The Mystery of the Masked Rider Read online

  Nancy sucked in her breath. Gloria and Scott working together? Now everything made sense. It would have taken two people to plot out the scheme to get Colleen. One person—Gloria—who lived near Colleen, knew her every move and had access to the Healeys’ barn. Gloria could have easily slipped the bouncing bet into Nightingale’s stall. The other partner—Scott—was able to lurk out of sight at the show while Gloria pretended to be helpful. And both of them had had Colleen’s trust.

  “What is it that you want, Gloria?” Nancy called up to the trainer. Since the veil was still across Nancy’s face, she hoped her voice would sound disguised.

  “You don’t know?” Gloria exclaimed incredulously. Then she laughed, a screeching sound that rang across the arena.

  Oh, please let someone hear her! Nancy silently pleaded.

  Abruptly the laughter stopped. “You’re so naive, Colleen. That’s what made it all so easy. I want Nightingale, of course. With Scott as her rider and me as her trainer, we’ll go to the top. Not only will we make lots of money, but Scott will have his prize horse, and I’ll have my reputation back.”

  “Wouldn’t it be better to do it honestly? I could just sell her to you,” Nancy fibbed nervously, hoping to stall Gloria.

  The trainer snorted. “For what? Two hundred thousand? You think we have that kind of money?” She shook her head almost violently. “Nope. If my plan had worked, you would have been out of commission after your fall last night. I know your parents don’t have the money for extra medical bills as well as a horse. With you unable to ride, Nightingale wouldn’t be earning her keep. Posing as a friend of the family, I would have advised your parents to sell her while she’s young and in top form. And, of course, since I’d be faithfully by your side at the hospital, your parents would have sold her to me—cheap!”

  “So it was you who loosened that saddle,” Nancy accused.

  Gloria grinned. “Brilliant, huh? Too bad Nightingale’s so smart. Any other horse would have taken off over that jump, and you would’ve flown fifteen feet in the air. There’s no way you could have avoided getting injured.”

  “Maybe. But I don’t understand,” Nancy said, trying to get more information from Gloria. “Why did you poison the hay? And the nails in the stall, the yarn and the mask . . . ?”

  “Theatrics,” Gloria cut in. “Scott was the masked mystery man. All that stuff was to make sure the San Marcoses looked guilty. I didn’t want those two getting hold of Nightingale if you sold the horse. And the reason Scott locked you in the trailer was to make sure you’d be late for the Gambler’s Choice, and too rattled to check your girth.” She gave a low chuckle. “Much to our surprise, you made it through the first round without falling off. Luckily, I convinced you to ride in the jump-off.”

  “Sounds as if you thought of everything.” Nancy looked back at Scott, who still hadn’t moved. His horse was standing patiently across the ring, the reins dangling to the ground. “Aren’t you going to get help for Scott?”

  “Soon. But first I want to carry out plan number two.” Gloria motioned toward Nightingale with the rifle barrel. “Get on. And if you think I won’t shoot, guess again. I’m already in this deep, so there’s no turning back.”

  Nancy froze. Gloria’s crazy, she thought. If I don’t do what she says, I’m dead.

  “Get on!” Gloria screamed.

  Quickly Nancy put her foot in the stirrup and mounted. “I don’t get it,” she said as she gathered the reins. “If you shoot me, the officials will realize it’s not an accident.”

  “Ha! Don’t you know anything?” Gloria reached up and patted the rifle. “This is a dart gun used to shoot tranquilizers. Only now it’s loaded with a stimulant. One shot and Nightingale will be temporarily loco. She’ll toss you sky high. Maybe this time you’ll finally break your neck, and it’ll look like an accident. By the time someone finds you, the stimulant will have worn off the horse. Then all I have to do is tell the officials that Scott, who was just trying to play a friendly Halloween prank on you, scared Nightingale. The mare panicked and you lost control.”

  Gloria nodded to where Scott lay in the tan-bark. “Actually, his fall makes a nice touch. Let’s see. I can say he tried to save you and was thrown in the process.”

  Nancy shook her head. “It’ll never work. You’ll never get Nightingale to hurt me.”

