Page 68 of Lie for a Million

* * *

Lila had done more than her share of soul searching as she went about her days. She’d also spent time in private consultation with her lawyer. At last, after a long and painful deliberation, she had come to a decision.

She would adopt Crystal’s baby and raise the child as her own.

The money would be paid in installments, but only if certain conditions were met. Crystal was to be examined and treated by a doctor of Lila’s choosing. Lila was to be kept informed as the pregnancy progressed. She would have access to any and all medical reports. The young woman would follow the guidelines for a healthy pregnancy—good nutrition, exercise and rest, prenatal vitamins, monthly checkups, and no alcohol, illegal drugs, or unprotected sex—better yet, no sex at all.

Lila had shared the news with Roper during a break in his training. “I like to think I’m doing this for the right reasons,” she’d said. “This can’t be about keeping the ranch. It has to be about giving Frank’s child a good home.”

His right hand had stirred, as if to reach out and cup her face. But he resisted. They kept the distance between them. People could be watching.

“You’ll be a good mother,” he’d said.

She’d walked away, thinking of the years it would take to raise a child. Roper had mentioned nothing about being there for those years. With his future in peril, she knew better than to hope or to speak of how desperately she wanted him at her side. That would be asking too much of life.

Her lawyer was already preparing the contract for Crystal to sign. All that remained was to phone Crystal and invite her to a meeting in his office, where the offer would be presented. Of course Crystal could always refuse to sign. But if she wanted the money, this would be the only way for her to get it.

Lila had already tried to call Crystal once. There’d been no answer, not even a voice mail greeting. Maybe the battery had run down. Or maybe she’d lost it.

Lila tried again. Still no response. Impatient now, she sent a simple text.

Crystal, call me.

She wasn’t really worried. Crystal would be anxious to hear from her. When she didn’t, she was bound to call back.

But why now, of all times, had the troublesome young woman become so difficult to reach?

* * *

Without taking time for supper, Roper drove back to the Culhane Ranch. Earlier, when he’d left work, the lights had been on in Sam’s bungalow. He could only hope that Sam would still be there, and that he’d be decent enough to help Roper track down his wayward brother

Roper had made several calls to his brother’s phone. All of them had gone to voice mail. Rowdy was probably ignoring the calls. He didn’t want to be scolded, lectured, or ordered home by his older half sibling. He was his own man now. He could be walking stupidly into danger. Maybe he was already with Judd Proctor.

As Roper pulled his truck up to the bungalow and parked, he saw Sam seated in a chair on the porch. The FBI agent was alone, sipping a beer, probably enjoying some peace and quiet. But that was about to end.

Sam stood as Roper climbed out of the truck. “You’re the last person I expected to see tonight,” he said. “I assume this isn’t a social call.”

“No. And before you say anything else, I need your help. I know what you think I did. I hope you can put that aside for now and listen to me.”

“I’m listening. Have a seat if you like.”

“I’ll stand, thanks,” Roper said. “Are you aware that Judd Proctor is out of jail?”

“I am now.” Sam took the news without further comment. As Roper already knew, the agent was a man who kept his thoughts to himself. But anything involving Judd should be enough to catch his interest.

“Rowdy, my younger brother, has left home in his truck,” Roper said. “He got to know Judd in jail, when he spent a night in the next cell. My family has reason to believe he’s contacted Judd and they’ve gone off on a road trip together.”

Roper waited for Sam’s response, his fear deepening. If Judd, already a suspect in Frank’s murder, was set on leaving the state, that could point to his guilt. And if Judd had mentioned the crime to Rowdy, the young man could be valuable as a witness—which would give Judd a reason to get rid of him or maybe hold him as a hostage.

After what seemed like an eternity of silence, Sam spoke. “Thank you for coming to me,” he said. “Give me everything you’ve got, including your brother’s description, a photo if you have one, and the license number of his vehicle. We’ll need to move fast on this.”

* * *

Wearing her robe, Crystal stood next to the bed, gazing down at the man she’d once loved—or thought she had. Judd lay sprawled on the sheets, buck naked and snoring like a bull, his hair leaving grease stains on her new pink pillowcases. A drizzle of saliva trailed from the corner of his mouth to lose itself in his tangled beard.

Until he showed up, she hadn’t known he was out of jail. He would have showered for his trial, but it was as if the odors of bleach, open toilets, vomit, and sweaty underwear had seeped into his skin. While they were having sex—she couldn’t call it making love—the smell of his body had almost made her gag.

For her own survival, she’d pretended to accept him. Judd had a murderous, hair-trigger temper. If he’d known how she really felt about him, he would have punched her senseless—or maybe worse—to punish her for breaking up with him.

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