Page 59 of Lie for a Million

“The woman goes by Eve. I met her through somebody at work. But she keeps her contact information private. She’s got some important clients—celebrities and all—who wouldn’t want the press trying to question her. Know what I mean?”

The story sounded far-fetched, even to Crystal. She spoke again before Lila could respond. “Anyway, here’s the real reason I called. I’m getting anxious to settle my baby’s future. I called an adoption lawyer. He knows a couple who’d be happy to take my little one. They’ve got money and would pay all the fees and my living expenses. You have first claim, of course. But I can’t wait forever. Neither can the people who want to adopt my baby.”

“Stop giving me the runaround, Crystal. What do you want? Is it more money?”

“I can always use more money,” Crystal said. “But what I need is security. I want a signed agreement with a ten-percent deposit to guarantee that, when the time comes, you’ll pay the balance and take this baby. If you change your mind, the deposit will be mine to keep.”

There was silence on the other end of the call. Was Lila about to say no?

“Think about it,” Crystal said. “Frank’s baby—his very last child—could save your right to keep the ranch. Force me to walk away and you’ll never have another chance. What’s the price of that?”

“Ten percent of a million.” Lila spoke slowly, as if weighing each word. “That’s a hundred thousand dollars.”

“For you, that’s pocket change,” Crystal said.

“Be still and listen. I’m not saying I’d agree to your terms. But if were to say yes, I’d insist on a sonogram to make sure the baby was healthy. If you can promise to do that, we’ll talk about the rest.”

This wasn’t good. Crystal thought fast. “I’d be fine with that. But I’m not even four months along. The baby won’t look like a baby yet—more like a little tadpole. I’ve seen pictures on Google. A sonogram would be useless.”

Crystal’s pulse raced as she waited for a reply. After a long silent pause, Lila spoke.

“All right, here’s what I’m proposing. For now, I’ll give you five thousand dollars a month to live on. That should be plenty. When you’re ready for the sonogram, if everything looks good, we’ll negotiate. Meanwhile, you’re not to accept offers from anybody else. Understood?”

Crystal twisted the diamond ring on her finger. Five thousand dollars a month was nothing! She’d have to keep her job. She’d have to stay in the same creepy apartment with the dingy furniture and lumpy bed. But she was in no position to argue for more. If Lila discovered she’d had a miscarriage, it would be game over.

Lila had outfoxed her. But Crystal wasn’t beaten yet. Her pulse danced as a new idea—a perfect Plan B—sprouted in her mind.

“I asked you if you understood.” Lila made no effort to hide her impatience.

“Yes, ma’am. Could I have the five thousand by tomorrow? I really need it.”

“All right. I’ll transfer the funds. But that’s all you’re getting until next month. Don’t ask me again.”

“I understand.” Already thinking about her new plan, Crystal ended the call.

* * *

The next morning, Roper drove his brother into Willow Bend for trial. Rowdy was putting on a confident face, bragging about how his lawyer was going to get him off. But Roper could see the fear in his eyes and in the way his hand shook when he drank the coffee they’d picked up on the way to the courthouse.

The lawyer met them there—the same man Roper had seen on his visit to the jail. He was as good as his reputation. Rowdy’s case was swiftly dismissed by the judge on the grounds that the arrest had involved entrapment and an unlawful search. Rowdy walked out of the courtroom grinning.

“I hope you’ve learned your lesson, young man,” the lawyer admonished as they left the building. “If you get into trouble again, you might not get off so easily.”

“Yes, sir.” For once, Rowdy was on his best behavior. “I have one question. What happened to my jail buddy, Judd Proctor? I haven’t seen him since I got bailed out.”

The lawyer frowned. “If you’re smart, you’ll steer clear of that fellow. His trial is set for this afternoon. I’m hoping for an acquittal, but with a jury, you never know. If they don’t like him, he’ll be facing prison. That’s all I’m allowed to tell you. Now go home and live a good life, Rowdy McKenna. Don’t ever let me see you here again.”

Roper drove his brother home. On the way, Rowdy was already talking about how he was going to grab his gear and clothes, load his truck, and head out on the circuit.

“I hope you’ll take time to set things right with Mom before you go,” Roper said. “It’s not a good idea to leave with bad blood between family members.”

“Tell that to Mom. She told me I was going to hell for disgracing the family name. Maybe that’s where I’m headed. I don’t care, as long as I don’t have to listen to her sermons anymore.”

“You’ll break her heart, Rowdy.”

“Hell, her heart’s made out of granite, if she’s even got one. She’ll probably be glad to have me gone. That way, she can make up any damn story she wants about me—like maybe I’m off saving souls in Borneo or someplace. Since I won’t be coming back, it won’t matter what she says.”

Roper sighed and settled into silence. He’d tried to put things right at home, but Rowdy was determined to go his own way. The young man had some hard lessons to learn. There was nothing to do but let him. Right now, Roper had enough trouble of his own.

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