Cardwell Ranch Trespasser - By B. J. Daniels Page 0,29

tone that made it clear she was too biased against the woman to be credible.

Thank goodness Colt believed her.

“Hud, you have to admit it’s suspicious that he calls, ready to tell me about her, and ends up dead.”

“You said he sounded drunk. He might have already taken enough drugs to kill him. Which would explain why by the time you got there, he was already dead. Also, you have no idea what ‘the scoop’ on her might have been. He was a disgruntled ex-boyfriend.”

“Was he?” she asked. “All we have is Dee’s word on that. I assume she has an alibi?”

“She was at the house. Hilde, she was there all evening.”

She knew Dee was behind it. Maybe she’d put something in the bottle of bourbon that was beside the bed. Or hired someone to kill him. But there was no doubt in Hilde’s mind that she’d killed him.

“Rick was addicted to prescription drugs,” Hud said with a sigh. “Dee said it was one reason she’d broken up with him. She was also worried that he might hurt himself because of the breakup. Apparently she told him after the horseback ride to the lake that they wouldn’t be getting back together.”

Hilde smiled, not surprised that Dee had covered her bases. Again. “She set that up nicely, didn’t she?” she asked, unable to keep the amusement out of her tone.

“Hilde.” His voice reeked with impatience.

She got to her feet, giving up. She’d cried wolf too many times without any proof to back it up. No one believed her. Except Colt. If he was telling the truth. She groaned inwardly at the thought that he might just be indulging her because he liked her. Liked her? Or just wanted to get her into his bed because she was a challenge?

“If those are all your questions...”

“Did you see anyone leaving the motel when you drove up?” Hud asked with a sigh.

She shook her head.

“The motel room door was unlocked?”

She nodded.

“Did you hear anyone going out the back as you entered?”

Why was he doing this? He believed it was an accidental overdose. Was he just trying to get her to see that she was wrong? “I didn’t see anyone. I really can’t tell you any more.”

Hud gave her a regretful look. He knew she was angry that he didn’t believe her, but there was nothing she could do about that.

“She’s after you, Hud.”

“Who?” he asked, frowning.

“Dee. She wants you.”

He got to his feet, angrier now. “Hilde, I don’t know what’s gotten into you. You of all people know how I feel about Dana, about our family.” He shook his head. “Go home and get some rest.”

She nodded, seeing that there was nothing more she could say. “If you have any more questions, you know where I live.” With that she left.

* * *

COLT HAD A pretty good idea how things had gone the moment Hilde answered the door. He’d thought about waiting until morning, but he was worried about her. If things had gone as he suspected they had, she would be upset and might welcome company.

“I just wanted to be sure you were all right.”

She shook her head and motioned him inside. “Dee had an alibi. Not that she needs it. No one believes me anyway. She set this up so perfectly, telling Hud and Dana about Rick’s drug problem and that she was worried he would do something terrible to himself.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I believe you.”

“Do you?” She met his gaze with a fiery one of her own. She was good and mad, and she’d never looked more beautiful. He’d only glimpsed this kind of passion in her before tonight. “Or are you just trying to get into my pants?”

He laughed. “As tempting as that offer is, I like to think I have a shot without being forced to lie to you. I believe you, Hilde. It’s too much of a coincidence that he should overdose when you’re on the way to his motel room. She got to him. I’m not sure how, but she got to him.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Why can’t Hud see that?”

“Because Dee’s good at hiding her true self and Hud operates on proof.”

“Colt, I don’t even think she is Dee Anna Justice.”

He raised a brow.

“It’s the way Rick called her ‘Dee.’ I heard him do it on the horseback ride up to the lake. Is there any way to find out if she’s even the woman she says she is?”

Colt gave that some thought. He wasn’t sure