With this segment of Chapter Five of Repairing the Legacy, we continue the serialization of Repairing the Legacy. This is a rough draft work in progress and may not reflect the final form. Time period: set after the ending of The Martiniere Legacy main trilogy, before the Epilogue (for this chapter). I’m breaking longer chapters into sections for readability. This is the first part of Chapter Five. There will be three parts to this chapter.

CONSPIRACIES AT THE RODEO

August, 2060

RUBY

Why did I ever think this was a good idea?

Butterflies in her gut were to be expected, given that she hadn’t ridden in a rodeo parade for years, much less on young Legacy, carrying a flag. But for almost the entire freaking leadership of the Martiniere Group to join her in the parade as well? Coordination was nothing less than a nightmare.

The various security chiefs—Justine’s JSM Corp chief, Shanice L’Étoile; Serg and Piotr for Vygotsky/Martiniere; and Kevin Swait for Swait Secure—had been pulling out their hair at the exposure problems. Meanwhile, Thunder County Sheriff Sharon Wilhite had happily handed over security management for their contingent to the Group.

Those too fragile or inexperienced to be on horseback rode in the wagon pulled by the tractor that Charlie Thompson, the Double R ranch manager, drove. Donna-gran, Eliot McNaughton, Mikey (with many protests, but he just wasn’t ready to ride even steady Crystal in a parade), Kris with baby Lily, their business partners Jeff and Kelsey Swait plus their two younger kids Deontae and JoAnn. The six cyborged brothers rode in the wagon with this group as direct protection.

The mounted contingent included her on Legacy, Gabe on Legacy’s dam Casey, Brandon on Blaze, Justine on Pard, Donald on Crystal, along with half her student interns on their own horses and the oldest Swait kids, Wesley and Rae, on Cisco and Buddy.

Breathe, Ruby, breathe, she told herself as she brushed off her old chaps from her year as Thunder County Days Queen. It’s just another rodeo parade.

And they were one of the first groups, thanks to the Thunder County Days directors, who were falling-over-themselves grateful for the contributions the Martiniere Group had made to upgrading the Thunder County Rodeo and Fair Grounds for this 125th rodeo. Plus their sponsorship of the Old Timer events, and miscellaneous donations that Gabe’s old friends in Thunder County had talked him into making from his personal funds.

As a result, Gabe, Brandon, and Ruby rode as the parade’s honor guard with the national, state, and rodeo flags, following the Thunder County High School Marching Band that led the parade.

She made her check rounds while Gabe held Legacy and Casey’s reins, starting with the tractor and wagon. Big banners draped the wagon, reading CONGRATULATIONS THUNDER COUNTY DAYS ON 125 YEARS—FROM THE DOUBLE R RANCH AND THE MARTINIERE GROUP.

The Double R brand and the new Martiniere Group logo, with a larger green and gold trefoil surrounding the red and black one that had been the Group’s for years, flanked the words.

Ruby checked the ties on the banners. All secure.

“Everything all right up there?” she called to the wagon riders—McNaughton, his husband Nick, and Donna-gran in the first row; Mikey, Kris, and Lily in the second, and the Swaits in the third. The cyborged brothers spread out through the wagon, Alexander standing in the front, then Carl, Daniel, and Eric sitting in each row, and Frederick and George standing in the back. Their weapons weren’t visible but were easily reached.

“All good, Ruby!” Donna-gran called back with a big grin. Alexander gave Ruby a thumbs up.

“We’ve got it,” Serg said quietly. The Vygotsky, Martiniere, Swait Secure, and JSM Corp security sidewalkers were dressed in western wear rather than their usual suits. Serg commanded one side; Shanice the other; Kevin following. They were visibly armed. Piotr observed from his seat next to Charlie in the tractor cab.

Ruby, Gabe, Brandon, and Justine carried sidearms, ostensibly for appearance’s sake. But their pistols were loaded, and the four of them had been practicing daily for the last week, working with their horses to ensure they were desensitized.

At least Pat’s not part of the crowd, Ruby thought as she walked away from the mechanized float lineup. Kris’s sister Pat Markey was the New Democratic Presidential nominee. She had been interested in joining them, along with a contingent of New Dems leaders and fundraisers. It took serious discussion to discourage that addition. Bad enough that the four lead principals from the Group were here, much as that thrilled the rodeo directors.

