All Roads Lead to Texas

by Linda Warren

  The agents came in and took seats across from Wade’s desk. “What are you trying to pull, Sheriff?” Rod asked the same question he’d asked at Callie’s house.

  Wade shrugged. “Nothing. I’m just doing my job—protecting the citizens of Loveless County.”

  “But it seems you have a personal stake in this,” David commented.

  “I always have a personal stake when I see an injustice being done,” he answered without missing a beat.

  Rod leaned forward. “Listen, we’re not a fan of Tremont’s. We’re only doing our jobs, too. We have a warrant for Miss Lambert, and we’d appreciate it if you’d tell us where the kids are so we can take them back to New York and get the hell out of your town.”

  “Where would you take them?”

  Rod blinked. “Excuse me?”

  “Tremont is staying in my jail at least until Wednesday when the judge comes through. Bail will probably be set at that time. So I want to know exactly where will you be taking the children?” He held up a hand. “You don’t have to answer because I know—Child Protective Services. I wouldn’t wish them on any kid. The caseworkers are overworked and underpaid and the kids pay the price.”

  “It’s the system, Montgomery,” David replied. “You are familiar with the system, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah, but there’s a woman out there who loves those kids more than life itself and that’s who they should be with. Until that happens, one way or the other, I’m going to stall you boys until the cows come home.”

  “You’re hindering our investigation,” David pointed out.

  “How?” Wade lifted an eyebrow. “Miss Lambert’s in jail and she’s not saying a word until her lawyer gets here. I haven’t crossed any lines of misconduct.”

  “Yeah, Sheriff,” David snickered. “It’s a very thin line and you’re skating close to the edge.”

  Rod stood. “Looks like we’re stuck here until the lawyer arrives. Is there any place to stay in this one-horse town?”

  “There’s a motel out on the highway.”

  “Is it decent?”

  “Depends on how you define decent. It has a bed and a bath.”

  David got to his feet. “And probably cockroaches the size of armadillos.”

  “Nah.” Wade’s mouth twitched in amusement. “Not quite that big.”

  Rod hesitated in the doorway. “Callie Lambert better be in that cell in the morning. If she’s not, you can kiss that badge goodbye.”

  Wade nodded, understanding their viewpoint. He didn’t like it, but he didn’t see the situation quite the way they did.

  Before he could think about it any further, Miranda came hurrying into his office. “I was just talking to Callie. She looks awful. She said her stepfather hit her.”

  “He bounced her off a wall and she hit a table.”

  “Was that the FBI who just left?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re not going to let them have her and the kids, are you?”

  “Nope. Not in my plans.”

  Miranda’s brow wrinkled. “I guess I need to notify everyone on the council and the Home Free Committee.”

  “Why don’t you wait until morning?”

  “No. I have to do it now. I don’t want this to be more difficult than it has to be.”

  “Fine. But I don’t want them over here telling me how to do my job.”

  “That’s your problem.” She headed for the door. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

  Wade kept waiting for the phone to ring from council members wanting answers. But only the usual calls came through.

  Virgil and Ray finished up for the night and went home. Wade took the night duty, but wanted them back early in the morning. He went along to the holding cell and unlocked it. Callie was sitting on the cot, her back against a wall, and his heart twisted at the lonely sight.

  “You okay?” he asked, sitting by her.

  She went into his arms and he held her. “I don’t know. My head hurts, but all I can think about are the kids. I don’t want them to be afraid, but I can’t do anything to stop this or their fears.”

  He reached for his phone. “Let’s see how they’re doing.”

  Callie talked for a minute then handed Wade the phone. “Buddy said that they played checkers for a long time and Mary Beth fell asleep in his arms. He said he’d hold her the rest of the night because he didn’t want to wake her. Adam and Brit are asleep on a cot with their arms around each other. Jock is snoozing in a chair by them.” She wiped away a tear. “I was so lucky to find such good people to care for them.”

