No Way Out

by Brennan, Allison

  “Is there a new threat?” Sean asked.

  He glanced at his little brother as they hopped into his truck. “There’s always a threat,” he said as he drove west down the dusty road. “Jack and I have been thinking of expanding the ranch here, using it for training. The bunkhouse where Andie will be staying has a large living area and another large sleeping area. Kitchen and bathroom are functional, need updating. Ezra’s been working with some local contractors on planning a redesign. We can convert the sleeping area to four two-man rooms, add a second bathroom, update the kitchen. JT likes the idea—we don’t have the facilities in California, and it’s gotten way too expensive there to house our field team, not to mention all the rules and regulations. Jack signed over all two thousand acres to RCK. We want to use it for RCK.”

  “Eight men on site?”

  “Or women. I don’t have any female veterans on staff right now—but we have in the past. I was talking to Andie last week. She has a female enlisted soldier who is transitioning out, thinks would be a good fit for RCK. Trilingual, seen action, sharp on her feet. I’m going to meet with her after her debrief. If she works out, she’ll have her own room—if Ezra can get the bunkhouse in order that fast.”

  “Sounds like a lot of changes.”

  He shrugged. “Ranger has his own place in Laredo, he’s not moving. Blitz will, I’ve talked to him. Maybe Lucky. I like the idea of having backup here.”

  “It sounds to me like you’re expecting trouble.”

  “It won’t matter if I take an ad out in every major international newspaper in the western hemisphere that I’m retiring—which I’m not—there will still be scumbags who want my head. I’m okay with that.”

  “Maybe you should leave the area. Here, you’re only fifteen miles from the border.”

  “I’m not moving.”

  “Just saying Montana or Wyoming have a lot of land and might be safer.”

  Kane glanced at him. “I hate snow.”

  Sean laughed. “I never knew that about you.”

  Kane pulled up at the western fence. The entire ranch was surrounded by split-rail fencing, but much of it was decades old. The cost to maintain and repair was steep, though they kept on top of it as much as they could. Sean had installed sensors where a breach was most likely to occur—along the roads, mostly. The property was surrounded by farmland, with a two-lane road separating them from their neighbors. The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge was to the south.

  “You can always move to San Antonio,” Sean added.

  “Let’s put it this way, Sean. I haven’t had roots since I enlisted in the Marines when I was eighteen. Now I do. I’m not digging them up.”

  Sean considered what Kane said. Kane had more than earned peace in his life, and he wasn’t actually retiring—though Sean wouldn’t question it if he did. Six years in the Marines followed by twenty years as a mercenary, soldier-for-hire, whatever you called it. When he and JT founded Rogan-Caruso—which had become Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid eight years ago—they created a business that filled a void in the market, as well as a void for them, as veterans. Sean was one of the few who hadn’t served in the military.

  But Kane seemed to be a cat on his last life. Losing his kidney and nearly dying last year had been a wake-up call. It wasn’t his first serious injury, but it had been bad. Then he had reconnected with Siobhan and realized that he was more than his job. Sean was glad Kane had found a balance, and he hoped it lasted.

  Sean and Kane got out of the truck. Kane stood and surveyed the area with binoculars, while Sean went over to the sensor that had tripped the alarm.

  He squatted to inspect the small device. It was cracked, which was what had caused the alarm to ping in the first place. He’d had to play a lot with the sensitivity of the sensors—he didn’t want them going off in the wind or if a coyote slipped under the railing. But what had caused it to crack? The light breeze that had built up that afternoon couldn’t send rocks or debris at the velocity necessary to break the sensor.

  Sean stood and looked beyond the fence. “What road is this?” Sean asked Kane, gesturing to the one-lane paved road that was on the other side of a drainage ditch.

  “It leads down to the Dickersons’ farm. They farm sorghum, primarily for livestock feed. Good people.”

  Which meant in Kane-speak that one or more of the family had served honorably in the military.

  “Do they use this road a lot?”

  Kane shrugged. “I haven’t talked to the family in a while, but they generally harvest in October. I don’t know if the recent storms impacted them, though we didn’t get hit like San Antonio did.”

