The Mystery of the Masked Rider by Carolyn Keene Page B

think she yelled something about a late dinner.”
    â€œWhere’s she staying? What motel?” Nancy insisted.
    The girl stopped brushing and gave her a strange look.
    â€œPlease, it’s important.”
    â€œHoliday House.”
    Nancy dashed for the parking lot. She still had the truck keys in her pocket. But once outside, she changed her mind. Gloria Donner obviously knew something. She’d acted too suspicious when Nancy had caught her looking at the girth. But leaving Bess alone with Nightingale was too risky.
    As Nancy walked back into the stable area, she recalled seeing Gloria on Nightingale’s right side before Colleen had gone in for the jump-off. And Gloria had been holding Nightingale right before the class. That meant the trainer had had ample opportunity to lower the girth when no one was looking. But why would Gloria Donner have done such a thing?
    Was she working with Diego San Marcos? Had he offered her money or a job in return for sabotaging Colleen’s ride?
    Nancy broke into a jog, quickly reaching Nightingale’s stall. Bess had untacked the mare and was buckling on the halter.
    â€œHey, you’re getting good at this.” Nancy grinned at her friend, relieved to see that both Bess and Nightingale were all right.
    Bess patted Nightingale on the neck. “That’s because I have a horse who knows I need a lot of cooperation.” Then her expression turned serious. “So are you going to tell me what that was all about?”
    â€œI’m pretty sure someone loosened Nightingale’sgirth before Colleen went in for the jump-off.”
    â€œWhat?” Bess’s mouth dropped open. “You mean it wasn’t an accident?”
    â€œI don’t think so,” Nancy answered. “And I have a feeling Gloria Donner’s in on it.”
    â€œGloria? You wondered about her before—the night Nightingale got out.” Bess frowned, puzzled. “But why would she want to hurt Colleen and Nightingale’s chances to win? Doesn’t she want to be their trainer?”
    Nancy sighed. “Good questions. Maybe the woman’s just really ambitious. Colleen told us that Gloria was obsessed with winning before her accident.”
    Bess shook her head. “But she also said she thought Gloria had changed.”
    â€œMaybe that’s what Gloria wants everyone to think,” Nancy replied. “Maybe somebody’s offering her something in exchange for her help.”
    â€œLike what? And who?”
    Brows furrowed in thought, Nancy walked to Nightingale’s side. She wished she had a definite answer or more evidence. Then maybe she could alert the arena’s security force.
    â€œNightingale’s kind of sweaty,” Nancy said, patting the mare’s wet neck. “I’d better wash her off and walk her awhile. Why don’t you call the hospital and see if there’s any news?”
    â€œOkay,” Bess agreed. “Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
    Nancy smiled confidently. “Oh, sure. Just let someone try and get to Nightingale. They’ll never get past me.”
    â€œGo get ‘em.” Bess gave Nancy the thumbs-up sign, then grabbed her purse and went to find a pay phone.
    After her friend had left, Nancy picked up a bucket and led Nightingale outside to the water spigots. A half-dozen other grooms and riders were washing their horses. Nancy recognized several riders from the Gambler’s Choice. All of them asked about Colleen.
    Nancy told them she didn’t have any news yet. Then she filled up the bucket with soapy water. As she scrubbed Nightingale’s back, Nancy was lost in thought. How could Gloria Donner be involved? she wondered. All of the physical evidence so far, as well as a possible motive, pointed to the San Marcoses.
    Suddenly Nancy stopped scrubbing. Marisa had also been on Nightingale’s right side before Colleen had gone into the jump-off. Had she