to know how she, an innocent baby, had prompted someone
to murder her mother.
"I can't drop the investigation," she said. "Even if I
wanted to, Pat Chastain--"
"Listen," he said, scooting forward. "You bat those big
baby blues of yours at him, tell him you made a mistake,
and by this time tomorrow, I guarantee that he won't even
remember what you came here for."
"I wouldn't do--"
"Okay, then leave Pat to me."
"Angus," she said loudly, "you're missing my point."
When she was assured she had his attention, she said, "As
strongly as you believe in your racetrack, I believe that my
mother's murder case was mishandled. I intend to see that
rectified."
"Even though the future of a whole town is at stake?"
"Come on," she cried in protest. "You make it sound like
I'm taking bread from starving children."
"Not as bad as that, but still--"
"My future is at stake, too. I can't go on with the rest of
it until the case is resolved to my satisfaction."
"Yes, but--"
"Hey, time out." Junior opened the door suddenly and
poked his head inside. "I've had a great idea, Alex. Why
don't you stay for supper?"
"Damn you, Junior," Angus thundered, pounding the arm
of his chair with his fist. "You wouldn't recognize a business
discussion if it bit you in the ass. We're talking seriously
here. Don't ever interrupt me when I'm in a private conference
again. You know better than that."
Junior swallowed visibly. "I didn't know your conversation
was so private or so serious."
"Well, you damned well should have, shouldn't you? For
crissake, we were--"
"Angus, please, it's all right," Alex said quickly. "Actually,
I'm glad Junior interrupted. I just now noticed how
late it is. I need to be going."
She couldn't stand to watch a grown man get a dressing
down from his father, especially in front of a female guest.
She was embarrassed for both of them.
Most of the time, Angus was a good ole boy. But not
always. He had an explosive temper when crossed. Alex had
just witnessed how short his fuse was and just how slight a
transgression it took to ignite it.
"I'll see you out," Junior offered woodenly.
She shook hands with Angus. "Thank you for showing
me the model. Nothing you've said has diverted me, but
you've clarified some things. I'll keep them in mind as I
pursue the case."
"You can trust us, you know. We're not killers."
Junior walked her to the front door. After he had held her
coatforher, she turned to face him. "I'll be in touch, Junior."
"I certainly hope so." He bent over her hand and kissed
it, then turned her palm up and kissed it, too.
She took it back quickly. "Do you flirt like this with every
woman you meet?"
"Just about." He flashed her an unrepentant grin. "Are
you susceptible?"
"Not in the least."
His grin widened, indicating to her that he wasn't convinced
and knew that she wasn't either. After saying another
quick good night, she left.
Her car was cold. She shivered inside her coat. As she
drove down the private road toward the highway, she noticed
the outbuildings on either side of it. Most were stables. There
was a faint light burning inside one of them. Reede's Blazer
was parked at the door. On impulse, Alex pulled up beside
it and got out.