The Sheriff

by Angi Morgan

  Andrea was determined to stay, determined to help find Sharon, determined to put the creep behind all this confusion in jail. And like it or not, she was determined to find out why Sheriff Pete Morrison had no future.

  It was a shame that to accomplish her goal she had to let him think her a selfish human being.

  * * *

  “I NEED TO speak with you, Sheriff Morrison,” Commander Allen commanded, but remained outside the office.

  No choice. He’d already received a phone call from the mayor ordering him to help in any capacity. He was sunk, but at least Andrea would be returning with her father and remain safe.

  “Did they find your hat?” she asked out of the blue.

  He was certain she had a look of mischief, just a slight tilt to those luscious lips and a twinkle in her eyes.

  “I didn’t check, but someone brought back the Tahoe. I imagine it’ll turn up.”

  “This picture is great.” She pointed to one his dad had caught of him shoving his hat on his head. “It’d be a shame to lose that hat.”

  “Andrea—”

  “Were you on duty?”

  “What? Oh, in the picture? No. I’d just been pitched from a bucking bronc at a local rodeo. Can you wait with Peach till I can get a protection detail together to take you back to the observatory?”

  “I don’t mind at all. The Commander actually threatened to arrest me to get me home. Fortunately, we came up with another arrangement. I want to help find Sharon. To do that, I had to concede to his terms. And if you’re in here, that means he’s given in to mine.”

  “What terms?”

  “I hope you can forgive me, Pete. It really is the only way, but I’m not picking up my things and running home.”

  He was afraid to ask, and for some idiotic reason he felt like he’d been waylaid. He crossed his arms over his chest and backed to the door, wishing he had his hat brim to hide behind. “What terms?”

  “I’m trusting you with my daughter’s life,” the Commander said through the doorway.

  Why would her father state that she was leaving only to give in to Andrea’s demands moments later? A quick glance at the enthusiasm on his dad’s face, then a sharp stare at the woman who couldn’t meet his eyes. A sliver of secretiveness was still there no matter how much she tried to hide it. And no matter how good an opportunity this sounded, Pete didn’t think he would like working for her father.

  She still hadn’t answered his question. “One more time, Andrea. What terms?”

  Victory was displayed in her smile as she finally met his eyes. “I’m staying as long as you’re my personal escort and that you agree I’ll stay at your ranch when not at the observatory.”

  “You mean, glorified babysitter.” He turned to Commander Allen. “You said she was leaving.”

  “She was—now she’s not. She agreed to stay put at the observatory and in your home.”

  Not only was he responsible for her every move miles away in another county, but she was supposed to bunk at their ranch? Live with him?

  “You’re willing to bring me onto your team so you can order me to play bodyguard for your daughter? Seems like you could have just asked me to assign her a protection detail.”

  “I’m a bit surprised by Andrea’s change of heart, but I assure you there’s much more involved than protecting my daughter.” Another couple entered the sheriff’s office. “Looks like my state liaison is here. Please escort my daughter to the conference room, Sheriff. You’re both needed for the briefing.”

  Pete recognized the Texas Ranger entering his building and directed to the office. The woman next to him looked completely out of place. With an expensive suit and heels that belonged on a television show—completely ridiculous and useless for West Texas.

  “Commander Allen? Cord McCrea, Texas Rangers. Nice to meet you in person. Good to see you, Pete.” He turned to the woman next to him. “This is Special Agent Beth Conrad, Drug Enforcement Administration.”

  “We’ve got the upstairs briefing room cleared out and ready to go.”

  Everyone turned toward the stairs, with the exception of the woman in high-end heels. “Where’s the elevator, please?”

  “I’ll show you the way,” his father said, draping her arm over his.

  When everyone except Andrea had left, he asked, “Why?”

  She shrugged and averted her eyes. “I need to finish my thesis. If you’re too busy for this opportunity I’m dropping in your lap, you can always ask your father to take on the job.”

  “That’s not the reason I said no. You aren’t safe here.”

  His new charge was hiding something and he had a really bad feeling he knew what it was.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Andrea followed the others upstairs to a vacant briefing room since Joe’s old office was no longer big enough. Each person grabbed a chair and made introductions. Pete crossed his arms and leaned against the wall instead of taking the empty seat next to her.

  The Commander was back in full force and sitting at the head of the table, definitely in charge. “I’m keeping this task force small for a reason. I would prefer we stay under the radar and not let our enemy know we’re searching for him.”

  They all glanced in her direction, except Pete. “I’m not going to blab about it.”

  “We know. At approximately 2200 hours Friday evening, a severely beaten man came from the desert and—”

  “If I may, Commander.” Pete pulled his notebook from his back pocket. “McCrea and I are pretty familiar with this area. It might help to hear a detailed account of events.”

  “Then we’re all up to speed. Sounds good,” McCrea said.

  The woman from the DEA compressed her lips and took out an electronic notepad.

  “Andrea Allen was at the Viewing Area on Highway 90. People stop and watch for the lights to appear this direction—” he pointed to a spot on the map hanging behind him “—southwest toward the Chinati Mountains. A trucker reported seeing the lights at 2204. Andrea returned to her vehicle searching for a camera.”

