Hole in the Heart

by Carolina Mac

“I’m Ranger Jesse Quantrall, Miss Avery. I’m Farrell’s boss.”

  She nodded. “Thank you for coming. I saw Farrell for a second.”

  “He’s helping his partner. Joey Golden shot Luke.”

  The tears started, and Avery sobbed. Her face was bruised and swollen and there was dried blood around her mouth, but all in all she didn’t seem too bad on the outside. What damage had been done to her inside and emotionally, Jesse had no way of knowing.

  Fifteen minutes later, sirens sounded, and the ambulance arrived. Farrell directed the paramedics to Luke first and once he was safely in the back of the bus, he ran inside with one of the attendants and showed him where Avery was. He leaned down and hugged her and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “I’ll come to the hospital as soon as I can,” he whispered. “Jesse is coming with y’all.”

  Ranger Headquarters. Austin.

  BLAINE entered room two and sat down opposite Maria Rivera, the ex-Mrs. Santos. He explained the details of the interview and started the recorder.

  “Where is Roberto?” she asked. “Is he safe?”

  “His father took him home,” said Blaine. “He’s safe.”

  “I’ll take him back as soon as I’m out of here. He’s better off with me.”

  “Is that why you sent Lucco Maldanado to kill John Hilder?”

  Maria didn’t blink. “I want to see Lucco.”

  Blaine shook his head. “That’s not possible. He’s in a hospital in San Marcos and as soon as he’s treated he’ll be moved to the jail infirmary.”

  “I want to bail him out. Tell me how to do it.”

  “You should be more concerned with your own position, ma’am. Lucco Maldonado is a two-time loser. This time he’ll be in jail for good.”

  “No, that isn’t true. The charges against him were lies the police made up. He swore to it.”

  Blaine smiled. “Mr. Maldonado has a long history of crime and prison time, ma’am, despite what he may have told you. And this time, I’m charging you both with murder in the first degree. The murder of John Hilder was premeditated. You and Mr. Maldonado will be sentenced to death row in Huntsville.”

  She began to sob. “I was so lonely with Roberto always gone and Lucco was good to me. Better than Roberto ever was.”

  “Did you ask Lucco to get rid of John Hilder?” asked Blaine.

  “That detective was snooping around and asking all my friends where I was. I couldn’t let him find Roberto. I was protecting my son.”

  “Protecting him from what?”

  “His father has money and powerful friends and he would take Roberto Junior and make it impossible for me to see him.”

  “You don’t know that for certain.”

  “We argued many times and he threatened me.”

  “And you killed a man for what might have happened?”

  “I want to call a lawyer.”

  Blaine nodded. “As soon as you’re booked you can do just that.”

  Del Rio. South Texas.

  FARRELL left Bluebelle in the truck, leashed Red and started him at the back step where some of Joey Golden’s blood had splattered. Golden had wounded Luke and Luke had returned fire and hit Golden, but he wasn’t sure where. It happened fast, and Golden took off running and never looked back.

  Red put his sensitive nose to the ground and followed a footpath that ran along the edge of the lake. The big bloodhound kept going until it was too dark for Farrell to see any more. He was walking into trees, branches were hitting him in the face and bushes were scratching his arms. He had to turn back.

  Once he retraced his steps to the trailer he called Sheriff Oxford in Sonora and explained the situation.

  “You found him, Ranger Donovan. Good work, and yes, I’d be happy to supply some manpower in the morning. We’ll get an early start and join you.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff. I’m heading for the hospital now.”

  Del Rio Hospital. South Texas.

  FARRELL drove into Del Rio and caught up with Jesse in the Emergency room waiting area.

  “Did you try Red?” asked Jesse.

  “Yep, and he worked all along the shore about a quarter of the way around the lake and then it was so dark I had to go back. Sheriff Oxford is coming in the morning to help us search.

  “Good,” said Jesse, “we need all the men we can get. I talked to Blacky and he’s coming as early as he can.”

  Farrell smiled. “That’s great news. I need to see him.”

  Jesse set his Styrofoam cup on the edge of the trash can. “Come on, I’ll show you where the patients are.”

