At the Smythe residence in Farmington Equestrian Estates, Richard Deleanor Tartan, J.D., Ph.D. (he listed both appellations on his business cards), glanced at his Rolex: 1:55 P.M. He smiled at the swarm of reporters at his carefully staged press conference. A small lectern stood on hay-covered dirt, centered exactly between the open doors of the Smythes’ barn. He left the interior dark for now; it would have more effect when he allowed the cameras and reporters inside to view Preston’s stall.
Preston had been removed hours ago.
Tartan’s business cards were bordered with a plaid and when making public appearances like this one, he always wore one of his custom-made plaid vests, a mediagenic touch that helped get him noticed.
Kate and Brett Smythe stood off to his left. Unfortunately, Tar
