Ranger Guardian

by Angi Morgan

  “Of course not. We didn’t have time.” But she did have the side of her other foot. Thank God.

  “And I’m supposed to believe you?” He rubbed his hands up and down her body. “You know, ever since you rubbed my leg I wanted to return the favor.”

  The shiver that crept up her spine was accompanied by acid from her stomach. Marrone’s hands lingered over her breasts and hips. Her stomach soured more...if that was possible.

  “Oh, wait. Our modern times make detecting electronic devices easy. Put your hands on your head.”

  There, in plain sight of dozens of people, he pulled an EMF detector from a backpack and waved the wand close to her body. He smiled and made lewd gestures at a couple of men, who snapped a picture or video.

  “I knew you were a smart woman. You wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize your daughter. Wipe your foot off. You sure you wouldn’t prefer money over the cowboy?”

  “Give me my daughter.”

  He’d made a mistake. One of these people would surely post something to social media. That would help prosecute him. But more importantly, if he made one mistake, he’d make another. That’s when she’d make her move, but she needed him to reveal where they were holding Skylar Dawn.

  “Head toward the service hall. That way.” He shoved her to a back entrance to some of the shops.

  Kendall tried to think of ways to stall for time. Surely the Rangers had followed her, but there was no guarantee.

  “What did you do with my daughter?”

  “Your daughter is safer than you. Those freaks may be weird, but they aren’t going to hurt a kid. It’ll take some time for the Rangers to determine her whereabouts. Too bad the top brass wanted you out of the picture. I could have saved the day, been a real hero.”

  Skylar Dawn was okay? Not in danger? Before entering the service hallway, she spun to face him. “You know, every single time a creep on the other side of the table claims they do it for the money, it makes no sense to me. Please tell me there’s more to this. Some great cause or reason.”

  “There’s a cause. Huge cause. But you wouldn’t understand.” He jammed her side once again. She couldn’t defend herself against the gun when it was this close. “Turn and walk, or I’ll pull the trigger in spite of how long Brantley Lourdes wants this to last. Of course it’s about the money.”

  “Public Exposure is paying you to keep me away from the investigation, and you don’t really know anything?”

  Another jab. Another sharp pain. “Walk.”

  His cool, unhurried attitude worried her. Did he really think she came alone? Why didn’t he think that the Rangers would be here any minute?

  * * *

  HEATH SLAMMED THE entrance door into the wall and instantly drew the attention of everyone entering or exiting the high-end mall. “Damn. Sorry.”

  “Your wife tossed her shoes in the trash can,” Wade said. “Just like we thought she would. They haven’t moved since we arrived.”

  Where would she be? It had taken three minutes after the tracker stopped for the kidnapper to spot Kendall before he called back with his cryptic message. That was the only clue they had. Skylar Dawn better be at that house.

  “Where would he try to take her?” he mumbled, but his earpiece picked it up.

  “We’ve got the closest exits to where she entered covered,” Jack said.

  “There’s too many of them. We need more units,” Wade added.

  “No. Units outside might put her in jeopardy. Kendall’s smart. Look for something. Listen for anything unusual,” Heath told them.

  The place was packed. Heath searched for a bright red dress on his way, but didn’t see one. Lots of dresses, lots of suits, hats, boots, tennis shoes, shorts...but no bright red dress or bare feet.

  Maybe he could see from the top. Before he went to the next floor, he had to stop and catch his breath. Damn ribs. He leaned on a pole, his eyes scanning for someone with no shoes. There on the floor was an H. He bent and wiped the mark. Lipstick.

  How many random H’s would be on the floor of a packed mall? It had to be Kendall. She’d left a trail of bread crumbs...or red lipstick, in this case.

  Several minutes behind her, he rushed as much as he could without pushing people out of his way. If Kendall’s trail played out, he might be able to catch up. He looked above his head, barely able to see the escalators to the next floor.

  “Stall, Kendall. Stall.”

