Murray, and a million dollars to a woman named Penelope Gibben, the estate is to be equally divided between Eric and Linda.'
'Penelope Gibben was Langsford's mistress for almost twenty years,' Kerney said.
'If money is the motive, then we've gone from no suspects to at least four: Gibben, Murray, and the two children.'
'The letter bomb murder of Langsford's wife still suggests the possibility the judge was killed for other reasons. What else have you got?'
'Langsford kept meticulous records, including receipts of his purchases and cash expenditures. Over the past five years, he gave Kay Murray fifty thousand dollars to help her buy a town house, and bought her a number of expensive presents-an eight-hundred-dollar lambskin jacket, diamond earrings-stuff like that.'
'And the Ford Explorer?'
'Another gift from the judge,' Lee said. 'I spent some time at the clubhouse and talking to residents in the neighborhood. Murray's car was often here overnight when the judge was in residence.'
'That's interesting. Did the judge talk about his relationship with Murray to any of his neighbors or golfing buddies?'
'Nope, and all the people I spoke with had nothing but kind words about him. He was quiet, well-liked, and had a low handicap. Most didn't even know he had been a judge. Except for Murray's over nights there wasn't any other gossip about him.'
'Has Eric Langsford been located?'
'He hasn't surfaced,' Lee said. 'He worked as a handyman at a Cloudcroft inn until his supervisor fired him last month for chronic absenteeism. He moved out of his apartment and hasn't been seen since.'
'Check with the San Francisco PD and see if they arrested or charged Langsford with any crimes six years ago. He once had a serious cocaine problem.'
'Which means he's probably still using,' Lee said. 'Do you want me to question Murray about the gifts she received from the judge?' Lee asked.
'Did her alibi about her Albuquerque trip check out?'
'Completely.'
'Let it ride, for now. I'll follow up with her myself later on. But deepen the background check on her.'
'Will do. You look beat, boss.'
'I am. I'll be at my motel room in Alamogordo, if you need me.'
'Get some sack time,' Lee said.
'That's the plan.'
The lock in the motel door turned and Sara Brannon glanced up from her laptop computer to find Kerney staring at her with a surprised expression. She went to him and snuggled against his chest. 'I've been worried about you.'
Sara's body felt warm and reassuring. Kerney stroked her strawberry blond hair, lifted her face, looked into her green eyes, and kissed her softly. 'Not to worry,' he said. 'How did you find me?'
'I called Andy, found out where you were staying, and hitched a ride out here on an Air Force cargo plane.'
Kerney looked out the window of the dingy motel room onto a panoramic view of the parking lot, half-filled with rental moving vans, semi-trucks, and subcompact four-bangers.
'This wasn't the weekend together I had in mind,' he said. 'Nor the place.'
'You don't like your accommodations?' Sara said with a laugh.
'It's the best Alamogordo has to offer, I suppose. I'm glad you came.'
'I considered it my wifely duty.'
'There's nothing wifely about you, Sara. That's why I married you.'
Sara smiled again and kissed him quickly. 'Don't sweet-talk me, Kerney. How much sleep have you had?'
'Not much in the last two days. How long can you stay?'
'I fly out from Holloman Air Force Base at six in the morning.'
'Give me a few minutes to clean up and we'll go get something to eat.'
'I don't want you to take me out, Kerney. Get some sleep.' Sara gestured at her laptop. 'I have to finish my assignment, anyway.'
'You're sure?'
'Positive.'
'A nap would do nicely.'
Stretched out on the bed next to Kerney in the darkened room, Sara listened to his breathing deepen. Although she'd married Kerney impulsively, she had no regrets. He was, in so many ways, a perfect match for her. Aside from being sexy, he was honest and had never tried to dominate or smother her, which would have driven her away in a flash. Best of all, he fully supported her decision to continue her career as a serving army officer.
She'd never really given him a choice in the matter, and had made it clear from the start that she wasn't about to walk away from four years at West Point and ten years on active duty for the privilege of becoming his wife. But she had the growing intuition Kerney wasn't completely happy with the part-time nature of their marriage.
She stroked his hand and watched for a reaction. Kerney's breathing remained even. Quietly, she got up, found her jacket, and left the room.
Kerney woke to the smell of food. The small motel writing desk had been cleared off, moved away from the wall, and covered with a red and white checkerboard paper tablecloth. On it, Sara had arranged a picnic dinner of Mexican take-out. The centerpiece, a spray of fresh-cut flowers, was arranged in the plastic ice bucket.
'Hungry?'
'Very. How long did I sleep?'
'Six hours. According to the locals, this is the best Mexican food in town. Stay where you are. I'll serve you in bed.'
Kerney sat up and propped a pillow against the headboard. 'Finally, I'm getting some of the treatment I deserve.'
'Careful, or you'll find this plate in your lap,' Sara said. She came over with two plates, handed one to Kerney, and sat with him.
'You're a beautiful woman, Sara Brannon.'
'Now, that's the kind of talk I like to hear.'
They ate and talked, filling each other in on all the small events that didn't get into their letters or phone conversations. By the end of the meal, Kerney felt rested, well fed, and much more like himself.
'Have you heard from Dale?' Sara asked.
Dale Jennings, Kerney's oldest friend, ranched on the west side of the San Andres Mountains, and had been keeping his eye out for property on Kerney's behalf.
'He's been bugging me to get down there,' Kerney said. 'Says he knows three ranchers who might consider selling.'
'Well, when are you going to take a look?' Sara asked.
'I don't know.'
'Do it tomorrow.'
Kerney laughed. 'Yeah, right.'
'Why not? You've got eight agents and a lieutenant working the murder cases. Are you feeling indispensable?'
'I didn't say that.'
'Are you close to making an arrest?'
'We don't even have a viable suspect.'
Sara poked him lightly in the ribs with an elbow. 'Take tomorrow off'