Ruby was just going to be happy when this parade was done.

She moved amongst the riders. Not so worried about the local kids—but she paused by Wes and Rae. Their riding skill impressed her during practices over the past week. Both kids participated in Black Junior Rodeo down in Arkansas, and rode in their fair share of parades at home. Still, it didn’t hurt to check in since they were riding unfamiliar mounts.

“Doing all right?” she asked.

“Looking forward to it,” Rae said, grinning. Thunder County Days had a junior breakaway roping contest, and Rae had been practicing with Buddy ever since the Swaits had come to the Double R for business meetings a week ago. Rae wore one of her championship buckles today.

“We’ll make a queen out of you yet,” Ruby said.

Rae rolled her eyes. “Nah, I wanna compete, not queen.”

Well, she could understand that. Unlike Ruby, Rae wasn’t going to be dependent on scholarships from queen contests to help pay for her college—thanks to the AgSuperhero win, and the Swait share from Barkley-Martiniere-Swait Associates sales. If Ruby had possessed a steady family income like that, things would have been much different—

And she wouldn’t have met Gabe.

“Wes?”

Another big grin. Wes was quieter than his older sister, but he sat Cisco with a confident ease born of experience. He also sported one of his junior bull-riding championship buckles.

“Ready to ride bulls,” he said, patting Cisco’s neck. “He’s a good boy. Might even do breakaway roping myself, if I can borrow him, Ruby.”

“Sounds good if you want to go for it,” Ruby said.

One thing about Thunder County Days, they had a thriving junior rodeo as part of the overall program—and she looked forward to watching both older Swait kids perform during the day tomorrow. Possibly even in the evening championships.

She moved on to Donald and Justine. Crystal stood steady like the old packer she was—Donald surprised Ruby when he wanted to ride, but he sat Crystal like a pro, though he looked paler than Ruby was comfortable with seeing before a parade on a hot day. Part of his health issues, whatever they were, she supposed. Justine had once ridden high-level showjumpers, but that didn’t always translate over to parade riding.

“We’re good, Ruby,” Justine said. She had borrowed a pair of show chaps from Ruby. They were close enough in size and sometimes shared clothing. But they’d needed to find nice chaps for Donald and Brandon. Gabe had his own, of course; had commissioned a pair once he had become the Martiniere, complete with both the Double R brand and the new Martiniere Group logo.

And now to Gabe, Brandon—and Legacy. Bran held the flags and Blaze’s reins. Ruby wasn’t too worried about Casey and Blaze, but Legacy? The palomino mare had moments like her great-granddam Sunshine—who had been notorious for unpredictable bucking, along with lightning-fast barrel runs.

Still, the golden mare enjoyed showing off. And she was in foal to Star, the new stallion Ruby and Gabe had bought this winter, so that should steady Legacy a bit.

Maybe she should have chosen Star instead of Legacy for the parade, but Ruby didn’t know how well the stud would behave outside of the arena yet, and she was riding with kids. Ruby knew Legacy, had raised her from a foal.

“Smile, Rubes,” Gabe said. “It’s just a parade.”

“I know.” But there were people out there who wanted Gabe dead. This would provide opportunity. And that was the reason for the heavy security.

She took Legacy’s reins, eying the golden mare. While Legacy was clearly excited, head high, nostrils flaring, ears flicking back and forth to keep track of all the activity, she stood steady on all four hooves, not dancing around. Good. Ruby checked the cinches and breast collar of her Miss Rodeo Oregon award saddle.

Sally, one of the parade organizers, came by. “Going in five, Ruby.”

“Thanks.”

Ruby glanced at the lineup of marching bands. The Martiniere funding suddenly made Thunder County Days events a lot bigger. Fortunately, the rodeo producers hired experts familiar with larger parades to organize this one. The several high school marching bands lined up one after the other, rather than mixed in with the mounted units and the mechanized floats. Each unit would feed into the lineup in its appointed place.

“All right then,” she said to Gabe and Brandon. “Let’s mount up. Gabe, Bran, then me.”

It was easier for her to take up a flag without help. Neither Gabe nor Bran had ridden drill team or handled flags. She’d practiced with them, but it still came down to her as the experienced carrier. At least both Casey and Blaze had parade experience.

