by Carolina Mac
“We don’t. We’re handing security back to Gene Wyman and heading for home.”
“Why would we do that?” asked Farrell. “We just got another murder dumped on us.”
“We were told to tie up the loose ends and go home.”
“Somebody knows something we don’t.”
“That’s my guess. Drop me at the front entrance. I’ll go talk to Doctor Rodriguez.”
GINNY RODRIGUEZ was eating breakfast alone in her suite when Blaine interrupted her. She welcomed him in and offered him a cup of coffee.
“Thanks so much for the coffee. I haven’t had time for any yet this morning, and I’m a caffeine junkie.”
She sat down opposite him at the table wearing a pink satin robe. “Busy morning? Something happening that I should know about?”
“Yes, and yes.” He gave her all the details he had on the man found at the golf course.
“If he was perched on the water tank does that indicate he was a sniper, waiting for me to come out of the building? That’s what I’m reading into it. Correct me if I’m wrong.”
“I don’t think you’re wrong, and I believe as soon as I connect him to the person who hired him, all of this will be over.”
“But it’s not over yet?”
“It’s over for me,” said Blaine. “here in Sonora. But I’ll be finishing up at headquarters. I’ve been recalled. So someone believes you are safe, or will be by the end of the day. I’ll speak to Mr. Wyman before I leave.”
“This is a travel day for us. Very little exposure.”
Blaine stood up and secured his single crutch. “Good luck on the rest of your campaign. From what I’ve seen from your supporters, it should be a cakewalk.”
She smiled. “Loved having you around, Blaine. I’ve read a lot about your work in violent crime with past Governor’s—especially Scott Richardson—and if I make it to the Governor’s mansion in Austin, you can expect to hear from me.”
Blaine smiled back at her. “It will be my pleasure, Ginny.”
BLAINE LIMPED back to the RV hoping to find a pot of coffee on the stove. He was half way around the hotel, moving at a snail’s pace across the parking lot, when a big biker jogged across the asphalt and straddled his bike. Blaine nodded as he limped past and the biker said something he didn’t hear. He stopped, turned and took a couple steps closer.
“You with the guys in the RV?” he asked.
“Yep. Can I help you with something?”
“Don’t think anybody can help me. The question sounds crazy even to me and I’m the one asking it.”
“What’s the question?” asked Blaine. “Try me.”
“Last night, did any of you guys see a gorgeous black-haired biker on a turquoise Harley?”
“Annie was here?” He blurted it out before he could stop himself.
Shit, I shouldn’t have said that to a stranger.
“Jesus, man. You fuckin know her?”
“Uh huh.”
“All I wanted was… well I wanted too much and came on too strong. I would have settled for a drink.”
“And?”
“She cold-cocked me with her rifle. I had such a fuckin headache when I woke up with my ride on top of me,” his hand went to the swelling on the side of his head, “I booked a room and slept all night.”
“Interesting story.” Blaine balanced on his crutch and lit up a Marlborough.
“So, you gonna help me out or not?”
“Help you with what?”
“Give me her number, or like that?”
Blaine smiled. “After she hit you?”
The big biker chuckled, and he reminded Blaine of somebody. He couldn’t think who.
“Yeah, I know I’m an idiot, but I liked her. A lot.”
Blaine eyed the guy’s cut. “You best forget about her and get back to Vegas.”
“Fuck, can everybody in Texas recognize my club?”
“Some of us can.”
“You with a club, buddy?”
“A more powerful club than The Rule.”
The biker’s eyes narrowed, and his lip curled. “Yeah, like who would that be?”
“Texas Rangers.” Blaine reached for his creds.
“Fuck, I’m out of here.”
TRAVIS STOOD at the stove with his eyes on a sizzling frying pan of bacon and eggs when Blaine finally made it to the RV. Breakfast was cooking and it smelled good. Blaine was close to starving, and besides thinking about his growling stomach, he was still thinking about his weird conversation with the biker.