  The camera. What had happened to it? She needed to ask her father, or maybe Joe would know. Pete recited the details of their adventure. She rubbed her wrist, which was still sore from all the climbing she’d done to escape that supply closet. She couldn’t remember how she’d kept her wits to find her way out of the building. His mention of how she’d escaped got her a nod from both the Ranger and the DEA agent.

  “Which brings us back to Commander Allen,” Pete concluded. He remained standing and didn’t look at her.

  “The man who had been beaten was Lyle Moreland. He was one of mine. Trained to fly just about anything. McCrea had given us a tip that a new gang could be using helicopters to move drugs. We know that this has been done before, but whoever’s in charge of this new group is smart and, unfortunately, patient.”

  “Did you know about this, Dad?” Pete asked.

  “Not until I went to the car accident and met the Homeland crew.”

  “While you were there, did anyone find the observatory’s video camera?” she asked quietly.

  “Did you manage to record part of the altercation or anything Moreland might have said?” the DEA agent asked from across the table.

  “I remember turning it on. Then he was there and unconscious.”

  “I didn’t see it,” Pete answered. Their fathers shook their heads.

  “Perhaps that’s why they believe Miss Allen knows something of importance,” Agent Conrad surmised.

  Andrea had just come to that same conclusion while waiting for a break to ask about the camera. The statement carried more weight with a real agent stating it as a possibility. Andrea knew how these things worked. It was like dealing with four “commanders.” Only four because Joe watched them all chat, too.

  Pete wanted answers as to why his department hadn’t been included. The Ranger said, “Need-to-know basis.” Pete seemed to keep his cool but didn’t let the conversation end.

 
She quietly scooted her chair from the table. If she could get out of the room, she wouldn’t have to lie about her real reason for staying in the area. She made it to the hallway without anyone asking her to take her seat again.

  “Need a cup of coffee?”

  “Oh, Joe. You scared me. Yes, I’d love a cup.”

  “I’m thinking you haven’t had anything to eat. Want a bite, too?”

  “No, thank you. I better hang around for my dad and I need to find a ride to the observatory.”

  “Pete’s taking care of that.”

  “But—”

  “No need to argue. He’s already made up his mind. Tahoe’s gassed and sitting out front.” He waved his hand and started walking away but turned around, waving her closer to him and farther from the door. “There’s a solid reason he believes he can’t get involved with anyone. You should ask him. He might even tell ya.”

  Joe dropped this statement into her lap and headed down the stairs.

  How did the man know that she’d overheard any portion of their conversation? It didn’t really matter. Any connection with Pete would be based on the lies she promised to tell. After all this was over, he’d find out the truth and really have no reason to become involved with her. No matter how determined she’d been an hour ago, his reasons were none of her business. Period.

  * * *

  PETE NOTICED THE moment Andrea had crept out of the conference room. He wanted to stop the discussion, to follow her, but his dad had given him a thumbs-up and taken that job on himself.

  Half an hour later she was still on a bench in the hallway. She might even be asleep.

  “So we’re agreed on a plan?” Commander Allen flattened his palms on the table, ready to push up out of the chair.

  “Yes,” everyone confirmed. Pete nodded his agreement.

  He would funnel information to the Commander and the DEA through McCrea—who also had an informant in Presidio on the border. And as he’d been warned earlier, he’d been assigned the duty of keeping the witness safe. Although he’d never promised that he’d be with Andrea 24/7, he had agreed to provide her with a protection detail.

  Beginning with him.

  It was going to be a long night.

  “Wondering if you should wake her?” her father asked from just behind him. He placed a hand on Pete’s shoulder. “The answer would be yes. Back to that dang observatory and searching the stars for who knows what. Her mother can’t understand her passion but I do. I was in the program at NASA for several years while she was growing up.”

  “You wanted to be an astronaut?”

  “Damn right. Didn’t you?”

  “Afraid I wasn’t at the top of my class.” Close enough, but studying had never been his thing. “Are you staying the night, sir?”

  “I did everything right, still didn’t make it to space.” Regret passed quickly over his face. “I’m confident that you’ve got this under control.”

  “You mean McCrea.”

  “I know who I meant.” He patted his shoulder in a fatherly fashion and passed through to the hallway. “Andrea, time to get a move on.”

  “You leaving?” she said midyawn.

  Pete went downstairs, collected messages and checked out an extra shotgun. He secured everything in the Tahoe, including the fast food Peach had ordered during the meeting. A government vehicle pulled up next to him. The driver was on his phone and stayed behind the wheel.

  “Thanks for the eats.”

  “I told Brandie to double your usual and put it on your tab. You know, one of these days you’re going to have to learn how to cook.”

  “Peach, you know dang well I haven’t been home since Thursday. When would I have had time to cook?”

  “I’ll let my book club know you’re ready for some casseroles. Looks like you’re going to need them with company at your house.”

  “Lord save me from a death by casseroles.” And a frustrating woman living in the guest room. He put his hands together in prayer just in time for Andrea and her father to enter the hallway.