  Heath followed the H marks at the bottom of each escalator. On the fourth floor, the lipstick led to the hallway with the elevators. “I’m on her trail, near the ice rink elevators. No doubts. I just don’t know how far ahead they are.”

  After he punched the down button again, he slammed his fist into his hand, wishing he were hitting the maniac who had Kendall or Skylar Dawn. The thought of losing either of them forever propelled Heath on. He punched every button, tapping the wall, waiting for the doors to open, checking each floor for her now smeared lipstick mark.

  By now they should have police units ready to move in. Hopefully. Except...there was a hotel and bar near taxis or ride-share pickups. Dammit. That was how this guy would leave. “Guys? He’s heading for the hotel.”

  “Are you sure?” both asked.

  “Yeah. There’s no way he’d use his own vehicle. He’s got Kendall for insurance, but he’s already admitted he doesn’t have Skylar Dawn.”

  There was no time to wait. The lipstick imprint had been getting fainter.

  * * *

  “YOU SEEM LIKE a smart guy, Marrone.” Kendall slowed her pace again until he shoved her forward. “How in the world did you get mixed up with Public Exposure?”

  Marrone yanked her around a corner. “Money. Lots of money. There really isn’t any other reason. Some of those people are ‘true believers’. Freaks. Just remember—I will pull this trigger. I can get away while they’re trying to keep you alive.”

  “We could stop right now, if you’d like.” The light quip accompanied by a forced smile took control to deliver. The horrifying hatred in his eyes didn’t have her feeling lighthearted or in control.

  Leaving the elevator, he gestured toward the men’s restroom. Ahead of them, Kendall could hear the sounds of loud music and people. A bar? It should be packed at this time of night. The wheels turned furiously in her mind. The small bathroom space was empty except for one man washing his hands. He left, giving Marrone a sly smile.

  “Should I call you Marrone? Perp, kidnapper or suspect probably won’t go over too well in public.”

  “Neither would blowing a hole in your gut.” He leaned on the door. “I noticed you limping slightly. Heath give that to you while dancing?” he asked with a smirk.

  “I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t actually limping, but she wasn’t about to correct the jerk. Rolling to the side of her foot, she occasionally left a mark of lipstick. It was her only hope that someone could follow them.

  She wanted to scream at him to stop this stupid charade and tell her Skylar Dawn’s location. The longing to see her baby girl again wouldn’t allow her to lose it. Instead, she needed to get him talking, bragging, something to give her a clue where her daughter had been taken. Or what other men were involved.

  “Well, you won’t be feeling any pain in a few hours. You’ll already be dead when people discover what Public Exposure is really up to. Before they bring Dallas to its knees with the destruction and mass casualties.” He said it coldly, with no emotion, as if killing people was an everyday occurrence.

  Kendall knew he spoke the truth...and believed it. “Just tell me where Skylar Dawn is. You can go. I won’t say anything to Heath or anyone else.”

  “In the last stall you’ll find some clothing. Please leave the door open and change.” He made a grand gesture like a butler, then backed up against the door again to keep others out.

  The sloppy T-shirt
wasn’t too bad. The overalls were very large and made moving her legs difficult. The dirty-blond wig needed a good shampoo and brushing. She left the cherry-red dress on the stall door. As she emerged, he dangled a pair of handcuffs in one hand.

  “Are the cuffs really necessary?”

  He tossed them at her. She felt like an idiot snapping them on herself.

  “Most definitely. Consider it payback.” He pulled a small sweater from his pack. “Cover the handcuffs. I wouldn’t want to alarm any of the patrons.”

  The door opened and she stumbled as he pushed her through. Angry enough to take off his head, she had to calm down and think. She had to stop him before he could escape. She couldn’t trust he told Heath the truth. If he hadn’t they may never find their daughter.

  The hotel bar was crowded and dark. People were squished together, attempting to get from one side of the bar to the other. It slowed their progression, giving her a chance to work on Marrone.

