Mystery of the Midnight Rider (Nancy Drew Diaries #3)(28)

Ned stifled a yawn. “Okay, back to the drawing board, I guess,” he said. “Maybe we should all head home and sleep on it.”

“But what about your date?” Payton sounded worried as we headed toward the parking lot. "I didn’t mean to ruin it.”

"It’s okay, we were almost finished anyway,” I said.

"Yeah.” Ned grinned at Payton. "Although I was kind of looking forward to dessert. You can make it up to me by giving me half of yours next time our families go out together.”

That actually made Payton laugh. "It’s a deal.”





******





The next morning I arrived at the show bright and early. Bess and George were with me, though George wasn’t particularly happy about it.

"I can’t believe people voluntarily wake up this early,” she mumbled, stifling a yawn as the three of us walked along the path leading toward Dana’s barn.

“Get over it,” Bess told her cousin. “The Grand Prix is tonight, and we need to figure out before then who’s trying to sabotage Payton.”

"That’s right,” I agreed. “We don’t want this hanging over Payton’s head on the biggest night of her riding life. Otherwise she might not ride her best in front of the Olympics guy.”

“Okay, okay, you’re right,” George admitted. "So what’s the plan?”

"Good question. I can’t stop thinking about Cal Kidd,” I said.

Bess and George traded a look. I’d filled them in on last night’s events on the ride over.

"I thought you ruled that out when you found out Payton signs her own entries,” Bess said.

“Right. But here’s the thing. What if Cal actually doesn’t know she does that?” I kicked at a stone on the path. “Payton seemed convinced that everybody knows, but I’m not sure we should assume anything.”

"I suppose it’s worth checking into,” George said. “So you still think Cal might be getting revenge on Dana?”

"Maybe. I can’t stop thinking about what Mickey said about seeing Cal sneaking around the bam the other night. Why would he be there if he’s not our culprit?”

"Unless Mickey is lying about that to throw suspicion off himself,” Bess suggested.

"Even if it’s true, how do you know it’s Dana Cal is after?” George put in. “I still think he could be after Payton because of the Midnight connection.”

I glanced at her. "You know, I almost forgot about that. Probably because while we were talking about Cal last night, Payton never even mentioned that he used to own Midnight.”

"Why would she?” George shrugged. "It’s old news, at least to her. But what if it’s Cal’s real motive? What if he’s targeting Payton because he wants his star horse back, and he figures scaring her out of the saddle is the best way to do it?”

"Except that Midnight wasn’t his star horse,” Bess reminded us. "He wasn’t anything special until Payton bought him.”

"I still think we should go question Cal,” George said. “He’s looking like our best suspect either way.”

"I’ve got a better idea.” I pointed toward the ring we were passing. "Isn’t that Dana over by the rail? Let’s go ask her about Cal. At least she should be able to tell us if it’s true that he wanted to train with her. And maybe what the deal was with him and Midnight.” We hurried over and joined Dana. She was watching as a stout woman trotted an even stouter horse around the ring.

“Heels down, Sue!” Dana called out. Then she noticed us. “Oh, hello, girls.”

“Hi,” I said. “We were just wondering something.”

Dana didn’t seem to hear me. “More impulsion!” she yelled at the woman. "He’s moving like a slug, not a horse!”

“Sorry!” the woman’s cheerful voice drifted back.

I watched as the rider kicked at the horse’s sides. The horse totally ignored her, trucking along at the same leisurely pace.

Dana sighed, then glanced at us. “What was that?” she said. "Did you girls say something?”

"I wanted to ask you about someone I met yesterday,” I said, trying to sound casual. “His name’s Cal Kidd.”

Dana stiffened. “Cal? What about him?”

“We heard you might know him,” George spoke up. "That he might even have wanted to train with you?”

Instead of answering, Dana turned back to face her student. "That’s enough for today, Sue!” she hollered. “I’ve got to go.” “What?” The woman sounded surprised. “But we haven’t even warmed up yet!”

"Wait,” I said. "I just want to...”

I let my voice trail off. It was too late. Dana was already hurrying off without a backward glance.

“Okay, that was weird,” George said. "As soon as you mentioned Cal’s name, she totally freaked out.”

Bess nodded. “So what do we do now?”

I wasn’t sure. My phone buzzed, and I answered without bothering to check the caller ID. “Hello?”

“Nancy? Is this Nancy Drew?”