Page 16 of Lie for a Million

“Have you checked his medical records?”

“Yes. There’s nothing. But for whatever reason, he could’ve had the operation done off the books—somewhere like Mexico.”

“I’ll need to talk to Miss Carter,” Sam said. “Can you tell me how to find her?”

“She said she was working afternoons at Jackalope Saloon in Willow Bend. You’ve seen her from the back in the photo. She’s petite, brunette, and pretty. You’d recognize her hands—the nails, the rings. I can give you her phone number, too.”

“Thanks.” Sam reorganized his mental list, with Crystal at the top. He would talk to her today if he could track her down. “What about the paternity test?” he asked. “When will you know the results?”

“That will depend on when Crystal goes in for the test and how long the results take. The doctor promised to rush the lab work for me. Of course, if I never hear, that will be my answer.”

“What will you do if she’s telling the truth? Have you thought about that?” Sam asked.

“I don’t know. It will depend on what she wants. To paraphrase my grandma, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”

Lila passed Sam a sheet of notepaper with a phone number written on it. Sam had pocketed it and was standing up to leave when he saw Roper’s battered Ford pickup pull into the employee lot. Lila’s gaze followed his as Roper climbed out and, without a glance in their direction, strode toward the stable.

Sam glanced at Lila. Her lips were parted, her hands twisting her napkin. The signs were subtle, but Sam sensed a new conflict between her and Roper.

“I heard that Roper will be taking Frank’s place in the Run for a Million,” he said. “Will he be riding that big roan stallion?”

“No,” Lila said. “He thinks One in a Million is too old, and none of our other horses are ready for the competition. He plans on borrowing another horse from a breeder.”

“And the breeder will get half the prize if he wins. Where does that leave you?”

“We’re still negotiating.” She didn’t look pleased. “I’m asking for a cut of his share if he wins. But I don’t know what the fuss is about. Roper will be competing against the best riders in the world. Even on a great horse, there’s no way he’s going to win. We’re going to war over nothing.”

Going to war.Sam had been right about the conflict between them. But was it just about horses and money? Sam’s success as a lawman had hinged, in part, on his ability to read people. Something deeper was going on here. But he would leave it for now, at least until he’d gotten Roper’s side of the story. Taking his leave of Lila, he followed the cobblestone path to the stable.

Roper was high on Sam’s suspect list. His parents had backed up his alibi, but they could be lying to protect him. And his motive was undeniable. Frank’s death had bought him a chance at the Run for a Million. Now, if Sam’s hunch was right, it might have bought him something more.

The stable hands were arriving, their vehicles pulling into the parking lot. Roper had disappeared into the stable. Following the sound, Sam found him sweeping out an empty box stall. A cart piled with clean straw stood outside the sliding gate.

Roper looked up as Sam stepped into sight. “So you’re back on the job, are you?” he said.

“I’m afraid so. Maybe this time I’ll catch the real killer. Can I give you a hand with anything?”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass.” Roper put the broom aside and began forking straw to cover the floor mat in the stall.

“Is this for the new horse?” Sam asked.

“Not really new, just borrowed for the competition. Fire Dance should be arriving late today. I guess Lila told you he was coming.”

“She mentioned he might be. That was all.”

“What else did she mention?”

“That the two of you were still negotiating.”

Roper forked a heap of straw and flung it, almost angrily, into the far corner of the stall. “The negotiations are over. You can tell Lila that she won. She’ll be getting everything she asked for.”

“You might want to tell her yourself.”

“That’ll have to wait,” Roper said. “I’ve got a lot going on here, and I’m due in Willow Bend by eight this morning.”

Was this something new? Sam remained silent, waiting for Roper to volunteer more.

Roper raked the straw to make a thick, even layer. “All right. Since you’re bound to hear about it sooner or later, I need to be in court for my fool brother’s bail hearing. Cocaine possession. First arrest. For now, he’ll have a public defender who won’t give a damn about him. I figure he’ll need somebody there to make sure he’s all right.”

---