  “You should be in a hurry,” she said, attempting to sound completely confident. “The Texas Rangers are probably hot on our trail.”

  The loud music didn’t drown his demonic laugh. Kendall wouldn’t allow it to upset her. She used it to strengthen her resolve instead. This was the last time the creep would harm anyone.

  Before he shoved her into another person to get her walking again, she made her move. She waved, then shouted, “Over here!”

  He snatched her wrist from the air.

  Pulling him forward, she kneed his groin hard enough to make the manliest of men cry. As he doubled over, she brought her knee up under his chin, throwing his head backward. His arm tangled in the links of the cuffs and caused him to bring her to the floor with him.

  Several people cushioned their fall. Everything in the bar ground to a halt. She tried to push him from her, but he brought her hand across her throat, pressing the metal against her windpipe. By grasping the cuffs, he successfully held her, and then hit her temple with the butt of the gun.

  With an excited smile forming on his thin lips, he pressed the barrel next to her ear. “That wasn’t very nice, Kendall. Come with me or I open fire.”

  Still dazed, she allowed him to pull her to her feet. She splayed her hands and warned the men approaching, “Stay back. He’ll shoot you. Stay back.”

  “Let the lady go!”

  They both crashed back to the floor. She hadn’t gotten a look at what—or who—had hit them. Through a fog, she saw a man in a black suit lift Marrone off her and raise his fist.

  Heath. He’d found her. Thank God for Cherry Bomb red lipstick. He landed his punch, sending Marrone crashing into a table.

  Wait! Why was Heath here? The music still blared and the lights from the dance floor flashed, but most of the women were watching Heath.

  She didn’t blame them. She liked watching him, too. The attempt at standing didn’t work well. She settled for leaning on an elbow and watching her husband work.

  “Did they find Skylar Dawn? Where’s the gun? It must have gone flying.”

  “You okay?” he asked her.

  Heath lifted Marrone by his shirt collar but let him crumple back to the floor. Heath knelt and frisked him. “He’s out cold. No keys. Just a cell phone.”

  “We got him covered for you,” a man with the bar’s logo on his T-shirt said. “He ain’t going anywhere. Look after your girlfriend.”

  “Wife.” Heath yanked Marrone’s backpack off finding nothing of importance.

  “You sure did give him what for,” someone said, slapping him on the back.

  Another man with the bar’s logo rolled Marrone facedown and cuffed his hands behind his back. “I knew these would come in handy one day.” He grinned. “I called the cops.”

  Heath flipped Marrone’s phone open. “Dammit. Needs a password.”

  “Nice flying tackle, man. She need an ambulance?” the bartender asked, pointing to Kendall.

  “Can you sit up? You okay, honey?” He helped her lean against him. “Helluva stall there, Kendall. Your eye’s already swelling.”

  “You haven’t answered me, Heath. You were supposed to get our daughter. Did you find her? Is she safe?”

  All the adrenaline left her body with just his look. His rescuing of her would mean nothing without their daughter. Panic pulled her fully to her senses.

  “Oh my God. Wake him up and do whatever’s necessary to him. We have to find out where they’ve taken her.”

  Security guards entered the bar. “Everyone stay where you are.”

  “He gave us a clue. Slate’s heading there along with Jason’s DPD units. We should know any minute. Just rest and I’ll get us out of here.” He kissed her quickly and stood.

  “You should have gone for her.”

  “I’ll explain later.” He grabbed his broken ribs and sucked air through his teeth, hissing.

  But he wasn’t the snake. Brantley Lourdes and all of Public Exposure were the cold-blooded creatures who had taken their little girl.

  “We’re going to be a family again, Kendall. I didn’t get to answer you before. Take the transfer to Portland. If that’s what you want...then go for it. I’ll come with you and stay home with Skylar Dawn until she’s okay. We’ll figure out how to do this.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Heath handed the phone to Kendall. The next phone call would be the most important of his life. The seconds ticked by as they waited. Wade arrived and then Jack, who swiped on his phone as he came through the bar door.