  He pulled her closer. “Kristin said not to sleep for a couple of hours because of the possible concussion, but it’s way past that now, so try to relax and go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Your lawyer will be here and decisions will be made for the kids’ future—and yours.”

  “Are you staying in here with me?”

  “Wild horses couldn’t drag me out.”

  “This will be our last night together.” Her hand caressed the back of his neck and everything he felt for her ballooned inside him into a wad of intense pain.

  “Go to sleep,” he whispered, not wanting to think about a life without her. He had one night and he’d hold her until the darkness faded into the light of a new day.

  As the jail became quiet and all he could hear was her steady breathing, he prayed for a miracle. A miracle that would keep Callie and the kids in Homestead.

  Miracles were in short supply and the truth was that Callie would be leaving tomorrow to face her life in New York.

  Without him.

  And he had to let her go.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  THE NEXT MORNING, the sheriff’s office was a hive of activity, with concerned citizens making their opinions known. Most of them were supporting Callie, but there were also many eager to find fault with the Home Free Program.

  Clint Gallagher was one of them. “Let the FBI have her,” he thundered. “We don’t need this kind of publicity for Homestead.”

  “I agree,” Arlen piped up.

  Kristin, who was there attending to Callie’s wound, came into the office and linked her arm through Clint’s. “I think it’s time to take you home.”

  “Not until this is settled.”

  “It’s settled. Wade will handle it,” Kristin said in a voice Wade had never heard her use before. Evidently Clint hadn’t either because he went with her without uttering another word.

  “The whole city council is coming up the walk,” Virgil alerted him.

  “Barbara Jean…”

  “I know. Hold your calls.”

  “Yes, and show them in.”

  “I’m going,” Arlen said. “I’m sure the city council feels the same way I do—stop this before the publicity gets out of hand.”

  Wade had time for a couple of deep breaths before the council descended on him.

  “What the hell’s going on, Wade?” Rudy Satterwhite demanded. “Is it true she kidnapped those kids?”

  “The stepfather was abusing them and she did the only thing she could.”

  “Oh, how awful.” Frances Haase held a hand to her chest.

  “Still, she’s a wanted criminal,” Rudy insisted. “We don’t need that kind of element here. I vote that Wade let the FBI have her and get the focus off our town.”

  “I have to agree,” Max Beltrane said. “I like Callie, but this isn’t good for Homestead.”

  “I disagree,” Miranda spoke up. “We support our citizens especially when they’re in trouble. What’s it going to look like if we turn our backs on her at the first sign of a problem?”

  “I agree with Miranda,” Hiram said.

  “Me, too.” Frances nodded. “We need to support her.”

  Everyone looked at Ruth, who once again had the deciding vote. It would either be a deadlock or they’d support Callie. Wade hated to tell them that this really wasn’t up for a vote. He was the sheriff and this was his decision. That might b
e high-handed, but it was the way he felt. And they weren’t going to change his mind.

  Ruth took a moment. “I abhor abuse, especially of defenseless children. Callie’s done a lot of good for this town in a short amount of time, so I vote to support her.”

  “Wake up, woman,” Rudy shouted. “She’s a wanted criminal.”

  Ruth bristled. “I do not appreciate being spoken to in that manner.”

  Miranda put an arm around Ruth. “I’m sure Rudy didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

  “Like hell. I made my position clear.” Saying that, he stormed out.

  “He was rather rude,” Frances commented as they followed.

  “I’ll handle it,” Miranda said, and left.

  Wade looked up to see Ethan standing in the doorway. “Kayla’s in with Callie,” he said. “If you need a place to hide those kids, just let me know.”

  “Thanks, Ethan. I’m sure Callie appreciates the offer.” There wasn’t anything Ethan wouldn’t do for a child. “For now they’re in a safe place.”

  “Good.”

  As Ethan and Kayla left, Noah arrived and spent a lot of time with Callie and Wade knew that helped her.

  Soon the agents were back in his office. “Ready to get this over with, Sheriff?” David asked.

