Max to continue. Max pushed back his emotions and went on.
"Barton Powell was filthy rich even then. He owned a hacienda on a hill next door to the school. He was always over at the school trying to by horses from Senor de la Cruz. I didn't think much about it right at first. Then I went one weekend to the local races. A Powell owned horse won every race. That struck me as odd. Then as I was on my way out of the stands I saw Powell personal vet adjusting is coat. Inside were several test tubes with bright blue caps that contained a clear liquid.
He never knew that I saw him. A few days later I got up early one morning and when to check on Echo, my horse at the time. I found Echo and several other horses dead out in the paddock. Nearby on the ground I found one of those blue caps. I realized that my suspicions were true. Barton Powell was drugging his horses. He had used my horse and all the others as guinea pigs while he tried to make an even stronger concoction.
I called the police and told them what I knew, but someone must have tipped Powell off. All the evidence of what he had been up to conveniently disappeared before the cops got there."
"I get it," said Michael, "now that Powell has set up shop next door again you figure it's only a matter of time before he's up to his old tricks again."
"Right," said Max, "and there is no way that I am going to let what happened to me happen to one of these girls."
"Well," said Michael, "I have to say that tracks with what I've seen going on over at the Powell estate. Powell has been trucking in all sorts of veterinary equipment. I plan to sneak over there later tonight and take a closer look at the stuff."
"All right," said Max as he stood up, "But be careful." As Max stood up he inadvertently knocked an envelope off his desk. He bent down to pick it up. There was a sound like a light gust of wind and when Max looked up Michael was nowhere to be seen.
Max went to the door of the office, stuck his head through the doorway and looked this way and that, but there was no sign of Michael.
"I hate it when he does that!" snapped Max about the time he said that Dana and the Saddle Club came walking past the stairs. They stopped, looked at Max and gave him a quizzical look. Max gave a nervous smile and pulled his head back into the office.
Three of the girls shrugged it off, but they didn't see Dana's eyes lock on Max's door and narrow."
Just then Dorothee came walking by leading Hugo.
"Bonjour, Dana," she said, "How are you?"
"Suspicious," replied Dana, before smiling and walking away leaving Dorothee completely confused.
TBC
Will Michael be able to Stop Powell or will Powell get away with it again.
Will Dana kill or just injure Max and Michael when she finds out what's going on?:D
How will the Pine Hollow Crew protect their horses?
STAY TUNED, AND PLEASE REVIEW!
