Page 43 of Lie for a Million

“Go to hell, Judd.” Crystal turned and walked out of the room.

Behind her, she could hear him cursing, calling her every vile name a man could use against a woman.

She didn’t look back.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Lila was at her desk, updating the stable accounts, when her cell phone rang. Her pulse cartwheeled as she saw Roper’s name on the caller ID. But it wouldn’t be like him to call her in the middle of a busy workday. Maybe something was wrong.

“Roper? What is it?” she asked.

“I’ll make this quick, Boss,” he said. “I just remembered something—thought I’d better pass it on, in case you haven’t made a decision about that woman’s baby.”

“I haven’t. What is it?”

“I saw her, in the jail when my brother got arrested. She was there to visit a boyfriend. From what I heard, I got the impression she was breaking up with him. But I could be wrong.”

“You’re sure it was her?”

“Positive. I recognized her jewelry from the photo. I know you told me the baby was Frank’s, and DNA doesn’t lie. But you need to know that there’s another man involved. He could be part of a scheme to get money from you.”

The news wasn’t surprising. A woman who looked like Crystal would be a magnet for men. That was one of the reasons Lila had insisted on a paternity test.

Was the boyfriend pulling Crystal’s strings? Had he been using her in a scheme to take advantage of Frank and get money? It was possible. But this information couldn’t be allowed to influence Lila’s decision. What really mattered here was the future of an innocent baby—Frank’s child. She was still torn.

“He may have mentioned something to my brother,” Roper said. “I can ask him.”

“Thanks. That can wait for now. But I should probably share this with Sam. He disappeared yesterday, but his car’s outside the bungalow this morning. I’ll find him later. Is everything else all right?”

“Fine. Fire Dance is performing like a champ. I should let you go.” He paused. “Boss, I just want to say—” He broke off as if he’d changed his mind.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing. I need to get back to work.”

He ended the call, leaving Lila to wonder what he’d almost said to her. Had it been something tender, some hint that he might even love her?

But that would be too much to expect. It was too soon for love. She was still raw from Frank’s betrayal and death. And Roper was a man who guarded his heart behind a wall of stone.

Steeling herself against the memory of his mouth on hers, his arms clasping her close as his body filled her urgent need, Lila went back to work on the accounts.

* * *

Sam was making his second coffee of the morning when he got the call from Nick. “Surprise,” he said. “I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Have you got any news?”

“Yes,” Nick said. “The lab folks rushed it for me. I bribed them with a dozen donuts. Anyway, I’ve got good news and bad.”

“Go on.” Sam’s pulse kicked into overdrive.

“First the good. They found traces of fentanyl in the syringe. Given where it was found, there’s a good chance we’ve got the murder weapon.”

Sam exhaled. “And the bad news?”

“There were no fingerprints, DNA, or anything else that could ID the killer. Whoever it was, they were probably smart enough to wear gloves. The mud and other detritus from the creek bed didn’t help either. So we still don’t have anything that would hold up in court.”

“Thanks, Nick. At least it’s a good lead. My money’s still on Roper McKenna. If the lab finds anything else, let me know.”

“That’s not likely, but if they do, you’ll be the first to hear. Keep me posted.”

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