Why was Annie in Sonora last night and what did it mean?
He sat down at the table, pushed the crutches towards Farrell and eyed the carafe of coffee. “Could somebody pour me a coffee? I’m dying here.”
“Sure, boss,” said Travis, “food coming your way too. Some of us have already eaten. Just you and Farrell haven’t. Where did y’all go so early?”
Farrell filled Travis and Jack in on the sniper story and ended by saying, “We’re done here. We’re going home.”
Travis shook his head. “We can’t do that. What if we abandon Ginny and there’s more trouble?”
“Her security detail is competent,” said Blaine, “and we have our orders. We’re to clear up the unfinished details and we can do that better at DPS. I’ve already spoken to Doctor Rodriguez and she knows we’re leaving.”
Travis set plates of fried eggs and bacon in front of Farrell and Blaine. He walked two steps back to the counter and popped down four slices of bread. “I ain’t going, boss. Tell you right now, I’m staying with her until I’m convinced the danger has passed.”
Blaine nodded. “Do what you have to do, Trav. Go fill Wyman in on what’s happening, then talk to Doctor Rodriguez. If you change your mind, do it within the hour.”
The toast popped up and Travis ignored it. He turned and jogged towards the bedroom he was sharing with Jack. “I’ll get my stuff.”
ANNIE SLEPT a little later than usual after her long ride home from Sonora. She had a quick shower and dressed for the hospital. Her cell was ringing somewhere close by, but she couldn’t remember where she’d left it. She dumped her purse on the bed and there it was.
“Hey, sweetheart, coming home soon?”
“Why would you think I was coming home, Mom?”
“Why are you sounding so testy? It was just a question because I miss you.”
“You could have dropped in for a visit last night. I heard you were in Sonora.”
“What?” She rubbed a hand over her heart.
“A guy from The Rule talked to me this morning and he described you and your bike perfectly. What were you doing in the parking lot of my hotel?”
Annie inhaled a breath and made a decision.
I’m not lying to my son any longer.
“Looking for the sniper’s truck.”
“Fuck, Mom. Why are you doing this behind my back? I knew it was you in Round Rock. You could have told me.”
“I was told not to.”
“Jesus Christ, I don’t want you doing shit like this. You could get hurt and then I would fuckin die—I can’t take it.”
“That’s why he didn’t want you to know. Oh, baby, don’t be so sad. I’ll stop if you want me to. It’s a good time for me to quit anyways. I want to take care of Jesse when he comes home from the hospital.”
“Is he coming to the ranch?”
“I doubt it. I’ll stay at Quantrall if he lets me.”
“Do you think he’ll ask you, after… you know?”
“He wants me with him in the hospital every day, so I’m hoping.”
“I hope so too, Mom. Honest, I do.”
“Don’t let on to anybody that you know about the wet work, sugar. You’re not supposed to know.”
“Because I would’ve vetoed it from day one. That’s why.”
“That might be the reason.”
“Trust me. That’s the reason.”
“The case should wrap now. You can ma
ke an arrest.”
“I need evidence.”
“Some will turn up.”
JESSE WAS PROPPED up a little in his hospital bed when Annie arrived, and that pasty-gray death look had all but vanished. He brightened when she came through the door and gave her a smile. “Hey, Ace, did you bring me something to read?”
Annie dumped a bag of magazines—Guns and Ammo, several horse periodicals and a few paperbacks—mostly true crime—on the bed beside him. “You should find a couple of things there you like.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. I’m getting bored, but I think that means I’m getting better.”
“You’ll be out of here soon. A couple more days before the warden lets you go home.”
“Brian has been testy, and I’m sorry about that, but he’s being extra careful. He said it was a close call.”
She plopped down in the chair next to the bed, her wild mane of hair half covering her face. “I know it was close, and I don’t want him taking chances with your recovery. Has he talked about hiring a nurse when you go home?”
