Read Burn Me Deadly: An Eddie LaCrosse Novel for Free Online

hospital told me my saddle and bridle and other stuff got dropped off down here.”
    “ ‘Tack,’ Mr. LaCrosse. It’s called ‘tack.’ ”
    “Guess I’m not very tackful, then.”
    His expression didn’t change. “Well. Yes, the fella who took you to the hospital brought that stuff here on his way out of town, trying to sell it. I told him you were a friend, so he just left it. I’ve got it stored away. C’mon in here.”
    I followed him past the stalls toward the little storage area at the back. The stable odor seemed especially strong after the hospital’s herb-flavored aroma. Seven horses were currently in residence, including a magnificent midnight-black stallion and an equally expensive white gelding. All regarded me with the same superior loathing every horse except Lola always had for me. Hank was right; she was a good horse. I realized suddenly how much I’d miss her.
    Hank turned and looked behind us, making sure we were alone. Then he led me into the very last stall, where a thick gray mare stood against the back wall. He closed the gate and motioned me over to the horse. “This one ought to do you fine, Mr. LaCrosse,” he said extra loud. “She was raised by a little girl and only ridden to school on bright spring days. Take your time and look her over.” As he patted her cheek he leaned closer to me and said softly, “Somebody came by here asking about you.”
    “Official guy with a big sidekick?” I asked.
    Hank shook his head. “No. That big black stud and the white gelding belong to them . This was an old man. He had white hair, and wore these weird padded gloves, kind of like the ones I use when I’m heating things in the fire. He seemed like he was either crazy or in a lot of pain.”
    “What did he want?”
    “Wanted to know if you’d come down here to get a new horse yet.”
    “Are you serious?”
    He nodded.
    “When was this?”
    “Yesterday.”
    So my mysterious hospital visitor knew I’d been discharged and that I was in the market for a new horse. He could only know that if he knew what happened to my old one. “Was it the same farmer who brought my stuff to you?”
    “Nah, totally different fella. That one was little and fat looking. I don’t remember his name, but I’ve seen him buying meat at the markets and such. And yes, before you ask, if I see him again I will get his name. But the old man . . .” He shivered a little at the memory. “He was just weird. Smelled bad, too, like rotten meat. Gave me the creeps. Upset the horses.”
    I nodded. “Did the fat little farmer mention where he found me?”
    Hank shook his head. “All he said was that he found two corpses and a dead horse in the woods down some ravine. When I saw it was your saddle, I sent my boy Leon to tell Liz.”
    I nodded. “Thanks for watching out for me, Hank. And just so you know, that official fellow with the fancy horse might ask about me, too.”
    He frowned. “Why is the government interested in you ?”
    “I honestly don’t know. I think it was just a wrong place, wrong time situation.”
    “Anything I shouldn’t tell him?”
    “No, I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble. Don’t lie to him, but don’t give him any more information than you have to, okay? And,” I added as I pressed some money into his hand, “let me know what he asks about.”
    “I’ll tell him you’re pure as the gutter snow.”
    “But I am,” I said with a deadpan wink. Hank chuckled and went to get my saddle.

    THE gray mare Hank loaned me for the day was a pale, contemptuous shadow of Lola, in both temperament and simple skill. Her trot was much slower, she fought every tug on the reins and when I pulled her to a stop she insisted on pacing in a tight circle for several moments before acquiescing, like a dog preparing for a nap. She wouldn’t even stand still for me to mount her, so by the time we left the stable all my old prejudices against horses had returned.
    A preoccupied man bumped into us as