Page 7 of A Touch of Murder
"No, but I should be getting that shipment of essence oils in along with the crystals you ordered last week. We'll have enough to keep us busy if they come in. I've also talked to an author who does aura readings that was hoping to visit our store in June. She'll be here for a few weeks and is bringing her equipment. She's renting a corner of the store to use during the Take Aim Festival. We'll need to figure out how to rearrange things so she can set up her computer and other equipment, but that's still weeks away. Just something to be thinking about." Adam always did good business during the festival. It was a fun event where people came from all around the world to show off their shooting and archery skills. At least that was how it started. More recently, they'd added in a number of other events that included throwing water balloons, darts, and a variation of other objects that could be thrown at a bullseye. There were events for every talent and every age.
"You going to enter in any of the contests this year?" Jacey asked.
"Probably. How about you?" Adam asked.
"Darts like always. I've been going out every night to practice at Shadow's. I think I have a good chance of winning this year." Jacey looked hopeful.
"You're great at darts," Adam agreed. "I'll have to come into Shadow's one night and watch you play."
"Dart tournament is every Friday. That's the best night to come in. Other nights, we just play for fun." Jacey ran his fingers through the thick mass of red curls on top of his head.
Adam seldom ventured into the bar and grill unless he was going in to pick up food, but he could use a night out, and supporting his only employee was important.
"Looks like trouble coming." Jacey pointed at the door.
Adam turned and saw Kyle Landers headed their way, carrying a huge saddle. Adam quickly went and opened the door for him, wondering what story Kyle would have to tell today. The Fish and Game officer was always dropping by after finding abandoned or lost items around the area. A saddle was something new. "Morning."
"Hey, sorry to bother you right as you open, but I'm hoping you can help me out." Kyle set the saddle on the floor beside Jacey's desk.
"Someone lost their saddle?" Jacey looked amused.
"No, they lost their whole horse, but I figured it was easier to bring the saddle to you instead of trailering the horse here." Kyle sighed. "I'm hoping we don't have an injured rider somewhere out there."
Adam noticed that Kyle's Fish and Game uniform was splattered with mud. He was somewhere in his mid-thirties, and he had grown up in the area and knew it well. He worked with the volunteer rescue team in the area and was loved by everyone in the community. "Where'd you find it?" Then he held up a hand. "No, don't tell me anything until after I read the saddle. I don't want anything to influence what I see."
"You think you'll get anything from it?" Kyle asked.
"I always get something. The question is, will it be something that helps you find the owner? You said you have the horse?"
"Yeah, I've got him stalled down at our headquarters. Horse didn't look any worse for wear. He came right to Sally when she saw him this morning. Sally was out for her morning run when she found him. Called it in and had us come out with the trailer. We've looked around the area for his rider but didn't find anyone." Kyle ran a finger over the saddle. "It looks old."
Jacey got up and pulled two water bottles from the small fridge by his desk, preparing for Adam to do the reading.
"Let's see if we can find an owner." Adam pulled off one of his silk gloves and set it on the desk, then he kneeled down beside the saddle and put his bare hand directly on the seat of the saddle. He closed his eyes and let the images bombard him. A man's hand. Older, with age spots on the back, and a scar along the thumb. Cowboy boots, old and worn. A woman's boot, gray hair, and turquoise rings. A man falling, clutching his chest, a foot caught in stirrup. Dead, emptiness, hollowness. Water, trees, a bird flying. Adam breathed as the images kept coming. Horse fly on the saddle horn. The woman again, he saw her face and knew. Adam pulled his hand back, took a deep breath, slid his glove back on, and reached for the water bottle Jacey held out for him. "Thanks."
Both Kyle and Jacey stayed silent as Adam took a drink and gathered himself. Jacey opened the top drawer of his desk, pulled out a Hershey Bar, and opened it, handing it over to Adam.
"You'll want to talk to Edith Rowin down at the Straight Pine Ranch. She's ridden on this saddle before. She's not your lost rider though. I didn't see a face, but the rider was male. Looked to have a heart attack and fell out of the saddle if what I sawwas current. It's hard to tell." Adam took a bite of the candy bar and chewed for a moment, then took more water. He looked up at Kyle. "My guess is it was Roy Rowin who fell from the horse. Older man, age spots on his hand, and worn boots."
"Alive?" Kyle asked.
Adam shook his head. "No, you'll be looking for a body."
"Damn it." Kyle closed his eyes. "I do not want to tell Edith this. How sure are you it was Roy?"
"Not sure at all. It's a guess. I never saw his face, but I figure if Edith's been on this saddle, the chances are good her husband used it as well. The age would be right for what I saw."
"Any idea where to look?" Kyle asked.
Adam shook his head. "I saw water. Not a lake, but a stream. Not the river, but a steady stream. Large pines. I'm sorry. I didn't get more. I can try again or even come down and touch the horse. I might see more that way." He took another long drink of water and another bite of chocolate.
"You're sure it was Edith Rowin you saw?" Kyle asked.
Adam wasn't offended by the question. He understood that Kyle needed to be sure before going to talk to the woman, especially if it was her husband who was dead. "I saw her face, along with a ton of turquoise. She's always wearing her turquoise jewelry. Only one in town I know that does." Adam took another drink, draining the bottle. He took the second bottle that Jacey handed to him. "If I hadn't seen the man clutch his chest and fall, I'd have guessed it was Edith you'd be looking for, but I got the sense the dead person was male, and that goes with the visual I saw of the man falling from the horse. One other thing, his boot was caught in the stirrup at some point. He might have been dragged a bit before falling free from the horse."
"I hate my job some days." Kyle nodded. "I'll get a search team out looking and contact Edith. Thanks for your help."
"Anytime. Just wish it was better news." Adam stood. "Let me know if you need help. Jacey and I can close the store and come help if you need people."
