Read Online The Trojan Colt by Mike Resnick - Free Book Online Page B

shook my head. “His girl hasn’t seen him, and no one’s ever seen him smoking, snorting, or shooting any junk.”
    â€œStill, one day . . .” he said dubiously.
    â€œThe circumstances were unusual,” I told him.
    â€œIn what way?”
    â€œDid you read or hear about that Trojan colt who went for over three million yesterday?”
    â€œA little out of my league, but, yeah, you can’t live in this town and not hear about the yearling sales.”
    â€œWell, this kid was his groom.”
    â€œAnd he just walked off the job?” said Berger. “He’s gonna have a hard time finding work in that industry when he finally shows up.”
    â€œThere’s a little more to it than that,” I continued.
    Suddenly he looked alert. “Tell me,” he said.
    â€œI was hired as security for the horse.”
    â€œYou one of Bill Striker’s men?”
    â€œTemporarily,” I said. “Anyway, the night before the auction something happened.”
    â€œWhat?”
    I shook my head. “Damned if I know. But this was a friendly, happy, carefree kid when I went out for dinner, and when I came back he looked worried and maybe a little bit scared. I asked what was wrong, and he told me he had to think about it, that maybe he’d tell me in the morning.”
    â€œAnd did he?”
    I shook my head. “I went to bed, and as far as I know, no one’s seen him since.”
    â€œYou doing this for Striker?”
    â€œNo, for the kid’s parents.”
    He nodded. “Makes sense. I can’t imagine the Striker Agency would be interested, or that anyone connected with a groom could afford them.” He pulled out a pen and a pad of paper. “Okay, Eli, what’s his name?”
    â€œTony Sanders,” I said. “I can get you a photo of him from his parents.”
    â€œNot a bad idea,” said Berger. “I’ll ask around and put it out on the wire, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Kids run away all the time, and shoveling horseshit isn’t the kind of job you fight to keep hold of.”
    â€œI know. If I hadn’t spent a couple of days with him, I’d figure he was hitching his way to California.”
    â€œThese days it’s Florida,” replied Berger. “Say Florida and everyone thinks about the Mouse, but go down to South Beach and there is every stimulant you could want, including a few thousand dead-gorgeous topless girls out on the sand. That’s where they run to, at least from the Midwest.”
    â€œAnyway, thanks for your time and trouble,” I said, getting to my feet. “I’ll check in every day or two.”
    â€œMy pleasure, Eli. Where are you staying?”
    I gave him my hotel’s phone number. “Anything happens, just leave a message for me to call you.”
    â€œWill do,” he said. “Nice meeting you.”
    â€œSame here,” I said, reaching for the door. Suddenly I froze.
    â€œIs something wrong?” he asked.
    â€œThis is probably nothing, but Tony had been with Mill Creek and the Trojan colt for only about a month. He replaced another groom who just up and vanished one day. I wonder if you’ve got anything on him?”
    â€œYou think there’s a connection?”
    â€œProbably not,” I said. “Hell, almost certainly not. But since I’m not likely to be sent to South Beach . . .”
    He smiled. “Okay. What’s his name?”
    â€œBilly Paulson,” I said, and then added, “Probably.”
    â€œHe wasn’t sure or you’re not sure?”
    â€œFrank Standish wasn’t sure. He’s supposed to be checking for me.”
    â€œHell, I know Frank. We bowl in the same league. I’ll call him myself and ask.”
    â€œThanks,” I said, opening the door. “And this time I will leave.”
    â€œBy the way,” he said, “it’s a two-way