Hole in the Heart

by Carolina Mac

MISTY and Carm were in the front parlor watching another big reveal on HGTV. Something they enjoyed daily, especially Carm. She was addicted to the Property Brothers and a couple of the other shows. He waited politely for the big moment to pass, then said to Misty, “Can I talk to you in the office for a minute?”

  She nodded her head and Blaine pushed the wheelchair down the hall and through the office door. He knelt down in front of her legs and held her hands in his. “I know you don’t feel like yourself and I don’t want to push you into anything you’re not ready for.”

  “What?” she mouthed the word and no sound came out.

  “Travis is bringing some clothing that belonged to two of the missing girls Farrell is looking for in Sonoma.”

  She nodded and pointed to the desk.

  Blaine grabbed a pad and a pen.

  I can do it.

  Blaine kissed her. “Thanks, sweetheart.”

  She scribbled something else and showed him.

  I love you, Beb.

  “I love you too, Mist, and I don’t care how long it takes or even if you never get any better, I’ll love you just the same.”

  Tears welled up in her blue eyes.

  AFTER DINNER, Declan took Misty upstairs to rest for an hour before Travis arrived and Blaine went back to work. He’d barely started when the black cat came on the screen.

  “Are you okay? I heard about the drive-by and I want things like that to stop. I’m so furious and frustrated because I don’t know what I can do to make the violence go away.”

  “Not much you can do, Cat. Carlos took the worst of it. He covered me and got cut up from the front doors shattering. I’m sure pictures of the doors have already been on the news.”

  “They have. On every channel,” said Cat. “Do you know who it was?”

  “I do, and the Chief is sending people, but he forbade me to go myself.”

  “Wise move on his part,” said Cat. “They try to kill you and you turn around and walk through their front door.”

  “It’s what I would have done. Absolutely.”

  La Grange.

  ANNIE sat at the granite island with a coffee after she’d cleaned up the dinner dishes and she happened to see footage of the front doors of the DPS building. The news anchor with the perfect hair said the attempt was directed at Ranger Blackmore and his men, but they were all okay.

  The man is right. I can’t go away right now. I’ll kill those bastards. Every last one of them.

  The Blackmore Agency. Austin.

  MISTY was up from her nap and drinking tea in the kitchen with Declan and Carm when Travis arrived from Sonora. Blaine was drinking coffee; a Panama blend he was addicted to. Tea was not his thing.

  “Hey, Travis, you need to catch me up on what’s going on out there in west Texas. Farrell’s been sending stuff to Jesse, but I’ve been out of the loop with this other shit going on.”

  Travis raised an eyebrow. “I heard about some other shit on the radio driving here that I wasn’t happy about. They tried for you this morning.”

  Blaine gave his head a tiny shake and glanced in Misty’s direction.

  “Oh, sorry, Misty. I thought you knew.”

  She stared in silence into her tea.

  “Anyway, now that I’ve stuck my foot in it. Here are the shirts from the two most recent missing girls. Farrell needs a locate on at least one of them. He’s run everything down and…”

  Blaine nodded. “He needs a body.”

  “Sad but true,” said Travis. “And Joey Golden ain’t saying anything along those lines.”

  Misty took the plastic bag from Travis and nodded her head.

  “Where are you comfortable?” asked Blaine. “In the office?”

  She nodded, and Declan stood up to take her.

  “I’ll take her Dec,” said Blaine. “Finish your tea.”

  Travis followed along behind and leaned against the bookcase wall to watch Misty. Declan came in quietly with his cup in his hand and sat nearby.

  “These are marked,” said Blaine, as he took the shirts out of the bag. “This first one belonged to Lauren Maxwell.”

  “She’s the girl who went missing on New Year’s Eve,” said Travis.

  “Okay, let’s try her first.” Blaine handed the shirt to Misty and sat down in the chair closest to the wheelchair.

  Misty held Lauren’s cotton blouse in her hands for a while, sitting still, her eyes closed, and nothing happened. She opened her eyes and shook her head.

  “That’s okay,” said Blaine. He took the blouse from her and gave her Robin Dawson’s t-shirt.

