Promise Her (22 page)

He needed to talk to Donovan.

****

As soon as the door shut behind Douglas, Lisa went to her room and flung herself on the bed.

A tap on the door had her sitting up. Had Douglas changed his mind?

“Come in.”

“Do you have any food around here?” Evan asked.

Lisa groaned. “I forgot.” She came out of the bed and went to the kitchen. “I’ll make a list and you can run to the store.”

“I can’t leave you here by yourself.”

“How long will you be gone? Fifteen minutes? I’ll lock the door and not open it until you get back. How’s that?”

“Not how I do business, Lisa.”

She scribbled a list of must-have items and handed it to him. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

“Do you know how to use a gun?”

Sure she did. She’d been with TJ when her brothers took her target shooting. Lisa had learned gun safety, how to shoot, and to never draw a gun unless you were ready to use it. “Of course I can.”

“Good. Then I’ll leave mine here. It’s loaded, the safety on. Don’t shoot me when I come back.”

She grinned as he put the gun on the coffee table. “I won’t have the occasion to touch it, Ev.” She went to her bag handed him some bills. “Don’t worry about me.”

When he left, she stretched out on the couch. It was the first time she’d been alone since her accident.

And it felt good.

The next thing she knew, she was asleep.

Later, a ringing phone awoke her.

Ev answered. A hand went to her head. She was disoriented. It was as if she’d been asleep for hours.

She sat up just as Ev walked in holding the phone out to her. “Sorry to wake you.”

“Ms. Kane. This is Detective Ryan from HPD.”

“Yes.”

“Could you come downtown? We have a few more questions.”

“I’ve answered everything you’ve asked. What more do you want?” She didn’t like this turn of events. Were they about to arrest her? Despite her fall and the fact that someone tried to hurt her, was HPD still convinced of her guilt? They couldn’t be. She had to talk to Douglas and to Darin.

“Just a few minutes of your time. That’s all.”

She sighed loudly. “When?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Fine.” She looked at her watch, amazed at how late it was. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

She hung up and looked at Ev. “How did you get in?”

He held up a key. “Found it in a drawer. Thought it might come in handy. You were sleeping so soundly you didn’t hear a thing when I came in.”

“I have to get dressed. HPD wants to see me. Would you call Douglas? Tell him our plans have changed. He needs to get here now. I’m not going to talk to them without my lawyer.”

“Gotcha,” he said as he pulled out his cell.

She hurried to her room, called Darin and told him the latest. “Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

“Not a clue. The last I heard, they were interrogating everyone they could find who had been in the skybox the night Tempest died. They put a trace on the poison, but I don’t know what they’ve found, if anything.”

“Thanks, Darin.”

“Do you want me there?”

“Douglas will be with me.” She wouldn’t go without him.

“Call me if you need anything.”

She scooted into the bathroom and into the shower. She would get dressed for the rodeo. They could go straight there from headquarters.

But what did HPD want?

Had they found something more to incriminate her?

Her hands trembled as she buttoned her Western shirt, then pulled on a skirt and boots.

Someone wanted her to look guilty.

Who and why eluded her.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Douglas and Lisa were led into a small interrogation room while Ev waited in the hall. Detective Ryan waved them to take a seat. Lisa squeezed her hands together to keep them from visibly shaking.

“Why are we here?” Douglas asked.

“Just a few questions,” Ryan said.

Douglas put a comforting hand over Lisa’s. She let his touch calm her.

“Such as?”

Lisa glanced at him. His mouth was a grim slash. He wasn’t happy HPD had called her in again, but he couldn’t find out anything other than what Darin had told them.

“I want you to tell me again what went on in the skybox before Ms. Wheatley’s death.”

The video was running. There would be no idle questions. She looked over at Douglas. He nodded. So she told again why she’d been there, how Tempest seemed different and how agitated and nervous Harold acted.

“When you told him that his wife was in trouble what did he do?”

“He ignored me; said she was fine. Only it was obvious she had a problem. One that could hurt her.”

“Did he try to stop you when you called down on the floor for help?”

“No. It was as if he were out of it.”

“What do you mean?”

