Page 73 of Lie for a Million

Roper moved a chair to join the other two. In the fewest possible words, Sam recapped Crystal’s miscarriage, Judd’s attack, and the possibility that Roper’s missing brother could have gone on the road with him.

“The troopers are looking for the truck and for Judd’s Harley. So far there’s been no word. We don’t even know if they’re together—all we have to go on is what young Rowdy told his family. With luck, he’s just off somewhere having a good time. But I agree that Judd is bad news. I said I’d keep you informed, Roper, and I will.”

“You mentioned there was something else,” Roper said.

“Yes, I’m coming to that. When I spoke with Crystal, she told me something that—if it’s true—changes the investigation into Frank’s murder.”

Lila could sense Roper’s tension as he sat beside her. She checked the impulse to reach for his hand.

“Understand, Crystal had taken a beating. When I saw her, she had a black eye, and her head was wrapped in a bandage. She’d been brought into the clinic unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. I was there when she woke up. She was lucid, and she remembered the assault.”

He glanced from Lila to Roper. “The last thing she told me, as I was leaving, was that Judd had confessed to murdering Frank. Her story is believable. Judd had a motive, and he gave her the details of the crime. Crystal has agreed to sign a sworn statement. I’ll bring it by tomorrow, after she’s had a chance to rest.”

Lila and Roper exchanged startled looks. The news seemed almost too good to be true. “Are you saying that I’m no longer a suspect?” Roper asked Sam.

“I didn’t say that. But if Crystal will give us a sworn statement, admissible in court, we’ll have a presentable case—especially if we can find other evidence to support Judd’s guilt. Of course if he comes up with an alibi, or something else goes against us, we’ll be back to square one.”

“Back to me, in other words.” Roper spoke with a bitterness that Lila could feel. “I just want this over with.”

“Believe me, so do I,” Sam said. “My boss needs me back in Abilene. But it has to be done right, or the whole investigation will amount to nothing but wasted time.”

“You know I didn’t kill Frank,” Roper said. “And I’ll be damned if I take the blame just so you can earn your blasted gold star.”

“I very much want to believe you, Roper,” Sam said. “If I didn’t, you’d be under arrest by now. Let’s see how this plays out. If we can find enough evidence to support Judd’s so-called confession . . .”

“Stop playing games with me, Sam,” Roper snapped. “I’ve got a missing brother who may be on the road with a murderer. Right now that’s the only thing on my mind.” He stood. “I’m going home to my family now. You’ve got my phone number. Call me the minute you hear anything.”

As he turned away, his gaze met Lila’s. She glimpsed the frustration and worry in his face. But this was no time to reach out to him. There was nothing she could do.

As Roper strode away, headed back to the lot where he’d left his truck, Sam’s phone rang. Sam took the call. As he listened to the voice on the other end, his expression went rigid.

“Wait—” He shielded the phone with his hand. “Lila, get Roper! Bring him back here!”

Lila sprang to her feet and raced down the path toward the parking lot. By now, Roper, walking fast, had almost reached the truck. “Wait!” she shouted at him. “Roper, wait!”

She reached him, out of breath. “Sam just got a call! He needs you to come! Go on, I’ll catch up!”

Roper charged back up the path. Lila followed, nursing a painful stitch in her side. She had seen Sam’s reaction to the phone call. Whatever news he’d been given, she knew it hadn’t been good.

By the time she reached the bungalow, Sam had put down the phone and was talking to Roper. The look of utter shock on Roper’s face warned her to expect the worst.

“The phone call was from the state troopers, Lila,” Sam told her. “A red Ford pickup, with a license number that matches the missing vehicle, was involved in a collision with a tanker truck on I-20, twelve miles past Odessa. The truck driver made it out all right, but the pickup caught fire and exploded. Just one body was recovered, burned beyond identification.”

Lila gazed at Roper, her heart breaking for him as he struggled to hold his emotions in check.

“Call them back, Sam,” he said. “Give them my cell number and tell them I’m on my way.”

“I’m coming with you, Roper,” Lila said.

“No need for you to see this,” he said. “Stay here. I’ll call you.”

“Don’t be stubborn. You could use an extra pair of eyes and ears. And you might need somebody else who can drive. Don’t do this alone. I’m going to get my purse. Wait for me.”

She raced into the house. Minutes later, she returned with her purse and a light jacket to find him waiting at his truck. His stoic face masked the emotions that had to be raging inside him. “It’s not too late to change your mind,” he said.

“Don’t worry about me. Just drive.” She climbed into the truck, settled into the passenger seat, and buckled her seat belt. Roper started the engine. The truck roared out of the gate and headed up the road toward the freeway entrance. The three-hour drive would get them to the accident scene by midnight. By then, the highway crew would be clearing up the debris. The burned body would have been taken to the police morgue. Roper would likely be asked to confirm that the accident victim was his brother.

Lila studied his grim profile, the mouth set in a rigid line, the narrowed eyes watching the road in front of him. She had never met Roper’s family, but she’d sensed how much he cared for them. Now he’d be facing an unthinkable ordeal. And there was nothing she could say to make it easier. Looking at him, she ached with love. But at times like this, even love wouldn’t be enough.

---