  The Commander shook Pete’s hand, then took his daughter’s between his own before saying good-night and leaving.

  Andrea turned to Pete. “Well, what now, Sheriff? Where’s the escort?”

  “You sure about this? I could catch your father before he pulls away. You were ready to leave with him this morning. I’m not certain I understand what’s changed.”

  “Do you have a ride for me or not?”

  “Right this way.”

  Five minutes down the road, he thought she’d given up the battle to stay awake again. Catching a nap before she worked all night seemed to be a good idea. He reached in his bag and pulled out a hamburger.

  “That smells absolutely delicious.”

  “There’s one for you.”

  He heard the bag rustle.

  “Oh, my goodness. That’s awesome. Thanks for thinking about me.”

  “Peach took care of it.”

  “Okay. Be sure and thank her for me,” she said with her mouth full.

  “I’ll need to know your routine when we get there. And I need your word you won’t vary from it.”

  “I promise. No playing, no hikes, no exception. Just straight to and from the telescope.”

  “I’m in charge of scheduling your escorts and protection. No one has authorization to make changes and I won’t send a message via anyone else to do so. Not even my father. Is that clear? If you don’t hear it from me, you can assume the message is bogus.”

  “That works.”

  Her tone was short and abrupt. She acted mad at him, but for what? She’d actually called him spoiled when she was the one using her father’s position, demanding to stay to finish her research. But what did he know? They’d kissed a few times. He didn’t know anything about her.

  There hadn’t been time for much else. And there wouldn’t be. He hadn’t just been spouting words that she deserved a man with a future to his dad to shut him up. Without his job, he’d work their ranch with the few cattle they currently had. They couldn’t keep the place up just on his dad’s retirement. Hiring out as a ranch hand was his best option to help make ends meet.

  But right now he had a job to do. Get Andrea to the observatory and ensure her safety until she left next week. He could do that and do it well. She didn’t have to like him.

  “What’s so important about watching a star?” he asked. His curiosity had gotten the better of him. “What made you change your mind about leaving?”

  “I’m working with a University of Texas astronomer who verified the most distant galaxy in the universe using several telescopes. For me this study is more about securing time with the actual telescope than studying the stars. If I finish my thesis and publish, I’ll have a good chance of obtaining a position with one of the best telescopes in the world.”

  “This is about a job you may or may not get?”

  “The Chilean Giant Magellan Telescope will begin construction soon and will have nearly five times the light-gathering power of the best infrared in the world. We’ll see more distant galaxies and watch stars being formed. Someday I’d love to get on a team studying reionization.”

  Under different circumstances he’d appreciate the enthusiasm in her voice, the excitement displayed through her hands as she spoke of something she truly loved. Another time he’d ask her what all that meant. At the moment, he was confused.

  “You’re willing to risk your life, not to mention the men on your protection detail, for a potential job? And you called me selfish.” You’re an idiot, Morrison! He could keep his distance without insulting her.

  “You asked about my work. I...um...understand that Logan is dead and Sharon is still missing. I can’t change any of that.”

  “You could be missing. Do you understand that?”

  “Yes, I do,” she admitted quietly.

  Then it hit him. “Son of a gun, your father stated three separate times that you were a witness and not an active member
of the task force. You’re both lying. Aren’t you?”

  “I’m staying at the observatory to finish my study.”

  “And hoping that those maniacs will try to get to you again. Dammit.” He hit the steering wheel hard enough to make his palm sting. “This is a stupid plan. I can’t stand guard twenty-four hours a day.”

  “You aren’t supposed to. They won’t make a move if you’re too close.”

  There it was, the admission. He was right and she was staying behind to draw the murderers out.

  He jerked the car to the side of the road as soon as there was room to safely do so. “We’re going back. Or I’m taking you to Alpine to catch the first flight to Austin. You can’t go through with this. You have no idea what you’re doing.”

  “You’d be surprised, but it doesn’t matter. You don’t have a say in the decision.”

  “Andrea,” he beseeched, hoping her name and his tone could say more than the words that wouldn’t form into sentences.

  The closeness between them was strained. She’d pulled away after spending time with her dad. He knew why he had distanced himself, but why had she changed?

  The soft gleam from the dashboard lights gave her a glow like one from a full moon. Perfect for someone who worked with the stars. He wanted to take her in his arms. Their attraction had them both leaning toward each other, until bright headlights interrupted and they both pulled back.

  “I appreciate your concern, but I have to do this.” She retreated as far as possible, wrapping her arms around herself like she was freezing to death. “This was my idea, Pete. But the Commander’s superiors agree. Please believe me. Even my father’s respecting my decision.”

  The nonstop nervous chatter he’d grown accustomed to had disappeared. This woman seemed completely in control. He faced forward, ready to continue to the observatory, wanting to know why it was so important to her yet holding back.

  “You’re right. It’s not my call.” Easing the vehicle back onto the empty road, he wanted to ask but couldn’t allow himself to get closer to her. “Aw, hell, mind sharing why your dad insisted you weren’t involved? Or why he wants the very task force he formed out of the loop?”