Chapter 132 – Ryan Causes Trouble
As Jack walked with purpose, Nathan was grateful for his long legs as he was easily able to catch up with Jack. He grabbed his arm and forced him to stop.
"Jack." Nathan said. "I know you are upset, but take a deep breath and don't let your temper get the best of you. We have the law on our side. I know that you fired him and we have proof."
Jack looked at Nathan and realized that he was right. Jack took a deep breath and slowly blew it out, then turned to go to the registration area. When they got there, Jack and Nathan saw Ryan and his father. Ryan saw Jack and glared at him. The first thing that Nathan noticed was that the bright blue cast was gone and in its place was a space age flexible cast. Nathan quietly nudged Jack and nodded to Ryan's arm. Jack looked at what Nathan saw. He turned to look at Nathan and gave him a subtle nod that he noticed. After listening to Ryan's father, Michael, yell a little longer, Jack stepped forward.
"Cass." Jack said. "What seems to be the problem?"
Cass looked over and saw Jack standing there.
"I am sorry JP." Cass said. "I didn't mean to bother you, I asked for your grandfather."
"It is fine." Jack said. "I insisted on coming and dealing with this. I can speak on behalf of Coal Creek and Thornton Thoroughbreds."
"Yes." Cass said. "I know. Just with you jumping."
"So what is the problem?" Jack asked.
"This young man and his father." Cass said. "They say that he jumps for Coal Creek and is demanding to be allowed to jump. Your grandfather only reserved two spots and you have both checked in. He is also saying that you have his horse in the staging area and is demanding that you turn the horse over so that he can jump."
"There are several things wrong with that statement." Jack said. "First, Ryan here was fired as a Coal Creek rider last week. He was fired for injuring a horse and failing to take instruction. He was supposed to turn that jacket back to us before he left the property, so he is in possession of stolen property. Even if he wouldn't have been fired, I would never have authorized an entry fee for him to jump here at the Classic."
Jack raised his arm, snapped his fingers and two State Police members stepped over.
"Yes, Sir." One of the officers said.
"Remove that Coal Creek jacket from him (pointing to Ryan)." Jack said. "He stole it and in no way is authorized to represent my farm or my company."
At that point, Michael turned to Jack.
"Your company?" Michael sneered. "You are just a snot nosed little brat. You don't have nothing. According to my son, you stole his horse and I am demanding you return it or I am filing a complaint with the Hunter/Jumper Association and then I am going to sue you and your family for everything that they have."
Cass and Nathan watched as Jack straightened to his full five foot eleven height. He then turned to one of the officers.
"Please call Major Thompson over." Jack said.
The officer just looked at him.
"Tell him that John Parker Thornton, II is requesting his presence at the registration area." Jack said.
Upon hearing who he was speaking to, the officer quickly got on the radio.
… … … …
John pulled Andrew over to the side to have as private a conversation as possible.
"So what is going on?" John asked. "Why was James upset and asked for security to move toward the registration area?"
"Okay." Andrew said. "What I have been able to gather, the young man that JP fired last week showed up with his father. They were making a huge scene and demanding to be allowed to ride. The young man was wearing a Coal Creek/Thornton Thoroughbred jacket and insisted that he was one of their registered riders."
"This was the young man who was thrown and broke his arm." John said.
"Yes." Andrew said.
"But he can't ride with a cast on." John said.
"Apparently." Andrew said. "He has one of those new flex casts that can be taken off at times."
"Oh no." John said. "Our insurance is not paying for that."
"Peter and I have already been on it." Andrew said. "We have been on the phone with an insurance representative. It sounds like JP already lodged a complaint with the insurance and an investigation has been launched. It sounds like JP stated that this kid Ryan was hurt due to his own behavior and negligence. I guess JP also lodged a complaint with the Hunter/Jumper Association and they have opened an investigation into the kid. This kid is also saying that JP and/or Coal Creek stole his horse."
John let out a harsh breath, he knew that kid was going to be trouble, but was also glad that Jack didn't allow him to continue, especially when he injured a horse.
"So James is handling things?" John asked.
"Actually." Andrew said. "From what I have been able to learn, JP insisted on handling things himself. He apparently has Nathan with him."
"Okay." John said. "I am not happy about that, but I guess I better get used to JP standing up for himself."
"I think so." Andrew said. "I also think that it is a good thing, especially if he is going to be the face of the companies in the future."
"I guess you are right." John said. "Stay on top of things and let me know if there is anything else. I won't intervene nor will I send security to intervene. I do want them close, just in case."
Andrew nodded and started typing a message as John walked back to sit down.
… … … …
Jack turned his attention back to Michael and his brat son, Ryan.
"Cass." Jack said. "In addition to Ryan being fired from Coal Creek, there is currently an active investigation into him from the Hunter/Jumper Association. I have been informed that he has been suspended from riding in any sanctioned event until a formal decision can be made about the claims. If that wasn't enough, just over two weeks ago Ryan was thrown from a horse when he failed to listen to the trainer. He made a claim against our insurance that is currently being investigated as well, since he refused to listen to the first doctor's orders.
If I remember correctly, if a rider has been injured and it was reported and/or a claim against a third party insurance was made, to ride again, they need a clean bill of health from an independent doctor appointed by the Association. As far as I know and I spoke to our insurance yesterday, Ryan has not met those conditions. According to my sources Ryan has demanded to see the doctor of his choice and went to the city and saw an orthopedic specialist there. I would assume that was where he got the flex cast that he is currently sporting. When he was fired last week, he was wearing a bright blue fiberglass cast.
