Dallas laughed. During the trial, she had gotten the impression that he was a dynamic and intelligent man. Now she also saw that he had a playful side. “Oldfashioned justice:”

“Sometimes I long for those days ‘

“I can see that, Mr. Axton “

“Fred. We go by first names out here in the West.” He resumed his seat and shoved back his hat. “Now what do you want to know about the Pamell trial?”

“Whatever you can tell me.” She felt a lump of nervousness rise in her throat.

He took off his hat and ran his fingers over the new crease in the crown. “I hated losing that one. But the plaintiff really loused up as far as helping us get a conviction You did your job and I expected the verdict. We couldn’t do ours .”

Dallas tensed. “So you really think he was guilty?”

Fred looked at her for a long moment. “I doxi t just think. I know.”

A movement by the bar suddenly drew Dallas’s attention Neal Parnell was there, dressed all in black.

GABE HADN’T PAID much attention to the guy in the rolled-up jeans when he’d entered Dallas’s shop until Dallas sat down beside him and began an earnest conversation The set of her shoulders told him this was no , idle chitchat, so he’d left his beer on the counter of the bar and ambled over in that direction.

Then the guy took off his hat and a chill passed through Gabe. Fred Axton. Celia had pointed him out at the end of the trial, too. What in hell was Dallas doing talking to him? Had Gabe been missing the connection all along? Had she somehow influenced the case through the prosecutor?

He rejected the thought as unworthy even before it was fully formed. Love was blind, but not that blind. He wouldn’t feel the way he did about Dallas if she had a rotten core. He had to believe that or doubt the entire meaning of his life.

No, she had some legitimate reason for talking to Axton, and the one that occurred to him built a small fire of hope in his heart. Maybe she had begun to doubt that Parnell was innocent, and she was gathering more information. He’d considered doing that himself, but had decided there was no point. He knew Parnell was guilty. But he could kick himself for not thinking to steer Dallas in that direction. Of course, she might not have done it if he’d made the suggestion.

He took a long, shaky breath. If she learned enough to shake her earlier convictions, would she come to him? He had to pray that she would.

HEART THUMPING, Dallas looked away from Neal. He wasn’t facing her way, and she hoped to hell he hadn’t recognized Fred. But Fred didn’t look much like a prosecutor in his strange outfit. “I’ve had other people tell me they knew for certain Neal was guilty; Dallas said, gripping the edge of her chair seat. “But the evidence didn’t support that. Was there something we didn’t see?”

“Something you didn’t hear.”

Dallas held her breath.

“An enthusiastic detective set up an illegal wiretap, got a conversation between Parnell and one of his buddies when he bragged about ‘getting the Martinez bitch.” The details fit her description of the events perfectly”

Dallas let out her breath and her blood pounded in her ears. “Oh, my God.” She’d done it. She’d turned a rapist loose. She felt sick to her stomach.

“Hey, don’t blame yourself. We couldn’t use that evidence , and without it our hands were tied. But if he steps out of line again, believe me, we’re going to nail his ass .”

Fred’s words of consolation had no meaning for her. Celia had been telling the truth, and she hadn’t seen it. Instead she’d helped convince the jury not to convict Neal. She was responsible for a rapist walking free. Justice had not been done, and it was her fault.

She thought of telling Fred about her recent experiences with Neal, but something held her back. What had Gabe said? That he’d rather know where a rattlesnake was than scare it away and have to wonder where it would turn up next?

Heart hammering, she allowed her gaze to roam as much of the dance hall as she could see from her position inside the shop. Neal had disappeared. Then a man in black turned in profile and laughed before continuing a pinball game. Neal. ,

He slammed the side of the pinball machine, laughed again and walked toward the bar. Then, as if guided by some unholy sixth sense, he looked straight across the room toward her.

She got up casually and placed herself in front of Fred, blocking Neal’s view of the man in her shop and Fred’s potential view of Neal. “Well, what you’ve told me is all very interesting. But I guess it doesn’t change the fact that Parnell is a free man.”

Fred stood. “I’m afraid not. I thought of contacting you and other members of the jury after the trial and telling you what we knew, but I perceived you all as conscientious people who would beat yourselves up over this. Please don’t. These things happen all the time.”

