Out of Time

by Shirlee McCoy

  There would be time to explore their relationship, but now wasn’t it.

  Now was the time for finding the man who’d shot her and making sure he paid for it.

  EIGHTEEN

  “See you tomorrow must be man-speak for you’re on your own, kid,” Susannah muttered as she eased a silky shirt over thick bandages and buttoned it.

  Six days since Levi had uttered those words, and she still hadn’t seen him.

  She’d talked to him.

  Talked to him plenty.

  He’d called every day, kept her updated on preparations for the opening ceremony, kept her abreast of new leads in the investigation into the shooting.

  He’d done everything but come for a visit.

  Which was fine.

  Susannah had kept busy. Her personal physician might have forbidden her from returning to work, but she’d kept in contact with her coworkers, made sure that the security plans she’d created were being implemented.

  It wasn’t easy taking a backseat after months of planning, but she’d done it, and now she was going to the Alamo. She might not be able to be part of the security team, but Jeremy Camp, who’d taken over as lead security officer, had promised she’d have access to the ceremony. She’d sit in the audience, relax and pray that things went off without a hitch.

  She grabbed her purse, walked to the foyer.

  Open the door.

  Walk outside.

  Enjoy the day.

  It should have been easy.

  It wasn’t.

  Aside from a trip to her doctor, she’d spent the past few days hunkered down and healing. Doctor’s orders, and she’d followed them to a T. Had let them be her excuse, but they couldn’t be her excuse forever.

  She opened the door, her heart racing, her palms sweaty, everything inside screaming danger. But there was no danger, just gorgeous golden dawn and silvery blue sky and a truck parked across the street from her house. A man staring at her. Handsome face. Clean-shaven. Vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him.

  He opened the door, got out of the truck, calling to her when she would have gone back inside and slammed the door.

  “Ms. Jorgenson?” He knew her name, but that didn’t mean he was a friend. She moved closer to the door, ready for a quick escape if she needed one.

  “Yes.”

  “Lieutenant Daniel Riley. Texas Rangers, Company D. We met briefly a few days ago when you and Levi were chasing down a blue Mitsubishi.” He pulled a wallet form the pocket of his suit jacket, let her take a long look at his ID.

  “That’s right. I remember. What can I do for you, Lieutenant Riley?”

  “I’m here to escort you to the Alamo.”

  “That’s not necessary.”

  “Levi thinks it is, and since he’s caught up in security prep, he asked me to make sure you arrived safely.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I’d rather drive there myself.”

  “I wouldn’t call it an offer. Levi has threatened my very life and limb if I don’t bring you directly to the Alamo. I’m afraid, Ms. Jorgenson, that’s exactly what I’m going to have to do.”

  “Lieu—” Her cell phone rang, and Daniel motioned for her to answer it.

  She did so quickly, never taking her eyes off Lieutenant Riley. He carried a badge and probably a gun, but that didn’t make him one of the good guys. “Hello?”

  “Are you giving my friend trouble?” Levi’s voice was smooth as melted chocolate and twice as decadent.

  “You shouldn’t have sent him here.”

  “I would have come myself, but I needed to be on-site. There’s a small memorial service planned for ten this morning. A way to honor Daniel’s father, Robert Riley. It’s very private and very quiet.” Robert Riley had been a much-loved and vital part of the San Antonio community, and the Alamo anniversary celebration had been dedicated to him.

  “I remember. The ceremony is immediately following the memorial.”

  “And since Daniel is attending both, I knew it wouldn’t be a problem for him to stop and give you a ride.”

  “You still shouldn’t have sent him here. I’m perfectly capable of driving myself.”

  “It’s not about being capable. It’s about being safe.”

  “I’ve been safe for six days. Why would anyth—”

  “I hate to cut the argument short, but we need to get moving. The traffic is going to be bad, and I don’t want to be late,” Daniel cut in, looking more amused than rushed.

  “I have to go, Levi.”

  “I’ll see you when you get here.”

