“Kiefer was working on a federal project, right? Well, what was that project and who would it have helped or hurt? What if Denise, who was helping Simon and Victoria on the side with their accounting issues—maybe she even knew they were doing something illegal but was willing to look the other way—maybe she was asked to do something against her biggest client? What if she said no? And then they held these other illegal things she did over her head and she felt she had to leave or be prosecuted. Maybe she did plan to run, but they caught up with her. I know it’s just a theory right now, but it’s something we can prove or disprove. So I’m here looking at the public works project that would have happened and who that impacted. If it had gone through, Monroe would have lost millions. And get this: The parcel was sold to him by Simon Mills.”

Lucy saw where Max was going with this, but she still warned her to be careful.

“Get what you can, but this isn’t proof that either Monroe or Mills was behind the murders.”

“But it’s motive.”

“I’ll take it to my people, Max, but watch your back. Why didn’t you bring Sean up there with you?”

“Sean’s pursuing his own lead. I’m fine, Lucy. I’m making copies of everything and will be back in San Antonio as soon as possible.”

Max ended the call, but Lucy couldn’t help but worry about the reporter.

Nate exited St. Catherine’s and said, “Ricky’s going to be okay, I think. Father Mateo showed him his room, and Mateo and JJ are both with him.”

“I have a lot to tell you.” She looked at her phone. “This is Detective Reed. I hope it’s good news.”

Robert Clemson was at his office in a building not far from the warehouse where his company sold remainders, on Guadalupe. It was a simple building, clean but old, and Clemson’s office was crowded with file cabinets and tile samples.

“I don’t know what else I can tell you,” Clemson said, pushing papers aside and stacking tiles that didn’t need to be stacked.

“I’ll get right to the point,” Lucy said. Nate stood in the doorway looking intimidating, which made Clemson even more nervous. “Detective Reed is in Chicago. She had a nice conversation with Melissa Randolph.”

Clemson sat down. He paled, visibly shaken.

“Ms. Randolph came clean. That happens when someone is facing a felony.”

“F-felony?”

“Accessory after the fact in a felony case is also a felony,” Lucy said. “I’m letting the Bexar County DA work out a plea arrangement with Ms. Randolph. She didn’t know that she was giving you an alibi for murder.”

“Wh-what? I didn’t kill anyone.”