CHAPTER 7

As Matt pulled into the driveway at the ranch, his phone rang. "Hey Uncle Roy. How's it going?"

"Well I've gotta say boy, your idea about the Russians was a good one. They have one available. But it's kind of pricey."

Putting the truck into park and shutting off the engine, Matt bit the bullet. "How much?"

"Ten million." Roy was holding his breath. He was reasonably sure that Matt had the money, but would he really want to part with that much for it?

Matt put his head on the steering wheel. "Can't talk 'em down any lower can you?"

"That's as low as they'll go. I tried."

"Do you think they would talk to me?" The tired private investigator rubbed the back of his neck. CJ was watching him from the kitchen window and knew that he was probably talking to Roy. He didn't seem very happy either.

"I don't think so, but I'll ask. It will be tomorrow before I know anything. Is that okay?"

"Whatever it takes." He thought for a minute. "Uncle Roy, I can do ten but I'd rather not, you know? I mean if I absolutely have to I will. But I would sure like to leave something healthy behind for my kids."

"Aha, so you haven't given up, huh?" Roy chuckled.

"No, just got a little discouraged is all." He laughed. "Look, I'd love to talk more, but to be honest with you, my butt is dragging out my tracks. It's been a rough day." Matt explained what had happened.

"I hope you two can nail him to the wall, Matt. Go get you some dinner and rest up good. Sounds like tomorrow might be another rough one."

"Thanks. See you later. 'Bye." He hung up, got out of the truck and headed into the house where CJ was waiting for him. "Boy, you sure did get nasty today. If I didn't know better I'd think you'd been working cattle."

Matt gave her a tired smile. "Think I'm going to go get a shower and wash off about ten pounds of dirt." He leaned over and gave her a kiss.

"What do you say about an omelet for supper?" She ran her hands down his arms and took his hands in hers.

"Sounds like a good idea. Love you." He gave her a kiss on the cheek and headed back to the shower. After waiting half an hour she went back to check on him and stopped at the door of their bedroom. He had showered and gotten on a pair of shorts – before lying back on the bed and going to sleep. She gently picked up his legs and put them over onto the bed that he was on diagonally. He never budged at all. CJ gave him a soft peck on the cheek and turned out the light before leaving the room.

An hour later, the phone rang. It was Murray wanting to talk to Matt about the fund for the police officers' families. "Murray, he's asleep but I can …" She looked up just as a bleary-eyed Matt walked into the den. "Hang on, he's here." CJ handed him the phone and went into the kitchen to fix him an omelet.

"Hey Murray." Matt followed CJ into the kitchen and had a seat at the table. He watched as she worked on the omelet.

"Houston, CJ told me what happened. That's just awful. But I want you to know that I've got the fund started and partially funded. We'll be able to expand it more after this quarter is up in another month. But it is more than enough now to take care of the two families."

"I sure appreciate it Murray. Look, I know it's not my business anymore but I just wanted…"

Murray jumped in. "Houston, no matter what, it will always be your business. Anytime you want to add another charity I'll do it in a heartbeat. You know that."

"Thanks Murray. I just had to do something. It's been a really bad day. Hard to take, you know?"

"I'm sure it has been. You sound beat. Try to get some rest, huh?"

"I'm planning on it. Thanks again, bud."

"Not a problem. 'Bye." Murray hung up and was gone.

Matt turned off the handset and walked over behind CJ and wrapped his arms around her. "I think my few minutes turned into an hour. Sorry." He kissed her neck.

"No need to apologize, hon. You're tired. Anybody would be after a day like today. Come on and eat."