Out of a Texas Night

by Phyliss Miranda

  The lawmen were greeted by the night dispatcher, Thelma, and Deputy Jessup before Brody headed to the locker room.

  After returning the bottle in the evidence locker and logging in the time, date, and her initials, Avery went back up front. She told Thelma that she and Brody had an appointment but didn’t volunteer any specifics.

  When Avery saw Brody come out of the locker room dressed in civilian clothes, she couldn’t help but draw in a deep breath. With tight Wrangler jeans on that fit like the gloves they wore to investigate a scene and a starched white cowboy-cut shirt that fit him about the same, a warm glow flooded her body. He wore his usual cowboy boots and Stetson.

  He headed out the back toward the parking lot.

  Suddenly, she realized she had not allowed thoughts of Houston and her partner’s murder to be the norm for her instead of the exception. However, nary a day passed without her thinking about the incident, but much of the horrific part had begun taking a backseat to the good memories—probably because of how busy she had been. She closed her eyes and couldn’t help but think that the word incident seemed way too inconsequential for such an earthshaking event in their lives. And she’d still have to testify in the trial, if the perp was ever found and arrested.

  One thing for certain, she’d never allow herself to become close to another partner. Never again. Even if he wore tight-fittin’ jeans.

  Avery went out the front, waving at Thelma, who was on the phone. She rounded the building to where Brody waited for her.

  “We need to change cars. Mine is—”

  “I’m only three blocks from here on Arrington Street. Will that be faster?”

  “Sure.”

  In just a few minutes, he pulled up in front of her parents’ house. She had already found car keys, and before he could get close enough to open the door for her, she tossed the keychain to him and headed to a fiftieth anniversary white Mustang.

  “You drive, since we’re on a date.” She laughed out loud, thinking about the untruthfulness of her statement.

  “It’s been a while since I’ve driven a Mustang on a stakeout, but then this really isn’t one, just a meeting.” There was something warm and enchanting in his words, not to mention the smile he gave her. “I figured we’d take one of the unmarked cars.”

  “Yeah, I know we both loved Pumpkin’s Equinox so much that I can almost see tears in your eyes because you are forced to drive my car.”

  “Who can turn down a Mustang?” He wiped away a fake tear.

  She waited until they were pretty far away from her parents’ house before asking about his CI. He filled her in, reminding her that this particular CI was only one of several around since he’d been involved in the special crimes unit and spent a lot of his time undercover. He figured the call was about the drug traffic but couldn’t guarantee it. Since Avery hadn’t been around town much as an adult, few transient people stopping off I-40 or truck drivers would put two and two together and realize they were both from the sheriff’s department.

  Sure enough when they arrived at their destination, the CI had parked her car far from the door.

  When they entered, out of the corner of Avery’s eye she spied Vicky sitting in the same booth as earlier in the day.

  With his hand flat on the middle of Avery’s back, Brody guided her to a corner table where they could see Vicky but she couldn’t see them. The booth was only steps away from the cash register, just as he had been instructed.

  Brody pulled out two menus that were squeezed between the wall and the napkin holder. “Whatcha want, honey?” He smiled at her with one of those type of smiles that would melt a woman’s heart when it was ten degrees below zero.

  “I think I only want some iced tea. How about you, sweet thing?”

  “Coffee.” He folded up his menu, then hers. “You’ll be sorry that you missed the omelet.”

  Before they could order, Vicky walked up to the cash register, laid out some ones, then as if she’d just noticed Brody and Avery, she stepped over to their table. Laying her hands flat on the edge, she spoke loud enough that the traffic on I-40 was drowned out. “Mr. Sheriffman, I know you said you’d find something to haul me in on but sticking around here watching is a waste of taxpayers’ money. So get off my case, or I’ll call your boss, the mayor, or somebody about how you’re mistreating me. I’m just a girl making an honest living, that’s all, and you’re invading my privacy.” The more she talked the closer her right hand slid toward Brody’s. “I might hire a lawyer and sue somebody, so get off my case. I don’t have anything to hide.” She turned to Avery. “I don’t know how you can stand to be around this jerk except he must have something somewhere you like a whole lot.” As any good undercover cop would do, she dropped her eyes to his lap.

  Vicky stumbled around much better than earlier in the day before she ran into the front door being opened by a truck driver, who profusely apologized then asked to help her to her car.

  Avery lowered her voice to a whisper, “And what was that all about?”

  Brody barely opened his left hand enough so she could see the piece of paper. He stuffed the note in his pants pocket. He waited long enough for the waitress to set glasses of water in front of them. He then told her they weren’t quite ready to order yet. When she was out of earshot, he said to Avery, “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be back in a minute.” He scooted out of the booth and went into the nearby men’s room.

  A number of thoughts passed through Avery’s mind, but one thing was certain: Brody’s CI wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble without important information about a case.

  Avery saw Brody exit the restroom entrance and obvious to her, he saw everything around him without turning his head. Brody neared the table but didn’t sit down, just leaned in and said in a very low voice, “Looks like this could be the break we’ve been waiting for. I’ve got work to do tonight, so if you’re tired I can take you home.” He took a sip of water. “I’ve got to meet her at the roadside park east of here.”

