Once a Gambler…
I have a confession to make- I love gambling on the horse races. I blame it on my grandma’s cousins, Betty and Mike. They introduced me to the thrill of racing as a young girl and I’ve been hooked ever since!
There’s just something about those beautiful, high-spirited animals prancing onto the track and lining up at the gate that makes my heart go pitty-pat
Nowadays, I get my enjoyment from watching the races on TV- with the Triple Crown as the best.
Last year, in 2018, I was lucky enough to watch Justify take the crown!
Is it any wonder I love the sport?
I decided to write a mystery set around the Kentucky Derby and added a twist by setting it in the 50’s.
Here’s a short excerpt from The Lady Said No
Gus followed the stiff-necked manservant to the door of the den, though his emotions were tugging him back to Rebecca like a starved man to a banquet.
He couldn’t believe how beautiful she’d become. She’d always been pretty, but now there was an added maturity to her features that suited her face. The tomboy figure he fondly remembered had become hills and valleys he ached to explore. They’d been best friends, then lovers, then enemies. It’d been his fault, that was the worst of it. He’d let his drive for a career ruin the only good thing in his life. He could tell himself he’d done his part. After getting his degree and returning to Bourbonville he had tried to find her. But she was right, he hadn’t tried hard enough.
Their relationship had already been floundering; it had seemed easier to let it die a natural death. He regretted that now. One glimpse of her had brought back all the old feelings. Memories of happier times.
Ernest reached for the door knob and was stopped by the officer on guard.
“Sorry, only trained personnel are allowed.”
Ernest glared at him. “I’ve worked in this household for years; I believe I am trained.”
The sergeant exchanged a helpless glance with Gus. “I’m sorry, sir. Those are the rules.”
Gus stepped between the two men before a full-scale war broke out. “It’s okay, sergeant.” He flipped open his badge. “I’m Detective Grant. The…” He waved a hand toward the butler.
Ernest lowered his brows. “Manservant.”
Gus nodded. “Manservant, was just showing me the way to the crime scene.”
The officer checked his badge, then reached back to open the door. The stench of death was immediate, a toxic mix of human waste impossible to forget. Gus turned his head to draw one last clean breath and met Rebecca’s anxious gaze.
That look gave him pause.
Why was she worried? Just how well did Rebecca know the owner of Balmoral?
“Coming, Detective?” The sergeant’s voice interrupted his musings. Gus shrugged off his misgivings and followed the man into the room, sliding past the grim-faced Ernest.
Nancy knelt by the victim, her hands covered with white gloves and booties on her feet. She glanced up when he walked in and pointed at his shoes. Gus dug through his coat pockets until he found his booties, put them on, nodded to the sergeant, and made his way over to her side.
“It’s a bad one,” she said, turning attention to her preliminary findings. “Single shot to the temple, through and through. Near as I can tell, time of death was sometime between midnight and three a.m., no sign of defensive wounds.” She stopped and gazed at him with world-weary eyes. “Who would do this, Augustus?”
Gus observed the brain matter splattered on the leather tufted chair and rich, red Aubusson carpet and his stomach churned. His first thought was crime of passion. There had been some effort made to set the scene up as a suicide. The gun rested in the victim’s open hand, finger wrapped around the trigger. A cut crystal tumbler lay on its side nearby, a stain wetting the carpet. Gus touched the wet spot and sniffed, rubbing the tips of his fingers—bourbon. The good kind. Not something a man bent on ending his own life would let go to waste.
“I’m not sure, Nancy, but I do know the brass will be all over this one, so take your time, okay? We don’t want to miss anything.”
She huffed out an indignant breath. “You telling me how to do my job, now?”
He held up a hand to halt her blistering tongue. “The Jorgensons are big news, that’s all I’m saying. Don’t they have a horse in the Derby this year?”
The sergeant, who had remained by the door, and watched their exchange with interest, piped up. “Forever Humble. Lots of money riding on that colt.” His face became animated. “You ever see him race, Detective? He’s some kind of fast. Likes to run the outside track. Gives me a heart attack every time.”
Gus smiled. “You a betting man…?”
“Fish, sir. Everyone calls me Fish.”
Nancy chuckled and the young man’s neck turned brick red.
“I’m not a gambler, no sir, but I admit I like to spend a Saturday now and then down at the track. It’s some exciting. You ever been, Mr. Grant?”
Gus shook his head. “No, can’t say as I have. Not that fond of horses, though I guess that’s the wrong thing to say in this house.” He admired the landscape watercolor on the wall, rolling hills with a herd of wild horses barreling straight at him, eyes crazy and manes flying as though they were about to burst the confines of paint and canvas.
“Augustus, there’s something you need to see.” Nancy’s voice was muffled as she stretched, shapely butt in the air, to reach something under the leather chair. She grunted and tugged until a bronze sculpture came into view. When she stood it on the carpet, he saw it was about twelve inches in height, a warrior on a horse, raised arm carrying a spear.
“There’s blood and hair fragments,” she said, turning it carefully to inspect the evidence. “I can’t be sure until I get it to the lab, but this looks like a match to our vic.”
