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mints and opened the fancy package, sticking it in her mouth. She glanced at Becky Wilson, who was
staring at Bib with her heart in her eyes. Becky wasn t blond. But she could have been wearing a
wig&
 Delicious, Josette said, smiling.  Thanks.
 They are, aren t they? Becky murmured. She was still looking at her boss. She drew in a shaky
breath.  Who do you think the killer is after, Mr. Brannon? Becky asked worriedly.  You don t think
he means to kill Bib?
 That would probably defeat the whole purpose, Brannon replied.  Think about it. That ledger
must have information that could put the killer in prison, or he wouldn t be willing to go to such
lengths to obtain it, even to use in a blackmail scheme. I d be willing to bet good money that it would
exonerate Bib even while it condemned someone else. And that s why the killer is so desperate to get
it.
 It s probably someone on my own staff, Bib guessed miserably.  But who do I know who s
desperate enough to get mixed up in murder to keep the secret?
Brannon had a good idea. But he couldn t say a word. Not yet.
 We ll keep you posted. Meanwhile, he told Becky,  string that reporter along. Try to keep him
quiet, just long enough.
 But where s the ledger? Bib asked worriedly.  Who s got it? And what s in it?
 That s what we still have to find out, Brannon said.  But we will. I promise you, we will.
Bib got to his feet, smiling sadly.  You always supported me, he said.  Even when they were
trying to make me into a murderer at Dale Jennings s trial. You never believed that I might be
involved.
 I know you, Brannon said simply.
Bib extended his hand.  And I know you, he replied.  You re the best friend I ever had. I think
I m going to need one more than ever before this is over.
 I m not deserting you, Brannon said, grinning.
 Neither am I, Becky said firmly.  And I don t care if Mrs. Webb likes it or not. She should be
here instead of on another shopping trip. She s never here! She s never in Austin, either!
 Becky, don t, Bib pleaded gently.  We both know that Silvia doesn t care what happens to me.
She only cares about the wealth and prestige.
 She doesn t care about anybody, except herself, Becky muttered.  You should have had a
houseful of kids& 
 I d love that, Bib mused, and he smiled at Becky in a way that made her flush and avert her
face.
 We d better go, Josette said quickly, sparing Becky s blushes.
 Yes. Take it easy. And don t sign anything, Brannon advised Bib.
 I have a law degree, Bib reminded him.
 I know. But it doesn t hurt to advise people even lawyers.
Bib nodded.  You be careful, too, he added as he saw them to the door.  Two people are already
dead three if you count Henry. Whoever s doing this won t hesitate over another couple of people if
they get in his way.
 I know that, Brannon said. He smiled secretively.  In fact, I m counting on it. I ll be in touch.
He hesitated.  One other thing. Did Silvia ever mention taking college courses?
Bib laughed heavily.  Silvia? My God, she barely got to ninth grade, and there was no way she d
even talk about continuing her education. It would take away from her time shopping!
Chapter Fourteen
No sooner were Brannon and Josette in the SUV than she turned to him excitedly, fumbling her seat
belt in place.
 Silvia didn t go back to school. So why was she at that coffee shop, and on campus?
 I d like to know the answer to that, too, Brannon said.
 And what about those expensive mints on the coffee table? she said, flashing the wrapper that
she d pocketed.  Mrs. Jennings said that her son s girlfriend loved expensive mints, and that she knew
about the evidence! Becky orders those mints and you said yourself that she would do anything to
protect Bib Webb& !
 Anything short of murder, he retorted, meeting her eyes in the overhead light as he revved the
engine.  And she s not blond.
 She could have worn a wig, she persisted.
 Josie, can you really see Becky holding a lighted cigarette to an old woman s arms? he asked.
She hesitated.  It s hard to imagine her doing something like that, she had to admit.  But it s
obvious how she feels about Bib Webb. And how he feels about her, she added.  People in love do
irrational things.
He sighed.  She s loved him for years. She and Silvia have never gotten along. In fact, Silvia s
tried repeatedly to get her fired, but Bib won t have it. That s another source of friction between them.
Silvia s ambitious. Becky isn t.
 Becky wants children, Josette murmured, remembering the pain and hunger in the other
woman s eyes when she d looked at Bib.
 So does Bib. Silvia can t have kids. She took a bad fall years ago. She said it made her barren.
She pursed her lips.  Do you think it did?
He chuckled.  I don t think a gunshot would faze her. She s hard as nails and manipulative.
Whatever she wants, she gets.
 Maybe Sylvia was at that coffee shop for a purpose. Does she cheat on Bib? she asked.
He glanced her way as he pulled out of the Webbs driveway onto the highway.  I don t know.
Maybe.
 They had a photo of Jake Marsh in the file at the D.A. s office, she murmured, thinking aloud.
 He s very attractive, dresses well, apparently has exquisite manners for a man on the wrong side of
the law. And they say he s beginning to get rich, from all the interests he invests in. What if, she
continued,  the absent Mrs. Webb has an affection her husband isn t aware of?
Brannon scowled. He d never considered that angle seriously, because of Silvia s love of her
social status.  She values her position in life above everything else. Would she risk all she s got for a
fling with another man? Especially a man like Marsh?
 Danger attracts some women like honey attracts flies.
He gave her a wicked glance.  Does it? Let s test that theory. How about a nice game of
billiards?
 Oh, no, she groaned.  Not back to the underworld again!
 You went there with Grier, he pointed out.  Why can t you go with me? I m just as mean as he
is, and I can coax people to talk to me, too.
 I like you better than I like him, she said absently.
 Why?
Josette met his searching eyes.  He can t cook.
He burst out laughing.
The billiard parlor, despite the hour, was full. If it closed, it closed very late. They found the
diminutive Mr. Bartlett bent over a billiard table, making a tricky shot. He finished it, grinned and
looked up, right at Brannon.
He put the cue stick down and held up both hands.  I never said a word against the Texas
Rangers, he said emphatically.  And I had nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with that attempted hit
and run on Judd Dunn last month. I don t know who did, either!
Josie glanced at Brannon and was surprised at his demeanor. He was alternately teasing and
mocking around her, but here, among the local underworld element, he looked downright
intimidating. He didn t smile as he moved closer to Bartlett.
 I don t know. I swear, Brannon! the little man repeated quickly.
 I never said you did, Brannon replied, but he kept coming.  Let s take a little walk. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]