  “Just as soon as her lawyer gets here. Her plane landed and she’s on the way from San Antonio.”

  “Good,” Rod said. “Where can we get some breakfast in this town?”

  “Bertha’s Kolache Shop. It’s on the square and easy to find.”

  They left and Wade thumped his fingers on the desk. Where was Simon? He hadn’t called and he didn’t answer his cell. Wade needed some evidence fast.

  Ethel, Odell and Wanda came to visit Callie. She told them to open the café and they hurried to do what she wanted. When the office was empty, he let her call the kids. They were fishing in the creek and seemed calmer this morning. But Callie was worried and the wait was getting to both her and Wade.

  Wade waited and paced, watching the clock. The agents were also waiting in the outer office. They all seemed to be in a holding pattern. But he knew the agents weren’t going to wait much longer before they forced his hand.

  Suddenly, a vaguely familiar woman’s voice filled the room and Wade hurried to meet Gail Baxter. She was a petite woman with black hair threaded with strands of gray. They shook hands.

  “I’d like to see my client, Sheriff,” she said.

  “Sure. Virgil,” he called. “Show Ms. Baxter to Callie’s cell.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  David walked over. “That’s the attorney?”

  “Yes.”

  “Now maybe we can get this show on the road.”

  In minutes, Ms. Baxter was back in his office with fire in her eyes, the agents trailing behind her. “I want every possible charge filed against Nigel Tremont. I thought she was safe here, but she’s been battered and bruised by that maniac. How did that happen?”

  “Mr. Tremont managed to slip away from the FBI agents,” Wade said.

  Gail turned to confront them, but David stopped her. “Listen, Ms. Baxter. We’re not responsible for Tremont and we regret what happened to Miss Lambert. We have a warrant for her arrest and we’re here to enforce it.”

  Gail placed her hands on her hips. “When hell freezes over.”

  “Don’t make this difficult.”

  “I’m not. I’m going to make this quite easy.” She glanced at her watch. “My detective will be here shortly.”

  David’s eyes narrowed. “What detective?”

  “The one investigating Nigel Tremont.”

  “We’re not waiting on any detective because this isn’t about Mr. Tremont. It’s about a warrant we have for Miss Lambert. She’s going back to New York to face charges with or without the kids.”

  “This is Texas and I believe Sheriff Montgomery has jurisdiction.”

  “Lady, we’re the FBI.”

  “And I’m going to stop you any way I can.”

  “Let me speak to Ms. Baxter,” Wade intervened.

  “Make it quick. We’re getting a little tired of this runaround.”

  As soon as the agents closed the door, Gail turned to Wade. “Have you heard from Marchant?”

  “No. I was hoping you had.”

  “Not a word all night. Last I heard, he said he’d found something significant, but didn’t say what.”

  “Damn.” Wade slammed his hat on the desk. “This isn’t like him.”

  The door suddenly flew open and Simon stood there, a big, raw-boned man, out of breath, disheveled and looking harassed, a briefcase dangling from his hand.

  “Simon,” Wade said in surprise and pumped his arm in gratitude. “Have a seat.” Wade grabbed bottled water out of the small refrigerator and handed it to him. “What happened to you?”

  Simon sat in Wade’s chair with a groan. “An hour layover took three. My cell went out and the rental car broke down. I had to walk to Homestead and a sheep farmer gave me a ride the last mile or so.” He took a big swallow of water. “Damn it’s hot. I hate Texas in August. My clothes are soaking wet and I smell like sheep. To say I’m pissed at this point is putting it mildly.”

  “Did you find anything?”

  “You bet, so get the big boys in here ’cause I only have enough breath to say this once.”

  Relief gushed from Wade’s lungs. “Okay, and this is Gail Baxter.”

  “Howdy, Gail. Nice to meet you in person.”

  “I hope you have something good.”

  As the agents walked into the room, Simon took another gulp of water. Wade made the introductions and let Simon run the show.