I have pictures that were taken from our security cameras. I also have sworn statements from our two trainers about what happened. I also have a copy of the report, including the vet report that was submitted to the Association. If that isn't enough, I have the video of him being thrown and his actions that lead up to that incident. I will also say that the video has sound and you can hear Ryan yelling at the trainer and calling him horrible derogatory names."
Major Thompson had walked up while Jack was speaking. He had been informed of what was going on. He stood and waited to see what was going to happen. Michael stood there glaring at Jack and occasionally looking at his son. He didn't think that the kid in front of him knew so much, or had as much authority as he spoke with.
"What about him claiming that you took his horse?" Cass asked.
"What horse is he claiming that we took?" Jack asked.
"You know very well that Bandit is my horse?" Ryan sneered.
When Major Thompson heard that this spoiled young man was claiming that Bandit was his horse, he stepped forward.
"Cass." Marcus said.
"Major Thompson." Cass said. "You have something to add."
"Yes." Marcus said. "I know for a fact that Bandit is Jack's horse. That horse was born at Coal Creek and was trained by his grandfather. I also know that horse has only ever been stabled at Coal Creek or the riding facility in the city when Jack was jumping. I am also sure that Jack has the registration papers if needed. I know Jack and his family and I believe that his young man is just trying to cause trouble."
"How dare you?" Michael huffed. "Don't you know who I am?"
"Nope." Marcus said. "However, I have known Jack and his family for years."
"Major Thompson." Jack said. "Ryan here stole that Coal Creek/Thornton Thoroughbreds jacket. He is in no way authorized to represent my farm or my company. I want that jacket back and I want him removed from the grounds. And for the record, I do have the registration papers for Bandit. I have proof that he was born at Coal Creek and has always been my horse."
Major Thompson turned to Ryan.
"Young man." Marcus said. "Remove that jacket or I will have my officers remove it from you."
Ryan huffed twice and when two officers stepped forward, he reluctantly took the jacket off and dropped in the dirt. Then he took his foot and ground it into the dirt, then spit on it.
"Jack." Marcus said. "How much are those jackets?"
"They are custom made with our logo and a custom blend of fibers." Jack said. "They come from a designer in the city. So probably two hundred dollars or so and that is just to get the materials, not to have it made. I think the total for each jacket is about five hundred dollars to be made and fitted."
Nathan hid his surprise when Jack talked about the cost of the jackets realizing that he was wearing one that was matching to the one that Ryan had on.
"Officer." Marcus said. "Arrest that man for criminal mischief and destruction of property."
"His name is Ryan Kennedy." Jack said.
The officer nodded and placed Ryan under arrest amid the protests of his father. The other officer picked up the jacket for evidence.
"Cass, is there anything else?" Marcus asked.
"No." Cass said. "I am sorry that you had to get involved."
"No problem." Marcus said. "It is what I am here for. Jack knew that I was here. He also knew to ask for me personally if there was any problem."
Cass nodded, then turned to Jack.
"I am sorry you had to deal with this." Cass said. "Please accept our apologies on behalf of the Racing Association here in Saratoga which hosts the Classic."
"Apology accepted." Jack said. "Now, I need to get back to the others before we walk the course."
"Of course." Cass said.
"I will walk you back." Marcus said.
"Thank you." Jack said.
Jack, Nathan and Marcus turned to walk back. They got far enough away so that the others couldn't hear, then Marcus turned to Jack.
"Your mother took the deal on the advice of your father." Marcus said. "I personally saw them get on the helicopter before coming here. She will have to come back in about ten days to formally stand before the judge. So technically, she was released on her own recognizance. If she doesn't return to formally stand before the judge, there will be a bench warrant issued for her arrest."
"Thank you for telling me." Jack said.
"Good luck this afternoon." Marcus said. "I hope that you and Doug do well."
"Thank you." Jack said.
The three walked back to the trailer in silence. When they got there, Jack excused himself. James, Marco and Doug all knew that Jack needed a few moments to center himself.
"He okay?" James asked.
"Yes." Nathan said. "He handled everything well and didn't lose his temper."
"So what happened?" James asked.
Nathan and Marcus quickly recapped what happened.
"What happened to the jacket?" James asked.
"My officers took it as evidence." Marcus said. "It will eventually be returned to you."
"Thank you." James said. "We will let you get back to work."
"No problem." Marcus said. "I just wanted to check in with you and make sure you knew what happened."
James nodded and Marcus left.
… … … …
After John had talked to Andrew, a few more business associates stopped by. They only stayed for a few moments as people were starting to get final things set on the course and they were getting ready to let people walk the course. Elizabeth was still sitting with Katie and Lee. Gran had joined them as well. When more people started going on the field, Elizabeth turned to Lee.
"What are they doing?" Elizabeth asked.
"The officials are making sure that everything is set the way it needs to be." Gran said. "When they are done, they will let the competitors walk the course."
"Walk the course?" Elizabeth asked.
"Each of the competitors gets a chance to walk the course." Katie said. "It is their first chance to actually see the jumps. You know the color of the rails and what is around the jumps. They got a course sheet when they checked in. You know what a course sheet is, right?"
"Yes, Marco showed me." Elizabeth said.
"Okay." Katie said. "So the competitors and their trainer can walk the course using the sheet. They make notes about different jumps and maybe what jumps that they want to show the horse up close before their round."
"So what Jack and Nathan were doing with Marco when he had them run against each other?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." Katie said.
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I understand. I may still have questions."
"Feel free to ask anytime." Gran said. "We will gladly explain things to you."
Elizabeth smiled at each of them and then turned her attention back to watch what was going on on the field.
… … … …