The Chase

A NOVEL BY
Jan Neuharth

J
an Neuharth’s highly acclaimed debut novel
,
The Hunt
,
was hailed as a “page-turning murder mystery” by
The Washington Post. The Chronicle of the Horse
declared, “Novelist Jan Neuharth has proven her mastery in the art of suspense in her first time out of the starting gate.” Now, Neuharth weaves another thrilling tale of suspense in her hunt country novel
The Chase
.

In the elite trophy town and foxhunting community of Middleburg, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., tragedy strikes as
The Chase
begins when Doug Cummings, an attractive, wealthy lawyer and horseman, barely escapes a suspicious vehicle accident with his life and realizes that someone is out to get him.
But who?
His only known enemy, twisted psychopath Zeb McGraw, is behind bars. Could someone on the outside be helping McGraw? Or could the culprit be the mysterious cowboy, who miraculously helps save the life of Doug’s horse but who almost seems too good to be true? Caught in the middle is alluring horsewoman Kendall Waters, recently divorced and battling the demons of her past. As the chilling plot unfolds, Doug is forced to confront the would-be killer and end the nightmare, no matter what the cost.

The Chase
captures the colorful lifestyle of the old-money, tweedy, horsey set in a thrilling, nonstop journey filled with revenge, greed, loyalty, and love.

ALSO BY
Jan Neuharth

Published by
Paper Chase Farms Publishing Group
a division of Paper Chase Farms, Inc.
Post Office Box 448
Middleburg, Virginia 20118
www.paperchasefarms.com

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, organizations, business establishments, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2006901088

ISBN-13: 978-0-9729503-2-9
ISBN-10: 0-9729503-2-X

Copyright © 2006 by Paper Chase Farms, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

First Edition
Second Printing December 2006
Book design by Judy Walker

For All and Loretta

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

M
any individuals gave generously of their time to assist with the research for this novel. I am indebted to them for sharing their expertise and grateful for their good-natured tolerance of my often ignorant questions. The fault for any errors or inaccuracies lies solely with me. My sincere thanks to Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson; Dr. Nat White, Director of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center; and Dr. Edward Puccio, Janell Hoffman, RN, Lida Leech, RN, and Alyssa Menzenwerth, RN, from INOVA Loudoun Hospital Center.

My appreciation and respect go to the talented professionals who worked with me on this book: my editors, Jerry Gross, Karen Stedman, and Carol Edwards; photographers, Janet Hitchen and Chris Considine; and my book designer, Judy Walker.

Heartfelt thanks to friends and colleagues who kindly gave their time, support, and advice: Janell Hoffman, Fern Kucinski, Michelle Martinson, Marion Pietruszewski, Del Walters, and Yvonne Weber.

A special thanks to the Alcock family, Marion and Grant Chungo, Eve Fout, and Shelly O’Higgins for the title page photo shoot of the Middleburg Orange County Beagles.

Finally, my deepest gratitude goes to my family: Al and Dan, who selflessly spent more time reading and giving me feedback than their schedules permitted; Loretta, for her behind-the-scenes support and motherly love; Dani and A.J., my greatest fans, whose enthusiasm never wavered, even when my writing interfered with family activities; and Joseph, my real-life hero and expert in all things equestrian, whose contribution, as always, was invaluable.

Z
elda McGraw shifted in the metal chair and crossed her legs, wiggling one foot nervously as she glanced at the clock that hung askew on the gray cinder-block wall.
Why was it taking them so long to bring Zeb out?

The scrawny guard by the door to the cells had been eyeing her ever since she’d sat down, and Zelda’s heart quickened as she stole a glance in his direction.
He was still staring at her. Did he suspect something?

She twirled a strand of bleached hair around her finger and forced herself to look nonchalantly around the half-full visitation room. The guard by the main door wasn’t paying her any mind, and the guard on the far side of the room had his eyes fixed on a beefy red-haired inmate seated near him.

Zelda wiped her palms on her jeans and turned back towards the cell-block door, letting out a rush of air as she saw a guard lead Zeb into the room. As her brother shuffled towards her, Zelda couldn’t help noticing his ashen complexion and how loosely the orange-and-white-striped uniform hung on his gaunt frame. It seemed as if he’d lost more hair since the last time she’d been to visit, and she winced at the sight of the straggly graying strands that swept haphazardly from above his left ear across his shiny scalp.

Zeb gave her a nod as he lowered himself into the seat across from her, but neither of them spoke until the guard was out of earshot.

“What took so long?” Zelda asked.

Zeb glared in the direction of the guard who had led him in. “That guard’s a fat, lazy ass. He told me he took a cigarette break before he came to get me.”

Zelda’s eyes darted towards the fat guard, who was leaning against the wall, gabbing with the guard by the cell-block door.

“Are you sure that’s it? The guard by the door keeps staring at me. What if they suspect something?” Zelda whispered.

Zeb glanced over his shoulder. “They don’t suspect nothing. He probably just thinks you’re hot.”

Zelda stole a quick look at the scrawny guard and smiled as she stuck her chest out and flung her hair over her shoulder. Sure enough, he smiled back at her and said something to the fat guard.

She heaved a sigh of relief. “I think you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right.” His eyes bore into hers. “So, fill me in.”

Zelda leaned towards him. “It won’t be long now. I’ve got good news.”

The corners of Zeb’s lips twitched. “Tell me.”

“Zach got the job.”

“Yeah? Has he met Cummings yet?”

“No, but he will.”

Zeb nodded his approval, then motioned with his eyes towards the other side of the room. “See the big dude over there?”

Zelda pretended to stretch as she looked over her shoulder.

“You mean the scary-looking guy with all the hair?” she asked, turning back to Zeb.

Zeb nodded. “That’s Big Red. He’s my ticket out of here. The chick with him is his wife, Gwen. She’s going to wait for you outside and give you her phone number. From now on, you give messages to Gwen. She’ll tell Big Red when she comes to visit, and he’ll tell me. I don’t want you coming back here after today.”

Zelda frowned at him. “Why can’t we keep on with the way we’ve been doing things?”

“Once shit starts happening to Cummings in a couple of weeks, they’ll be watching me like a hawk. I want them to think I haven’t had contact with anyone on the outside.”

“I don’t like it,” Zelda said, shaking her head.

He scowled. “Why not?”

“She’s not family. I don’t even know her. What if she screws up the message? Or rats us out?”

“Gwen ain’t going to rat us out, Zelda. She’s got a stake in it. Big Red’s share goes to her. Besides, Earl’s not family, either. And he’s doing okay, ain’t he?”

Zelda broke into a smile at the mention of Earl’s name. “Yeah. Earl’s doing just fine.”

Zeb narrowed his eyes and hunched forward in his chair. “You and Earl got something going again?”

“That ain’t none of your business, Zeb,” Zelda replied, feeling a flush creep up her cheeks.

“The hell it ain’t!”

Zelda felt the small hairs stand up on the back of her neck, but she glared right back at him, refusing to let him stare her down. After a moment, Zeb waved his hand dismissively and sank back in his chair.

“Hook up with Earl again if you want, Zelda. I don’t give a shit. Just don’t let it screw up the plan.”

“I ain’t going to do nothing to screw up our plan, Zeb. Zeke was my brother, too. I want to make Doug Cummings pay just as much as you do.”

Zeb shot her a chilling look. “You’re wrong about that, Zelda. No one wants Cummings as bad as I do.”