  “I’m not sure I’m going to—” But he’d already disconnected, and Susannah tossed the phone into her bag, frowning as she pulled the front door closed and locked it.

  “All set?” Daniel asked, and she nodded.

  “I’m really sorry about this. I know you have more important things to do with your time.”

  “If I did, I wouldn’t be here.” He smiled as he helped her into the truck. “I’ll be helping with security later. For now, I’m just going to sit and listen to people’s memories of my father.”

  “You must miss him terribly.”

  “We weren’t close, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate what others have to say about him.” He pulled out onto the road, navigating the seven miles to the Alamo quickly. Traffic had already backed up on Alamo Street, and Daniel eased into a restricted parking area, pulling his truck in next to a black Cadillac.

  Banners decorated streetlights and potted flowers lined the path leading to the Alamo, and Susannah could feel the excitement of it thrumming through her veins, feel her heartbeat mixing with the cacophony of noise, the pulse of San Antonio.

  Policemen formed human barricades, blocking the crowd that pressed in to watch the motorcade of VIPs. Daniel showed his ID, and Susannah followed him to the Alamo Chapel, inhaling the scent of age and history as she walked into the cool building.

  It was quiet there, several dozen people sitting in rows of chairs that faced a podium.

  “Daniel!” A slim, pretty woman ran toward them, throwing her arms around Susannah’s escort and offering a kind smile. Melora Hudson. This time Susannah had no trouble recognizing the woman.

  “Susannah, I’m so glad you’re feeling better. I couldn’t believe it when I heard you’d been shot! I was so inspired by your confident presentation to the Alamo Planning Committee, and I really hope we’ll have you back working to secure the Alamo soon.”

  “The doctor thinks I’ll be able to go back in a couple of weeks.”

  “Good. We need more people like you here. It’s such a wonderful testimony to the history of our state and our people. It really does need to be protected.”

  “I agree.”

  “Agree with what?” Levi rumbled, and Susannah turned to face him, her breath catching in her throat, her heart skipping a beat. Dark slacks encased long, muscular legs. A white dress shirt hugged a perfectly carved chest. A navy tie. A Ranger’s badge. Deep brown eyes that welcomed her to look again and again and again.

  He was gorgeous. Drop-dead, too-handsome-for-his-own-good gorgeous.

  “Wow.” She didn’t realize she’d spoken aloud until he smiled, the slow easy grin making her stomach flutter.

  “Did you miss me?”

  “How could I when you called me every day?” she whispered as Daniel and Melora took their seats.

  “Well, I missed you.” His smile slipped away, his hands curving around her waist as he tugged her closer.

  She went. Easily. Happily. Straight into his arms.

  He smelled of fresh air and aftershave, and everything she loved most in life, and she could have stayed there forever.

  “How’s the shoulder?”

  “Better.”

  “I hear Chad is recovering, too.”

  “He has a longer road ahead of him, but they took him off the ventilator, and he’s finally able to talk.”

  “Any memory of what happened?”
/>   “None.”

  “We’ve been coming up blank, too. No fingerprints on the keys, no luck with the florists and so far all the Alamo Rangers have passed their polygraphs.”

  “Everyone agreed to test, right?”

  “A few have been difficult to pin down. Anyone who hasn’t tested yet isn’t working today.”

  “Good.” She glanced around, noting several familiar faces and a few that were missing

  Soft music began to play as the memorial service began, and Levi leaned down, warm breath tickling her ear as he spoke.

  “Go ahead and have a seat. I’m working outside for the next couple of hours. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” There he went again, with that melted-chocolate voice, and Susannah melted with it, her body leaning toward him, craving contact, longing for it.

  His slow smile said he knew exactly what she was thinking, exactly what she was feeling, and her cheeks heated. “Go ahead. I wouldn’t want to keep you from your job.”

  “See you in a few minutes.” He grinned and walked away, leaving Susannah with nothing but her thoughts.

  Was see you in a few minutes the same as see you tomorrow?

