Page 61 of Smoky Mountain K-9

“He’s doing great. But you didn’t call to talk about Mav. What’s up?”

Mara heaved a sigh and leaned an elbow on her desk, rubbing her forehead. She could feel a headache brewing behind her eyes. “Constance Miller called. She said the police called, wanting to ask her questions about the check she wrote. She asked if I knew anything about that and then asked if I could meet her for lunch today.”

“What did you say?”

She could hear in his voice that he didn’t like that idea. “That I was too busy, and she should call the police back and ask her questions of them.”

“Good.”

“Have you learned anything else about her?”

“The number she gave you came back to a burner phone. We still haven’t located her car. The number she called you on today, can you read it to me?”

“Oh. Sure.” She pushed some buttons on her phone, scrolling to her call history. Finding the previous number, she read it to him. “That’s different than the last one.”

“It is. I’m going to get this to Ben. Maybe she screwed up, and we’ll be able to find her. You okay there at the center?”

“Of course. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve got numbers to crunch and reports to compile.”

“All right. I’ll be by later when it’s time for you to go home.”

“Sounds good. Be careful.”

“I will.”

The phone clicked in her ear as he hung up. Mara set the handset down. Worried, she stared at the wall. She hoped that new phone number yielded some answers. Before something else happened.

Blowing out a breath, she turned back to her computer. The numbers wouldn’t crunch themselves. And she’d like to get a ride in before Carter arrived later to take her home. She could use time to herself to unwind and destress.

Buried in her work, she came up for air long enough to eat the sandwich and fruit she packed, but otherwise stayed locked away until Pam poked her head in.

“Hey, girl. I’m going home. Everybody else already left.”

“Oh.” Mara looked at the clock in the corner of her screen. It was after five o’clock. “How did it get that late?”

“Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Chuckling, Mara saved her work and exited out of her programs. “More like time flies when you want to get stuff done so you don’t have to worry about it again for three months.”

Pam grinned. “That too. Do you want me to wait so I can walk out with you?” Her staff was aware of what was going on.

“Is Carter here?”

“Not yet. Unless he’s waiting in the parking lot.”

“He’d come in. Or call to tell me he was here. Thanks for the offer, but I’ll wait for him to arrive.”

“Okay. Well, I’ll see you in the morning, then. Have a good night.” She waggled her fingers and stepped back into the hall.

Mara smiled. “You too.”

Pam closed the door. Mara shut down her computer and gathered her things, piling them on her desk so she could just grab them later. She’d go get that ride in while she waited on Carter—hopefully. Maybe she’d make him wait even if he did arrive soon. She really wanted to ride. It cleared her mind and helped her relax. After today, she could certainly use that. Once she had her stuff gathered up, she exchanged her flats for her riding boots, then left her office. Locking the door behind her, she wandered down the hall and out the door to the arena. Her boots made little noise on the concrete as she walked along the walkway to the stables. Soft whickers greeted her as she turned into the row of stalls. She pet the noses that came over their doors to say hello as she passed.

At Stinger’s stall, she opened the door, grabbing the lead rope hanging on the hook on the outer wall. Her horse tossed his head, letting out a quiet whinny as he walked toward her.

“Hey, bud.” She rubbed a hand down the middle of his face and snapped the rope onto his halter. “Fancy a ride?”

He leaned into her touch. Mara scratched his head and ears, then backed toward the door. “Come on.” She led him out and down the corridor to the tack room. Tying him to the peg on the wall, she went in and retrieved his saddle, blanket, and bridle. With practiced hands, she saddled her horse, then swung onto his back. His hooves clomped on the concrete as she turned him and rode toward the indoor arena. She’d left her coat in her office, plus the outdoor lights weren’t on, and they’d take a while to warm up. He’d have to be content doing laps inside tonight.