The Mystery of the Masked Rider by Carolyn Keene Page A

get some food first. Then you can shop until you drop.”
    Bess nodded. “Good idea. I’ll need the strength.”
    The girls found a small cafeteria-style restaurant. Nancy picked out juice, a salad, and a turkey sandwich. When she glanced at Bess, she saw that her friend’s tray was heaped with food.
    â€œOver here!” someone called as they were paying the cashier. Nancy looked across the crowded room. Scott Weller was gesturing from a corner.
    She wound her way through the tables and set her tray opposite his. “Hi. You’re not showing tonight?”
    â€œNot until eight.” He gave her a friendly smile.“That’s why I’m eating now. It’ll give my food a chance to digest before I get prejumping jitters.”
    Nancy sat down and poured her juice. She noticed Scott had finished eating. “I’m surprised that someone who’s been competing as long as you still gets nervous.”
    Scott shrugged. “I never totally relax. But that’s good, I guess. It gives me that edge I need to win.”
    â€œWhooo. This weighs a ton.” Setting her tray down, Bess slid into the seat next to Scott. He chuckled when he saw all her food.
    â€œAll I had for lunch was a skimpy sandwich,” Bess quickly explained.
    Nancy laughed. “And a granola bar and a . . .”
    Her friend held up her hand to silence her. “Colleen said we may not get a chance to eat later, remember?”
    â€œHave you girls known Colleen long?” Scott asked.
    â€œSince high school,” Bess answered, biting into her hamburger. “How about you?”
    â€œOh, I started competing against Colleen and Nightingale about two years ago in amateur-owner jumper classes.”
    Nancy stopped chewing. “Colleen told us what happened to your horse. That must have been tough.”
    â€œIt was, at the time. But I got over it. You can’t be sentimental in this business.”
    â€œWhat happened to your horse?” Bess asked. “Colleen said she couldn’t jump anymore.”
    â€œShe slipped and fell on some wet footing at a show. She broke her leg in two places, so they had to put her down.”
    Bess looked confused.
    â€œThat means the vet had to put her to sleep,” Scott explained in a matter-of-fact voice. “It’s almost impossible to put a cast on a horse.”
    Bess flushed. “Oh, I’m really sorry.”
    Nancy put down her sandwich. No matter how casual Scott acted, she could tell by his downcast eyes that he was still upset about the death of his horse.
    â€œSo, let’s talk about something different,” he said finally. “What do you think of Nightingale?”
    â€œShe’s terrific,” Nancy said. “Not that either of us knows much about horses,” she added.
    â€œAnd we haven’t really seen her jump anything very high,” Bess said.
    â€œWhy’s that?” Scott raised his brows.
    Immediately Nancy shot Bess a warning look. She didn’t want her telling anyone about Nightingale’s injuries.
    â€œUh,” Bess stammered. “Because this is the first time we’ve seen Colleen show her.”
    â€œOh.” Scott settled back in his chair, as if satisfied with her answer.
    â€œSince you showed amateur-owner, did you also compete against Marisa San Marcos?” Nancyasked. Maybe Scott knew something that might help Nancy with the case.
    Scott shook his head. “No, fortunately. Marisa and her father are like two barracuda. They’d do anything to win. Don’t get me wrong. Marisa is a super rider for someone her age, and Diego buys the finest horses.”
    That’s just what Nancy had thought.
    â€œThe year that Marisa started in amateur-owner, I went professional,” Scott continued. “Colleen rode against her all year, though.” He chuckled. “Much to Diego’s dismay.”
    â€œWhy’s that?” Nancy