Page 79 of One in a Million

Sam reached out and pulled her into his arms. She trembled, giving way to tears as he held her. “So help me, I’m not sorry either. I’m in love with you, Jasmine. You brought me back to life, and I want to keep what we’ve found. But—” He paused, searching for the right words.

“I know.” She found the words for him. “We need a break. We need time to deal with our separate lives before we pick up where we left off.”

“When this murder case is settled, when you’re no longer part of it, and when you’re ready, we can do that. We can make it happen. Do you believe that?”

“I do.” She pressed closer, her arms stealing around him. “For now, just hold me.”

EPILOGUE

The Following Week:

Saturday in Scottsdale

Mounted on One in a Million, Roper waited at the entrance to the arena. As the loudspeaker boomed over the crowd, announcing the score for the previous rider, the stallion quivered with anticipation. Clearly, he knew the reason he was here.

After an explosive standoff, Roper and Lila had reached a compromise. One in a Million would take part in the event, but only as a tribute to Frank. He would perform at his own pace and not be pushed to the point of risk.

The stallion’s bay roan coat gleamed like polished copper. His black mane and tail had been brushed and braided by Lila into an intricate design. He had never looked more majestic.

Some of the best horses and riders in the country were here today, competing for one last chance at the Run for a Million. The two lead riders were tied with a judges’ score of 227.5 points. If no horse scored higher, there would be a runoff at the end of the competition to determine the winner. Now, with only One in a Million left to perform, the runoff would almost certainly take place.

Roper had to hold the horse back as the announcer talked about how Frank Culhane and his magnificent stallion had become a legendary pair in the sport of reining. Now Frank was gone, but his horse had been brought out of retirement to honor the memory of his master.

“Ridden by Roper McKenna of the Culhane Stables, ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for One in a Million.”

As the last words were spoken, Roper leaned forward and whispered in the stallion’s ear, “For Frank . . . and for Baby.”

The crowd roared as One in a Million galloped into the arena. Roper had memorized the sequence. He cued each move with the pressure of his knees. The stallion did the rest—and he was on fire.

First came the big circle around the arena, then a stop and the spin in place that could be so punishing on a horse’s legs; then more circles and direction changes, and finally the long gallop ending in a sliding stop and a perfect rollback. Roper couldn’t have held the stallion back if he’d tried. One in a Million was going all out. Roper could only hope they could finish the routine without an injury.

The crowd cheered as horse and rider galloped out of the arena into the waiting area. When the judges announced the score—228.5—the stands went wild. Lila came running to meet them, leaping like a child, hugging and kissing her horse. One in a Million had won the event, a handsome cash prize, and a place for his rider in the Run for a Million.

Tuesday in Abilene

Sam took one last look at the file on the Frank Culhane murder and put it away. Case closed. Now that the killer had been arrested and Sam transferred back to his new job in Abilene, the memory of his time at the ranch had become almost dreamlike. Only Jasmine had been real. She was still part of his life—and hopefully part of his future.

In consideration of her illness, Madeleine had been allowed to return to her condo in Austin under house arrest, wearing an ankle monitor. Jasmine had gone along to care for her mother in the last months of her life.

“I know she had my father killed,” Jasmine had told Sam. “But she’s my mother. She needs me. I truly believe it was the tumor that compelled her to do the terrible things she did. If she lives to go to trial, that’s what her lawyers are going to argue.”

“Do what you need to,” Sam had told her. “Come back when you’re free. I’ll be here.”

“You’d better be.” She’d kissed him and disappeared into the police van.

He was reviewing his new case, a drug bust gone bad, when Nick knocked on the door of his office. In six weeks, Nick would be retiring, and Sam would be stepping into his job. But for now, Nick was working an ongoing case against Louis Divino.

There was a chance that this latest involvement in the Frank Culhane hit would provide enough new evidence to put the mobster behind bars. But something told Sam that wasn’t likely. Divino would skate free, as he always did.

Nick stepped through the door and closed it behind him. “I’ve got some news, Sam.”

“Good news?” Sam motioned his old friend to a chair opposite the desk.

“Not necessarily. I can guarantee you’re not going to like it. We just interviewed Divino about the hit on Frank. Divino’s claiming that the hit was never made.”

“What? But Frank was found dead. And the timing fits Madeleine’s phone calls and that big cash withdrawal.”

Nick shook his head. “Oh, Madeleine meant to have Frank killed, all right. The hit man had even been given his up-front payment. But he never collected the rest. Before he could make it to the ranch to kill Frank, he heard on the news that somebody had beaten him to it. Frank was already dead. Nobody bothered to tell Madeleine. Divino kept the money and let her assume the hit had been carried out.”