“He mentioned it more than once, but I’m not keen on that idea. I can manage. Ty will help me with Charity.”
“What if I brought Jackson and stayed with you and the baby for a couple of weeks?”
Jesse said nothing as he processed the idea and Annie took it as a bad sign. He would have said yes right away if it was something he wanted. “I… I’m not sure.”
She fought back the tears and tried not to let him see how disappointed she was. “It’s okay. I just thought I’d offer.”
“A lovely offer, Ace, and I appreciate it. I do. Let me think about it, okay?”
JACK SLID BEHIND the wheel of Blaine’s diesel to drive back to Austin. Travis had opted out of the trip home, and possibly opted out of his job as well. Blaine was pissed and hadn’t decided what the call should be. The big marine was struggling with a lot of personal issues and battling scars he’d incurred on the job. Blaine couldn’t overlook how much physical suffering Travis had endured in the so-called line of duty. Was the day-to-day battle against the pain screwing with his head? Travis was always the first one to put his life on the line for his partners.
I’ll give him a day or two.
Jack took the ramp for the interstate with Farrell piloting the big RV behind. Lily was riding with Farrell and Mary today, maybe slightly down in the doldrums about Travis staying with the candidate.
Who knew what women were thinking?
“This wasn’t a good one for you, boss,” said Jack. “You should have been at home on the sofa with the remote these past few days.”
“Guess it was a test, Jack. See what I’m made of.”
“I think you passed, but I’m glad we’re done with that political grind. I’ve had more fun at the dentist.”
Blaine laughed at Jack. “What do you guys do for fun? Haven’t seen you living it up much since you came on the job in Austin.”
“Don’t date much. Hard to have a relationship when we move around so much. Now that we’re kind of settled in with you as your permanent backup, opportunities might open up.”
“You guys train at the farm?”
Jack nodded and didn’t elaborate. “What about you?”
“Nothing formal. I learned to survive on the streets of Odessa running with a gang when my parents died, then when Annie rescued me, she taught me everything I needed to know about firearms.”
“I heard you were inquiring about your father?”
Blaine raised an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? I was—I am. I’m looking at it from a different angle now, and I want to dig into it, but haven’t had the time yet.”
“After we wrap this one up, take some down time. For your leg and for personal stuff.”
“Personal,” Blaine mumbled, “Misty is pissed at me.”
Jack laughed. “Pretty girl. She’ll get over it.”
“Maybe I can fix it right now.” Blaine pulled out his cell and called. “Hey, sweetheart, I’m on my way home. How about Tulley’s at seven?”
“Oh, today? I’m so excited. I’ll take a long bubble bath and wear something sexy. Can’t wait to see you.”
Jack looked across the console to hear the results. “Well?”
Blaine grinned. “She sounds happy.”
THE CLOUD of depression Jesse was so familiar with in the past, descended from a stormy place on high and settled on his shoulders after Annie left his hospital room. He wrestled with the question in his mind and couldn’t let himself rest until he’d made a decision. He loved Annie with all his heart, but could he take a chance on her again? His life was on the line and he needed every moment of his life to raise his daughter.
Brian opened the door and quietly entered the room. He checked his watch when he saw his brother was awake. “You should be sleeping. Aren’t the meds working?”
Jesse shrugged.
Brian sat in the guest chair beside the bed after glancing at the monitor. Something he never did. “Your readings are way off, Jesse. I’m aware that you think my desire to keep Annie away from you is based on some personal issue I have with her, but I assure you, it isn’t. You are my patient and I’ll always say and do what’s best for you and let the chips fall.”
“Ace offered to move to Quantrall for a couple of weeks when I go home and take care of me.”
Brian said nothing, waiting for Jesse to finish his thought.
“I’m getting stronger but you and I both know I’m not out of the woods. However long I have, six months or six years, I want to be there for my daughter. There is only one choice for me and I have to choose Charity. She’s my responsibility. What’s upsetting me,” he tilted his head towards the monitor, “is how to tell Annie, no.”
