Mystery of the Midnight Rider (Nancy Drew Diaries #3)(26)

"Was it Mickey?” I asked.

Payton shook her head. "That’s what I thought at first, but it wasn’t him. I called out, and instead of answering, the person ran away.”

"What did he look like?” I said. "Was it definitely a man?”

“I think so—I’m not sure.” Payton bit her lip again. "I really didn’t get a good look. It was pretty dark. But it looked like a big guy with broad shoulders. Maybe bald?” She shrugged. “Like I said, it was hard to see, and I guess I wasn’t thinking too clearly. . . .”

"It’s okay.” I put an arm around her shoulders. “Are you sure it wasn’t show security or something?”

"I don’t think so. Why would a security guard run away as soon as I said something to him?” Payton sounded shaken. “Anyway, I wasn’t sure what to do. I was still standing here in the aisle when I heard a weird whistle.”

“A whistle?” Ned echoed. “What do you mean?”



"It’s hard to describe. It sounded like some kind of—of signal or something, you know? Like in the movies?” Payton let out a low two-note whistle, then shook her head. "I know that sounds



crazy.”

"Not really,” I said. "Not after everything else that’s happened around here lately.”

She nodded. “Anyway, I was kind of spooked. So I ducked back into Midnight’s stall and hid behind him while I texted you.”

“I’m glad you did.” I glanced at Ned. "Speaking of show security, maybe we should let them know about this. They can keep a lookout for this guy. They might’ve noticed him entering or leaving the grounds.”

“I’ll run over to the gate and talk to the guard there,” Ned offered. "You guys should probably stay with Mickey until I get back.”

“Okay.” As he hurried away, Payton and I headed toward the tack room. Mickey was still in the aisle where we’d left him.

"What’s going on?” he asked, sounding totally awake by now. “Payton? I didn’t know you were here.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” Payton smiled weakly. “I should have remembered you’d be around and come to find you. Then I wouldn’t have had to bother Nancy and Ned.”

“It’s okay, we really don’t mind.” I steered her into the tack room and over to a chair. "You should sit down fora minute.”

Mickey followed us in, perching on the edge of a cot that was now sitting in the middle of the small room. "Is someone going to tell me what this is all about?”

I filled him in on what Payton had just told me. “Have you seen or heard anything unusual tonight?” I asked.

“Not a thing, sorry.” Mickey shot Payton a worried look. “Are you sure it wasn’t me you saw?” he asked. “I was pretty tired when I made my rounds last time. Might not have heard you.”

"It definitely wasn’t you,” Payton told the groom with a shaky smile. "This guy was a lot bigger than you. Plus, he definitely reacted when he realized I’d seen him.” She glanced at me. "Still, I’m starting to wonder if I panicked for no reason. Maybe it was just some local guy poking around after hours out of curiosity. He might’ve been as scared as I was.”

"What about that weird whistle?” I asked.

“Maybe it was a bird?” She stifled a yawn. "Like I said, I was kind of panicked, so I didn’t know what I was hearing at that point.”

Just then Ned rushed into the tack room. “Alerted the guards,” he said breathlessly. "They’ll be on the lookout. Also, Dana just called.”

“She called you?” Payton asked in surprise.

"Yeah. I guess she’s been trying to reach you, but couldn’t get an answer.

“Oops.” Payton reached into her pocket. "I forgot, I turned off my phone when I hid in Midnight’s stall.” She looked sheepish. "I was afraid it would ring and give away where I was hiding. So what did Dana want?” She looked apprehensive, and I couldn’t blame her. In her current condition, the last thing Payton needed was another scolding from her trainer.

But I felt better when I noticed that Ned was grinning. “She was calling with good news,” he said. “She just heard from the show officials or whoever. You guys are in for the Grand Prix tomorrow!”

“What?” Payton looked startled.

"That’s great news!” I exclaimed. “So they decided not to suspend?”

“That’s right.” Ned flopped into another chair. “You guys know how fast Dana talks—I couldn’t keep up with all of what she was saying. But I guess the fact that the levels were so low, plus your good reps, made them decide in your favor.”

I shot a look at Mickey. The groom looked thoughtful, but his weathered face was difficult to read beyond that. Was he thinking that his plan had failed? I just couldn’t tell.

“Wow,” Payton said. “I can’t believe this.”

My attention shifted back to her. "You don’t look as thrilled as I thought you’d be,” I said. “Aren’t you happy that you’ll get to ride in the Grand Prix?”

"Sure, of course,” Payton said quickly. "It’s just that this has all been so crazy, you know?”