Page 21 of Dead Man's Alibi

“So who would have done it?”Jill mused.

“Huh?”

“I mean it’s great to prove that Natedidn’tdo it and all, but isn’t it easier to prove a fact than try to prove somethingdidn’thappen?”

She was back to Nate.Back to murder.And he was… caught off guard.By far too many things about her.Definitely not a safe place to be.Being on his guard wasveryimportant, mostly for all those reasons he’d outlined for steering clear of romantic entanglements.

He thought about her question, because it seemed safer than thinking abouther.“I guess it is easier to prove a fact than a negative.”

“So, if Nate didn’t do it, who did?”

“I feel like everyone’s bet is on the ex-husband.Isn’t italwaysthe husband?”It sure had been with his mother’s murder.

“Sure, but you need proof.And last time I checked, your brother was aprivate investigator.He should be focused on getting some proof of who’s guilty, not just who’s innocent.”

“I think he’s been a little more focused on keeping Sam from imploding, but you’ve got a good point.”No, not just a good point.An excellent point.Tricky though.“Anything Nate or Sam would find would be suspect, though.From a legal perspective.I mean, you can’t argue incontrovertible proof, but a good defense attorney could undermine it if Sam and Nate were the ones to find it.”

“Sure, if they go by the book.”

He looked down at her, a little surprised, a little amused.“Are you suggesting we don’t go by the book?”

Jill shrugged.“The truth is what matters, right?Not the book or the rules.”

“I like the way you think, Harrington.”They arrived back at the diner.Cal stopped before the entrance.“Well, thanks for the walk.I’m going to go tell Sam and Nate your suggestion.”

“Yeah.Good.Good luck on everything.”She reached out and tried to take her bag from him.

He found himself holding onto it for a few seconds before releasing it reluctantly, not at all sure why.“Your scene.I read it.I made notes and everything.”

“Nate’s more important.Just email them to me.If I have questions, I’ll give you a call.”

“Sure, okay.I’ll do that.”

“Great.Thanks, Cal.”She moved for the door, and he took a few steps down the sidewalk.

But he couldn’t quite convince himself to do the smart thing and just walk away.“Hey, Jill?”

She turned, head cocked.The sun shone on her dark hair.The deep purple of her coat seemed to tease out the olive tone of her skin.He’d do well to keep his damn mouth shut, but Cal had never been very good at taking thedo wellpath.

“What do you considermucholder?”

She looked at him curiously.But she didn’t need him to explain he was going back to earlier in their conversation.“Well, I guess… more than ten years.”

“And how old are you?”

Her mouth twitched, like she was fighting a smile.“Twenty-eight.”

“Ah.Well, I’m thirty-seven.”He let that hang there.Nine years, not ten.

“I guess you’re notmucholder than me then.”

“Guess not.”He grinned at her, even though he absolutely shouldnot.“See you later.”

Chapter Eight

The Bennet Ranch

Landon frowned athis wife.She was flitting around the kitchen, making food for an army.Cal had assured him that his suggestion for everyone meeting up wasn’t anything bad—or anythingaddedbad.Just more about Nate being a suspect and what they could do, but Landon still didn’t like the prospect of everyone coming over to dinner because ofan idea Jill had.