Lisa thought a minute. “He was nervous from the time he sat down. When it became obvious his wife was in trouble, he acted as if nothing was wrong…almost as if he wanted to be anywhere but there.”

“Anything else you can remember?”

“It’s everything. Believe me when I tell you I’ve gone over that night a hundred times in my head.”

The detective reached over and flipped off the video. Stood.

“That’s it?” Douglas asked.

“Just verifying the facts,” Ryan said.

“What’s really going on?” Douglas stood next to Ryan, towering over him by a good four inches.

“We’re taking a second look at the husband. Seems he has a record of consorting with other women.”

“That’s common knowledge. Tell me more.”

“He likes the high life. His wife’s money gave him that. If he wanted an out, a divorce would ruin him. Her death would guarantee he would get her trust.”

“I believe I mentioned that to you the first time I was here,” Lisa said. “You paid no attention.”

Ryan ignored her.

“What about Tempest’s twin? Wouldn’t she have a stake in the trust?” Douglas asked.

“Not according to the terms and conditions. The trust went from Tempest to her children, if there were any. Otherwise it goes to her husband.”

“Motive enough,” Lisa said.

“If we can trace the poison back to him, he’s a goner.”

“Then my client is no longer a suspect?”

“Didn’t say that,” Ryan answered. “But we’re looking at the husband as well.” He looked over at Lisa. “He looks as good for this as you do. We’ll have to see where the evidence leads us.”

“Have you found the twin?”

“There isn’t a trace of her anywhere. It’s as if she disappeared off the face of the earth around the age of sixteen.”

“Are you still looking?”

Ryan nodded.

Douglas gave her a look. She shook her head. She wasn’t going to tell the detective what she suspected until she knew more.

Thirty minutes later, they pulled into the parking area at Reliant Stadium. Traffic on Fannin had kept them tied up, making them later than she wanted.

The crowd was crushing.

As the familiar scent of Rodeo hit her, Lisa smiled. It was a mixture of barbecue, fried foods, the sweet odor of cotton candy and grilled turkey legs. Scent mixed with sound. Music pounded from the loudspeakers, as cowboys and cowgirls, real and imagined, poured into the stadium.

“How will we find anyone?” Ev asked.

“It won’t be easy,” Lisa said, speaking loud enough to be heard.

They had decided in the car on how they would do this. They’d stick together and do a methodical search for the blonde. Once they found her, the guys would take positions surrounding her while Lisa made contact and struck up a conversation. If the blonde ran, Ev or Douglas would stop her.

It was as good as they could do given the circumstances. Lisa hoped it worked. She didn’t want to scare the woman off by putting cops in the picture. She wanted her to feel safe.

Lisa saw one of the men who had been talking to Harold a few nights ago and went up to him. Douglas and Ev were close behind. “I’m looking for Harold Wheatley. Have you seen him?”

The man was Texas tall and in his fifties. His Stetson matched his Western jacket; his boots were worn. A smile creased his weathered features. “You’re the young lady who fell during the barrel racing. How in the world are you? I almost had a heart attack when you tumbled off that horse.”

Lisa smiled. “I’m fine. Thanks. But I really do need to speak to Harold.”

He stuck out his hand. “Name is Odell Penn. Friends call me Dell.”

“Lisa Kane,” she said shaking hands.

His brow creased into a frown as he took a step back.

“Everything you’ve heard about me is far from the truth,” she said, realizing he recognized the name instantly. “I don’t have designs on Harold. Never did. It’s another matter I want to discuss with him.”

Dell shrugged. “Last I saw, he was at the livestock arena.”

“Was there anyone with him?” When he looked at her with questions in his eyes, she hurried to explain. “It’s important.”

“No one I was aware of.”

His voice, which had started out Texas friendly, ended up winter frosty. Lisa knew what he was thinking. Though she had no romantic interest in Harold, this man didn’t know it. She thanked him and moved away, her two bodyguards close by.

As they made their way to the livestock show, the aroma of frying foods followed.

“They must fry everything they can get their hands on,” Douglas commented when they passed a booth advertising fried pickles.

“I can eat just about anything,” Ev said. “But not fried pickles.”

“How about Twinkies? Or gator?” Lisa laughed. “Actually, the gator isn’t bad. Have you tasted the fried cookie dough?”