  Farrell followed Jesse down the hallway to the little curtained off cubicles. “Luke is in three and Miss Avery is in five.”

  Farrell stuck his head in three and Luke was being bandaged up. He grinned at Farrell. “Through and through. No sweat.”

  “Still hurts like a bugger,” said Farrell. “I’ll be back to get you.” He closed the curtain and moved on to treatment room five. Avery was standing up and was almost dressed. Her eyes welled up with tears when she saw Farrell.

  “I’m okay to leave,” she said in a whisper.

  Farrell stepped into the tiny space and held her tight in a hug for a couple of minutes. “I’m so glad you’re alive. Nothing else matters.”

  JESSE STOOD outside the front entrance of the hospital while he waited for Farrell and the others. He made a call to Quantrall. “Hey, Ty, I’m not going to make it home tonight. Is Charity okay?”

  “She’s fine, Jesse. Molly bathed her, and I put her to bed. Where are you?”

  “Del Rio. It’s a good distance and I won’t be back until later tomorrow.”

  “We’re good. If I have anything happening at the barn, I’ll give Wendy a shout out and she’ll help me with Charity.”

  “Great, and Ty, about the other day… I’m sorry I freaked out. You and Ace have always been close, and I have no right to tell you what you can and can’t do. None whatsoever. I gave up my rights when I moved back to Quantrall.”

  “We’re good, Jesse. I hate like hell when you’re mad at me. Can’t fuckin take it.”

  “I’m only mad at myself. See y’all tomorrow. Kiss my baby girl for me.”

  “I already did.”

  ONCE LUKE AND AVERY were ready to go, Farrell drove the truck to the hospital pickup loop. Farrell gave Avery a hand up and into the passenger seat in the front and Jesse and Luke squeezed into the back seat with the dogs.

  “Oh, your dogs are here,” said Avery. “Can I pet them?”

  “Sure,” said Jesse, “They love attention.” To Farrell: “We need groceries, kiddo, and dog food and a two-four of Lone Star.”

  “I hear you, boss. Next stop H.E.B.”

  Jesse and Farrell did a quick run through the grocery store and picked up what they needed for the following day, then Farrell drove through Chick-fil-A and bought dinner.

  When they got back to the campsite, Jesse fed the dogs while Farrell took Avery and Luke inside and tried to make them comfortable.

  “I’m glad y’all are staying here with me,” said Avery. “Joey might come back.” She rinsed out the carafe and started a pot of coffee.

  Farrell popped the top on a can of Lone Star, handed it to Luke on the sofa, then got one for himself. “Show me where the clean sheets are,” said Farrell. “I’m gonna clean up the bedroom.”

  “Thank you, Farrell.” She opened the narrow door to a tiny linen closet. “The bed in the spare room is clean and somebody can sleep on the sofa.”

  “Where am I gonna sleep?” Farrell asked in a whisper and winked at her.

  She tried to smile.

  The Blackmore Agency. Austin.

  BLAINE was upstairs packing a bag for Del Rio when Roberto Santos called.

  “Ranger Blackmore, I wanted to thank your team for finding my son so quickly and bringing him back to me.”

  “I’m glad it worked out,” said Blaine, “Will you be allowing your ex-wife visitation in the f
uture?”

  “I’m not sure. I promised her we’d share custody, but that was before she kidnapped our son. Now I’m not sure she wouldn’t do that again if she got the chance.”

  “If she’s in prison, your son may wish to see his mother sometime in the future and supervised visits might be the way to go,” said Blaine. “She said she took him because she feared you’d never let her see him.”

  “I’m sure the court would set ground rules,” said Santos. “I’ve been in the service all my life and I’m used to following orders. Even if I didn’t like it, Maria would have rights.”

  “As long as you see it that way, sir.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Tuesday, May 12th.

  The Blackmore Agency. Austin.

  BLAINE set his alarm for five a.m. for the drive west to Devil’s Lake. He carefully pushed back the duvet and got out of bed, so he wouldn’t wake Misty. He picked up his clothes and took them into the ensuite to dress. Thinking he was successful in his stealth he was surprised to see the light on in the bedroom and Misty sitting on the side of the bed getting dressed.