Her old friend, neighbor, and former rodeo queen advisor Vickie Chandler and Vickie’s husband Mike were supposed to be here. So where were they? Vickie’s presence would have eased Ruby’s mind significantly—but she’d done parades enough times that Vickie was simply a help, not a necessity.

First, Gabe. Ruby handed him the Stars and Stripes once he was in his saddle, then made certain the pole was secure in its holder. Legacy remained steady with the split reins tossed over Ruby’s shoulder. Then Brandon, with the state flag.

Sally reappeared as Ruby prepared to mount Legacy. “Need a hand?”

“Absolutely. Thanks, Sally.” Ruby gratefully handed Sally the flag and swung up on Legacy. Sally handed her the Thunder County Days flag, and checked to ensure the pole was seated.

“I’m surprised you don’t have help,” Sally said.

“I was supposed to have help,” Ruby said, frowning. “I wonder what happened?”

This wasn’t like Vickie and Mike. They were reliable, damn it. A host of bad possibilities flitted through Ruby’s mind, banished as Sally walked on and the whistle of the first band’s drum major blew, signaling the band to start marching in place. Legacy snorted and bounced.

“Quit,” Ruby muttered, squeezing her reins.

Legacy steadied.

The Thunder County High School band stepped out with only a few squawks from the woodwinds. Sally signed to Gabe, and he rode out right after the band, followed by Ruby and Brandon riding next to each other, flanking Casey and Gabe. The Martiniere, carrying the American flag, with the Martiniere-in-waiting carrying the state flag. All symbolic, all meant to project an image.

Legacy pranced and arched her neck, mouthing the roller in her bit as they proceeded down the streets of Lakeside, showing off but not being difficult. There was a bigger crowd than usual, possibly attracted by the Martiniere presence? Well, that might be an asset to the Lakeside and Thunder County economy. One of Ruby and Gabe’s goals was to improve local conditions without losing what made Thunder County what it was.

A delicate balance.

And why they had said yes to the parade and the rodeo.

After all, rodeo was a big part of the story of Ruby and Gabe—a fact that was well-known. Especially after the AgSuperhero competition.

#

It happened toward the end of the parade. Legacy suddenly tensed under Ruby, steps coming shorter and faster, her head shooting up high as her nostrils flared and she snorted. She kept wanting to turn to the outside and face something. When Ruby wouldn’t let her, she half-reared, then hopped.

“Quit!” Ruby snapped, squeezing the reins in her left hand. What was setting the golden mare off? She didn’t have time to look, but something in the crowd bothered Legacy.

A contingent of Martiniere security ran past them.

“Cover Gabe!” Serg bellowed, before they plunged into the spectators.

Ruby sent Legacy forward in a quick trot so that they rode beside Gabe and Casey.

“Should I toss the flag and ride for it?” he asked.

“Not yet. Better that you don’t toss that flag. Image. I’ll cover you.”

Gabe nodded, lips tight. “If I hear shots, it goes, however.” His face was tight and hard, defensive. But he still sat up straight and proud, not hunching down protectively.

Only a block more, only a block more—Ruby scanned ahead, scouting a path that wouldn’t involve tearing through the band or the parents marching alongside carrying water bottles. Or the crowd.

The band rounded the corner to re-enter the Rodeo and Fair Grounds. Just a few minutes more.

Pop-pop-pop.

“Ride for the trailers, fast!” she snapped to Brandon and Gabe once the band was clear. “Don’t throw the flags yet!”

Legacy bolted, staying at Casey’s side. Ruby didn’t look back but she hoped Justine was monitoring Donald and the kids—she probably was.

As they approached the trailers, Ruby spotted a figure slumped on one of the trailer wheel wells, arm in a sling.

“It’s me,” Vickie Chandler straightened up and called, her voice quavering, at the same time that her husband Mike hobbled around the corner, flanked by the Thunder County Home Guard.

Ruby slid Legacy to a stop, dropping the flag before she dismounted.

“What the hell, Vickie?” she asked.

“I got jumped in the supermarket parking lot,” Vickie groaned. Coming closer, Ruby spotted the black eye and bruising on her face. “Was gonna bring some treats for you all. Didn’t have time to bake.”

“You all right?”

“Just a sprain,” Vickie said. “And the Home Guard got those assholes.”

“Any ID on the attackers?” Gabe asked, dismounting after Brandon took his flag.