  As soon as Misty touched the shirt she started to cry. Heart-wrenching sobs came from her damaged throat and she started to gag.

  Blaine leaned over and tried to take the shirt from her and she clutched it closer to her chest. She shivered so hard Blaine thought she might be having a seizure.

  Declan moved closer and cast Blaine an inquiring eye. It was obvious, her caregiver didn’t like what was happening. The tremors stopped, and without warning Misty suddenly stood up. Blaine stood up beside her with his arms out to catch her if she fell. She took two steps forward and collapsed onto the carpet.

  “She fainted,” said Declan.

  “Aw, shit,” said Blaine. “I hate it when this happens. It’s too much for her.”

  Declan scooped up his patient and laid her on the leather sofa. “I’ll get water for her.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Friday, May 8th.

  Bluebonnet. Texas.

  FARRELL WOKE when Avery’s alarm went off at a quarter to six. He rolled over, took her in his arms and held her close. She’d asked him to stay the night before and he didn’t know if he should. He was still carrying around some guilt over Mary. But Avery needed him, and he had an overwhelming desire to take care of her and keep her safe. Was he in love with her? He had no idea. He thought he loved Mary but when push came to shove he couldn’t make the commitment.

  Avery got out of bed and headed straight into the shower. She had to feed and dress the little guy and take him to her mother’s house before she started work at eight.

  Farrell headed to the tiny kitchen and fumbled around with the coffee maker. After he was a little wider awake he realized Avery had it all set up and all he had to do was push the button. He opened the door of the trailer and stood on her front step to smoke.

  Almost daylight, but not quite, the air was damp and cool, and a breeze was blowing from the north that might bring rain. Texas always needed rain—except when there was too much rain and the floods came.

  His thoughts wandered to Annie and he was suddenly homesick. He wanted to go home to the ranch.

  The door opened behind him and Avery touched his arm. “Coffee’s ready.”

  “Great.” Farrell turned around, gave her a quick hug and sat down at the table next to little Diego in his highchair. The little guy looked half asleep and it was a shame to wake him up and move him before fuckin daylight. For some reason, that upset Farrell.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Avery. She was shaking cereal into a bowl.

  “Nothing.” Farrell wasn’t a big talker in the morning.

  “What do you want for breakfast?”

  “Coffee is good. I’ll eat at the hotel. I’m waiting for… some reports.”

  “You haven’t said much about the investigation, Farrell. You think Sylvie is dead, don’t you?”

  Farrell drained his cup and set it on the table. “I’d better go.”

  The Blackmore Agency. Austin.

  BLAINE had insisted that Misty go straight to bed the night before after passing out in the office and Declan agreed. Still weak from her ordeal in New Orleans, she needed more rest. Whatever she’d seen she could tell them in the morning.

  Blaine rolled over and checked the time on his phone. Six o’clock. The moment he moved, Lexi and Hoodoo bounced up off their doggie beds and stood at the door waiting. “Yeah, I see y’all over there. Hang on.” He tried to get out from
under the sheets without waking Misty, but she was a light sleeper and since her brain injury she woke often with nightmares. Who wouldn’t after what she’d suffered?

  She touched his hand and tried to say something.

  “I’ll let the dogs out and come right back.”

  She nodded and sat up.

  Blaine was back as soon as he could make it. The stairs gave him trouble since his ribs were injured the day before. He promised Chief Calhoun he’d go for an X-ray today to see how much damage had been done. He sat on Misty’s side of the bed and held her hand. “Did you want to talk to me?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ll get you some paper.” He strode across the huge bedroom to an antique writing desk in the corner. He loved the desk the first time he saw it in Annie’s shop in La Grange and he had to have it. He claimed it and brought it home.

  He picked up a notepad and opened the drawer searching for a pen.

  I’ll be so glad when she can talk.

  Misty took the pen and began writing. Blaine watched, and she was writing and writing. A lot of writing. Then she flipped the page and started drawing. Looking at the page upside down he tried to figure out what she was drawing. A whole bunch of pointy things and something that might have been water. He didn’t want to interrupt so he said nothing and waited.

