“That would be a neat present for Lee Anne,” Bess said over her shoulder.
They browsed for a few more minutes, waiting for Ned. When he finally rejoined them, he wore a new belt in the loops of his denim shorts.
“What do you think?” he asked, putting his thumbs behind the silver buckle to show it off.
“I think for someone who hated the idea of shopping, you did really well,” Nancy joked. “You look like a cowboy.”
“Ready to eat?” Bess asked.
The three stood in line at a concession stand. After they’d received their orders, they sat at a small round table overlooking the indoor ring below. Rows and rows of seats sloped down to the circular area where several riders schooled their horses.
As Nancy munched her tuna salad on whole wheat, she watched the horses move effortlessly, with their necks arched and their heads tucked in, their legs rising and falling in perfect rhythm.
“Dressage is an art as well as a sport,” she commented.
“Umm.” Bess nodded in agreement as she ate a french fry. Ned was polishing off his second chili dog.
“And by the time we leave on Sunday night, we should know all about it,” Bess added after a sip of soda.
When they were finished eating, Bess decided to do some more shopping. “I think I’ll get one of those children’s books for Lee Anne. And maybe those earrings and a T-shirt and—” She broke off with a grin.
“Ned and I are going to stop by Security,” Nancy said. “We’ll meet you at Barn C.”
After saying goodbye, Ned and Nancy hunted for the security office. It was located near the front entrance off the concourse. Peeking inside, Nancy saw two desks and three file cabinets.
Texel sat at the far desk. He was leaning back in a swivel chair, his boots propped up on the seat of a second chair. A phone receiver was wedged between his shoulder and his ear. While he talked into the phone, he ate a hamburger. Waving the last bite in the air, he gestured for Nancy and Ned to come in.
“I’ll get back to ya,” he said, then hung up. “What can I do for you?” he asked Nancy and Ned.
“We were wondering if you’d discovered anything more about the fire,” Nancy said.
Texel crumpled the hamburger wrapper and tossed it into a trash can.
“And why are you so curious?” he asked. “Maybe because Chief McGinnis tells me you’re some kind of teen detective.”
“Chief McGinnis?” Nancy asked. “How did you know we were from River Heights? And how do you know the chief?”
“Hey, my job’s finding things out.” Texel grinned. “McGinnis and I go way back. I was a county deputy for twenty-five years, sheriff for the last five. This is my retirement job.”
He stood and stretched. “No leads on the fire,” he said. “We tried to question everyone who has horses in Barn C. No one heard or saw anything. Of course, I’ve only got three guys to watch over this place on each shift, and with one at the gate all day checking passes, that doesn’t leave much manpower for tracking down clues.”
“Do you think the fire was deliberately set?” Ned asked.
“No. I think it was just plain stupid,” Texel said. “Somebody went into the stall and lit a cigarette and is probably too embarrassed to admit it.”
“Probably.” Nancy thought back to the dropped match. Was Texel right? She didn’t think a sheriff with so much experience would miss much. Of course, if he did know something, he might not want to tell her.
“Thank you for the information.” Linking her arm through Ned’s, Nancy turned to leave.
“Ms. Drew.” Texel’s stern voice stopped her. “You let me in on anything you find out, you hear.”
Nancy nodded, though she could tell by his tone that he wasn’t asking a question. R. Texel was used to giving orders.
“He’s a tough one,” Ned commented as they left the office.
Nancy headed for the exit. “Let’s hope he can figure out who started that fire. I’d hate to think an arsonist is loose at this show.”
When they got outside, Nancy slowed down to put on her cap and sunglasses. “We need to meet Bess at Barn C. Let’s walk through one of the other barns to get there. It will be cooler, and I love looking at the horses.”
They hurried toward Barn A. When they stepped inside, they found the aisle deserted.
“Texel’s right. There isn’t much security for a place this size,” Nancy said. “It’s strange, considering how valuable the horses are.”
“I guess the owners are supposed to keep track of their own horses,” Ned said. He walked with Nancy over to a stall. A huge gray horse stared back at them. “Though it seems as if they’re not doing a very good job,” Ned added.
“I agree,” Nancy said. “Anyone could just walk into these barns.”
A scream echoed through the barn.
“What was that!” Ned cried.
Nancy held her breath.
“Stop him!” The cry came from the other side of the barn.
“Let’s go!” Nancy grabbed Ned’s hand and they took off down the aisle. At the intersection, they turned left. As they reached the other side of the barn, a woman came running toward them.
Her cheeks were flushed, and she pointed toward the far end of the barn. “Stop him!” she cried.
