Page 25 of One in a Million
“Come on in and cool off, Agent Rafferty,” he said. “I was told you’d be showing up. Your timing’s as good as any. I was just updating some performance records. I do that every day. Our clients want to know how much progress their horses are making. With this, I can show them. It helps with our own horses, too.”
The large monitor screen of his desktop computer displayed graphs and tables. “I appreciate your time, Mr. McKenna,” Sam said, taking out his notes. “For now, I’ll try not to take too much of it. But as things develop, I’ll probably need to talk to you again.”
What things?his expression seemed to say. But he spoke cordially. “I’ve blocked out fifteen minutes for you. After that I have to get back to the arena, but you’re welcome to stay and watch me train.”
“Thanks. I’d be interested in that. I’m fresh from Chicago, I know next to nothing about the sport, and I’ve got a lot to learn. Let’s get started.” Sam took the side chair he was offered. Roper resumed his place behind the large desk. The office was cluttered but orderly.
“I’ll get to the big question first,” Sam said. “Roper McKenna, did you kill Frank Culhane?”
If Roper was shocked by his abruptness, he didn’t show it. “No,” he said. “I was at home all night with my parents on the ranch south of here. They can vouch for that. I’m assuming you’ll check.”
“Of course. You can tell them to expect me. I was told you were the first person to respond to Jasmine after she found him. Tell me your first impression when you entered the stall.”
“Frank was lying facedown with his arms up. No trace of blood. Jasmine was kneeling next to him, screaming. The stallion had backed away a few steps, but I knew I had to get him out of the stall before he panicked. By then there were more people on their way.”
“The family knows that fentanyl caused his death, so it couldn’t have been the horse. Could Jasmine have killed her father earlier, then gone back and pretended to find him? I know she’s an actress.”
Roper was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “I’ve thought about it. I don’t think Jasmine has it in her to kill. And she didn’t have much motive. Frank spoiled her, but she let him. Her conflict is with Lila. It’s her brother and his wife who want the house. I’d look at them—but maybe it wasn’t family at all. Maybe that idea is off base.”
“At this point, nothing is off base. How was your relationship with Frank?” Sam had heard, but he wanted a direct answer.
“It was fine. We weren’t personally close, but we respected each other and shared the same goals for the horses.”
“But you wanted to compete, and he wouldn’t allow it. At least that’s what I heard.”
“True. I was hoping to change that—but not by killing Frank.”
“Do you know of anybody else who might have wanted him out of the way?”
“He had rivals, of course—other trainers and breeders who wanted their horses to win. But that’s competition, not murder.”
“Any real enemies? Any involvement with organized crime? That could explain a lot.”
“If Frank was playing footsies with the mob, he kept it from me.”
“I met Charlie Grishman this morning.”
“Charlie’s no candidate for neighbor of the month, but he’s sitting fat and happy with the income from those poor animals. He and Frank clashed over his animals crossing boundaries, but as far as I know, he had no reason to kill the man.”
Sam shifted in the chair, cleared his throat, and moved on to a more sensitive topic. “What about your relationship with Lila Culhane?”
Roper didn’t blink. “Mrs. Culhane is my employer. We have a professional relationship.”
“I understand you quit when her stepson tried to take over the horse operation.”
“Darrin’s an idiot. He didn’t have a clue how to manage the horses. Mrs. Culhane hired me back for more than Frank was paying me. More important, she’s allowing me to compete on the Culhane horses—something I’m preparing for at the big shootout in Scottsdale. Think what you will, but what she gives me is enough to buy my loyalty.”
Sam could sense the anticipation in the man—how much he must have wanted to ride in competition. Could Frank’s restriction have been a motive for murder? That seemed excessive. But there was more.
“I’ve heard the rumor that you were sleeping with her—before and now after Frank’s death.”
Again, Roper didn’t flinch. “I’ve heard the rumor, and I know where it’s coming from. But there’s nothing to it. Mrs. Culhane is a beautiful woman. We share the same goals for the program, and we work well enough together. But I’m not that stupid. Neither is she. Everything between us is kept strictly professional—and wide open in case you want to check.”
“And the other rumor, that Frank was scheming to replace her with a younger woman?”
Roper shrugged. “Frank never discussed his personal life with me. But he’d have been a fool to replace her. Lila gave her all to the ranch and the horses for eleven years, and she means to continue. She deserves everything he’s left her.”
Roper had used Lila’s first name. Sam made a mental note. “So,” he said, closing his notes, “is there anything more you remember about the morning Frank was found? Anything you saw or heard?”