  “Something hit the sensor. It could have been a rock from the road, but that seems like a one-in-a-thousand chance.”

  Kane took another look with the binoculars. “Nothing out of place.”

  There was no place for a sniper to hide, one of the benefits of having wide, flat property. The buildings were clustered on the southern end of the property, and that barrier was far more difficult to traverse because there was no road—only the 1,800-foot-long runway they maintained. Plus, Sean had heightened the security on the southern fence because he could use the power from the house and hangar.

  “Since you’re going to be living here full time with Siobhan, you might want to consider cameras.”

  “What’s that going to cost RCK?”

  “It’s only worth doing if you’re going to do it right.”

  “So a small fortune.”

  “I need to look at the power structure, see what I can tap into, see if we need to run any lines. These sensors work off solar power, but the camera needs a direct, dedicated, and closed intranet connection for real-time—”

  “I don’t need details. Work it out with Duke, but cameras are overkill.”

  “What happened to ‘always be prepared’?”

  Kane didn’t respond. He did a third survey of the terrain. “I’ll talk to Ezra about the Dickersons when he returns, see if they’re working out on this part of their property. We might need to adjust the sensors if there’s more traffic.”

  “If someone is going to breach here, they can.”

  “You can’t fix it?”

  “I can, but I need a new sensor, then I need to hook it up to the network and test it. I’ll do it on Sunday, before Lucy and I head home.”

  “I haven’t heard of any serious threats in the last few months,” Kane said as they climbed back into the truck. “I still keep my ear out. RCK has a lot of people listening for chatter, and not just people who want to get back at me.”

  Kane drove slowly along the fence, to see if there was anything out of place. There wasn’t. Sean ran a quick diagnostic on his phone of all thirty sensors around the perimeter and nothing else was broken.

  Maybe Kane was right and it was just a fluke.

  “You’re not usually this paranoid, kid.”

  “It’s been a wild few months.”

  “True. Did anything change after my last visit to St. Catherine’s?”

  “They’re still on track, no problems Mateo and Ruth can’t handle.”

  Kane had stayed involved with the orphan boys at St. Catherine’s who they’d rescued nearly two years ago from a cartel using them as drug mules. When the older brother of one of the boys made contact and tried to recruit him into a gang, they’d all had to work together to protect the kids. The oldest was fourteen and the youngest was ten. Their families were either in prison or dead, and all they had was the home that Sean had built for them, run by a priest Sean and Lucy had befriended during the original investigation.

  Sean was glad that Kane was more involved. He elicited respect from the kids, and they needed firm guidance as well as understanding. Kane knew what demons they lived with, and he was honest and blunt. Sean didn’t have the tough love gene that Kane had. He was more the big-brother type who helped with homework, taught them computers, and cheered at their soccer games. It worked, though—the boys had adjusted a
nd were doing well across the board.

  Twenty minutes later, they were back at the main house. Out of habit, Kane checked the security system. “All is good. Another beer?”

  Sean looked at his watch. “Shouldn’t we be getting ready for the rehearsal?”

  “Rehearsal?” Kane laughed. A real laugh. “This is going to be quick. Andie is walking Siobhan down the aisle. You and Lucy are standing up for us. Padre is going to say the prayers, then tell us we’re legally married. And married under God in a Catholic Church, which is important to Siobhan, so who am I to say the Big Guy in the Sky doesn’t exist? What do I know, anyway?” He handed Sean a beer. “Relax.”

  “You’re far more relaxed than I was when I married Lucy, and I didn’t have any doubts.”

  “I won’t have a church full of friends and family watching. I don’t have to entertain anyone. You had nearly a hundred people at your house—I don’t think I could handle that kind of invasion. After the wedding, Siobhan and I are flying to Colorado. Plane is already fueled and packed. Thank you for the week at your place there.”

  “It’s yours anytime.”

  “Then we go to Ireland.”

  “Have you ever been?”

  “No. Can’t say I want to, either, but Siobhan’s grandmother insisted.”

