Page 19 of Lie for a Million

Crystal’s gaze dropped to the table. “We were in love,” she said. “He wanted to marry me. He would have if she hadn’t—I mean, if he hadn’t been killed.”

The blue eyes narrowed. “I caught what you almost said. Were you about to tell me that Lila killed her husband?”

“Who else would have done it? Frank was going to leave her. He’d promised me he would.” Crystal could imagine how naïve she must sound. All to the good.

“Did Frank know about the baby?”

“I never got the chance to tell him. Lila’s insisting that I take a paternity test before she’ll even talk to me. I’m making the arrangements. But I really shouldn’t have to bother with that. I know my baby is Frank’s. There was nobody else. Why can’t she just believe me?”

“I’ll ask you straight out. Where were you the night—or morning—when Frank was killed?”

“Sleeping in my room at the Blue Rose. I was alone.”

“And you were there all night?”

“Yes. I didn’t see Frank. He’d told me he was busy.” She glanced around, looking for any excuse to get away. Three cowboys, sweating and dusty from a morning on the range, had just walked in through the front door. Crystal slid out of the booth. “It’s back to work for me. I hope you’ve heard enough, Agent.”

“For now.” His face revealed nothing as he passed a card across the table. “Call this number if you have anything more to tell me. Don’t be surprised if I pay you another visit.”

“That’s fine.” She tucked the card into her pocket. “I have nothing to hide. And everybody’s welcome at Jackalope’s.”

Forcing a playful smile, she sashayed over to meet her customers. Inside, she was shaking. Clearly, the agent had tried to catch her in a lie. How much did he know that he wasn’t telling her? Did he actually suspect her of murder?

Only one thing was certain. She couldn’t trust the handsome FBI agent. He was clearly out to trap her any way he could.

Smiling and chatting, she showed the cowboys to a table. When she turned around again, Rafferty was gone.

* * *

While he was in town, Sam decided to pay a call on Darrin and Simone. He hadn’t talked with them since before Madeleine’s arrest. Sam was aware that Jasmine’s brother was up to his neck in schemes to get rid of Lila, including his part in causing her car accident. Technically, with charges dropped against his mother, Darrin was subject to arrest. But Sam and Nick had agreed to let him run for now and watch where he led them.

As he mounted the steps to the historic bungalow-style house, Sam remembered coming here the first time with Jasmine as his guide. They’d arrived to hear a violent argument through the front door. Had anything changed? Sam was about to find out.

As he raised his hand to ring the doorbell, he heard voices from the far side of the door. After a moment of listening, he realized he was hearing a TV talk show. Sam rang the bell.

After a short delay, the door opened a few inches. Simone peered up at him. “Oh, it’s you,” she said. “What are you doing here? Haven’t we told you everything we know?”

“I’m sure you’ve heard that your mother-in-law wasn’t responsible for Frank’s death,” Sam said. “I’m back on the case, and I need to talk to both of you again. Is Darrin here?”

“He’s in court this afternoon.”

The narrow opening of the door remained. She seemed almost frightened.

“If you’re uncomfortable being alone, I can come back when Darrin’s here,” Sam said. “Is there a good time?”

She hesitated. Then the door opened wider. “No, it’s all right,” she said, stepping back, giving Sam room to enter. “You can come in. I was just watching TV. I can turn it off. Would you like some ice cream?” Sam detected a note of desperation in her voice.

“It’s tempting,” Sam said, “but I’ll pass, thanks. I don’t plan to be here long.”

Only as she bent to pick up the remote from the coffee table did he notice the blaze of florid color down the left side of her face—the early stages of a nasty bruise. Sam had seen marks likes that before. Simone had been slapped—hard.

Switching off the television, she turned away, trying to hide the evidence; when it became clear that he’d already noticed it, she faked a laugh. “Don’t I look a fright? I got up in the night and stumbled into the doorframe. I’ve tried putting ice on it, but . . .” She shrugged. “I’ll just have to wait until it goes away—and watch my step. Being pregnant has made me so clumsy.”

“My sympathies. I’ve taken some clumsy steps myself.” Sam sensed that she wouldn’t want him to voice the truth. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m as right as rain. Have a seat on the sofa, Agent. You’re sure you wouldn’t want some ice cream? It’s chocolate, the best.”

“You’ve talked me into it. But only if you’ll have some with me.” He was doing his best to put her at ease.

---