  Simon plopped his briefcase on the desk. Gail and Wade looked over his shoulder.

  “Everyone in this room is interested in justice, right?” He laid several folders on the desk.

  “What are you up to, Marchant?”

  Simon looked up. “Damn, Rob. Didn’t recognize you—got sweat in my eyes.” Simon glanced at Wade. “Rob and I worked a few cases in the New York area.”

  Wade hoped that was good. Knowing Simon, he wasn’t sure. The man was known to speak his mind, uncaring of bruised egos.

  “I’ve been busting my ass for weeks on this case and it seems Mr. Tremont has a pattern of marrying older women.”

  “That’s not a crime,” David spoke up.

  “Are you gonna let me talk or you gonna keep interrupting?”

  David’s lips tightened.

  “Good.” Simon shuffled through some papers. “Mr. Tremont has had four wives. Two are dead and one is in a health-care facility virtually a vegetable. All three women had car accidents. You see—” Simon leaned back “—that got me to thinking. What are the odds of three wives dying or almost dying in the same way? So I did some further checking on Glynis Lambert’s car. It’s been months and I figured it had been crushed by now. But it never hurts to check. The wrecker guy was really nervous at first and I knew he was hiding something so I kept pressuring him. Seems Mrs. Lambert drove a very nice Lexus and the wrecker guy had orders from Mr. Tremont to destroy the car. He even called a few times to make sure it was done. But the guy lied, hiding it out back hoping to make some money off of it.”

  He withdrew some photos from the briefcase and laid them in front of the agents. “I had an auto expert look at it and guess what he found?” He pointed to one photo. “That’s the brake line and it’s been tampered with. Very difficult to detect, but there’s a slight crimping along the line causing the fluid to slowly leak out. And before you ask, the wreck didn’t cause it. So boys, what we have here is a murder.”

  “God.” Rob stood and raked a hand through his hair.

  “And in case you need more convincing, Nigel Tremont is still married to his first wife, April. He failed to divorce her and they have a twelve-year-old son that Tremont consistently fails to pay child support for. He threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone that they were still married. That’s another pa
ttern for Tremont—manhandling and threatening women. Is that the type of man you want to have custody of three young children?”

  David rose, a scowl on his face. “While this is interesting, Nigel Tremont is not the reason we’re here. Callie Lambert is. We have to take her back and let the D.A. and courts decide her fate…and Nigel’s.”

  “Kind of thought you boys would see it that way so I called the D.A. in New York and your superiors. I’ve faxed copies of all my findings so you might want to give them a call before you make any drastic decisions.”

  Rod shook his head. “Damn, Marchant, you’re thorough.”

  “Yeah. Saved you boys a lot of work and I’ll be sorely disappointed if that bastard’s not put away.”

  Rod nodded. “But let’s be clear on one thing. Callie Lambert is returning to New York and it will be in her best interest if the kids were here to return with her. Do you get my drift?” He looked directly at Wade.

  “Rod, I think we all get what you’re saying. Just wanted to level the playing field so she gets a fair shake,” Simon replied.

  “I’ll make a call and get the details ironed out. And to prove to y’all that I’m a good ol’ boy, I’m willing to forget all the sandbagging since we’ve been here.”

  “Thanks,” Wade said as they walked out.

  He immediately shook Simon’s hand. “Thank you.”

  “Hell, Wade, you’d do the same for me.” That was true. Those bonds they’d formed in the trenches of Houston while being street cops had bound them for life.

  “Still, you went above and beyond anything I expected. I’ll never be able to repay you.”

  “Wait till you get my bill,” Simon said with his dry wit. “Is there somewhere I can take a long nap?”

  “Yes. Virgil,” Wade shouted. Virgil appeared instantly. “Take Simon over to Callie’s and tell Ethel I sent him. She’ll even feed you, Simon.”

  “Sounds like heaven.” Simon walked out with Virg, wiping his forehead with a handkerchief.