In Colt Blood — Jody Jaffe

When Nattie Gold's boss at The Charlotte Commercial Appeal orders her to find a local horse whisperer to interview, she knows just the person: yellow-haired New Age belle Sarah Jane Lowell. Unfortunately, before Nattie can set up a meeting, Sarah Jane vanishes along with her newfound friend: Nattie's eccentric father. Suspiciously, their sudden disappearance coincides with the brutal murder of Fuzzy McMahon, whose bludgeoned body was found at the very stable where Nattie was supposed to meet Sarah Jane. Who would stoop to such a bloody act of violence? Nattie's splitting her money between a few front-runners--Sarah Jane and her own father included. . . .