Page 66 of Lie for a Million

“I agree,” Nick said. “The real killer is out there. I’m still betting on Roper McKenna. Motive, means, and opportunity, he had it all. And that syringe in the creek pretty much clinches it.”

“But if we go to court on what we have, he’ll walk,” Sam said. “We need evidence. Has the lab determined how long that syringe was in the creek? It could’ve been dropped in the water any time after the murder.”

“I’ll mention that to the crime lab people. They’re going over that syringe with a microscope, looking for anything we can use.”

“Meanwhile, I’m trying to eliminate the other suspects,” Sam said. “Like Miss Crystal Carter—and her ex-boyfriend, Judd, who just got out of jail. And I haven’t forgotten Lila. She could still have done it. But we’re running out of time, Nick. I know you need to get into treatment. Say the word, and I’ll put this infernal case on hold and come back to Abilene. Finding Frank’s killer is important, but it’s not worth your life.”

“Sam, I’m an old cop. Every time we step out the door, we put our lives on the line. I’ll tell you when it’s time to come back. Meanwhile, just do your job, and I’ll do mine.” Nick cleared his throat. “I haven’t given up on nailing Louis Divino before I retire.”

“Dare I ask how that’s going? You’ve been after him since our Chicago days.”

“It’s come down to a paper chase. We’ve gotten our hands on his taxes and some related business records—that’s what finally got Capone, you know. The best account man in the Bureau is working on them. He’s found evidence of money laundering and plain old-fashioned tax cheating. Divino’s skated free before, but once we put the whole picture together, we should have enough on the bastard to pick him up.”

“Is he still in Texas?” Sam asked.

“Austin. A team there is keeping track of him. One of his girlfriends has a condo on Lake Travis. And he’s got a couple of other hangouts in the city. Once the evidence is rock solid, they’ll pick him up and charge him. I’ve told the agents I want to be there when it happens.

“I wouldn’t wait too long, if I were you,” Sam said. “Divino’s as slippery as a weasel and twice as mean.”

“You’re not telling me anything I don’t know,” Nick said. “Now it’s back to work for both of us. Call me if anything breaks.”

Sam ended the call, worry settling over him like a sodden weight. Nick, his old friend and mentor, hadn’t sounded well. The sooner Sam returned to Abilene, the sooner Nick might be able to start cancer treatments. Nick had ordered him to stay on the case. But every week, even every day, without that treatment could mean the difference between life and death.

What if Nick already knew that? What if it was already too late?

Frustrated, Sam shut down his computer and walked outside. Standing on the porch, he surveyed the surrounding ranch through a yellow haze of heat waves and dust. In the paddocks, horses clustered in patches of shade and crowded around the water tanks, switching their tails to drive away the buzzing flies.

In the arena, Roper was working the horses. He’d been there at all hours lately, pushing himself to exhaustion in his drive to be ready for the million-dollar competition. Sometimes he brought along his pretty younger sister, a horsewoman in her own right. Lila had stayed away, but Sam knew she watched him from the patio.

The money, the glory, and the beautiful wealthy widow. For Roper, everything was at stake here, including his freedom. Had ambition and desire driven Roper to murder his employer? The idea made sense, especially after the finding of the syringe. So, given the urgency of Nick’s illness, why did Sam still hesitate to close the case?

It wasn’t because he liked, even admired, Roper McKenna—although he did. That alone wouldn’t have stopped him. No, it was something else—some deep instinct whispering that he already knew the truth. It was inside him, only waiting to be noticed.

Sam had seen Frank’s killer face-to-face. He had talked with them. He had listened, but not carefully enough. Somewhere, buried in his memory, was the missed clue that would give him the answers.

Why couldn’t he remember? What was he missing?

* * *

Perched on a rail of the arena, Cheyenne watched Roper finish the routine with Fire Dance. Roper was grateful to have her here. During these late training sessions, with the grooms and stable hands gone, his thoughts tended to wander dark paths, beset with the fear that he might lose his freedom soon and then all this work with the horses would have been a waste of time. Cheyenne was good company. Not only was she helpful with the horses but, more important, she helped keep him focused.

Roper had said nothing to her about his possible arrest. Until and unless it happened, he would spare his family the worry. Meanwhile, he would value his time with her. She had a sharp eye for presentation, and she’d been giving him good pointers

“How did we do?” he asked, pulling the stallion to a halt in front of her.

“The stallion looked great,” she said. “But you’re leaning in hard on the turn. It looks off-balance. Try letting the horse do more of the work.”

“Thanks. I never noticed that. I’ve been doing this a long time, but I’ve never had a coach. It’s helping. Want to cool him down?”

“Sure.” She hopped off the rail as he dismounted. Fire Dance was a lot bigger than her mare, but she swung into the saddle with ease. While Roper checked on the other horses in the stable, she walked the stallion around the arena. When he was ready, they rubbed him down and put him away.

“Fire Dance is magnificent,” she said as they crossed the parking lot to the truck. “Just sitting on his back is a thrill.”

“Does it make you wish you’d taken Frank’s offer to teach you reining?” Roper asked.

Her only response was a stone-cold silence that lasted several seconds before she spoke. “I made the right decision then—just as I’m making the right decision now to get into cutting. I don’t want to end up like Dad. If I keep doing rodeos, that could happen.”

Cheyenne had deftly changed the subject. Roper sensed that he’d touched a nerve mentioning Frank. He’d be smart to back off. But given that he was a suspect in Frank’s murder, he needed to know more.

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