"We'll get through this, darling. I swear." She held his hand and waited. The nurses tried to make him comfortable. Finally he dozed off.

Crystal didn't let go of his hand. She thought about their five years together. The good times and the bad. In truth the past months fell more in the good times category thann the bad, if all she weighed was their relationship. Since the accident, she'd been more of a partner. More of a wife.

Laying her forehead on the edge of Shelby's bed, she tried to forget all the things Trent had said to her yesterday.

Shelby's son had stopped by to tell her he would not be coming for Christmas. He and his sister had agreed the children didn't need to see their grandfather in such a condition.Why have them get to know the old man now, Trent said when Dad may not make it through the winter.

The fact that Shelby might like to see the children was not a consideration.

Trent talked on of other plans they had made as he calmly walked over and closed Shelby's door when the nurse stepped out.

"Since we have a few minutes alone," he spoke as if Shelby wasn't in the room. "I've something to offer you. Cull it an early Christmas present."

He pulled out a thick envelope and spread the document over Shelby's tray.

Crystal guessed Shelby was awake, but as always when Trent came to visit, he chose not to speak.

"This is all fair. Elliot Morris made sure of that, though he didn't want to prepare the document at all. Threatened not to, until I told him I'd go to Dallas and have it done. When, he came around. I knew you'd know it was on the square if old Morris did the paperwork."

Trent straightened, proud of himself. "My sister and I are willing to offer you the value of one third of Howard Drilling. We can pay you a lump sum up front, then installments over the next thirty years. You have to agree never to contact this family again once your divorce is final or make any further claim on Howard Drilling."

"But Shelby?"

"Don't worry about him. He'll continue to have round-the-clock care." Anger fired Trent's face. "I'm almost bankrupting the company with this offer, but it will be worth it to get my father out from under your control. You may say you're talking things over with him, but it's you making all the decisions. I understand you've even taken to visiting the sites to make sure I'm following through at my end."

"I visit the sites because there are things that need checking. I'm not interested in your offer." Crystal fought to remain calm. Trent no longer frightened her.

"Think about it, Crystal." He always made her name hound cheap, on the rare occasion he used it. "My father could die any day, and you'll get nothing. Not his house, or any money or any part of the company. His will leaves erything to his children and, if you fight us, you'll bankrupt us all. This way you walk away with a fortune, and we get to keep Howard Drilling in the family where it belongs."

Trent paused, letting the last word sink in. "Even if he lives another year, you'll never have your sugar daddy back. He could never be a husband to you, not the kind a woman like you needs. It's too late for him to change his will now. There's not a court in Texas that wouldn't throw out in attempt with all the drugs he's taking. But if you play along with us, you'll be set for life. All you have to do is sign."

Crystal cried against Shelby's sheet as she rememberd Trent's words. He was right about so much. Eventually Shelby would die, maybe in a week, maybe in a year, and then she'd have nothing.

Trent reminded her that if she'd been the one hurt, Shell wouldn't have stayed with her. She knew Trent was right Shelby wasn't the type of man to sit beside a hospital bed.

Then why hadn't she signed the paper? Why hadn't she taken the money and packed her bags? No one would blame her. She'd already stayed longer than most of the them thought she would. She could have taken the money and gone someplace where no one knew her. She could start a new life without hospital runs and medicine checks, and business problems.

"Mrs. Howard?" The nurse drew her attention. "The ambulance is here. He's parking in the garage so we won't have to take Mr. Howard out in the cold."

Crystal pushed aside the last of her tears. "Good. I'll get my coat. I'll be riding in the ambulance with my husband."

A wildcatter is a man in the oil business willing to risk it all. The word probably came from the term "wildcat bank" which originally referred to a bank in Michigan that went bankrupt in the 1830s. On the banknotes was a picture of a panther.


December 18

11: 15 a.m.

County Hospital


Crystal watched the traffic in the hospital hallways as Shelby waited for X rays. She had spent so much time in the place, no one noticed her anymore. The staff was too busy to worry about her, anyway. A woman was in labor in one of the front rooms, some man was in surgery in the wing that had been set up for operating rooms, and a prisoner must be three doors down from where Shelby slept.

She helped herself to a cup of coffee at the nurses' station and offered one to the deputy on guard. Everyone in town knew old Adam. There were even some who thought he should have run for the sheriffs job a few years ago. He liked to "talk cop." No one could ever get a clue out of Sheriff Farrington, but Deputy Adam loved to impress anyone who would listen with his inside knowledge.

"What's up?" Crystal handed him the coffee.

"Nothing much." Adam grinned his thanks. "Just a shooting this morning and a rape. When all the evidence is in, it may go down as breaking and entering, assault and even attempted murder."

Crystal leaned against the hallway wall. She heard the nurses say they were going after a bullet in some guy's leg so Adam must be telling the truth and not just making up something to pass the time. "Slow morning, huh?"

Adam laughed. "You might say that. I've seen busier ones."

Crystal didn't want to get him started on some old story that he'd had years to color. If she had to waste time talkiug to him, she might as well find out what was happening so she could tell Shelby.

She nodded toward the operating room. "Anyone I know in there with a bullet in him?"

"Can't say," Adam answered. "Sheriff said to keep this one under wraps. My job is to guard the suspect, not the victim." He pointed with his head toward the door behind him. "Got the rapist in there."

