Free Bluegrass Peril by Virginia Smith

“You’re Eddie Jones, aren’t you?”
    He didn’t seem concerned at being recognized by a stranger. Well, a man in his profession wouldn’t.
    “That’s right. Have we met?”
    “Not officially, but we’ve got mutual friends.” Scott turned to hold out his hand. “Scott Lewis, assistant manager out at Shady Acres.”
    Recognition flared in Eddie’s face. “You work for Lee Courtney.”
    “And Zach Garrett.” Scott watched the man’s face as he dropped Zach’s name. Mr. Courtney, though the more well-known of the two men, would certainly not have dealings with a man like Eddie Jones. But Zach had been known to place an occasional bet off-the-record.
    Understanding showed in Eddie’s eyes as he assumed he knew the reason for Scott’s sudden introduction. That was, after all, the way bookies met their new customers, on the referral of others.
    But Scott hadn’t come to Keeneland to place an illegal bet. “Actually, I’ve taken over temporarily for Neal Haldeman at Out to Pasture.”
    The man’s eyes flickered briefly at the mention of Haldeman, though his tone was carefully even. “I heard about that. Quite a shock.”
    “Yes, it was. I was hoping you might be able to answer a question or two.”
    “Why ask me? I don’t know a thing about it, other than what I read in the paper.”
    Scott leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I’ve been going through some of Haldeman’s records, and I found several—” he paused for effect, studying the man closely “—mentions of you in them.”
    Eddie’s smile tightened as he returned Scott’s gaze. “I’m not surprised.”
    Nor pleased, judging by the way the man’s nostrils flared.
    “I was just wondering how much Haldeman was into you for.”
    Eddie turned slightly away, his gaze going to the paddock where the number five horse was saddled and ready to be mounted. “I’d have to check.”
    Scott prodded. “Ballpark.”
    The man tapped pursed lips with a forefinger. “I’d say close to thirty.” He looked back at Scott. “Why do you want to know?”
    Scott held his gaze. “Just wondering whether this information is important enough to warrant turning it over to the police.”
    A bitter smile lifted the edges of his mouth. “Haldeman is no good to me dead, if that’s what you’re insinuating. A debt like this one isn’t going to be paid out of his estate. Nor is it collectible from his relatives.”
    “No, but people like you have been known to apply pressure on occasion.”
    Anger flashed in the man’s eyes. “Trust me, I wouldn’t do someone in for thirty.”
    Scott held his hands out. “I’m not accusing you of anything. Just trying to get some answers.”
    He studied Scott for a moment. “I assume if you found mention of me, you found others, as well. Haldeman spread his business around pretty evenly. Word on the street is that he was down some fairly big numbers, all told.”
    Scott actually hadn’t looked at Haldeman’s files after his conversation with Becky. He’d wanted to get here before the last race. But he made a mental note to go through the rest of those tally sheets, see if he could find any other initials.
    “My, my, my, look who’s here.”
    Scott turned as the familiar female voice drawled in his ear. He shouldn’t be surprised to see her here. She’d told them this morning she was on her way to the track.
    “Miss Buchanan.”
    “Kaci, darling. Remember?” He took her outstretched hand, and she pressed it with her other one, her fingers rubbing in a caress over his skin as she had done this morning. Her gaze flickered over his shoulder. “Am I interrupting anything important?”
    Scott flashed a quick look at Eddie, suddenly damp under the collar. He’d hate for anyone to think he was betting with a bookie. “No, nothing at all. We were just discussing a mutual friend.”
    Eddie eyed Kaci with a slick smile. “In fact, I was just leaving. Ma’am.” He touched a finger to his hat before walking away.