  Gloria’s grin disappeared. “Oh, yeah?” She waved the dart gun in the air. “If your horse doesn’t, I’ll figure out a way to finish you off. I’m sick of grooming for giggly debutantes who don’t give a hoot about their horses. I want Nightingale. And I’ll do anything to get her.”

  “You won’t get away with it. My friends and the security people will be here any second.”

  Gloria raised her eyebrow. “Oh, really?” she said in mock surprise. “You mean that silly girl who was tied up and locked in the rest room is going to help? Or maybe you mean that boyfriend of yours, who we took care of. We made it look as though he fell in the stands and konked his head on the cement floor. Oh, yes, and then there’s the ever-diligent security office. They didn’t seem to mind at all when I called and canceled your little scheme.”

  Nancy gasped. “How did you find out about that?”

  Gloria snickered. “Lucky for me, I know the people who have horses next to Nightingale’s stall. I helped groom their horse early this morning.”

  “You were eavesdropping on us?” Nancy was stunned.

  “Like I said, brilliant, huh? Now ride.”

  As Nancy urged Nightingale into a trot, she racked her brains for a way out of the mess. But unless someone heard them in the arena, she was on her own.

  She cast a fearful look over her shoulder. Gloria was walking away from the stands, moving toward the center of the arena—to get a better shot, Nancy figured. Maybe that means Gloria isn’t an expert marksman, Nancy hoped. If I can just elude her until someone, anyone, gets here!

  Tightening her reins, Nancy squeezed Nightingale into a canter. The mare responded quickly and smoothly. Out of the corner of her eye, Nancy spied Scott’s black horse. His ears were pricked curiously as he watched Nightingale canter past.

  With a tug on the left rein Nancy turned the mare toward the black horse. She remembered how Colleen had used Nightingale to round up the runaway in the warm-up ring. If she could just get Nightingale to go after the other horse! With both animals charging around the ring, Gloria would have a hard time hitting Nightingale.

  “Yee-ha!” Waving one arm in the air, Nancy drove Nightingale toward the other horse. The black’s head shot up and he spun on his back legs and took off.

  Without any urging, Nightingale took off after him. Neck and neck, they raced down one side, then the other.

  Nancy gripped Nightingale’s mane and held on tight. She could hear Gloria screaming angrily. As long as they kept up this pace, Nancy reasoned, Gloria wouldn’t be able to shoot Nightingale.

  The question was—how long could the horses keep up this pace?

  The two horses made a U-turn at the end of the arena and began to charge back, swerving around Scott’s motionless body. The black horse was slowing, as if tired of the chase, and Nancy could feel Nightingale relaxing her pace.

  Suddenly a loud whack made Nightingale jump. Nancy was thrown forward onto the mare’s neck. Her legs flew behind her as she lost her balance.

  “Whoa, girl.” Nancy knew she had to slow Nightingale if she was going to stay on. Nightingale broke into a trot, and Nancy pushed herself back into the saddle. Quickly she glanced over her shoulder. A dart was sticking from the saddle panel. Nancy didn’t think it had struck Nightingale.

  “The next one’s going to be it!” Gloria yelled. She had vaulted into the arena and was heading toward them. In five more strides she would be close enough to shoot—and hit her mark.

  Frantically Nancy looked around for a way to escape. Her best bet was to get off and run into the stands. But Gloria was so desperate, she’d probably shoot her with the gun. The drug mig
ht even kill her. But at least it would ruin Gloria’s plan—an autopsy would show the drug in her body. The police would then have proof of foul play.

  It’s my only chance, Nancy thought. Her gaze rested on the exit gate. It was about five feet high, made of solid wood. Nightingale could probably jump it in her sleep.

  Nancy’s fingers tensed excitedly on the reins. At the same moment her heels dug into Nightingale’s side. “Let’s go, girl,” she urged. “Show me what you can do!”

  As she cantered toward the exit gate, Nightingale picked up speed. Her strides were sure and powerful. Nancy’s insides were tied in a knot. This is crazy, she thought. But then she heard Gloria’s voice screaming with frustration as she saw what Nancy was going to do.

  “Here goes,” Nancy said as Nightingale thundered closer to the gate. Suddenly Nancy was filled with horror. She’d underestimated the height of the gate. It was closer to seven feet high!