“I won’t beat myself up over it,” Dallas lied, her tone grim.

“I hope not.” Fred pulled his hat low over his eyes.

Dallas noticed with satisfaction that he was much less recognizable with the brim curvinga little over his face.

“Thanks for coming all the way out here tonight ” , Dallas said, offering her hand. If he left immediately, Neal might never know he d been here.

“No problem. You know, as long as I’m out tonight , maybe I’ll have a beer and try a few of those line dances : ‘

Dallas fought panic. “Fred.” She put her hand on his arm. She had to lean down a fraction to look into his eyes. “May I speak honestly?”

“Of course.”

“In your profession I’m sure you’ve learned the importance of first impressions.”

“Hmm.” He glanced toward the dance floor.

“Many of the same people come back here night after night, Fred. They 11 remember the rolled cuffs and the wing tips long after you’ve made the transition to tight jeans and Tony Lamas.”

“I suppose you have a point.” He touched the brim of his hat. “Thank you kindly, ma am.”

“Anytime.”

His eyes twinkled. “Prepare yourself for the return of Fred Axton. It’ll be a sight for sore eyes.”

“I’m sure it will.” With a sigh of relief she watched him leave the dance hall. From what she could tell, Neal didn’t even notice the short man in the too-large jeans. But someone else had. Gabe stood, leaning slightly on his cue stick, and watched Fred until he pushed through the heavy oak doors into the night. Dallas turned away before Gabe could realize she was looking at him. She had some heavy thinking to do, and she wouldn’t tip her hand until that thinking was done.

YEARS OF EXPERIINCE allowed Dallas to automatically shampoo and cut hair for the rest of the evening while she gave most of her attention to her problem. Near closing time she took a sealed envelope over to Dave Fogarty.

“Next time you have a chance, please give this to Gabe; she instructed.

Dave stroked his silvery beard. “Now, Dallas. This ain t junior high anymore.” “don’t I know it. I realize it looks juvenile, but I have my reasons why I dontt want to approach him directly. Trust me, this isn’t what you think.”

“Okay, I’ll do it. Mostly because I don’t understand why you two split up all of a sudden, and I’d like to see you work it out.”

Dallas had no idea if her plan would have any bearing on her relationship with Gabe. But like it or not, she needed his help. And she didn’t want Neal to know she’d even asked for it.

At closing time she left without acknowledging Gabe at all. Pepper spray in hand, she unlocked her truck and climbed behind the wheel. She drove home, checking her rearview mirror constantly. No one she recognized followed her.

Once parked under her dusk to-davrn light, she kept the pepper spray handy until she was safely inside her trailer with the door locked. Everything looked in order , but she toured the place, examining locks, checking closets and reassuring herself that she had her gun loaded and available in her bedside table drawer. Then she sat on her couch and waited, Gretchen at her feet.

To keep panic at bay, she focused on her plan, going over the details and testing it for flaws. She was sure there were some, but in general it was a good plan. The time dragged, and she clenched her cold hands in her lap and gazed at the pine paneling, imagining faces in the swirling knotholes.

A key clicked in the back door lock.

Hands clenched, she turned toward the sound as the door opened and Gabe stepped into her hallway. Her breathing quickened. He’d cooperated at least this much.

He approached her warily, the key in his hand. “If you gave me this, how did you get in?”

“I’ve always kept a key hidden out in the tack shed, under a saddle blanket .”

“I wouldn’t advise that anymore : ‘

She held up the second key. “This is it. I won’t put it back there again. Did you drive here through the wash?”

He nodded.

“Where’s your truck?”

“I left it in the wash and hiked the rest of the way.”

She grimaced. “That must have been a sacrifice. I know how cowboys hate to walk: ‘

“I managed.”

She shouldn’t have expected anything but these taciturn responses, but they knifed through her, nonetheless She waved him toward the rocker. “Have a seat.”

“I’ll stand: ‘

“All right.” She adopted his brusque attitude. “I’ll make this quick. I have reason to believe that Neal Parnell did rape your sister, as you said.”

His eyes flickered, but other than that he gave nothing away by his expression. She’d bet he was one hell of a poker player.

“Because I feel responsible for setting him free, I plan to help put him in j all, where he belongs .”