Mike’s lips tightened. “Deputy Greer says they’re modified indentureds. Tattoo is a cross with the old Martiniere logo overlaid.”

Ruby and Gabe scowled at each other. Heaven’s Reach. No mistaking it with that logo.

“I’ll tell Justine,” Ruby said. Damn it, that meant full security for the rest of the rodeo. And she had been hoping for a relaxing time, once the parade was done.

#

“Singularly incompetent,” was Justine’s verdict post-interrogation of the captured attackers, both Vickie’s and the ones the Martiniere/Vygotsky security (coupled with Swait Secure) had chased down at the parade. She, Kevin, and Serg reported to Gabe, Ruby, Brandon, Eliot, and Jeff, all crammed into the living/kitchen area of the big RV that served as headquarters for Ruby and Gabe during the rodeo. “Firecrackers, no weapons during the parade. Heaven’s Reach-connected. Young, half-trained.”

“So where are the real leaders?” Gabe snapped. “This doesn’t fit the Heaven’s Reach profile. They don’t send out half-trained people.”

“It suggests that our screens and scans worked,” Kevin said. Swait Secure had handled that aspect of parade management. “Our staff detected and turned away twenty armed, unlicensed people. Most had a rationale for carrying, local addresses, just didn’t agree with the publicity that they needed to leave their weapons at home. All but two returned unarmed.”

“It may mean that our pressure on the Heaven’s Reach enclaves is finally starting to work,” Justine said. “They may not have enough fully-trained agents to send out.”

“Or it’s a distraction from their real goals,” Gabe said. “Meant to lull us into false security.”

Justine nodded. “I’m operating on that principle.”

“Meanwhile,” Serg said, “we’ve gotten past the most difficult part. Everything from here on can be controlled and managed. It’ll be no worse than any other public event.”

“I hope so,” Ruby said.

Her sister-in-law flashed her a quick smile. “I will make it so, Ruby. I’m looking forward to see you ride Grand Entry. Heard Gabie talk about it enough times that I want to see it in person.”

“Speaking of Grand Entry,” Gabe said, “it’s happening in three hours. Ruby needs to rest. Rubes, are you riding Legacy or Star?”

Ruby planned to alternate Legacy and Star for her run-ins. The dark bay stallion had earned reined cowhorse championships. She could trust him in an arena setting.

“Star,” she said. “Parade’s enough for the Legacy girl today. She did good.”

“Yes, she did.” Gabe exhaled. “All right. Keep us posted.” He raised his brows at Ruby, and jerked his head toward the back of the RV. “Rubes. Time to rest.” His tone allowed no argument.

She sighed and got up, pausing to talk to Brandon. “Mikey’s all right?” Mikey, Kris, and Lily had retreated to the second RV. The Swaits had a third one, and Justine, Donald, Eliot, and Nick shared a fourth. Security was headquartered in a fifth. The rental cost was extravagant, but it also provided safety. Plus, between RVs and stock trailers, they had aligned the vehicles in a circle to enclose the portable horse pens for even more protection.

“He’s napping with Smudge,” Brandon said. “Go rest, Ma.”

Ruby rolled her eyes but headed for the bedroom at the back of the RV, Gabe following her.

At least Mikey had his half-grown Heeler pup to comfort him. Just like she and Gabe had each other. And Smudge showed strong protective tendencies toward his young owner.

*************************

Like what you’ve read so far? Check out the other stories in The Martiniere Legacy—all links here, both Amazon and other sources.

Justine Fixes Everything: Reflections on Mortality is now available at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo!

What’s it about?

EVEN THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE....

Over the years, Justine Martiniere has become the fixer for the Martinieres. Have a problem? Go to Justine to get it remedied.

But it wasn't always that way.

First, Justine needed to escape the abuses of her father, Philip. She didn't expect to fall in love with the man she married, Donald Atwood. But she did–and then she faced the choice between remaining married to Donald, or stopping her sociopathic, megalomaniac father.

Justine Fixes Everything is in part the unusual love story of Justine and Donald–and in part the saga of her rise to power, viewed in retrospect as she tells the history to Philip's clone Mike, as he recovers from surgery. It's about what she sacrificed to become powerful—and, at the same time, how that past comes to haunt the challenges she faces toward the end of her life.