  “I went once, when I was in college.”

  “I know.”

  “You know?”

  “Kid, you think I didn’t know where you were at all times? You’re a Rogan. I always kept tabs on you.”

  Sean supposed he should have known that intuitively, but he didn’t think about it back then, when he and Kane rarely saw each other. He hadn’t told Duke he was going to Europe. When Duke sent him to MIT after he was expelled from Stanford, it took Sean years to forgive him. And to this day, though Sean and Duke had a much better relationship, that time was still a sore spot.

  If Duke hadn’t sent him away, Sean would have known Madison was pregnant. He would have been in Jesse’s life from the day he was born.

  And chances are you would never have met Lucy. You would never have become who you are today. Don’t play those mind games, Sean. They are never productive.

  Siobhan was a great influence on Kane. He had mellowed, at least a bit. He smiled more. He’d never lose the edginess he had—too many years as a soldier—but he’d found a sense of peace that Sean was grateful for. For too long, Sean expected to hear that his brother was dead or missing. Now, Kane restrained himself from taking every case that crossed his path.

  Sean wanted the time with his brother. He wanted Jesse to have time with his uncle. The Rogans had never done “family” well. Sean didn’t pass along blame—their parents had many wonderful traits. They were smart, inquisitive, patriotic, and free spirits, of a sort. Sean never doubted that his parents loved him, but he’d wondered if having kids had been unexpected and unplanned. They hadn’t grown up as a tight family unit, and then his parents were killed in a plane crash and his life was upended.

  “Since we’re not doing a rehearsal,” Sean said, “I’ll get dinner started. The girls should be back soon.”

  “That’s why I invited you, kid,” Kane said, laughing. “You can cook.”

  Chapter Two

  Lucy had a lovely day with Siobhan. They picked up Siobhan’s wedding dress—a family heirloom that her grandmother had sent over from Ireland and Siobhan had altered. Instead of a full-length gown, because of Siobhan’s height, she had it hemmed to hit mid-calf and took off the train so it didn’t look funny. But the Irish lace was exquisite, and the antique white complemented her curly red hair.

  Lucy had brought a nice cocktail dress, but Siobhan had picked one out for her that she wanted her to wear. “Andie will be in her dress uniform, and so will Kane. I made sure Sean was bringing his tuxedo, so please, let me get this dress for you.”

  Lucy could hardly say no when she saw the classy, calf-length sleeveless dress in a rich blue, somewhere between royal and navy. It fit perfectly, and Siobhan admitted that she’d had Sean send her dress size.

  Siobhan refused to let Lucy pay for it. “I’m just so happy that you and Sean could come down. I don’t think Kane would have waited much longer, and Andie isn’t able to easily get time off.”

  “Once Kane sets his mind on something, he doesn’t like to wait,” Lucy concurred.

  They were having a drink in a café in McAllen, where they were relaxing while waiting for Andie’s plane to land. One of the benefits of being a Marine was that Andie could often grab a free ride. She had flown from Quantico to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio earlier, and a friend of Kane’s was flying her down to Moore Airfield. Her ETA was five thirty.

  “I’m glad Padre refused to marry us last week,” Siobhan said. “We were coming back from Arteaga—we’d helped the Sisters with a project—and drove by Padre’s church. Kane said, ‘Let’s get married.’ I didn’t answer—I was, well, in shock.”

  “Your ring is gorgeous. It looks like an antique.”

  She smiled and showed off the simple round diamond with two sapphires on either side. “Kane bought it spontaneously months ago, he told me. For a man who can strategize and execute any military operation without hesitation, he was so nervous. When I could finally speak and said Of course I’ll marry you, he made a U-turn and went back to the church.” Siobhan laughed. “I didn’t mean right that minute, but Kane did. I really wanted Andie here. Kane did everything to talk me into it, but Padre sided with me, and Kane gave in. He called Sean and I’m so glad you two could make it the same weekend that Andie could take leave.”

  “We are both so happy for you.”

