Jane had just finished enjoying a Danish and coffee, which Mark had brought to her office, when the phone rang. A strange look came over her face when the caller asked to speak to Randy King. Jane informed him that Randy had died and Randy’s son, Jim, is the leading trainer at both the JCJM Four and Bradford farms. The man then asked if it would be possible for him to meet with Jim later that day. Jane asked who was calling, then put the caller on hold to call Jim at the barn. Jim said that he would meet with the man, who gave his name as Calvin Dodson, at two-thirty that afternoon. Jane relayed the message to Mr. Dodson, who said he would be there, but he never did reveal the nature of the visit.

Jim did not know anyone by the name Calvin Dodson. Curious as to his identity and the reason for his visit, Jim contacted Judy at home to see if the name might register with her; it didn’t. After talking with Jim, Judy also wondered about the call and went to the office to await his arrival. At precisely two-thirty, a long black limo parked in front of the Bradford office. Out stepped a short, heavy set, cigar smoking individual dressed in black. He had enough gold dangling around his neck to open a jewelry store. He entered the office where Jim was waiting, introduced himself and they shook hands.

Jim led him to a small conference room next to the office. After being seated, the man said, “I know that you’re busy and I don’t want to take a lot of your time, so I’ll get right to the point.”

By this time, Jim’s curiosity had peaked especially with the man’s appearance and demeanor. Dodson continued, “Some time ago you claimed a horse at Brentwood.”

Jim interrupted, “We’ve claimed a lot of horses at Brentwood over the years.”

“Yes, I know but this one was trained and owned by Slim Edwards.”

“Oh, you mean Ruff ‘n Redy. We claimed him for fifty thousand.”

“That’s the one. My people were supposed to get him and Slim didn’t let us know that he would be in a claimer so soon.”

Jim said, “You made the remark my people. What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I represent a group of people and I speak for them, that’s all I’m gonna say about that.”

At this point Jim was beginning to become irritated, he asked, “And what do you want from me? Exactly what is the purpose of your being here?”

“Okay, I’ll get right to it. I have been authorized to pay five hundred thousand dollars for the colt.”

With that comment, Jim leaned back in his chair clasping his hands behind his head.. He stared at Dodson, saying nothing for a few seconds, then, “I’m not the sole owner of Ruff ‘n Redy, there are several others. I’m not in favor of selling him at any price, but I will talk with the other owners and give you our answer.”

“When will you know?”

“Be here tomorrow, at this time and I’ll have our answer for you."

Without another word, Dodson got up, left the room and went to his limo. In somewhat of a daze from what had just taken place, Jim sat motionless, staring into space. When he left the room, Jane and Judy were anxious to know what that meeting was all about. When Jim walked up, Judy asked, “What was that all about?”

Still somewhat rattled, Jim shook his head, “The guy said he represents some people who think they were cheated out of buying Ruff ‘n Redy from Slim Edwards. He said that Slim had promised the colt to them and went back on his word. He put Ruff in an early claimer; that’s when we got him. His people, who he wouldn’t identify are willing to pay five hundred thousand dollars for him.”


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


As he had promised, the man known only as Calvin Dodson arrived the next day at two-thirty in his black limo. This time he was not alone. Besides the driver, there were two other men, who remained in the back seat when Dodson stepped out, without his signature cigar.

Jim took him into the conference room and before they could be seated, Dodson spoke, “Well, what did your people say?”

“It was unanimous—nobody wants to sell, so the answer is NO.”

“My people are willing to go as high as one million.”

Without hesitation, Jim said, “Once again, it was unanimous, we won’t sell at any price.”

Dodson shook his head and asked, “Is that your final answer?”

“Yes, Ruff ‘n Redy is not for sale, not at this time, not at any price.”

Dodson looked down at the floor, then directly into Jim’s eyes when he said, “I’m really sorry to hear that, my people aren’t going to like that answer.”

With that remark, Jim rose from his chair, “That sounds like a threat to me, is that what you intended?”

“No, it’s no threat, just a statement of fact. We feel that we got cheated out of buying that horse.”

Just as before, without another word, he left.

* * *