CHAPTER 11
The rodeo was back at the arena again in Houston. After a few phone calls to local police contacts and the District Attorney's office, Houston finally found what he was looking for: copies of the insurance policies that had been taken out on Buck Neely and Paul Dickens. Both named Connie Mathis as the beneficiary. With this information, plus what Matt was able to fill in, the Houston Police department was ready to bring Connie in for questioning. Matt was allowed to observe the interview behind a one way mirror. Connie came into the interrogation room, eyes blazing and spitting fire and threats at anyone and everyone around her – including Cotton Belcamp who had also been brought in for questioning.
"I didn't do anything wrong!" she screamed. "They got what they deserved! All they wanted to do was be on that damn rodeo circuit. What about me? They were married more to the rodeo than to me!" Instead of calming down, she continued screaming until her words were just an incoherent babbling. She was taken for a mental evaluation. Then it was Cotton's turn.
"I didn't have anything to do with it. Honest! It was all her. She's crazy!" he said. "She seduced me, then threatened to tell my wife if I didn't do what she wanted. "
"And exactly what did she want, Mr. Belcamp?" Detective Forenza asked.
"Everything! Money, lots of money! She went on crazy shopping sprees. And she was the one that damaged the cinches on the bronc saddles. The crazy heifer was after everybody. She even bribed a deputy to try and kill Matt Houston by putting him in a barn and setting it on fire. God help me! What have I gotten myself into?" At that point Cotton Belcamp broke down.