  A half hour passed as a dozen people shared memories about Robert Riley. A minute of silence, and the group was dismissed to go to the garden for the opening ceremony.

  Susannah filed out with the rest of the group, was just nearing the garden when a scream rent the air. Another scream followed the first, and Susannah raced toward the sound, following a half dozen Rangers who were converging on the Houston Gate.

  They flung it open, spilling out into the street, and Susannah went with them, her heart stopping when she saw a man standing in the middle of the road, a woman held close to his side, a gun pressed to her temple.

  “Open the border, Senator. Open the border, Mr. Vice President. Open the border, Governor Kingston. Open the border now! I demand it. The people demand it!” he shrieked, flailing the gun, his eyes wild.

  “Sir, put down the gun. Release the woman.” Levi approached from the left, his voice soothing and easy. If anyone could talk the guy out of murder, Levi could do it.

  If anyone could.

  If was the part that scared Susannah.

  She sidled closer as Levi continued to speak in gentle tones. If she could just get close enough, she might be able to disarm the man.

  “Stay put.” Oliver Drew grabbed her arm, yanking her back, the force enough to jolt her wounded shoulder. The pain was intense, her eyes flooding with tears as she struggled to catch her breath, clear her thinking.

  “No need to get rough,” she whispered, and he scowled.

  “Just trying to keep you from dying.”

  But she didn’t plan to die. She planned to take a gun from a madman.

  “Open the border. It is what the people want. Open the border!” The guy was becoming more frantic with every passing minute, his captive so pale Susannah thought she might fall over.

  “Open the border.” He swung the gun, pointed it at Susannah.

  And that’s when Levi lunged. One minute the guy was shouting his political views, the next he was face-planted on concrete, his protest soaking into the ground.

  “Grab the gun, Oliver,” Levi ordered, and Oliver Drew scooped it up, frowned down at it.

  “It’s not real.”

  “What?” Levi looked up, his eyes blazing.

  “The gun isn’t real.”

  “What kind of fool takes a stroll in front of police and Rangers carrying a fake pistol?” Levi growled, dragging the man to his feet and reading him his Miranda rights.

  “They paid me to do this. They told me a fake gun would make no trouble,” the guy babbled, tears streaming down his face.

  “Who?” Levi frisked him, pulling a wad of cash and several rose petals from the man’s pockets.

  Bloodred rose petals.

  Was this the guy who’d been stalking her?

  She’d been sure it was someone she knew. An Alamo Ranger gone bad, but the guy Levi was leading to a police cruiser was a stranger.

  “The Lions. It is their job to open the border between Texas and Mexico. They hired me to help their cause. I meant no harm. Please, you must believe me. I meant no harm.” He was still explaining as Levi helped him into the backseat of a squad car and slammed the door.

  “Good job, bro! Looks like we’ve finally got our perp.” Oliver patted Levi’s back, his gaze following the cruiser as it pulled away from the curb.

  “I’m not sure about that,” Levi said, but Oliver shook his head.

  “He mentioned the Lions. There’s no mistaking that. He must be one of their low-ranking members.” Daniel Riley scooped up the gun, tossed it into an evidence bag.

  “It doesn’t make sense. Why send threats if all he was going to do was come and shout political slogans? Why try to chase me off if he wasn’t going to attempt to enter the compound? I don’t think that’s our guy.” Susannah spoke as much to herself as anyone else.

  “If you had a few more facts, you wouldn’t say that.” Oliver’s smile didn’t make his comment any less patronizing.

  “What facts?” She lifted a rose petal that had fallen to the ground, her skin crawling as she ran her finger over its velvety face.

  “Nothing we can go into right now, and nothing you really need to worry about. Let’s just hope he’s the last guy who tries to interrupt. The speeches are scheduled to begin in ten minutes, and the planning committee doesn’t want any interruptions.” Oliver glanced at his watch, shoving his hat up on his forehead as he scanned the crowd.