"Come on, Deputy Adam, I know everyone in town. Don't you think the word will be out in a matter of hours. You might as well be the one to tell me."

"I'm under orders. No one gets in. No one talks to the prisoner on my watch." He twisted as if being tortured front inside. "But I can tell you, it'll have ranchers and rough necks all upset. Might even have an effect on Howard Drilling."

Crystal tried a few more times, but Adam would not say more. Normally, she wouldn't care what the locals were doing to one another, but he had said it might affect Howard Drilling. And if it affected Howard Drilling it would affect Shelby.

She strolled down the hall to the X-ray room and sat in the plastic chair. After a few restless minutes, she walked back past the deputy and went to the rest room. When she returned, Crystal slipped into the door between Deputy Adam and the X-ray room.

The room was empty. Crystal crossed to the connecting door that opened into the hospital's whirlpool bath. On the opposite side of the room was a side door that connected to the room Adam so diligently guarded.

Crystal told herself she would just open the door slightly and have a look at the bad guy. Because of her days in bars and running with the wild crowd, she figured she probably knew most of the men who even thought about committing a crime in this town. Or, if he worked for Howard Drilling, she might recognize him. Either way, she would be better prepared when bad news came down.

But when she opened the door, she couldn't see much. A tall, lean man lay atop the sheets. He had on worn jeans and no shirt or shoes. There was a long white patch across his Ieft ribs and another over one eye, but they could not begin to cover up all the bruises on him. The bandage wrapped around his head was stained with blood in several spots and looked like it would fall off if he moved.

Crystal stepped closer. She had a hard time believing this was the criminal. He looked like someone had tried to kill him. But he must be the bad guy. This was the room Adam was guarding.

She tried to figure out what the man would look like without the swellings, bandages and bruises. He did not appear familiar, but she definitely thought he would fit in the "finelooking" category once he healed.

As she leaned closer to brush his brown hair off his face, he opened one eye.

Crystal jumped back, expecting a monster to break out of the bandages and lunge at her. Then, she noticed one of his wrists was handcuffed to the rail of the bed. He wasn't going anywhere.

He didn't move. "Who are you?" Hatred and anger blended with the pain in his voice.

"Crystal Howard," she answered like a fool. She shouldn't have told him her name. He might be a rapist and an attempted killer now, but he'd probably escape from Deputy Adam and come after her just because she told him her name.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing." She backed away, unable to think of a lie as to why she was in his room. "I'm sorry to have bothered you."

"Wait."

Crystal was already at the door. What was he going to do, ask her to help him escape? "I have to get back to my husband. I cannot be talking to you."

"You know Anna?"

Crystal paused. What a strange question for him to ask.

"Anna who?" She wasn't going to give him another name so he could go on a crime spree when he escaped.

"Anna Montano. She said you were her friend."

"Yes." Crystal took one step back into the room. Afraid of what he might say about Anna. Afraid not to listen. "If you hurt her, I swear I'll…"

"Is she all right?" He snapped in frustration.

His words shattered her planned threat. He was in agony far deeper than any of the cuts and bruises could make. He was not thinking of himself. For some reason he was thinking of Anna.

"I don't know." Crystal tried to think of the last time shr had talked to Anna. Two days? Three?

The man turned his face away from her. Crystal glanced at the chart beside his bed. The name at the top read, Larson, Zack. She moved to the exit and slipped away. She hurried back to her chair in the hallway.

Deputy Adam did not look as if he had even noticed she had been gone. He was busy trying to talk the nurse out of another cup of coffee.

Crystal stood and walked as far down the hall as she could from the deputy. Making sure one of the hospital staff wasn't watching, she pulled her cell phone from her pocket and dialed Anna.

No answer.

Next, she tried Meredith. Anna rarely left her ranch and if she did, she might be with Meredith or Helena.

No answer. Crystal began to panic. She tried to think of reasons they wouldn't answer. Maybe they were shopping?

"Mrs. Howard?"

Crystal jumped, dropping her cell phone.

"I'm sorry to have startled you." The nurse knelt to help pick up the pieces. "I just wanted you to know that the X rays are complete and we've given Mr. Howard a breathing treatment. He's much better and shouldn't have any more trouble for a few days."

Crystal didn't say a word as she followed the nurse to Shelby. She knew cell phones were not allowed, but for some reason the nurse had not said a word.

"How are you, darling?" She tried to sound cheery, but the bandaged prisoner's question haunted her.

"Much better," Shelby mumbled. "Tired. Can we go back home now? I'd like to get some sleep."

She took his hand. "Would you mind if I stayed in town a few hours and did some Christmas shopping? Helena can pick me up. I'll have my phone with me should you need me."

"Go ahead. I feel sure I'm out of any danger until the next time life decides to thump me. You'll probably be back long before I wake up."

Surely Helena would be home, Crystal thought. "I'll be back before it's time for your evening medication. And don't forget, I have my cell if you need me."

"Be careful," Shelby whispered, already half-asleep. "The ambulance driver said it's icy outside."

Crystal stared at him a long moment before she slipped from the room. He had actually acted like he was worried about her. Like he cared.

When a man on the rig yelled, "Duck, or no dinner," everyone needed to stay alert to live long enough to eat the next meal.