  Blaine strode around to her side of the bed. “What’s happening, sweetheart? Why are you getting dressed?”

  She pointed at herself and tried to speak.

  “No, you can’t come with me. It’s too dangerous and too far.”

  She nodded her head and tried to stand up. For a couple of seconds, she stood balancing and then took a step. Blaine caught her as she tilted to one side.

  “I have to go, Mist. The boys are coming early.” He pointed at the bed. “Go back to sleep.”

  “No.” The word came out loud and clear.

  “Okay, no. Can I ask why you want to come?”

  She opened her hand and showed Blaine Avery’s earring.

  “You want to give Avery her earring?”

  Misty nodded.

  “I can do it.” Blaine held out his hand and Misty wouldn’t give it to him. He could feel the tension tightening in the back of his neck. “I have to go. You’re not coming.”

  Misty turned her head with a quick jerk and the bedroom door slammed shut.

  “Oh, we’re playing mind games now, are we?” Blaine was fuming. “Well how about this one?” he hollered at her. “Watch me disappear.”

  He crossed the room, grabbed the door knob and the door wouldn’t open. Furious, he kicked the door with his Harley boot and the dogs howled. “Let me out, Mystere.” His voice had an icy edge to it.

  Misty touched his hair from behind and he jumped.

  Fuck, I hate it when she floats like that. Double fuck. She’s walking.

  She reached down, turned the knob and opened the door.

  “Good one. If you can beat me to the bottom of the stairs you can come.” Blaine took off running in his Harley boots and was sure he’d left her far behind. When he got to the bottom of the stairs she was waiting by the door.

  “I give up.”

  Misty smiled.

  Del Rio. South Texas.

  FARRELL woke next to Avery and gazed at her beautiful face. There was still bruising where that maniac Joey had hit her, but the black and blue was mellowing slightly. He’d slept on top of the quilt hoping she’d feel safe enough to sleep if he was close by, but she hadn’t slept well. He’d awakened several times as she tossed and turned and moaned in her sleep. He grabbed his jeans from the floor and tiptoed outside to have a smoke.

  Jesse was standing by the trailer door in the gray smudge of dawn watching the dogs as they foraged around in the bushes and trees. He had to keep an eye on them in case they picked up an animal scent and ran off like hounds were prone to do. This wasn’t Quantrall land and they didn’t know their way home.

  “How was Miss Avery’s night?” asked Jesse.

  “She moaned and moved around a lot,” said Farrell, “I think she was dreaming.”

  “Probably will be for a while.”

  “What time was Blacky leaving Austin?” asked Farrell.

  “He said extra early so he’s probably on his way now. Give him an hour and I’ll call and see how close they are.”

  “Let’s get some coffee started.” Farrell stamped out his butt and went inside. Jesse whistled for the dogs.

  Uvalde.

  BLAINE BOOTED it out of Austin before daylight with Travis and Fletcher in the back seat and Misty riding shotgun. He’d left Carlos to work on paperwork with Lil. His stitched up arms were still giving him trouble.

  Blaine glanced across the console at Misty wondering why she’d insisted on coming. Luke was right, Misty did have powers that she kept well hidden. When she chose to use them, Blaine was mind-boggled to say the least. He was a scientist and there was no logical explanation for anything Misty did. She lived on a different plane.

  He stopped for gas in Uvalde and the boys stoked up on breakfast sandwiches and coffee. He helped Misty get inside the convenience store to the washroom. She was unsteady on her feet but walking almost on her own.

  Blaine paused in the hallway in front of the ladies’ room. “Are you okay to go in there by yourself?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She pushed him up against the wall and explored his mouth with her tongue and he wanted her right there and then.

  “Jeeze, Mist, this is a convenience store.”

  She mouthed a word. “Convenient.”

  Blaine laughed. “Isn’t it?”

  She is so crazy. Why do I love her so much?

  Another hour on route 90 and they arrived in Del Rio. Blaine programmed the campsite into the GPS and they were minutes away.