  “No way am I staying behind. Not after the smile Vicky gave you.” She shot him a meek and shy smile of her own. “I’ve been out of the field way too long. Between meeting with Teg and this, my heart is beating out of control and my adrenaline is rushing like Niagara Falls.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to eat? Our meeting isn’t for another forty-five minutes.” He dropped some cash on the table. “And it isn’t that far.”

  “I couldn’t eat a bite. Let’s just go out there and walk around a bit. Get the lay of the land. That’s what I like to do when I’m meeting someone, even a CI who I trust, in an area I’m not familiar with.” She latched on to Brody’s arm. “Our housekeeper and cook, Jennie, will have plenty of leftovers. By the stature of my father, it’s plain he was raised not to leave any food on his plate.” She allowed a trace of laughter in her voice.

  She got to the car first and opened his door for him. In return, he shot her a wicked smile that set her blood boiling.

  The way he settled into the driver’s bucket seat definitely made her acutely conscious of his tall, athletic physique. A build she’d expect from a college football player who kept himself in great physical shape. When he shifted his arms to turn on the engine, the rich outline of his shoulder strained against the fabric of his shirt. She couldn’t help but wonder if his broad shoulders ever got tired of the burden they carried.

  She rounded the car and got in.

  Just to stay busy, Avery riffled through her purse. She couldn’t help but think that one of the first things she had been taught in the academy was to meet any confidential informant in the most public place as possible or somewhere you designate, that you’re familiar with and is not secluded. After all, every CI had a history, which typically made the majority not always the most trustworthy people on this earth. On the other side of the coin, each handler had to know their CI very well and trust
them totally while staying alert to their every move and every word that came out of their mouth.

  Not much unlike the way she had to have faith in Brody.

  Avery had to trust Brody enough to believe he knew what he was doing to agree to meet Vicky at a place of her choice...in a highway rest stop surrounded with trees and brush.

  Shortly they were on the road to being part of a huge drug bust or being set up.

  Chills ran through her veins at the choice.

  Chapter 17

  Once Brody pulled into the lot of the roadside park, with better lighting than most GreenMarts, he and Avery settled on one of the concrete benches. He sat facing the traffic, leaned back with both elbows on the picnic table, and stretched his legs out in front of him.

  As he’d expect, Avery opted to use a cop’s training and instinct and sat next to him facing the path that ran along a small stream. She didn’t fool him in the least; she was doing exactly as one officer would do for another...always having the other’s back.

  Neither said anything for the longest time, but he got the impression that Avery might finally be decompressing and putting her very long, busy day behind her.

  “This really is quiet and peaceful, although I feel guilty knowing we’re working a case,” she finally said. “How did you get involved with this CI?”

  “It’s kinda a long story. She’s actually now an undercover cop, but that came after she was arrested for being in a car with under an ounce of marijuana on her. Not enough to send her to the hoosegow except for one night, but enough to cause her plenty of grief. She swore she didn’t know she had it and I believed her.” He roped his arms to his side and looked up at Avery, the prettiest woman he believed he’d ever seen.

  Back to business, mister!

  “Anyway, I was convinced she was set up. I saw something in her and we worked out a deal with the DA. Her records were sealed and she became my CI. Since the offense was not only minor but sealed as a juvenile, she later applied to the police academy—and with a lot of politicking, she became a valuable asset to the department.”

  “So you call her a CI, although she’s really a UC.” She shook her head as if she didn’t believe him and moved around to straddle the bench.

  “Now before you start in on me, that’s what she wants when she’s working out in the field. She doesn’t want to be referred to as an undercover cop. So far it’s served the special task force very well in the case called Harbor Crew. That’s the code name given to the cartel moving drugs up from Mexico. We know they are coming across I-40, which of course runs coast to coast, but we can’t put all the pieces together. We’re getting closer.” He shrugged.

  “What makes you think that?”

  “As you know, the interstate branches off east of here going up north or eastwardly to Dallas, thus leading to a number of major drug hub cities. A thoroughfare to many distribution points.”

  “Do you think someone local is a middleman to the big fish in this part of Texas?” She rested her hand on his knee.

  “Don’t know.” Just the heat from her palm through the denim of his jeans might as well be a scorching iron on his skin. He gathered his thoughts, which was harder than he thought it’d be. “If you have any ideas, let me know. This is such a big business that we know it’s taking a lot of brainpower and manipulation behind it. No dummy is running this part of the operation. It’s much too complicated.” He needed to think, so to pass the time, he smiled at Avery. “Hey, tell me more about yourself.”

  “Of course. I haven’t been back in town except for a few days here and there since I left for college. The area has changed so much that I hardly know anyone. After Daddy spent a zillion dollars for me to get an Ivy League education and I turned around and went into law enforcement, Mama’s never been all that happy with me. She certainly has never mistreated me or anything. I love her with all my heart and soul, but being a cop isn’t what she envisioned for her cute little debutante in a tutu.” She curled his fingers into fists and then stretched them out before laying her hand back on his knee.

