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An hour later, they were rolling along a narrow secondary road flanked by deer grass and reflective road signs. The sun had set and the shroud of darkness was comforting. There were many routes into Riverview Racetrack and it would be difficult for Durant to cover them all.
Gunner pressed his nose into Nikki’s arm and gave an insistent whine.
“We need to stop soon for a break,” she said.
“But it’s only fifty more miles,” Ana said, her gaze dropping to the illuminated dashboard. “All the work vehicles are kept gassed up so we have enough fuel.”
“Gunner needs to pee. Jorge needs pain meds. And I need to pick up some dog food, and something for us as well. Unless the track sells food?”
“I forgot that you went for a morning jog,” Ana said. “And haven’t eaten all day. But you won’t be able to enter the track. Neither will Gunner. Only companion animals like pigs and goats are allowed. Can you call your boyfriend? Have him pick you up and take you back to your car?”
“Justin’s busy for the next couple days. But you said Chico likes company when he’s traveling. We’ll just explain that Gunner keeps him calm.”
“No. He might make too much noise and scare the horses.”
“Gunner doesn’t bark,” Nikki said. “Not unless it’s important.”
Admittedly, sometimes he made his own decisions around aggressive men, but she didn’t plan on mentioning that. Track security probably wouldn’t even notice a dog in the back seat. When she went to the races with Justin, they were waved through the owners’ gate with minimal fuss.
She didn’t want to desert Ana and Jorge. Besides, it would be fun to see Chico run. Watching Justin’s horses had always been fun, but the outcome had never been critical. Of course she’d enthusiastically cheered them on, but a two-dollar bet didn’t measure up to Ana’s high stakes.
Thinking of Justin reminded her that she hadn’t updated him in a while. She sent him another text, knowing he’d be immersed in his court case but feeling a measure of comfort that he knew her location. And Ana’s race plan.
Her phone screen flashed with his return message. Didn’t realize you were so tight with Ana. Chaos here. Looks like judge is going to throw out critical evidence. Will be meeting with prosecutor all weekend. Have fun at the track. Talk later.
Short and succinct. She fought a little pang. But he wasn’t the type to add heart emojis. Besides, she didn’t want to go into long explanations about Durant and cause unnecessary worry. Justin had already helped so much with her career. Even if he had the time to talk, her phone battery was too low to burn on conversation. Texts used less power. She finished with another message to Sonja, explaining that her arrival would be delayed until Saturday night.
“Do either of you have an iPhone charger?” she asked, eyeing her orange battery indicator.
Ana shook her head and Jorge merely grunted so she flipped open the glove compartment. She rummaged through its contents but found no charger, only documents including Ana and Jorge’s track credentials along with another groom’s laminated pass.
She scanned the woman’s ID: a female groom named Gloria Cortes. It might be possible to pass for Gloria in a pinch, although the woman had dark hair and Nikki’s was more auburn. There were also papers showing vehicle registration, proof of insurance, a melted protein bar...along with scores of condoms.
“Wow, someone was expecting a bit of action,” she teased. She hadn’t realized Ana and Jorge were a couple. Clearly they were loyal friends but she hadn’t picked up on any sexual vibes. There was also quite an age difference although they did share an obvious love of horses.
She shoved everything back in the glove compartment and clicked it shut, smiling at Ana. But neither Ana nor Jorge replied, their silence brittle.
“Sorry,” Nikki said. “Didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Sex is a great thing.”
“The condoms don’t belong to us,” Ana said, her voice toneless. “Mr. Durant put them there. He does what he wants, knowing we can’t refuse. One of the reasons he hires illegals.”
Bile rose in Nikki’s throat, her revulsion overriding any words. Back at the stable, the guard had made a lewd comment and gestured at his crotch. Now it made sense.
“If we resisted,” Ana went on, “his men were allowed to join in. A perk of the job. I think that’s the reason Gloria left. She was young and pretty. And way too feisty.”
Nikki pressed against the back of the seat, her body so tight all she could do was stare at the road ahead. She’d already learned that if Ana had more to say, the words would come easier if given time.
But this was horrifying. Ana and her friends would have had no place to turn, no protection from the ongoing abuse. And Nikki had a special grudge with people who preyed on vulnerable women. She still ached for what her sister had endured at the hands of a man they’d trusted.