  “It would be nice if we always got what we hoped for, but since that isn’t the way life works, I’m banking on the fact that our political activist isn’t the last of the trouble we’re going to see today.” Ben Fritz scanned the still-stunned crowd, his face set in hard lines.

  “A little action isn’t such a bad thing. Especially since I came down from Austin for this gig.” Another Ranger stopped beside Susannah, offering her a brief smile and a handshake. “Ranger Cade Jarvis.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m—”

  “Susannah Jorgenson. I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”

  “Hopefully good things.”

  “Would you want to know if they weren’t?”

  She laughed, and shook her head, wishing she felt as relaxed as the Rangers seemed to be. They moved across the road in unison, walking back through the gate. Daniel, Cade, Ben and Levi. Oliver. A fifth Ranger motioned for Susannah to walk through the gate, then closed it behind her. Like Daniel, he was vaguely familiar.

  “How are you feeling, ma’am?”

  “Better.”

  “Glad to hear it. We’ve been worried about you.”

  “Thank you, Ranger—”

  “Anderson Michaels.”

  “You helped find the blue Mitsubishi.”

  “Right. Wish I could have found the guy who was in it. Maybe then you wouldn’t have been shot.”

  “Susannah? Everything okay?” Levi strode toward her, his hair gleaming blue-black in the morning sun.

  “I hope so.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I just don’t think it’s over.”

  “None of us do. We’ll just stay vigilant. Keep our eyes open and pray.” His arm slid around her waist, his warmth filling her as he walked her to the garden.

  Keep her eyes open.

  Stay vigilant.

  Pray.

  She could do all those things.

  She would do them, because there was no way she believed that everything that happened over the past week had led to a fake gun and a few shouted slogans. Something bigger was brewing. She was certain of it.

  NINETEEN

  Something bigger turned out to be a whole lot of nothing, and as Susannah stepped through security at the Riverwalk Hotel, she wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or concerned about that.

  Something should have happened, something well beyond a man waving a fake gun and
shouting political slogans. But the memorial service was over, the speeches ended, the opening ceremony complete and everyone was still alive and kicking and ready for the luncheon hosted by the Alamo Planning Committee.

  “Ms. Jorgenson? I’m glad you were able to make it to the luncheon.” Hank Zarvy approached as she entered the ballroom, his broad face wreathed in a smile. “I want to be the first to congratulate you. I have to say, I had my doubts, but the security you put together for the opening ceremony was Texas-size perfection!”

  “It was a team effort, Mr. Zarvy. I was only a small part of it.” And she hadn’t been any part of the team during the ceremony, but she didn’t mention that. The sooner Hank took his overly gregarious self off, the happier she’d be. She didn’t like the guy. Hadn’t liked him when they’d met at his house, and his effusive praise wasn’t going to change her mind.

  “Rest assured, your entire team will be rewarded for their efforts. The Alamo Planning Committee is sincerely grateful for the cooperation of the Alamo Rangers during this event,” he continued, apparently not sensing her desperate desire to escape.

  “I’m sure Chad will appreciate that. He’s been concerned about the event and the fact that he’d be hospitalized during it. Having things go off without a hitch may be the boost he needs to get him out of the ICU.”

  “Let’s hope that’s the case. Looks like our guests of honor have arrived. Thank you again, Ms. Jorgenson.” He hurried toward the small group that was being ushered toward the front of the ballroom. Governor Kingston and his wife took their places at a large banquet table facing the room. The lieutenant governor and his wife sat to their left. Senator Huffington took a seat to their right, smiling broadly as he surveyed the room, his wife beside him. Everything looked just as it should, and he was probably feeling as content and excited about it as Zarvy.

  Susannah just felt sick.

  Deep-in-her-gut, worried-out-of-her-mind sick.

  “You don’t look happy.” Levi’s dark-chocolate voice poured over her, but even that wasn’t enough to ease her anxiety.

  “I just can’t believe anyone would go to so much trouble and then…wimp out on the day of the event. Two people were shot with a real gun, and then the Lions send a man with a fake gun to interrupt the ceremony?”