I turned slowly toward Gretchen, eyebrows arched, the obvious question aching to be asked. "May I ask why you need these particular items in your office, outside the clinic?"

She didn't seem concerned by the question, which made me second-guess my conclusion jump as she answered.

"I'm not just facility manager," she said. "I'm the main vet and consult with all of the riders and owners on equine health." I knew that. She'd told me she was Dr. Latrell when I'd ...