Brian nodded. “According to what the mean red machine is telling me, you can’t go down that road yourself. Either I will tell her, as gently as I can, or Ty can do it.”
Jesse turned his head, so Brian wouldn’t see the tears. “Ty better do it.”
ROSALIE LEFT for the day and Annie finished clearing up the kitchen after dinner. She was lonely without a man in her life. Declan wasn’t coming back any time soon with his mother needing him, and Jesse was afraid to give her another chance. She’d read it in his face when she’d offered to move to Quantrall. Her life was empty, and she had no one to thank but herself.
Her cell signaled a text and she picked it up from the granite island. Tyler.
“Want to go to Boots for a beer?”
“No thanks. I know what you have to tell me, and I don’t want to hear it.”
“Maybe we could have a beer anyway. Might make you feel better.”
“No thanks.”
She put Jackson to bed and read him two stories. He went straight to sleep, always tired from playing outdoors all day. The house was almost silent as she undressed and slipped on her nightshirt. She crawled into bed, propped pillows up behind her and turned on the flat screen on the bedroom wall.
Two minutes into a rerun of Criminal Minds her cell rang.
“No, Ty, I’m not going out,” she mumbled as she checked the screen.
Unknown caller.
“This is Linc. Have I got the right Annie?”
Damn it. He has my number.
“You sure don’t.” She pressed end.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
BLAINE WOKE in his room at the estate and it didn’t feel any more like home than it had since he moved there. This wasn’t his house and he needed to go home for a lot of reasons.
His dinner with Misty the night before had gone well up to a point. She loved Tulley’s and seemed happy he was home. She didn’t bring up moving into his old Victorian and for that he was grateful. He planned to spend the night with her, but his leg was kicking up more pain than usual and he couldn’t do it. She made no secret of her disappointment, but there was no help for it.
I have to have it checked out at the hospital.
Carm hugged him in the kitchen before he sat down at the tab
le. He’d come in late from Misty’s the night before, but when Carm heard him, she’d gotten out of bed, hugged him tightly in the hallway and cried.
He propped his crutches against the wall and eased down into a chair. Carm never took her black eyes off him. He pointed to the chair on the other side of the table and she nodded. Before she sat down, Carm turned the heat down on the stove and brought him a mug of coffee. She always brewed the Panamanian blend he couldn’t live without. The cream was already on the table along with his place setting.
In Spanish, Blaine began. “I want to go home. This place is nice, but it doesn’t feel right. What do you think?”
She smiled and nodded. “Si, it’s time to go home.”
CHIEF CALHOUN grinned when Blaine and Farrell showed up with large containers of Starbuck’s coffee. “Hey, I’ve missed my boys, and I missed good coffee too. Can’t say that I haven’t. Good to see you boys home safe and sound.” He nodded towards Blaine’s leg. “Almost sound.”
“I’ve got to get it checked today. I have an appointment in an hour. I’m overdue on that front.”
The Chief sifted through a few things on his desk. “Okay, we won’t waste time. Let’s see what we’ve got from Sonora.”
“Did they find a vehicle?” asked Blaine.
“Yep. Parked behind the clubhouse overnight and the manager said it didn’t belong to any of the employees. The Arkansas tag on the truck is all we’ve got to go on for ID. No prints in the system. The pickup was registered to a Cal Durbin—may or may not be his real name—and there’s a street address in Texarkana.”
“If he borrowed the truck, that might not even be him,” said Farrell. “Need to check it out.”
“The interesting part comes from the lab. The shooter had a burner phone in his pocket with only one phone number in it. A number belonging to Mr. Russell Parr, one of the other candidates.”
“Fantastic,” said Blaine. “We can bring Parr in for questioning now.” He leaned forward and tapped on the Chief’s desk with his finger as his thoughts came together. “Let’s transport the guy that Laredo PD is holding and play him and Parr off against each other. We might shake something loose.”