She crossed her arms, working hard to sound as calm as Ana. “We can’t let him get away with this. I’ll hire a lawyer who will take your statement. And from any other women who are brave enough to step forward. He’s a sadist, a rapist and possibly a murderer.”
“No!” The vehemence in Ana’s voice was startling.
“A court case is too long,” Ana added. “Too expensive. And many workers are undocumented. Besides, Durant will claim the sex was consensual. And he will provide witnesses. He’s already warned us.”
Nikki squeezed her eyes shut. Undeniably, it would be an uphill fight, especially for workers whose main goal was to remain in America. The threat of deportation made it hard to ask authorities for help.
“What about the severed arm?” Nikki said. “It had to come from someone.”
“Probably not from anyone I know. And maybe it was from the morgue. He controls the entire area.”
“But Durant’s a predator. We can’t let him win.”
“For me, it’s a win if I can take Chico home.”
“What about your friends?”
“They’re all gone. Only a few older women are left and Durant won’t bother them. Especially since they don’t have ownership options.”
“But I can help,” Nikki said. “With your legal fees, anything. Whatever you need.”
“Thanks, but no. The court can’t change what has happened. And owning Chico will make everything worthwhile.”
“But predators need to be stopped. Punished.”
“This is my choice,” Ana said, speaking with quiet dignity. “And I’m not like you, caring so much for justice.”
Nikki pressed her lips together, accepting the truth in Ana’s words. Investigative work wasn’t only a job. Her sister’s murder had turned it into a calling. Not only did she want to help people; she liked to see their offenders punished.
“But we can get Durant,” she said, trying one last time. “I have a picture of the arm. Let me take some shots of your bruises, Jorge’s injuries—”
“No! Justice isn’t my goal. And I won’t let anger affect my actions.”
Nikki folded her arms. Ana sounded a lot like Sonja who believed Gunner didn’t listen because he no longer trusted her judgment. And maybe anger did color her decisions, especially when it was the only way to make criminals pay. She certainly didn’t understand how Justin remained confident in the law, especially when it favored the wealthy and was usually too ponderous to give much satisfaction.
Bright lights of a service station split the darkness, pulling back her attention. Its sprawling parking lot was filled with cars. To the side, sat several transport trucks along with a white horse trailer.
She gestured, still shaken by Ana’s revelations. “Pull in and park on the left,” she said. “On the other side of the white horse trailer. I’ll take Gunner behind the building where nobody can see.” Not only was he a distinctive shepherd but he was unusually big. No sense making it easy for Durant’s minions to report a sighting.
“Do you have a screwdriver?” she asked.
“There’s a tool kit in the trailer,” Ana said. “Along with water and buckets if you want to give Gunner a drink. I’ll go inside and grab some sandwiches.”
“Don’t use a credit card.”
Ana lifted a wry eyebrow. “I don’t own a credit card. Only cash. And I expect you want to choose the dog food yourself. Some of them contain nothing but fillers.”
Nikki nodded, appreciating the empathy of a fellow animal lover. Ana understood how owners worried about their dog’s food. And thought it completely reasonable.
Ana leaned closer to the steering wheel and eased into the parking lot. There was plenty of space between the transport truck and horse trailer but it took her several attempts to park, inching forward and backward multiple times. Finally she turned off the ignition, satisfied with her parking job.
“Do you need to get out, Jorge?” Nikki peered into the back seat, her hand already gripping the door handle.
He shook his head, a relief since his bruised face would likely draw attention. Exactly what they didn’t want.
“Okay,” she said. “Then stay inside and keep the doors locked.”
She gestured at Gunner who leaped from the back seat and onto the pavement. He trotted to the rear of the vehicle, lifted his leg and peed on the tire. There’d be no need to walk him behind the building after all.
Ana hurried past him and opened the side door of the trailer. Chico gave a welcoming nicker, his ears locked on Gunner. Ana felt his chest with the back of her hand and gave Nikki a satisfied smile. “He’s traveling well,” she said. “Not hot or upset. He’s glad to see your dog.”
Nikki edged sideways so Gunner could enter the trailer. He did have a calming effect on animals, and on her as well—at least when she wasn’t worrying about him turning aggressive.
Gunner leaped up beside Chico, tail wagging. His tongue was hanging out though, and he was clearly thirsty. No doubt Chico was too. The night was cooling but it had been a hot day.
