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murder.”
    “That’s not what I gathered from my scanner. Your friend has already called in the Wyoming DCI.”
    “True…but I understand it was sort of a formality.” She shrugged. “I don’t imagine they’ll ever find out anything, and the case certainly has nothing to do with the lodge itself.”
    “You’re sure of that?” He pursed his lips. “Stands to reason that someone from your mother’s ranch was involved, given the isolated location. A hotheaded ranch hand, maybe. Who else would have access to that area?”
    The direction of the conversation made her uneasy. “Maybe it was someone just passing through. An accident or something. Look, about that contract—”
    “The lodge is a risky investment,” Wade said firmly, ignoring her attempt to change the topic. “A fledgling business, negative publicity—you’re falling into a bad situation, Janna.”
    “What makes me feel worse is the poor person who died. We’ll probably never find out who it was, but what about the family? Do they still wonder about his or her disappearance? Or did they die heartbroken because they never found out what happened?”
    “I understand your feelings.” Wade sighed. “I’m just trying to look at all of this from a business point of view. This discovery was unfortunate timing. But with luck, maybe you can keep the local media quiet.”
    “Our Web site will draw vacationers from across the country, not Wolf Creek. I hardly think they’ll be reading our local newspaper.”
    “True.” He tapped a pen against his desk blotter. “One other thing—do you know much it will cost to bring the place up to code?”
    “I plan to do a lot of the work myself. And thanks to my inheritance from Uncle Gray, I should be okay as long as I can start bringing in guests by midsummer.”
    “As I remember, his estate was split between you and your sisters, so I hope you’re right.” Wade smiled gently. “Understand that as your lawyer, I’m just trying to protect your interests. Bankruptcy is not a pretty experience.”
    “I’ll be fine.” But her stomach tightened. Was Wade right? Was she risking everything she owned on an investment that would fail? Please, Lord, guide me. I need to help my mother and support my daughter—am I doing the right thing? “So…can we finish up this contract?”
    “As you wish.” He gazed down at the contract, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the notes she’d written in the margins. “I do think we could find some loopholes here, should you change your mind later.”
    “Loopholes, in a contract with my mother? ” Janna sat back in her chair, appalled.
    Wade’s mouth lifted in a wry grin. “I’m afraid you wouldn’t believe how difficult family relationships can be. Should you find that you’ve made a mistake, would you really want to be tied to that crumbling old lodge for another ten years?”
    “If I’d given my word, yes.” Janna looked at her watch. “Look, I’d better get going. Can you give me a call when the contract is ready?”
    “No problem.” Bracing a hand on his desk, he rose halfway out of his chair for a hearty handshake. “End of this week, easily. And about that man you saw out on the street…” His brow furrowed. “I’d be careful, if I were you. Your mother made some enemies in these parts, over the years. Some people might even think…”
    “That she was involved in that murder?” Horrified, Janna stood and gave him a level look. “That’s ridiculous.”
    He tipped his head in agreement. “Of course it is. And as far as her ranch is concerned, I know she only did what she thought best, but over the years she stepped on some toes in the process.”
    “If she were a man, she’d simply be considered a successful rancher. Why wouldn’t she make sound business decisions?”
    Wade splayed out his hands in a placating gesture. “I fully agree with you. Claire McAllister is one shrewd woman, and she deserved her success. But unfortunately, you