  Siobhan beamed at her ring. “It’s been a good year. I don’t think Kane really cares whether we’re married or not, but deep down I wanted to. I never said it—but I guess Kane picked up on it. I’m a little more traditional than I thought I was.”

  “Sean and I were happy living together, but marriage is a commitment. A deeper bond. And being Catholic, that deep-seated guilt of living together out of wedlock doesn’t really go away.”

  Siobhan smiled in understanding. “Amen, sister.”

  “I’m thrilled to have you as a sister-in-law. I’m close to Dillon’s wife Kate, but they live so far away. I miss them a lot.”

  A chill went up Lucy’s spine. It was the feeling she had when someone was watching her. She looked around the café. There weren’t many people there at four thirty in the afternoon. Three women chatting at the bar drinking colorful cocktails; two men, who looked like a father and son, eating sandwiches in the corner. A group of coworkers who’d come in shortly after Lucy and Siobhan. A very affectionate couple in the corner. So affectionate it made Lucy blush.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  None of the people in the café were watching them. Lucy looked out the window and saw a man sitting in a dark brown sedan across the street. He didn’t seem to be staring at her, but what if he had been? She couldn’t see the license plate from here, but she burned his image in her mind. Dark, thick hair, light-brown skin, mustache, tattoo on his left arm that was hanging out the window. She couldn’t make out the design.

  “Lucy?”

  “Just my cop instincts working overtime.”

  “Kane says you have sharp instincts. You should listen to them.”

  “I will. It’s that guy—don’t look!—across the street. I think he was looking at us.”

  “Maybe because we’re two attractive women and he’s a cad.”

  “Maybe.” Except they were inside. Sitting at a window, but would he be able to easily see them?

  Siobhan leaned over the small table and squeezed Lucy’s hand. Lucy wasn’t a touchy person—she valued her personal space—but she accepted the reassurance.

  “What do you want to do?”

  Lucy wasn’t sure. She sipped her drink—barely tasted it—and watched the street. A minute later, a second man—same basic appearance as the driver, but older and with mi
litary-short hair—got into the passenger seat and they drove off. She breathed easier; she caught the license plate number as they drove by and wrote it down.

  “They’re gone. Sorry.”

  “No apologies.”

  “I really enjoyed Thanksgiving at your place,” Siobhan said. “I love your family as if they’re my own.”

  “I’m glad. They are your family now.”

  Lucy missed them. She’d been becoming nostalgic of late. She loved San Antonio, and she loved her job, but she didn’t like that half her family was on the East Coast and half her family was on the West Coast. Even though she was halfway between them, it didn’t seem to help. But if she moved west or east, half her family would still be a continent away.

  She glanced at her watch. “It’s nearly five thirty.”

  Siobhan paid the small tab—they’d both had a glass of white wine and split a fruit and cheese plate. Shopping had made Lucy famished, and she was still hungry.

  “Talking about family,” Siobhan said as they walked out to her car, “I haven’t seen my grandmother in more than a year. I’m so looking forward to going to Ireland, then we’ll have a long layover in Virginia to spend time with Andie, since we’re not going to get much time now. I love that she’s not deployed anymore, so she comes home every night.”

  “It sounds like a great and well-deserved vacation.”

  “If we went anywhere else, Kane would be half working. It’s his way. He never truly relaxes. But my grandma lives in a small village in Killarney and after a few days he’ll realize that there’s nothing for him to do. Either he’ll go crazy with boredom or he’ll finally take it easy and enjoy the peace.”

  “It sounds lovely,” Lucy said.

  “We’ll have to plan a trip there, you and I. You would love my grandma.”

  Siobhan pulled away from the curb, changing the subject from her trip to a new spread she was photographing. She was a photojournalist and much of her work was done to raise money for the Sisters of Mercy and bring awareness of worlds outside the US border. It was grueling, dangerous, and rewarding.

  Lucy thought she saw the brown sedan again, but it was down a side street moving away from them, the license plate too far to read. She wasn’t positive it was the same vehicle, but she’d been on alert ever since she’d felt that creep looking at her.