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Warren

Eva led Phantom into the arena with her head held high, the horse trotting alongside her in a drifting, flowing motion. The onlookers around me froze in their seats, all eyes on that captivating duo. Keith and his horse also drew a lot of attention.

But something wasn’t right. Even though Eva wore a dazzling, performative smile, I recognized something strained in her expression. Surely she was nervous, but everything about her ability to act under high pressure belied that as the cause.

As Eva and Phantom walked by us along the railing of the arena, Annie clapped and wiggled in her seat.

All three judges watched the gray stallion with the bloodred mark on his shoulder. I only had a vague idea of what they were looking for in terms of the animal’s physique, but if the attention they gave was any indication, Eva could be at the top of the placings.

The contestants cycled through walking and trotting, then lined up in the center of the arena, facing the stage of judges. The judges wandered around each horse as the trainers and owners stood next to them. All the horses stood in a similar stance as if they were a row of children’s toys.

Moments stretched in anticipation of the announcement of the winners. The top five horses would be awarded ribbons, and the top two spots were the most coveted places. Reserve champion and grand champion.

In another month, the regional championship show would be essential to qualify Phantom for the national-level competition. A reserve or grand champion placing at the regional show was required. How Phantom did in this class would indicate our chances there.

An announcer spoke into a microphone and listed off the fifth, fourth, and third place entrants, none of which were Phantom. That meant . . .

“Our reserve champion, Eva Bryant and Phantom.”

Annie jumped excitedly, though I spotted the slight drop of Eva’s shoulders. She still nodded graciously to the judges and took the ribbon from the steward in the ring.

Keith was named the grand champion. The winning horse had a garland of flowers and a ribbon draped around his neck, and they took a victory lap around the arena before the rest of the competitors were dismissed.

The crowd applauded, and Annie and I made our way down the stands to meet Eva back at the stall. I watched Keith and his smug smile as he left the arena. He walked directly across my path toward the stables.

“A notable start for your colt.” He glanced behind him as Eva walked with Phantom. Her gaze was down and thoughtful as she headed toward the stables, not seeing us as she left. Annie ran off after her, but I blocked Keith from continuing on his way.

“I agree,” I said. “Especially considering all of the extra hurdles Eva faces around Birkstrom from your father’s illicit activity.”

“You have no proof of such things.” Keith’s jaw tensed.

“You sure about that?” I smiled slightly.

The anger that flared in his expression confirmed my suspicions. Keith knew enough, but he wasn’t certain of any of it. He didn’t know for sure that something could point back to his family. Would that make him more cautious? Or less?

“Safe travels.” I tipped my head and walked away before he could respond. He might have won the class, but he coveted a different prize far more.

When I reached Phantom’s stall, Eva had put the horse away and was hanging up her coat jacket, the flowy white blouse below a striking contrast to her dark hair and deep red lipstick. Annie stood on a stool in the stall, brushing Phantom’s mane, with the goat at her feet.

“Phantom looked amazing out there,” I said. So did you.

She smiled at me sadly. “I wished for a bit more.”

“The Merricks are the favorite, but Phantom had the crowd hypnotized.”

Her cheeks flushed. “I hope we’ll get a better chance at regionals.”

“Better chance?”

“Victor is here.” Her smile vanished. “He admitted that the judges were paid off.”

That was what had thrown her off at the start of the class. Perhaps I could put Reid on that angle, and if I had enough of a smoking gun, I could present this to Cheryl to take to the association’s board.

“I’ll work on that.”

She shook her head. “You can’t solve every problem in the world, Warren.”

“I can try.”