  When she finished she gave the pad back to him.

  Robin is in a cave. Someone ripped her clothes off and hurt her, then tied her up and left her. She’s cold and she’s hungry. It’s cold and damp in there and there’s water dripping from the ceiling. The caves are near Sonora but not the famous caves. The one where Robin is, is closer to a farm. She can hear cattle and she’s crying and calling out. I tried to hear what she was saying but all I could hear was the cows.

  Blaine turned the page and looked at the drawing. It looked like a farm laneway with fences on both sides and a lot of stick cattle, then a wooded area with a pathway that led to a cave. The drawing of the inside of the cave was complicated with stalactites and stalagmites everywhere. According to Misty, Robin was in the third compartment from the entrance.

  “This is fantastic stuff, sweetheart. I’ll send this to Farrell right away, then I’ll put the kettle on for you.”

  Misty smiled.

  Sonora. Texas.

  FARRELL was in his truck heading back to Sonora when Blacky phoned. “Got your tablet with you?”

  “It’s at the hotel and I’m not there yet. Fifteen minutes.”

  “Didn’t you sleep at the hotel?”

  “Umm… no. I’ll explain later. What are you sending me?”

  “Everything Misty wrote down this morning. She had the vision last night, but she fainted, and Declan took her straight up to bed. See if you can put the pieces together and find Robin. Misty says Robin Dawson is alive.”

  Farrell stepped on the gas. “Okay, great. I’m putting it into high gear. Talk to you soon, bro.”

  He parked as close as he could to the front entrance of the hotel, tore into the breakfast room as the kitchen staff were setting things up and grabbed four muffins and two coffees.

  Luke woke when Farrell blasted into their room and set the food and coffee on the table. He was none too quiet as he scrambled around looking for his i-Pad. “I brought you food, partner. No time for a real breakfast. We’ve got something from Misty and I want to get going on it.”

  “Isn’t Joey’s arraignment this morning?”

  “We may have to skip that.” Farrell dumped the Wal-Mart bag he was using for luggage onto the bed and grabbed up his tablet. He plugged it in and hoped it had enough juice to receive Blacky’s email. “Come on. Come on, you fucker. Show me that email.”

  “What’s got you so wound, partner?” asked Luke.

  “Misty’s telling us where the girls are, that’s what. At least one of them is still breathing, so we’ve got to bust ass and find her.”

  “It’s not just a story then, is it? Misty does have the LeJeune powers, doesn’t she?” Luke pushed back the comforter and got out of bed.

  Farrell fiddled with the tablet and couldn’t get it to boot up.

  “Let me see that for a minute,” Luke took it, pressed a couple of things and handed it back. “Sign into your email and see if it’s there now.”

  Farrell sat down at the table, blew out a breath and tried to focus. He had so much adrenaline pumping through his veins he could barely sit still long enough to read a word. “Okay, listen to this. “Robin’s in a cave.” Farrell read the rest of the message and then passed the tablet to Luke.

  “Do you think the cave could be on the Golden farm property?”

  “Sounds like it might be,” said Farrell. “If Joey makes bail, he’ll go straight home probably, with both his brother and father dead, he might need to go home and do stuff. Make arrangements and like that.”

  “Let’s go to the farm,” said Luke as he tugged on his jeans. As he dressed he sipped his coffee and took a couple bites of his muffin. “Maybe Sheriff Oxford can spare a couple of men to help us search.”

  “I’ll call on the way. Let’s go.”

  La Grange.

  ANNIE was up at six helping Rosalie prepare breakfast for the cowboys. She’d have to find a way to tell Tyler they couldn’t have a weekend away because of the danger Blaine was in. She was the one who talked up Santa Fe, and now she had to nix it. Tyler would wonder about that and there would be questions. He knew her a little too well, but the man said she couldn’t leave and she’d never tested him. Not a good idea to start now.

  Her cell jangled on the granite island and her heart skipped a beat. “It’s Tyler already.” She picked it up and let out the breath she was holding. Travis.

