False Gods: The Show Jumper's Challenge

She jogged across the showgrounds and threw herself against the restroom door. Inside, she dived into the first stall and slammed the door. Darn breeches were so hard to get down! Someone else came in behind her, then there was the sound of a soft click, like the turn of a lock. When she exited the stall, she nearly walked into Angela standing by the sinks.

Cory drew in a sharp breath and bolted for the exit. She tugged at the door. It didn’t open. Angela’s palm slapped against the door, holding it shut. Her nails were painted a trendy dark blue, but her hands were heavily veined and covered with brown spots. Cory stood, her back to Angela.

“That’s right, it’s locked. I wanted some privacy in order to have a little talk with you—alone.”

A prickle tingled on the back of her neck, like millipedes were crawling along it. Cory’s hand rose to rub the spot as she turned and tried to paste a confident look on her face. She could tell it wasn’t fooling Angela.

“Whatever you want to talk about, you’d better hurry.” Cory straightened her shoulders and resisted the urge to step away. “I’m out of here in two minutes for the jump-off.”

“That’s just it, you see.” Angela removed her hand from the door. “Regina’s going to win because you’re going to withdraw.”