  “Let’s go for a walk.” He got up and put out his hand and took hers to help her up but never let go. They sauntered down a path along a small stream. “You know that we can’t always please our folks, so we’ve got to do what we know is best for us in our heart. I’m gonna tell you something, I’ve never confessed to anyone. Sometimes I feel like Tarzan after I’ve done something really worthwhile to prevent a murder or arrest a group on organized crime charges. Or even simply when we close a case and I know nobody else will get hurt, plus we are successful in getting drugs or weapons off the street.” He dropped her hand and rolled both hands into fists, pounded his chest, and bellowed out, “Me Tarzan, you Jane.”

  His antics sent Avery laughing so hard that she leaned down and placed her hands on her knees. Then she suddenly stood upright and beat her chest. “No. Me Sheriff Tarzan, you—oops, Jane doesn’t sound right. How about you John?” She laughed so much that she stumbled on a rock, and he caught her around the waist before she hit the ground.

  Pulling her into his arms and giving his heart a chance to settle down, he said, “Okay, John is fine with me.”

  With all the laughter gone from her, and he suspected a tad of being embarrassed that she had nearly fallen as well, she whispered, “No, you Tarzan because you saved me.”

  Before he knew what was happening he pulled her tighter against him, drilling her ample breasts into his chest. Being as she was almost as tall as him, they were nearly eye to eye, and he saw what he hoped was a wish for a kiss. He was more than ready to oblige the lady.

  Slowly she ran a finger along his lower lip before extending all of her fingers over his five o’clock shadow, caressing it like she would a baby’s cheek. Her touch was soft, desirable, making the air around them feel like they were on a Gulf beach on a hundred-degree day instead of along a small stream in the Texas Panhandle.

  Brody allowed himself the luxury of a chain of kisses down her neck. Ending up capturing her lips, he pulled her closer, tighter. Undoubtedly, she was one of the sexiest women he’d ever met in his life.

  As he parted her lips, her hands imprisoned the back of his head. He glided his fingers down her back and planted his hand firmly on her behind, bringing her to him and his show of desire. He devoured her mouth with deep, sweeping strokes of his tongue. She joined hers to his and their tongues danced as their bodies melted together in a sacred union.

  In the distance, he heard the sound of a car engine as it turned into the parking lot. No doubt Vicky had arrived for their meeting.

  He let go of Avery and kissed her lightly on her forehead. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  As she straightened her blouse and ran her fingers through her hair, she said, “No reason to be sorry. I contributed my share. However, I think we both need to review the department’s so-called policy on nepotism.” She raised an eyebrow and kissed him on the cheek. “That’s pretty far down on my list of priorities right now. But we can’t make a habit of this.”

  “To hell with nepotism. That was business, the other half of a kiss you still owed me from the Spring Festival.” He lied like a driver being pulled over for a DUI. But oh well, a falsehood was little repentance for his enjoyment. And, he had taken pleasure in their few minutes together, if her body wasn’t telling an untruth.

  “You’re lying.” She gave him a light slug to the upper arm. “It’s called n-e-p-o-t-i-s-m! Circumstances have changed since the festival.”

  He chose to act like he ignored the meaning behind her comments, although he’d thought about the policy he presumed was discussed in the meeting Scott had called him out of. He wondered if a kiss was part of favoritism, so he said, “That’s a pretty embroidered eyelet blouse you have on.”

  “I’ve never known a man who used the words ‘embroidered’ and ‘eyelet’ together or even s
eparate. Most don’t know embroidery from fishing line,” she said as they walked toward the bench where Vicky had settled in.

  “You’ve never raised a little sister without a mother to help out, have you?”

  “No. I’m an only child, but that seems to be something I’d like to hear about when we do have show-and-tell time.”

  They reached Vicky before he could think of a comeback except to hell with the telling, let’s go to the showing!

  Vicky stood up and turned their direction.

  “Glad to get your note, Vicky,” Brody said, then raised an arm toward Avery. “I don’t think you’ve officially met Sheriff Humphrey.”

  Vicky extended her hand, “Nice to meet you, Sheriff.”

  As they shook hands, Avery said, “I’m the interim sheriff and will be until either Deuce gets to where he can return as sheriff or the next election. Please call me Avery. I’d appreciate it.”

  “Thanks, Avery. I’ve heard a lot about you from those around town and trust me you no doubt will be a major asset to Bonita County. The county would have never hired you if you didn’t know what you are doing.”

  “Brody filled me in on you, and I believe you are a true success story yourself,” Avery said.

  Brody enjoyed the sensual, yet proficient smile the sheriff gave him.

  “Okay, enough of the I’ll up you and you can up me stuff. I’m dying to find out what you know, Vic.” He shot a smile to one lady, then the other.

  Brody took a seat next to Vicky, while Avery sat across the concrete table. A soft breath of a warm breeze favored them.

  “I’ve been hanging around that truck stop for a couple of months now, and something isn’t right but I can’t put my finger on it yet. Maybe you can, since you have family in the catering business.”