“People who don’t want anyone to be able to remember seeing them behave a certain way. Short answers, nondescript clothing, looking around, and after about five minutes, he gotup, went to a new game. Again, he didn’t want me to be able to recognize him. It’s what we’re trained to do. Hide in plain sight.”
“Are you saying he’s undercover?” I ask.
Liam shakes his head. “No, but he’s hiding. I was able to get into his hotel room and look around. All of his belongings were packed in a bag, ready to grab. He used an alias as well. He’s running from something or someone.”
I can’t even begin to imagine he’d run from Owen. Sure, he’s a prick, but he’s not terrifying. Travis worked for me already and was making a ton of money. None of this adds up or makes sense.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, my head still pounding. “Is there something else that has you questioning all of this?”
“Maybe. Does the name Antonio Gibrelli mean anything to you?”
I think about it for a second, but it’s not ringing any bells. “No.”
“Do you know this man?”
He flips the page again, and I see someone I recognize. He was one of the first people to pull out of the deal we had with his horse we were boarding and training. He also had two more thoroughbreds he was purchasing—canceled both of those contracts as well. “Yes, that’s James Gardiner.”
“What about this guy?” He shows me another photo of a man, dressed in a suit, his black hair pushed to the side. It honestly could be anyone, but I don’t recognize him.
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so.”
I also have a raging hangover and this is causing the ache to become a throb in my skull. This might not have been the best time to make really bad decisions.
I chug the glass of water in front of me and point to the photo. “Who is that?”
“That’s Gibrelli’s son. He’s the second in command of their organization.”
“Okay, what the fuck are we talking about?” I ask, frustration at not understanding why I’m having to look at all these people’s photos starting to take hold.
Liam turns to the next page, and there’s a photo of three guys and Travis standing between them.
“Do you think Travis is mixed up with them?”
“Yes, and I think there’s a lot more to this. Gibrelli’s son also purchased a horse from you, only he did it under one of his dummy holdings, which happens to be the name Andrew Bennett.”
That name I recognize. “He bought six horses, two canceled contracts.”
“He also had three horses boarded and being trained by Travis.”
“That aren’t at my ranch anymore,” I finish.
Liam goes to the next page. “This guy is Pete McMahon, he’s one of their enforcers.”
“Enforcers for what?”
“Organized crime.”
My eyes widen as understanding hits me. He was at the ranch yesterday for the rodeo. I remember him. There are certain people who just have a presence and he was one of them. Strolled right up to me, extended his hand, asked a bunch of questions about Travis, ironically. Told me how he was hoping to finally meet the illustrious trainer who has done so much good for the racing world and asked where he was.
It seemed strange to me because everyone pretty much is aware Travis left, and the rumors surrounding his disappearance. When he asked me, I was taken aback and thankfully got pulled away by Tessa when another buyer came around. Still, I remember thinking it was strange.
I glance up at Liam, trying to put the pieces together. “This guy was at my ranch yesterday.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.” I explain the entire meeting with the guy and all that he said. Liam listens and takes a few notes. We discuss the entire rodeo, the people who were there, anything I remembered that maybe felt a little strange.
There really wasn’t anything that stood out other than him fishing about Travis.
