“No. I hated him.” That came as a surprise. “My brother should never have gotten mixed up with him.”
“How did they meet?”
“My fault. I had a boyfriend in Denver who was an accountant. I learned a lot from him. When my brother said he had a plan to escape prison if I helped him, I couldn’t turn him down. Our parents died early and he kept me alive. This was my way to pay him back. I drove him and Harold to Texas. When we got there, I needed a job.
“Marcos advertised for an accountant. I applied and he hired me. Before long I could see what he was doing and wanted to leave. He threatened to kill me if I didn’t do what he wanted. By then he knew my brother
was an escaped felon. They both used me.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“I didn’t kill Harold. I’ve never killed anyone.” The hard as nails woman teared up. Somehow Kit believed her. “My brother was furious because Harold had double-crossed him. Alonzo was the one who had the plan to escape eight years ago. He thought he could trust Harold. My brother put a gun to his head and gave him one last chance to tell him where the money was hidden before he blew his brains out.
“Harold swore it was in the house, hidden in a place no one would think to look for it.
“Alonzo called him a liar. My brother always did have a violent temper and he shot Harold just as he was about to tell him where to look. After we left the hotel he ordered me to go to Denver to find out if Harold had hidden the money with his grandmother. Alonzo needed that money to pay some gambling debts and he said if I didn’t go, he’d kill me.”
Kit checked his digital recorder to make certain everything was getting picked up. So far, so good. He looked at Juanita.
“Where did he hang out?”
“With friends in the back of Raul’s Billiards in Round Rock. I’m sure he’s not there now.” No, but it could give Kit a lead. “It took time to come up with a plan, but it put space between me and the police who were looking for me after Marcos was arrested.” She grimaced. “It was a wasted trip. Harold’s grandmother told me her life story, but there was no mention of the money.”
“Why did you go to her funeral service?”
“How do you know about that?”
“I have my ways.” Thanks to Natalie.
“I thought maybe I’d hear the pastor say something in passing about her belongings and where they’d been stored, but no such luck. I called my brother and told him.
“That’s when he said he was going back to Harold’s house, and he said that if Harold’s wife got in his way, he would kill her to get the money.”
Kit’s blood ran cold. He got to his feet while she was still speaking.
“That trip has put me in this hellhole. My brother won’t come to my rescue because I know too much now. After he finds the money, he’ll bribe someone to kill me in prison.”
Kit exhaled sharply. “I’ll see what I can do.”
He left the jail at a dead run. The second he got in the car he phoned Cy at headquarters. “Hey, bud. Big break in the case. I’ll explain after I’ve picked you up. Wait for me at the entrance to the underground parking. I should be there in five minutes.”
After ringing off, he phoned TJ and told him about Juanita’s confession. “I’m headed for Natalie’s to take her and Amy to my condo. I’m taking Cy with me to set a trap.” He would hide Cy in the back of his car.
“I’ll send a surveillance crew to your condo.”
“Will you also call Judge Leemaster? Tell him I have the recording of Juanita’s confession. She wasn’t the killer. I want him to keep that in mind.”
The proof on his digital recorder ought to persuade the judge to give Juanita some kind of break, no matter how small. When she’d talked about her brother, he’d seen real fear. The details of their childhood would probably be a horror story he wouldn’t wish on anyone.
“Consider it done. And, Kit? Watch your back.”
“I intend to.”
Chapter Nine
Natalie had just started a wash when she heard noises from the nursery. Amy had awakened from her nap and wanted out of the crib. At the same time she received a text on her phone and her heart leaped. Driving into the garage.
Kit had come again when she’d least expected it. He entered the kitchen like a man on a mission, his piercing gaze zeroing in on her. “Quick! I need to get you and Amy out of the house now. I’ll explain later. Cy is with me. He’s putting the car seat in my car. While you get Amy ready, I’ll load the playpen, the high chair and a few other things you might need.”