Part 26 (1/2)
Dora whistled.
”I don't know whether the family was in financial trouble and needed quick access to cash a.s.sets. But Ellen's got two sons who could've helped her plan the murder and pull it off,” Billy said, feeling his adrenaline begin to flow.
”Good,” Dora said. ”Now think of who might have helped Eve if she planned her own death.”
Billy rubbed away a spot of perspiration that was worming its way down the center of his chest. ”She used Russell Handy last time, but he's behind bars now.”
”That doesn't mean he didn't help her. He was foreman at Bitter Creek for a lot of years. He'd know all about the hydraulic line on a helicopter and how to rig an explosive. He supervised anything and everything that had to be done on that ranch.”
”But why would he help Eve Blackthorne now?” Billy asked. ”She's the reason he ended up in prison.”
”Why don't you go and ask him?” Dora said. ”The sooner you find out who killed Eve and get Blackjack out of jail and back home at Bitter Creek, the sooner you'll get your wife back.”
Billy stared at his mother in amazement, then laughed out loud. ”Why, you wily old coyote.”
”There's always more than one way to skin a cat,” she said with a smile.
”I thought you didn't approve of Summer,” Billy said, eyeing his mother.
”The girl's got gumption,” Dora said gruffly. ”Now how about helping me back to bed?”
Dora started to walk on her own, but she was so frail, Billy picked her up once they were inside and carried her into the bedroom. He tucked her into bed and then sat down beside her. ”I don't want Summer back if she's only coming because there's no place for her at Bitter Creek.”
”There will always be a place for her at Bitter Creek,” Dora pointed out. ”Even if Blackjack comes back. But maybe when he does come home, she'll realize that she belongs here with you.”
”Thank you, Mom,” Billy said.
”You're welcome. I only wish I'd spoken my mind sooner in the past. I wish...”
Billy pulled his mom into his arms and hugged her tight. ”It's all right, Mom.” He hesitated, then said, ”I forgive you.”
She sobbed once, but made no other sound, just clung tightly to him as they comforted one another.
Chapter 15.
WHEN SUMMER CAME TO SEE HER FATHER IN the Bitter Creek County Jail, she found he had company. Lauren Creed sat across the table from him in the visitors' room. It was difficult for Summer to face the woman who'd caused so much heartache for her mother and still be cordial. ”I didn't know my father had a visitor. I'll come back later.”
”I'll leave,” Ren said rising.
”No,” Blackjack said grabbing for her hand. His hands were cuffed together in front of him, and also cuffed to the table, so he was brought up short. ”Stay, Ren. We haven't finished.”
”Your daughter-”
”There's nothing Summer has to say that you can't hear,” Blackjack said.
It was plain to Summer that whatever time her father had left before he was convicted by the weight of evidence against him and either executed or sentenced to life in prison, he was determined to spend with Lauren Creed. What was it about this woman that had so captured his heart? She wasn't nearly as beautiful as Summer's mother.
At that moment Ren looked up at her, and Summer saw empathy and sympathy and compa.s.sion. And a kindness that she'd never found in her mother's striking blue eyes.
Summer didn't want to like this woman. Didn't want to understand her father's choice. She turned to Blackjack and said, ”I only came to tell you I haven't made any progress yet in finding out who helped Momma commit suicide.”
”So you believe it was suicide?” her father said, arching a dark brow.
”I don't have any other suspects besides you, Daddy, and I don't believe you're responsible. Which only leaves Momma.”
”Your mother had some help,” her father said. ”You need to keep hunting until you find whoever worked with her to frame me.”
”I'm glad to hear you say that, Daddy, because I've asked Billy to do exactly that.”
Her father was silent a moment. ”He agreed to help?”
”Not yet. But he will.”
”I wouldn't bet on it,” Blackjack said. ”That boy hates my guts.”
”True. But I believe in justice,” Billy said as he entered the room.
”Billy! You came,” Summer said, rising to greet him. She gave him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek, as though he were some friendly acquaintance rather than her husband.
Billy slid an arm around her waist and lowered his head and kissed her like he had the right to do it. And didn't care whether her father liked it or not.
Summer was breathless when he let her go. She could have kicked Billy when he turned to Blackjack, his eyes hooded, his mouth curled in a sneer, as though defying him to say anything. And she wanted to kiss her father when he failed to rise to the bait.
”Pull up a chair,” Blackjack said.
”I can't stay,” Billy said, c.o.c.king a hip and setting his hands to his waist. ”I came by to let Summer know that I'll be out of town for a couple of days hunting down the truth about whether or not you're a murderer.”
Summer saw the dull flush rise on her father's cheekbones. ”I'll go with you,” she said, to forestall the eruption she feared was coming.
”What about Bitter Creek?” Billy said. ”You told me you needed to be there to run things.”
”I do. But I-”
Blackjack interrupted with, ”Ren can relay any problems to me here in jail, and I'll give orders to the men what to do.”
Summer stared at the pet.i.te woman her father seemed so determined to make a part of his life. Ren's eyes were lowered, but her hand clasped Blackjack's tightly.
”I suppose that will work,” Summer said.
”There's no need for you to leave Bitter Creek,” Billy insisted. ”I can handle this on my own.”
”I want to go,” Summer said. ”Don't bother arguing. My mind is made up.”
”Suit yourself,” Billy said with a shrug. ”But I'm leaving now.”
”I need to pack a few things,” Summer said.