Well, that explained why there were no defensive wounds. The poor sop probably didn’t know what hit him. Gus looked around until he found the suspiciously empty spot on the desk. He gave a wide berth to the corpse, conscious of Nancy’s critical gaze. The desk was one of those massive claw-foot affairs, mahogany maybe, rich and elegant instead of simply functional. He pulled a linen handkerchief out of his pocket and checked the drawers. An assortment of papers greeted him, some on household expenses, most on Jorgenson’s passion—thoroughbreds. Nothing that looked like a cause for murder.
Gus was about to replace the documents when a slip of yellowed paper lodged in the back of the drawer caught his eye. He reached in, using the hankie, and retrieved the handwritten note.
Do what I told you to do, or the truth will destroy you
The threat inherent on the scrap of paper chilled his blood. There was trouble brewing in the Jorgenson household, and Gus was afraid Rebecca was somehow involved.
This story is part of the upcoming boxset, Unforgettable Power- Love and Intrigue, releasing May 5th!
Seven suspenseful page-turners will captivate you with breathtaking stories and intriguing characters you’ll find positively unputdownable! If you enjoy heart-stopping, engaging novels, then you must read UNFORGETTABLE POWER – Love and Intrigue.
Pre-order your copy today!
International- http://books2read.com/UnforgettablePower
Recommend on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/unforgettable-power-love-and-intrigue-by-mimi-barbour-and-jacquie-biggar
Great
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Thank you!
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Thank you for great blogs
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🙂
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That’s the first time I’ve seen the Kentucky Derby. I love horses and like watching jumping. I don’t follow racing but every year I watch the Grand National – 40 horses in the world’s greatest steeple chase.
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I watched the Grand National once- it scared me to death! Out of those 40 horses, I think only 5-6 finished the race.
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There was one lady jockey in it this year. It is scary, not for wimps. A good gamble, any horse could win.
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A true test of strength and endurance, for sure!
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I love watching the Derby on TV. Around her we have Harness racing, at least we did before the government meddled and now it is not as widespread. My husband I used to go and watch (and bet a bit) a few times a year. It was a lot of fun. This anthology sounds fun too. I will have to get a copy.
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Thanks, Carla! Harness racing is exciting, too. I don’t know how they keep those horses in stride like that- it’s beautiful.
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I share your enthusiasm for the Triple Crown. My daughter competed in equestrian events since she was six. She competed on a college team and for our family horse was in the blood. Your excerpt looks great.
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I used to save my allowance to bet on a horse at our local fair every year.
It was so exciting, such a treat and I always managed to pick a winner. The derby is very exciting and I have a love of horses. I pre-ordered the set and really look forward to reading your story!
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Thanks, Denise! I always bet on the gray, lol. You’d have great fun at The Derby with all the beautiful hats 🙂
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I used to lean toward yellow:) Yes I’d love all the hats for sure!
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I love to watch horses, no matter where or when…
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Me too! I fell in love with the book/movie series The Black Stallion, and have been hooked on horses ever since 🙂
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Beautiful creatures…
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks so much for sharing!
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I did that once when my husband took me. I had NO idea what I was doing! 😂🤣😂🤣
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Lol, it took me a while to catch on as well.Way too easy to spend money tryin to win, though 🙂
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I’ve been to a few horse races, and I admit it’s fun to choose a horse and root for the win. I’ve never been to one of the big ones though, but I do watch. Hats off to Justify! Great except, Jacquie.
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Thanks, Mary! I’ve never been to The Derby either, but it’s on my bucket list 🙂
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Jacquie I got the audio of this one and had a terrific time listening to it while I colored to relax at night. The narrator was so authentic. Wishing you huge success with the boxed set. Hugs!
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You’ve made my day! Thanks, Teagan. Dan did a great job performing in my audiobooks. I love how he changes his voice and mannerisms to suit the characters 🙂
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A perfect example of “write what you know,” Jacquie. I’m sure your love of horse-racing adds a whole layer of reality to the story. Great snippet too. I just got my copy. 🙂
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Yay, thank you, Diana!
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Jacquie, watching a horse race is like watching a ballet. It’s fitting an English Triple Crown winner is named Nijinsky. Great post! 🙂
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I never thought of it that way, but you’re right, Rob. Their bodies are fine-tuned machines that are a true pleasure to see!
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My husband’s boss goes to the Kentucky Derby every year. he said you will meet the nicest people on the planet there. Horses are incredible creatures. ❤
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Oh, I am so jealous! lol. I’m not surprised about the people- anyone who is an animal lover generally has a soft heart 🙂
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I just found out my physical therapist is going, too. I’m doing something wrong LOL
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You need to buy a fancy hat as a loud hint, lol
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I do!! lol
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I LOVE horse racing. We watch the Triple Crown every year. I don’t bet, but I still enjoy the races.
The excerpt is fabulous. Best wishes!
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It’s an exciting time in our household! lol
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I’m reading a fiction story about horse racing in the 1870’s. Pretty interesting to see how it started. The book excerpt–excellent!
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Oh, cool! I’d heard it began in Arabia with the Bedouin tribes, is that right?
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Ooooh Jacquie you hid your game! LOL I never would have guessed that you were a gambler!
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Lol, I’m a woman of many surprises 🙂
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