Page 70 of Lie for a Million

The idea of adventure and freedom had set Rowdy’s imagination on fire. No more building fences and shoveling shit. No more preaching from his mother. She’d told him he was going to hell. Maybe he would just prove the old lady right.

“We’ll go as soon as we’re both free,” Judd had told him. “When you hear I’m out, just show up at my place with plenty of cash. I’ll be waiting for you, and we’ll take off from there.”

Rowdy knew that Judd had been released. But where was he now? Had he forgotten his promise? He could always make the trip by himself, Rowdy supposed. But without Judd to show him the ropes, it wouldn’t be as much fun.

He would give his friend another hour. If he didn’t show up, he’d leave and maybe try again later. One thing was for sure, he couldn’t go home. Not after the way he’d parted with his mother.

Rowdy slumped in the seat, angled his long legs, and put his boots on the dash. A fly, buzzing in through the open window, settled on his arm. He smashed it and brushed the carcass away. Closing his eyes, he drifted into a doze.

He was jarred awake by the roar of a motorcycle as Judd pulled up alongside his truck. “Hey, buddy,” he said with a grin. “Are you ready for our big adventure?”

Rowdy sat up and blinked himself awake. “You bet. I was afraid you’d stood me up.”

“Me? Never! Help me load this bike onto the bed of your truck. Then I’ll pick up a few things from upstairs and we’ll be off.”

Fifteen minutes later, with the bike loaded and Judd’s duffel tossed into the back of the club cab, they were on the back road out of town.

Giddy with anticipation, Rowdy drove. Judd reclined his seat and released an odoriferous cloud of gas. Rowdy lowered the window to let in some fresh air. The truck cab had already begun to smell like the jail. But never mind. Ahead lay a great adventure. He meant to enjoy every minute of it.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Groggy and disoriented, Crystal drifted into awareness. The first thing she felt was a throbbing on the left side of her head. Little by little, other sensations crept in—clean cotton sheets cradling her body. The faint beep and buzz of electronic monitors. The sting of an IV needle attached to the back of her left hand. Muffled voices. The click of cart wheels over a tile floor . . .

The memory stirred—Judd’s fist slamming into her, the staggering fall, and the burst of empty blackness as her head struck something hard and sharp. Now, even before she opened her eyes, she could tell that she was in some kind of hospital. More surprising than that, she was alive.

She willed her eyes to open. The overhead light was blinding. She turned her head to one side. Even that slight movement brought a stab of pain. Her exploring right hand moved to feel the thick gauze wrapping. The flesh around her eye felt swollen, as well. She must look like hell.

The ring! Her heart slammed as she realized her finger was bare. Where was it? Could Judd have taken it?

“Hello, Crystal. Welcome back.”

Startled by the masculine voice, she jerked her head to the right. The stab of pain made her gasp. She forced her gaze to focus.

Agent Sam Rafferty was seated in a visitor chair next to her bed. Crystal swore silently. Whatever the man was here for, it couldn’t be good.

She found her voice. “Where am I? What happened?”

“You’re in the emergency room at the Willow Bend Clinic. Blood loss and probable concussion. You were lucky. Your neighbors heard loud voices. They saw Judd leaving and got worried. If they hadn’t found you and called for an ambulance, you might not be here now.”

“Those nosy old farts. They’re always watching me. I guess I owe them.” She frowned. “What areyoudoing here?”

“Since you and Judd are both persons of interest in Frank’s murder, the police called me. They found hair and blood on the sharp corner of that coffee table. Someone from the police might be here to question you later, but I need you to tell me what happened now.”

“It was about the way you think. Judd wouldn’t leave. When I tried to get away, he got rough and started hitting me. I must’ve fallen against the table. I don’t remember anything else.” Crystal tried to raise her head, but a wave of dizziness swept over her. She sank back onto the pillow. “Where’s Judd? Did he get away?”

“The police have an APB out for his Harley. They promised to keep me informed.” Rafferty’s eyes narrowed. “There’s something else you’ll be questioned about. Because you were assaulted, the doctor checked you for possible rape. She found semen.”

“Of course he did. That bastard Judd threw me on the bed and raped me. Didn’t even bother with protection. In case you’re wondering, it happened before he slammed me against the table. I was conscious. I remember it all, and I’m willing to testify.”

“The police also found a knife on the floor and a bag with some things of yours in it.”

“After the rape, I was trying to leave. I grabbed the knife when Judd tried to stop me, but he took it away. That was when he started punching me.” Her pulse lurched as she realized that under the flannel sheet she was wearing nothing but a hospital gown. “My things—where are they?”

“Safe, in a locker here at the clinic. The police kept the knife for prints, but your clothes, your purse, your keys, and the things in the bag came with you in the ambulance. You’ll get them back when you’re checked out. The doctor talked about transporting you to the hospital in Abilene. But since you’re awake and lucid, I’m guessing that won’t be necessary.”

“My ring—the engagement ring Frank gave me. It was on my finger. Now it’s gone.”

“I’m sorry, no one’s mentioned it,” Rafferty said. “Someone might have put it with your other belongings. I can ask about it.”

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