  They’d never make it over.

  16

  Winners and Losers

  It was too late to stop.

  Nancy shut her eyes tightly and grabbed Nightingale’s mane as the gate loomed in front of them. The mare took off. Tilting forward, Nancy rose in the stirrups. As if Nightingale had wings, she flew over the huge gate, landing with a jarring thud in the tanbark on the other side.

  They’d made it!

  Nancy came down hard in the saddle, lost both stirrups, and slipped sideways. Throwing her arms around Nightingale’s neck, she hung on. The mare slowed to a trot. Ears pricked, she clip-clopped across the warm-up ring to the entrance of the stable area. Several early risers, grooming their horses, stared at them in surprise.

  “Whoa, girl,” Nancy was finally able to gasp. Nightingale halted and turned her head to gaze curiously at the person clinging to her neck.

  Laughing with relief, Nancy slid to the ground. Her body felt wobbly, like rubber. Her fingers were stiff from clenching Nightingale’s mane. Nancy’s scarf and veil had flown off and were lying on the ground.

  Marisa San Marcos came running over. “Nancy, are you all right? What’s going on?”

  Nancy shook her head. “I need to get security,” she whispered urgently. Thrusting the reins into Marisa’s hand, she stumbled, then ran up the stairs to the office.

  She burst into the room and told the three startled officers to lock all the exit doors in the arena. To escape, Gloria would have to climb up to the main concourse. If they hurried, there was a chance they could catch her.

  “And call an ambulance,” Nancy added. “Someone’s hurt in the ring.” Motioning to one of the officers to follow, Nancy ran around the concourse and through the first door into the main arena.

  Looking down at the ring, Nancy saw that Scott still hadn’t moved. His horse was standing by the exit gate. Gloria was nowhere in sight.

  Nancy’s heart sank. She’d gotten away! But then Nancy saw movement across the arena. Gloria was bounding up the steps to the concourse, the rifle still in her hand.

  “There she goes!” Nancy cried. One of the officers switched on his radio mike and called for reinforcements. But Nancy wasn’t going to take any chances. Quickly she decided it would be faster to go across the arena than all the way around the concourse.

  Nancy leapt down the steps to the arena below. Gloria was about halfway to the door when Nancy saw someone suddenly hurtle from behind a row of seats and tackle the trainer. The rifle flew into the air. Gloria and her pursuer crashed to the floor and began to roll down the steps. Nancy recognized Phil’s dark hair and blue shirt.

  Leaping over the arena wall, Nancy sprinted across the ring. The security officer was right behind her. Nancy couldn’t see Phil and Gloria. They’d rolled to the bottom row of seats, disappearing from view behind the wall.

  In record time Nancy reached the other side. Breathless, she grabbed the top of the wall and pulled herself up. Below her she could see Phil fighting with Gloria. He had her pinned, but the stocky woman was clawing like a wildcat. Nancy climbed over the wall and jumped to the floor.

  “You’ll never take me in!” Gloria screamed. Then she caught sight of Nancy. For a moment she stopped struggling as she realized that the person in the Arabian costume hadn’t been Colleen. Then her face screwed up into a horrible grimace.

  “You tricked me!” she screeched. “Pretending you were Colleen! Nightingale would have been mine if you hadn’t meddled.” With a roar of anger Gloria rose up, tossing Phil aside as if he wasn’t even there. Then she threw herself at Nancy’s legs.

  Propelled backward, Nancy crashed into the seat behind her. Suddenly Gloria’s angry face was looming over her, grinning wickedly. Quickly Nancy drew her knee back and kicked Gloria in the stomach.

  “Oof.” The stocky woman grunted, doubling over. Phil and the security officer each grabbed one of her arms and twisted them behind her. Then the security officer snapped on handcuffs.

  By this time the second officer had made it down the steps. The two officers and Phil pulled Gloria away from Nancy. The woman put up a struggle for a moment, then gave up. She glared maliciously at Nancy as she was dragged away.

  “I hope you called the police,” the first officer said to his partner. “This one needs to cool off in jail.” The other man nodded as they started up the stairs with Gloria.