“Where’s the water?” Nikki glanced around, trying to keep Ana moving. “And the screwdriver?”
Ana moved to a compartment next to Chico and pulled out a tool kit and a travel bucket along with a huge container of water. She filled the bucket, offering the water to Chico first who sipped daintily. When he lifted his nose from the bucket, Gunner licked his dripping muzzle. Chico lowered his head further, either liking the sensation of Gunner’s tongue or else trying to share the water.
Ana laughed and set the bucket down for Gunner who noisily lapped for over a minute.
“Chico has better table manners than Gunner,” Nikki said, smiling at the horse and dog. They’d become good friends. Other than her pony, she’d never seen Gunner lick another animal’s face.
“At first I was worried about his teeth so close to Chico,” Ana admitted. “But your dog is very gentle.”
Usually, Nikki thought, watching him lie down by Chico’s feet and contentedly lick his paws. Above him, Chico pulled at his hay with renewed vigor, obviously happy to have the dog’s company.
“I’ll leave Gunner in the trailer while we go inside,” she said. “He can stretch out better and will be out of sight.”
Ana nodded and closed the door. Nikki waited until it was secure then strode to the back of the trailer, screwdriver in hand.
“What are you doing?” Ana called.
“Switching license plates. Just in case. Go in the gas bar and buy some sandwiches and bottled water. And some painkiller for Jorge. When you see me in there, act like you don’t know me.”
“All right,” Ana said, her voice turning solemn. She turned and hurried off, her slight figure dwarfed by the looming transport truck.
It took longer than expected to switch plates between the two trailers. Some of the screws were rusted in place. The horse inside pawed and kicked the wall, rocking the trailer, and it was obvious he wasn’t as calm as Chico. He seemed to think she’d arrived to take him off the trailer and when that hadn’t happened, he was vigorously demonstrating his displeasure.
“Sorry, buddy,” she murmured, struggling with the last screw, guessing that the owner of the horse was in the restaurant enjoying a sit-down meal. Otherwise someone would have popped up, checking on the ruckus.
She secured the second plate, stuck the screwdriver in her pocket then followed a bickering family of five into the station. The convenience store was to the right; Ana’s head was visible by the fast food section. Nikki circled in the opposite direction, toward the grocery shelves.
There were only two types of dog food and neither brand was familiar. She scooped one up, peering at the fine print, trying to decipher the ingredients.
“My dog likes that one,” a man behind her said. “It’s handy in a pinch.”
She glanced over her shoulder. A good-looking guy in a ball cap stood behind her. He had a coffee in one hand and a phone strapped to his belt. He gave a friendly smile, his gaze sweeping her face.
“Nice to know,” she said.
“I usually feed raw,” the man went on. “But it’s hard when I’m trucking. And the gas stations always carry that brand. But some dogs get sick when food is changed suddenly. What kind of dog do you have?”
“Yes, it’s best not to switch too much,” she murmured, ignoring his last question.
“Are you traveling? Need to grab something quick?”
“No, just looking,” Nikki said, placing the food back on the shelf. The guy was a little too friendly and this wasn’t the time to strike up a conversation. She wanted to get in and out without anyone remembering her.
She moved several feet along the aisle but the trucker followed, still talking about dogs and breeds, and how it got lonely on the road. She stopped in front of the feminine products, pretending a keen interest in the selection of tampons. He hesitated then lost interest and drifted away.
She quickly returned to the dog food. Ana and Jorge probably didn’t have a lot of money so she scooped up the cheaper bag then joined Ana in the fast food aisle. She set the bag close to Ana’s feet and detoured to the bathroom.
The warm soapy water felt good and it was refreshing to wash away the grime. She peered into the mirror, using a paper towel to blot her face dry. The messy ponytail and running clothes made her look as if she’d just finished a marathon. It was surprising the trucker had even thought she wanted to chat, let alone be open to a pickup.
He probably wasn’t even a trucker. His clothes had been a little too crisp and his light pants weren’t the usual choice for a long haul. Even his shoes were clean, a soft brown leather that didn’t show a trace of road dust. No doubt just a lonely guy looking for some conversation, making up questions, pretending to care about what breed of dog she owned.
Her hand froze midair as realization swept her. Then she wheeled away from the sink, slammed the wadded paper in the garbage bin and bolted out the door.
