Bring Home the Murder by Theresa M.; Jarvela Page A

were ready to leave. “The horses have to take it slow.” She loosened the reins, leaned back in the saddle and urged Black on. The horse chose his footing carefully and soon reached the bottom of the hill.
    Shirley rode up next to Meggie. She tipped the brim of her sombrero up and wiped the perspiration from her neck. “Where are we headed Kemosahbee?”
    â€œI thought it might be fun to ride all the way to the back gate. It’s a beautiful day to enjoy nature by horseback.” She felt somewhat guilty for not disclosing the entire reason she wanted to ride to the back pasture line. But after her friend’s earlier accusations and insinuations, she thought better of it. The less her friend knew the better off she would be.
    â€œThe back gate, huh? I get the feeling you’re holding something back from me. Are we on a scouting expedition?”
    Meggie laughed. “Why would you think that?”
    â€œI know when you’re hiding something up your sleeve. And you know I don’t like to be kept in the dark. If you want to play detective just say so.” She set her jaw and thrust out her chest. “It’s rather rude to invite me on a horseback ride to enjoy nature, blah, blah, blah, when you have an ulterior motive.”
    â€œHear me out,” Meggie spoke up. “We both wanted to enjoy nature by horseback. You said as much to me the other day. I just thought that as long as we were out riding . . .”
    Shirley rolled her eyes. “I knew it. I should have known better. Give it to me straight. What are you up to now?”
    â€œIt’s a long story. What do you say we find a shady spot and take a rest? Then I’ll fill you in.” She pointed toward a large grove of trees. “How about over there?”
    Once she reached the spot, Meggie dismounted Black under the shade of a poplar tree and wrapped the reins around its trunk. She removed her hat and wiped the sweat off her forehead then sat down on the log to wait for Shirley. She pushed the heel of her boot against the ground and thought about what she would tell her friend.
    â€œYou’re going to dig yourself a big hole and fall into it if you’re not careful.” Shirley plunked down on the log beside her. “Oh, this feels good, doesn’t it?” She nudged her friend. “All right, I’m listening.”
    Meggie related the conversation she had with Donna regarding Darrell Schmidt. “My neighbor thinks the system released him early. He could be out now.”
    â€œIs it safe to assume you’ve been doing a little investigative work regarding the bank robbers?”
    â€œOnly after I spoke with Donna.”
    Shirley frowned and pulled at her ear. “Didn’t you mention that a Schmidt lived nearby?”
    Meggie nodded and pointed to the right. “Herman Schmidt, his grandfather, lives in that direction. His property borders Riley’s land. I put two and two together and came up with . . .”
    â€œDarrell Schmidt buried the loot in the field. We caught him literally digging for gold or the next thing to it. Is that what you came up with?”
    â€œI don’t know for sure, but the possibility exists.” Meggie stood up and put her hat on. Her eyes surveyed the area. “We saw him digging right around here, didn’t we?”
    She walked until she found a fresh mound of dirt, studied it for a minute and called out, “Here it is. I’m not sure what I expected to find, but there’s nothing here.” She strode back to the log and sat down. “There’s something else I want to tell you.”
    Shirley twirled her sombrero and eyed Meggie.
    â€œI told you about the hidden staircase.”
    â€œThat’s right. You promised to show it to me.”
    â€œLet me tell you about the letters I found the same day.”
    By the time Meggie finished her story, Shirley had stopped spinning her sombrero and her face held a