  “She’s got to be nuts.” Phil shook his head as he watched her being led away. Then he reached down and pulled Nancy to her feet. “Are you okay? That was a rough fall.”

  Nancy rubbed her shoulder where she’d landed. She was worried about Bess but wanted to make sure Phil was all right, too. “I’m all in one piece,” Nancy said. “How about you? Gloria told me she’d put you out of commission.”

  “And how.” Phil lowered his head, grimacing when Nancy touched the back of it. His hair was sticky with blood.

  “Looks like a nasty blow. When the medics get here for Scott, you’d better have them examine it.”

  “So the Headless Horseman was Scott,” Phil said in disbelief.

  “Mmm.” Breathing deeply, Nancy looked over at the still body. “Believe me, I was just as surprised as you were.”

  “I wondered who it was. I saw him ride through the gate, then wham! Gloria must have hit me with the rifle butt, and I blacked out.” Phil gingerly touched his head. “I started coming to just as Gloria was about to shoot you.”

  Suddenly Phil grinned. “By the way, nice jump. That gate’s about seven feet tall. A little higher and you would have broken the world’s indoor high-jump record.”

  Nancy laughed. “Believe me, it wasn’t by choice. But now I know why people say Nightingale’s such a wonder horse.”

  Just then the rescue squad roared into the ring. “Security must have gotten the gate unlocked,” Nancy said, starting up the steps. “I’m going to find Bess, then check on Nightingale. That horse is in good hands, though. Marisa has her. By now she’s probably fed Nightingale a hundred carrots and spoiled her with brushing.”

  Phil chuckled. “I’ll head down to the rescue truck. I want to call Colleen as soon as I can, too. She’ll be worried sick.”

  Nancy broke into a jog as soon as she reached the concourse. It was six A.M., and a few yawning vendors were setting up for the day.

  Gloria had said that Bess was tied up in one of the rest rooms. The trainer must have intercepted her somewhere on the way to the security office.

  Nancy backtracked to the steps that Bess would have taken from the warm-up ring. Then she took the same path down the concourse. Nancy spied a men’s room and finally the ladies’ room. In between the two rooms was a horse trailer display. Gloria could have hidden behind the trailer and jumped Bess when she walked past.

  The rest room door was unlocked, but the light was off. Nancy flicked it on. “Bess?” she called.

  A frantic “Ho ur ere!” came from the far stall. Nancy ran back and swung open the door. Bess was wedged between the wall and the toilet. Her mouth was taped and her hands and feet had been trussed toge
ther with leg wraps, just like Colleen’s had been.

  “Bess! Are you all right?” Nancy knelt on the cold floor and began to peel the tape off her mouth.

  “No!” Bess sputtered. “I’m freezing cold. Get me out of here!”

  Nancy grinned. Her friend appeared to be fine. When Nancy had unwound the wraps, Bess immediately jumped up.

  “So tell me what happened,” she said as the two of them left the rest room. “I hope you caught Gloria. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it was her. She jumped me from behind—threw me right on the floor. Before I knew it, she had that tape over my mouth. Then she twisted my arms behind my back and pushed me into the bathroom.” Bess rubbed her wrists. “Wow, was she strong!”

  Nancy nodded. “Yeah. We got her, though. And Scott, too.”

  “Scott!” Bess’s eyes flew wide with surprise. “But how, when . . .” she stammered.

  Nancy put a finger to her lips. “Let’s go get Nightingale, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

  • • •

  That night Phil, Bess, and Nancy were sitting in the stands, watching Nightingale and Colleen finish a perfect round in the Worthington Cup. When the duo trotted from the ring, the audience clapped and whistled.

  “Whew.” Nancy let out her breath. “I can’t believe how well everything ended. Just this morning Nightingale was dodging Gloria’s darts.”

  “At least she dodged them.” Phil chuckled. He had a bandage on the back of his head. “Luckily, that’s the last we’ll see of Gloria and Scott. The officials barred them from ever participating in any show recognized by the American Horse Show Association. That means their careers are over for good.”

  “As well as their big dream to go all the way to the top.” Nancy shook her head. “It’s too bad they were in such a hurry. They were both talented enough to be winners on their own. And now Gloria’s in jail, and Scott’s in the hospital with his hip in a cast.”