Page 41 of Lie for a Million

“Have you made any big plans for your retirement, Nick?” Sam asked.

Nick’s expression shifted, deepening the furrow between his thick gray brows. He shook his head. “Sometimes life has a way of making plans for you,” he said. “But never mind that. It can wait. What I want to talk about now is your case.”

“That’s what brought me here.”

“Do you expect to have it wrapped up soon? I’m asking because you can’t stay on that ranch forever. The bureau needs you here in Abilene.”

“I’ll have a better answer for you when we hear from the lab. If that syringe turns out to be the murder weapon, and it has any trace of prints or DNA, that should tell the story.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“Then I’ll keep trying. Somebody planned Frank Culhane’s murder and carried it out in cold blood. If you need to pull me off the case, I won’t argue. You’re the boss. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to quit on my own.”

“And you’re looking at the horse trainer?”

“Everything fits. If the evidence points to Roper McKenna, we’ll have our murderer.”

“What about Culhane’s widow? I get the impression they’re lovers. Could she have been involved in her husband’s death?”

“We can’t rule her out. There’s no evidence, but Frank was cheating on her. If we nail Roper, he might give her up under pressure. You know how that works.”

The pizza had arrived, heaped with toppings and still sizzling from the oven. Sam and Nick helped themselves to generous slices and waited a moment for them to cool.

“And the girlfriend? You told me she was pregnant.”

“That’s right. If Frank knew, and he refused to marry her or even support her, that would give her a reason to kill him.”

“I’m of two minds about that. But why would she kill the father of her baby, especially if there was a chance he’d change his mind later on? Besides, if the syringe turns out to be the murder weapon, it doesn’t make sense that she’d toss it in the creek. As far as I know, she doesn’t even know Roper.”

“What about Frank’s son? Have you cleared him?”

Sam took a bite of his slice, savoring the taste of sausage, onion, peppers, and melted cheese. “Darrin is still on the list. From all indications, he had issues with his father. And he hates Roper. If Darrin did kill Frank—or even if he didn’t—he could have planted that syringe to frame the man. I’m hoping the lab can give us answers.”

“And the girl? Frank’s daughter? Is she out of the picture?”

Sam willed his expression to freeze, betraying nothing. But Nick was looking at him as if he already knew about his secret relationship with Jasmine.

“She loved her father, and she had nothing to gain by killing him,” Sam said.

“But she could have been working for her mother. She’s with her mother now.” Nick drained his glass and leaned forward, across the table. “Be careful, Sam. The Culhane family is toxic. You’re a good man and I’d hate to see you get burned, especially when it could jeopardize your case and affect your career.”

Sam’s stomach clenched. He should have known that Nick would guess the truth. He was being warned before the axe fell.

“Thanks, I understand.” Sam hid his reaction as he helped himself to more pizza. “We were going to talk about your retirement.”

“Were we?” Nick hadn’t eaten much.

“I’m aware that you need me here,” Sam said. “I’ll do my best to make that happen.”

“Thanks. We’re shorthanded as it is, and I can’t bring myself to leave until you’re back. None of the other agents have the experience to run this place. If we can’t do our jobs here, we’ll be shut down. Everything will be transferred to Amarillo.”

“Can you give me a rundown on your case load?” Sam asked.

“Mostly the usual, not much different from Chicago. Drugs. Kidnappings and human trafficking across state lines. Conspiracy groups. Mob activity—and before you ask, I’m still trying to nail Louis Divino. I may have to turn that case over to you.”

Sam studied his old friend across the table. In the flickering candlelight, Nick looked old and weary. He appeared to have lost weight over the past weeks. Sam didn’t like what he saw.

“You’ve told me about the case load,” Sam said. “What can you tell me about yourself?”

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