The Candy Cane Cupcake Killer by Livia J. Washburn Page A

of the area had blamed the proliferation of gas wells.
    But whether there was any truth to that cause and effect, Phyllis didn’t know. She was no geologist or seismologist or whatever kind of – ologist it was who studied such things.
    â€œThe thing is,” Nate went on, “it was a fair deal, and there was a good chance it would have made Barney quite a bit of money. And as his business manager, it was my duty to advise him to take it. When he refused . . . Well, maybe I got a little stubborn about it.”
    Allyson said, “And when somebody gets stubborn with my dad, he gets—got—stubborn right back.”
    â€œYeah, that sounds about right,” Sam agreed. “No offense, Ally.”
    She shook her head and said, “No, you’re right, Coach. I know better than anybody else how downright muleheaded he could be!”
    Tears were shining in her eyes again. She didn’t cry, though. Instead she said, “Nate’s the same way. He and Dad went around and around about those stupid gas wells, until Dad finally said he didn’t want to hear another word about it!”
    â€œIt was his decision to make,” Nate said. “I tried to respect that—I really did. I didn’t say anything about it for a while. Then Holbrook dropped by the office today to see if I’d madeany progress with Barney, so I thought I’d give it one more try.”
    â€œAnd he blew up in your face about it, didn’t he?” Sam said.
    Nate sighed and nodded.
    â€œYeah. What made it worse, though, was that Ally was there this time.”
    â€œI’ve tried to stay out of it,” Allyson said. “But after some of the things Dad said to Nate, I just couldn’t. I—I told him he was just being a stubborn old fool who didn’t realize when somebody was trying to help him, and—and . . .”
    This time she couldn’t hold back the tears. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed as Nate put his arm around her and drew her close to him on the sofa. He said, “Shhh,” and stroked her hair and tried to comfort and calm her. It didn’t seem to be doing much good.
    They all sat there in silence for a while, but eventually, as Allyson’s sobs quieted, Phyllis asked, “Did you tell all of this to Chief Whitmire when he questioned you?”
    â€œWe had to,” Nate said. “He heard what Allyson said on Main Street—about the fight with Barney, I mean—and he asked us about it. I wasn’t going to lie to the cops. That would just make things worse.”
    Carolyn looked like she was going to say something disparaging about the police, but Phyllis caught her eye and with a tiny shake of the head warned her to hold her tongue. At this point, comments like that weren’t going to help anything.
    â€œIt—it’s all my fault,” Allyson hiccupped. “If I hadn’t said anything . . .”
    â€œIt’s not your fault,” Nate insisted. “I’m not mad at you.You were just upset and scared, and anyway, I don’t have anything to hide.”
    Phyllis asked, “Did Chief Whitmire say that he suspected you of your father-in-law’s murder, Nate?”
    â€œWell, no. But he’d keep that pretty close to the vest if he didn’t have any real evidence, wouldn’t he?”
    Phyllis nodded and said, “More than likely. He’s smart enough to know that motive alone isn’t enough to make a case on.”
    â€œYeah, but he’s got motive on me, that’s for sure,” Nate said with a glum look on his face. “With Barney gone, Ally owns the ranch now. She can sign that gas lease and collect all that royalty money.”
    Sam said, “Then it seems to me like she’s the one who’s got the motive.” Quickly, he added, “I’m sorry, Ally. I’d never believe for a second you’d ever do such a thing. I’m