  “Hey, girl, I have to watch Blacky’s back today, but I’ll try to work in a little shopping too. If you go out, get this stuff.” He read her a list and she scribbled it on the bottom of her grocery list. “I can shop this morning. I’m getting groceries anyway.”

  “Should I come to the ranch after work?”

  “Yep, come for dinner and we’ll get ready.”

  “See you later.”

  The Blackmore Agency. Austin.

  WEARING a grim look on his face, Declan brought Misty downstairs for breakfast and Blaine knew instantly something was wrong. He wasn’t a medical professional like Declan, but Blaine focused on Misty’s beautiful face and he could see for himself. Her blue eyes were cloudy and staring into space and she’d never been so pale. He stood up, his heart pounding and said, “Take her to the hospital.”

  Declan nodded. “I suggested as much and Miss Misty is against it.”

  “We’ll all go,” said Blaine. “Now.”

  Travis was parking his truck as Declan wheeled Misty onto the front porch. Blaine closed the door and locked it and hollered to Travis, “You drive my truck. Misty has to go to the hospital.”

  “Better if we’re not in your truck, boss. Chief’s orders.”

  “Yeah, okay. Whatever.”

  Sonora. Texas.

  FARRELL AND LUKE drove out of town to the deceased Gareth Golden’s hundred acre farm. In the natural order of things, the farm now belonged to Joey Golden. That fact alone opened up a lot of possibilities.

  Farrell parked the truck and hopped out. He handed Luke earbuds. “Should we wait for Oxford’s men?”

  Luke seemed to be the voice of reason. “We called them. We should give them time to get here.”

  “I’m a little hyped,” said Farrell. “If Robin is alive I don’t want her to die while we’re dicking around getting organized.”

  “I get it,” said Luke. “The search is urgent, but they should be here in five minutes.”

  And they were.

  Five minutes later, the sheriff’s car arrived followed by another squad. Four extra men.

  “Did Joey make bail?” he asked as Oxford stepped out of his vehicle.

  “His attorney pled for bereavement time, so Joey could bury his brother and father.”

  �
�Sad story and we had no new evidence against him. Guess it worked. Huh?”

  “He’ll be coming this way. Mr. Hill was driving Joey to the garage to pick up his truck.”

  “Wish I had my dogs,” said Farrell.

  “How do you want to play this?” asked Sheriff Oxford.

  “I’m thinking, Luke and one of your men will start a search of the house and detain Joey when he arrives,” said Farrell. “Cuff him to the porch railing or something. We’ll have the evidence we need shortly. Also, we need an ambulance on stand-by in case we find Robin Dawson alive.”

  “Okay, I’m down with all of that,” said Oxford. He called for an ambulance, then asked. “Do you have any idea where the young lady might be hidden?”

  “Uh huh. Let’s go test out my information.”

  As they trudged down the rutted back lane, Oxford sounded puzzled, “You seem certain were going to find the girls. Where did you get this information?”

  “It was a tip,” said Farrell. “All I can tell you.”

  “Hope it wasn’t bullshit,” said one of the deputies loping along behind them. “Most tips are bullshit and I’m already out of wind.”

  Farrell did a visual of the laneway in front of him. Fences on both sides exactly like Misty’s drawing and both fields were full of mooing bovines. She couldn’t hear Robin because the cows were so loud.

  They are loud. Wonder how far before we come to the woods in the picture?

  Farrell didn’t have to wonder long. A thick stand of trees appeared in the distance and they were almost there. “There’s supposed to be a path through the woods that lead to a cave.”

  Sheriff Oxford pointed to the right. “That opening might be a path.”

  “Let’s try it,” said Farrell.

  “Drag marks on the dirt,” said one of the deputies. “He could have driven as far as the woods, then dragged a body back here.”

  “Look for an entrance to the cave,” said Farrell.

  The sheriff kept on prodding him. “You have pretty detailed information, Ranger Donovan. Mind telling me how you got it?”

  “Uh huh.” Farrell went over the picture in his head and remembered the rocks. “Should be two big rocks.”