  “Major Clements hasn’t heard anything either,” Jack said.

  The phone rang with an old-fashioned bell. Heath froze. They all did except Kendall. She answered and immediately switched to speaker.

  “I’ve got her. Skylar Dawn is safe and unharmed.”

  He heard the words and sank to the floor next to Kendall. No matter what their status—separated, together or moving—they were both her parents.

  “Man, that was intense,” Wade said, relieving a little of the tension.

  Heath helped Kendall to her feet. “Let’s go get our daughter.” Then he looked at Wade and stuck out his hand.

  “Here’s your badge. I thought you might need it.” Wade placed it in Heath’s palm.

  Then Jack nudged Wade. “Keys. He’s waiting for our ride. But it might be faster if you bring it around to the bar’s outdoor entrance. In their shape, it might take them an hour to walk to wherever you parked.”

  “Good idea,” Heath and Kendall both answered.

  “Let me get you some ice.” Jack headed behind the bar to the men who had helped earlier.

  “Your eye’s going to be spectacular.”

  “Why did you come after me, Heath? You were supposed to save Skylar Dawn.”

  “We did save her. I told you I wouldn’t choose. I accepted a plan that worked to save you both.”

  “What if it hadn’t worked?” Kendall’s eyes filled with tears.

  He wanted to hold her, not debate his decision. He’d argued with himself every step of the way to finding her. What if this...what if that...

  “I won’t argue about it. You’re both safe. That’s the only outcome I need to think about.”

  Jack gave her a bar towel full of ice for the side of her head. Kendall was in good hands. Heath walked away, straight through the outer doors to wait on the sidewalk. Now wasn’t the time to disagree. He needed air. He showed his badge and found the Dallas PD.

  “A white panel van is on its way to pick me up. Can you make sure someone lets it into the drop-off circle? Thanks.”

  He was resting on a short cement barrier, when a set of very lovely arms wrapped around his chest.

  “I’m sorry.” She kissed his neck. “And I’m grateful.” She kissed the other side of his neck then moved around to look him in the eye. “And you’re right.” She took his hand betw
een her own. “We’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

  Jack joined them and Wade pulled around. The minutes seemed like hours until the van pulled onto Vandelia Street. Kendall jumped out, meeting Slate for the handoff. Heath moved a little slower, but was right there in time to answer Skylar Dawn’s questions.

  “I lost my hat, Daddy.”

  “Mommy found it, baby. It’s okay.”

  “That mean man didn’t hurt Stardust, did he?”

  “Nope. She’s safe and sound with her momma. Just like you.” He kissed her forehead. “Let’s go home.”

  “Can we go to McDonald’s first? All those people had were carrot sticks.”

  “Sure, baby, we can do that. Let’s go home.”

  * * *

  “OH, MY DARLINGS. I can’t believe everything turned out okay,” Naomi said as they came through the door. She hugged them all. Even Heath. “She is okay, right?”

  “Maybe a little dirty and in the same clothes, but she’s fine.” Heath wouldn’t let his mother-in-law take his girl from his arms.

  “I’ll run a bath.” Naomi ran from the room, a tissue covering her mouth.

  “I’m not telling her to leave tonight.”

  “I didn’t ask you to. It’s safer if she stays here, with the watchdogs out front.”

  “What do you think?” Kendall asked, looking away from the Rangers’ unmarked cars sitting in front of the house.

  “We can rest easy. No one’s getting through all the Texas Rangers parked around this house.”

  “No, I meant...” She gently lifted a strand of hair from Skylar Dawn’s face and looped it around a cute little ear.

  “We’ve both had the training, sweetheart,” he whispered. “You know that we need to find her a good counselor, talk this out, answer her questions. But from what she’s said, they dropped her off at that house and she played.”

  They caved and let Naomi give her a bath, parking themselves at the open door. Skylar Dawn had lots of bubbles to play with. His mother-in-law would have a mess to clean up, but no one cared.