“You’re more adventurous than I thought.” Ev grinned. “But I could go for that cookie dough.”

Her glance slid to the man next to her. Douglas’ eyes raked the crowd. Watching. He didn’t want her here, had relented against his better judgment.

That he continued to take such good care of her after she'd walked out on him warmed her heart. That she wanted more was her problem. One she intended to get over.

But right now she couldn’t waste time thinking of what might or might not be. She had to find the person who killed Tempest. If she found the sister, it would be a start. “Let’s find her,” Lisa said above the noisy crowd. If she could get a good look at the woman’s face she would know.

Up ahead there were steps leading to a small stage-like area. Lisa ran up them and looked over the crowd. It didn’t take long to find Harold. He stood in a pen with a young girl and her steer. A photographer was taking pictures. Where was the blonde? If she were here, she’d be close by.

Then Lisa saw her. She stood among the crowd around the pen where the young girl smiled at the camera. Lisa grabbed Douglas’ arm. “I see her. Let’s go.”

She pulled him along, weaving through the crowd, until they were close. Panting slightly from the rush to get there, she stood to the side, took a moment to look the woman over.

It
was
Tempest’s twin. Lisa was sure of it. The face was the same, but slightly different. The nose maybe. Her eyes were a different color, but that was easily done. Hair was dyed. But the build was identical. The same small waist, the large boobs. She was beautifully dressed in Western garb; a long white skirt with colorful embroidery. High fashion. A big Western hat and boots, fringed jacket to match the skirt made her look fabulous. Did Harold know? It would be implausible if he didn’t.

Lisa nodded to Douglas and Ev. They surrounded the woman as they had planned. When they were in place, she walked over. “Hello, Storm.”

The woman paled as she turned to face Lisa. “Sorry. You must have me mixed up with someone else. My name is Jolie.”

“Storm Collier; Tempest’s twin. Where have you been all these years, Storm?”

“You are so wrong.”

The woman turned to leave, but Douglas and Ev were right there, ready to block her escape.

Lisa opened her mouth to ask a question just as shattering glass echoed through the area. A half-drunk city slicker in brand new cowboy hat and boots raised a hand that held a broken longneck beer bottle. “Come back here, you S.O.B!” The man staggered behind a similarly dressed young man who was quickly walking toward the exit. That split second of distraction was all it took for Storm to turn and run.

Lisa came closest to catching her when she snagged the fringe on her jacket. Storm saw an opening in the crowd and took off.

Douglas wouldn’t leave Lisa, but waved for Ev to follow the woman.

Within five minutes, he was back. Empty-handed. “She disappeared.”

“Something she’s good at,” Lisa admitted. “Now we know who she is. Let’s see if Harold does.”

They headed back to the area where they last saw him, but he was nowhere around. Neither were the two cowboys who had kicked up the ruckus that allowed Storm to escape.

“Guess we have to hunt him down,” Lisa said.

“No we don’t.” Douglas, who was taller than either Lisa or Ev, smiled. “No need to rush. I know where he’s going.”

“Where?” Ev asked.

“Headquarters. Detective Ryan is escorting him out right now.”

“Is he under arrest?” Lisa asked. The thought gave her pause. She still thought him guilty. In some way though, Storm was involved. What Lisa wanted to know was if the two of them were in this together.

Lisa saw Mike heading toward them. She rushed to him. He caught her in a hug. “Good to see you, Cowgirl.”

“Same here. Did you see Harold?”

Mike’s grin was as big as the arena. “A cop just took him away.”

“Did you happen to see the blonde, Jolie, she calls herself?”

“She’s always close to Wheatley. I still think she wants to get her hooks into the wealthy widower.”

“Is she the only one?” Lisa asked.

“Nah. I’ve seen several women giving him the eye. You know Harold, he gives it right back.”

“Bastard probably loves it,” she said under her breath.

“Gotta go. Are you staying for the show? I’m riding later.”

She looked over at Douglas who shrugged. “I don’t know. But you know I’m rooting for you.”

“I know.” He turned to leave. “Don’t be a stranger.”

“I’ll be here every night until the last horse leaves the arena,” she promised.