Page 49 of Lie for a Million

“I can’t say you’re wrong. Sorry if I’m a little raw around the edges. That god-awful racket”—she gestured toward Charlie’s place—“woke me up early with a headache that’s only gotten worse. And now, here you are. So, fine. Let’s get this over with.”

“I appreciate your honesty.”

She sipped her coffee. “I’ll take that for what it’s worth. I know I haven’t been a gracious host, but I’ve never lied to you, Sam.”

“I believe you.” But that didn’t mean she’d told him the whole truth, Sam reminded himself. In talking with Lila, what remained unsaid could be as revealing as her words. “This is why I’m here now,” he said. “I’ve done everything I can think of to solve your husband’s murder. I’ve interviewed suspects and witnesses, analyzed data, made up scenarios in my mind . . .” Sam shook his head. “So far, all I’ve got is a tangle of loose ends. I’m hoping you can help me tie a few of them together.”

For a long moment, she didn’t reply. The distant scream of power tools, cutting and drilling, filled the silence between them. At last she spoke.

“You can ask me anything. But I won’t promise to answer.”

“Fair enough.” Sam shifted in his chair, leaning toward her. “First question. If you were in my place, who’s the top person you’d suspect of having killed Frank?”

“Darrin, I suppose. But my guess is tainted because I can’t stand him. If he turned out to be the killer, and you arrested him, my troubles would be over.”

“And Simone?”

“The same. I can’t picture her taking on Frank. But she could bully her husband into doing it. He only pretends to be the man of the family.”

Sam remembered Simone’s bruised face. Something was going on between the couple, but he decided not to mention it now.

Roper’s truck had been in the parking lot since first light. He was working all hours to prepare the stallion and his backup horses for the big event. Sam had wanted to get Lila talking. Now, risking her anger, he went for the answers he really needed.

“Simone insists that you and Roper were having an affair before Frank’s death,” he said. “Is that true?”

Her coppery eyes blazed. “Absolutely not. Roper was Frank’s employee. I barely knew the man then.”

“What about now?”

Her brief hesitation spoke volumes. “Roper works for me. He calls me Boss. We’ve become friends, but only since Frank’s death. I assume there’s no law against that.”

“Of course not. But according to Simone, you’re more than friends. She claims that someone saw the two of you going into the sprinkler shed together.”

“Someone?” Heat flushed Lila’s face. “Who? And what does that have to do with Frank’s murder?”

“Simone claims that Mariah was ordered to spy on you.”

Lila exhaled sharply. “That would be Madeleine’s doing. Mariah would do anything for her.”

“Would Mariah kill for her?”

“God, no. Frank was always good to Mariah, especially after she lost her husband and baby. She practically worshipped him. She would never have hurt him.” Lila ran a hand through her hair, raking it back from her face. “I know she’d be happy to see me gone and Frank’s children back in the house. But it does surprise me that she’d risk her job by spying on me.”

“You’d actually fire her?” Sam asked.

“Not for that. But I do expect a degree of loyalty from the people I pay.”

“I assume that includes your horse trainer. Are you sure you can trust him?”

Lila’s gaze went cold. “Nothing that happened after Frank’s death is any of your business. That includes my relationship with Roper.” She stirred in her chair as if preparing to get up and leave.

“Not even if Roper fits the profile of the person who killed your husband?”

She went rigid, as if he’d drawn a pistol and aimed it at her heart. “That’s ridiculous,” she said. “Roper and Frank respected each other. They weren’t close friends, but they got along well.”

“So you say. But Roper wanted to compete. He was frustrated because Frank wouldn’t allow it. And let’s say that I believe you, Lila, when you tell me there was nothing between you and Roper before Frank’s death. But that wouldn’t keep him from seeing you. That wouldn’t keep him from wanting you and making plans. Now that Frank’s gone, Roper’s wishes have come true. He’s taking Frank’s place in the Run for a Million, and now it appears that he’s staking a claim to Frank’s widow.”

“Is that what Simone told you?” Lila was visibly seething. “That conniving little princess would say anything to get her hands on this house. And Roper couldn’t have killed Frank. He was home all night. His parents vouched for him.”

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