  Del Rio. South Texas.

  JESSE AND FARRELL were outside with the dogs when Sheriff Oxford arrived with a deputy driver and behind him was another squad car with three more deputies.

  They piled out and got caught up on the case while they patted the bloodhounds.

  “Blacky will be here shortly and we’ll get started,” said Farrell.

  “Ranger Blackmore is coming to help?” asked Oxford.

  Farrell nodded. “He’s bringing more men.”

  “Excellent,” said Sheriff Oxford. “While we wait, we can drive the lake road, talk to a few campers and get a general feel for where he might be.”

  “Sure, you go ahead. We’ll stay in contact, so we know where everybody is.”

  Sheriff Oxford hadn’t been gone twenty minutes when Blaine arrived. He parked the big black beast, hopped out and came around to lift Misty down from the passenger seat.

  Farrell gave Blaine an inquiring glance as to why Misty was with him and Blaine shrugged. He helped her up the step and into the trailer.

  Farrell followed behind. “I’m amazed that you’re walking, Miss Misty. Sit down at the table and you can have a coffee with Miss Avery. She might have teabags in the cupboard. I’ll have to ask her.”

  Avery came out of the bedroom dressed and looking better. She stared at Misty in wonder. Anyone not used to the far-out gypsy look that was Misty’s norm were usually dazzled by her clothes, her hair and her overall presence.

  “This is Misty,” said Farrell, my brother’s girlfriend.”

  “Hi, Misty,” said Avery. “I’m happy to meet you.”

  Misty nodded and touched her throat.

  “She can’t talk,” said Farrell. “She had an… accident.”

  Blaine held out a hand to Avery. “I’m Blaine, Farrell’s brother.”

  “Thank you for coming,” said Avery.

  “We’re going to get started. “Misty and Avery are with Jesse and Luke. Lock the doors.”

  Luke shuffled to the kitchen with his arm in a sling. “We’ve got the ladies covered.”

  FARRELL took Travis around to the back of the trailer and they started both dogs on the blood spatter on the metal door step. “This is where Red started for me last night,” said Farrell. “I had to leave Bluebelle in the truck and she wasn’t happy.”

  Travis was Bluebelle’s handler and she was his baby. He lean
ed down and hugged her. “How far did Red take you last night?”

  Farrell pointed. “About a quarter way around the lake trail and by then it was pitch dark.”

  “Okay, Bluebelle, do your stuff. We’ll find that murdering bandit.” Travis held the leash loosely while Bluebelle sniffed around the back door and sniffed the blood on the step. As soon as she alerted, both dogs took off running towards the water.

  “Call me when you’ve got a locate,” Blaine said into his earwig and we’ll be there in five.”

  “Roger that, boss.”

  With Bluebell and Travis in the lead they followed the same narrow footpath Farrell had followed the night before. After they’d been jogging behind the dogs for about twenty minutes, Farrell said, “I think this is where I turned around last night. I couldn’t see, but it feels about this far.”

  “Okay, let’s see where Bluebell is going.” The big black and tan rounded two more bends, passed several camp sites and sat down beside a row of kayaks. “You want to rent a kayak, Bluebelle?” asked Travis.

  The kayak rental shop sat on the edge of the lake in a little clearing. A long wooden dock jutted out into the water.

  Farrell handed Travis Red’s leash and tore inside.

  A young man who might have been a high school student stood behind the counter. “Help y’all with something?”

  “Yes. Did somebody rent a kayak last night about dusk?”

  “Nope, but somebody stole one. I was at the cottage next door where my parents live eating dinner and when I came back one was missing.”

  “What color was it?”

  “Are you the robbery police?”

  “Texas Ranger.”

  “For a kayak?”

  Farrell grinned. “Yep, one time only.”

  “Sweet.” He rounded the counter. “Let me see the row and I’ll tell you what color is missing.”

  Farrell followed him to where Travis was standing with the dogs. “The one on the end was purple, I think. Yep, purple.”

  “I need a boat,” said Farrell.

  “Umm…my dad has a boat. Maybe he’d take y’all where you need to go. Let me ask him.”