Reining in Murder Read Online Free PDF

her portable kit.
    Jessica whistled. “What a gorgeous guy. Who has the honor of riding him?”
    â€œHilda Colbert.”
    Annie heard a muffled groan.
    â€œWhy does that woman get all the best horses?”
    â€œMoney,” Annie said flatly. “Pure and simple. Although I resent your suggestion that Rover is in any way inferior to that thoroughbred in front of you. He keeps the pasture mowed, and his bedside manner is impeccable.”
    Jessica laughed. “You are so right. Okay, let’s have a look at the guy.”
    The bay’s nervous whinnies echoed along the walkway as Annie led him to the tacking-up area in the barn. While Jessica set up her equipment, Annie put the bay in cross ties. She decided to keep his halter on, so she’d have access to the lead rope.
    â€œAll right, sweetie, let’s take a look at your mouth.” Jessica rubbed the horse’s forehead, moving gently down the sides of his face and around his mouth. She was rewarded with a sideswipe lick.
    â€œHe is a licker,” Annie said. “I personally don’t have to wash my hands for a week.”
    Jessica laughed softly. “Good boy.” She went back to her truck and returned with a headstand, which she let the bay sniff before setting it in front of him. She then took out a large steel speculum and placed the halter section over the bay’s head, while she continued to let him lick her open hand.
    â€œSo far, so good.” Donning blue nitrate gloves, Jessica opened the tooth cups with one hand and gingerly placed her free thumb at the back of the bay’s mouth, where lips met jaw. “Open up, that’s a good boy.”
    The bay jerked his head up, half rearing before the cross ties brought his legs down with a resounding thud. A strangled whinny emanated within his chest.
    â€œI should tell you, he’s a tad sensitive about the inside of his mouth,” said Annie.
    â€œNo kidding.”
    Jessica strapped a head lamp onto her head while critically examining the horse’s jawline.
    Annie was looking elsewhere. The bay was shaking, its eyes wide and wild. Annie had seen that look just a few hours before. She stroked the bay’s neck as the vet again pressed her thumb on the same pressure point to encourage the bay to open its mouth.
    â€œThat’s it, just open up. There’s a good boy,” Jessica crooned.
    She was rewarded with a solid kick to her nether regions.
    Jessica fell backward, her scream intermingling with a high-pitched squeal from the horse that reflected more rage than fear. The lead rope Annie had been clutching swished on the floor like a snake. She snatched it up again. The bay’s head swiveled wildly around, snapping the cross ties back and forth. The barn roof was too high for the horse to hit its poll, but Annie was concerned that the strength of the bay’s fury might take out the cross ties. She knew she couldn’t hold him without that support.
    Annie glanced at Jessica, sprawled on the stable floor, clutching her crotch as she wheezed out a string of curses.
    â€œDon’t worry about me,” Jessica panted. “I’m past childbearing age, anyway.”
    Annie couldn’t answer. Nor could she stop the manic dance the bay was performing in its restricted space. She could barely hang on to the lead rope and try to avoid the bay’s striking hooves.
    And then it stopped. In the silence that followed, only the sound of Jessica and the bay’s labored breathing filled the air.
    Annie heard a small click. She knew that sound. Someone or something had opened her paddock gate. A familiar clip-clop clattered on the concrete floor.
    â€œTrotter!”
    The donkey poked his head around the corner and ambled down the aisleway, pausing to nibble at a bit of stray hay on the floor.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?”
    The bay gave a low-throated call. Trotter responded with an inquisitive hee-haw. Annie and Jessica