Best Kept Secrets(8)

"Slim to none, Alex."

"Why?"

"You've done enough homework, so you should know.

The murder took place in a barn on Angus Minton's ranch.

Say his name anywhere in that county and the ground trembles.

He's a big enchilada. If there was an eyewitness, he

wouldn't testify against Minton because he'd be biting the

hand that feeds him. Minton runs about a dozen enterprises

in an area of the state where they're gasping their last breath,

economically speaking.

' 'Which brings us to another delicate area, in a case riddled

with delicate areas." Greg slurped his coffee and lit another

cigarette. "The governor's racing commission just gave Minton

Enterprises the green light on building that horse-racing

track in Purcell County."

"I'm well aware of that. What bearing does it have?"

"You tell me."

"None!" she shouted.

"Okay, I believe you. But if you start slinging accusations

and casting aspersions on one of Texas's favorite sons, how

do you think that's going to sit with the governor? He's damn

proud of his racing commission. He wants this pari-mutuel

thing to get off the ground without a hitch. No controversy.

No bad press. No shady deals. He wants everything above

reproach and squeaky clean.

"So, if some smart-ass prosecutor starts shooting off her

mouth, trying to connect somebody his hand-picked commission

has given their coveted blessing to with a murder,

the governor is going to be royally pissed off. And if said

prosecutor works in this office, who do you think he's going

to be the most pissed off at? Moi."

Alex didn't argue with him. Instead, she calmly said, "All

right. I'll resign from this office and do it on my own."



"Jesus, you're theatrical. You didn't let me finish." He

pressed his intercom button and bellowed to his secretary to

bring him more coffee. While she was carrying it in, he lit

another cigarette.

"On the other hand," he said around a gust of smoke, "I

can't stand that bastard who's living in the governor's mansion.

I've made no secret of it, and it works both ways, though

the sanctimonious sonofabitch won't admit it. It would tickle

me pissless to watch him squirm. Can you imagine nun justifying

why his commission picked, from the hordes of applicants,

somebody associated with a murder?" He chuckled.

"I get a hard-on just thinking about it."

Alex found Greg's motivation distasteful, but she was ecstatic

that he was granting her permission. "So, I can reopen

the case?"

"The case remains unsolved because Hicks was never

brought to trial." He lowered his feet, and his chair rocked

forward jarringly. "I have to tell you, though--I'm doing

this against my better judgment, and only because I trust your

gut instincts. I like you, Alex. You proved yourself when

you were interning here as a law student. Great ass aside,

you're good to have in our corner."

He looked down at the material she'd compiled and fiddled

with a corner of one folder.' 'I still think you've got a personal

grudge against these guys, the town, whatever. I'm not saying

it's unjustified. It's just not something you can build a case

around. Without this shrink's affidavit, I would have turned

down your request. So, while you're out there where the

buffalo roam and the deer and antelope play, remember that

my ass is in a sling, too." He raised his eyes and stared at

her balefully. "Don't f*ck up."

"You mean, I can go to West Texas?"

"That's where it happened, isn't it?"

"Yes, but what about my caseload?"

"I'll put interns on the preparations and ask for postponements

Meanwhile, I'll talk to the D.A. in Purcell. We were

in law school together. He's perfect for what you're trying



to do. He's not too bright, and he married above himself, so

he's always striving to please. I'll ask him to give you whatever

assistance you need."

"Don't be too specific. I don't want them forewarned."

"Okay."

"Thank you, Greg," she said earnestly.

"Not so fast," he said, snuffing her enthusiasm. "If you

trap yourself out there, I'll disclaim you. The attorney general

has made no secret that I'm his heir apparent. I want the job,

and I'd like nothing better than to have a good-looking, smart

broad as chief of one of my departments. That goes down

good with the voters." He pointed a nicotine-stained finger

at her. "But if you fall on your ass now, I never knew you,

kiddo. Got that?"

"You're an unscrupulous son of a bitch."