Ranger Redemption

by Lynn Shannon

  He glanced at her and then down before focusing back on the men. She followed his gaze, but there was nothing there. Just the edge of his jacket and pants and…

  She inhaled sharply. Luke’s car keys were covered by his sports jacket, but they hung from a hook on his belt. If he kept the same habits he had while they were dating, the key to his cuffs should be on that same ring.

  “Do you have any tarps?” Dan asked.

  Kyle swallowed hard. “In a cabinet above the garage.”

  “Good. I’ll spread them out in the back of your truck.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder to the closet. “We’ll take a gun from there. If we’re lucky, the weapon will have been used in a previous crime and it’ll be in the system. That’ll confuse the investigators.”

  “I’ll get one.”

  “Wait for me. I don’t want them left alone in case either of them tries something.” Dan held Kyle’s gaze. “I’ll be right back. If they so much as blink, shoot them.”

  He lumbered out of the house. Megan took the opportunity to shift her body on the couch. Her hands were bound behind her back. Finding and unhooking Luke’s keys wouldn’t be easy, but it was the only chance they had.

  Lord, guide my fingers. Help me stay strong.

  “You don’t have to do this, Kyle.” She kept her tone calm and reasonable. “This isn’t you.”

  “How can I avoid it?” He paced the length of the room. “Luke shouldn’t have snooped. If he hadn’t gone in the closet, then none of this would be happening.”

  “But it is happening and you have choices. No one is dead yet.”

  Megan shifted again, as if she was uncomfortable, estimating the key ring’s position on Luke’s belt. Her fingers slipped under his jacket but found only the soft fabric of his pants.

  “You realize Dan is going to pin our murders on you, right?”

  Kyle swallowed hard and the hand holding his gun trembled. “No, he won’t.”

  Luke slid down on the couch. Her fingers brushed against his leather belt and she traced it. From the wet bar, his cell phone started ringing again.

  Please, Lord. I hope Weston realizes something is terribly wrong.

  “Franny found out that someone was stealing from the evidence room, Kyle. Dan killed her for it and framed Wade.” Her mouth was dry, and she licked her lips. “Think about it for a minute. Did you see Dan talking to Wade at Franny’s party?”

  Kyle’s jaw tightened.

  Bingo.

  Quentin hadn’t stolen her brother’s phone. Dan had. He’d set up the entire murder and then given Quentin the gun to sell afterward. But things didn’t go as planned. Quentin kept the gun and tried to use it as leverage when he decided to change his life. Dan killed him instead, setting up the murder to look like an overdose. Everyone had bought it—except June and Quentin’s grandmother.

  Luke slouched lower, and the keys touched her palm. She closed her hand around them, her heart pounding.

  “Whose truck is Dan spreading the tarps in right now? Not his own. He’s using yours. Think about it, Kyle. He’s going to turn on you.”

  “I…” Kyle’s gaze darted to Luke’s phone. He let out a breath. “He can’t. I know too much.”

  “Quentin probably thought so too.”

  Kyle’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. He shook his head and backed up a few paces as if to separate himself from her words. His gaze darted to the windows overlooked the driveway. The unattached garage was just beyond the glass.

  There was no sign of Dan, but they needed to hurry. Luke shifted once more, and the keys slid off his belt.

  Thank you, Lord.

  “The stuff in the closet is bad,” she continued. “But it’s only drugs and weapons. A good defense attorney might be able to get the evidence thrown out on a technicality. Killing a law enforcement officer in Texas, however, is a capital crime.”

  Luke’s phone rang again.

  “Or you can free us and end things now. Tell the police what you know about Dan.”

  Kyle sucked in a breath. “I dunno, Megs.”

  Luke’s fingers brushed hers and she released the keys. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and nodded ever so slightly. She needed to keep Kyle distracted.

  “How long have you been doing this?”

  “Only a year. I didn’t want to get involved, but I make next to nothing as a pharmacy technician and I have all this credit card debt, not to mention the house. The bank was breathing down my neck. I needed more income.”

  Kyle could justify it, but he was a drug dealer. People had overdosed on the drugs he sold them. He deserved to spend the rest of his life in jail.

  She tamped down her anger and plastered an expression of sympathy on her face. “You were in a bad place. It couldn’t have been an easy choice.”

  “It wasn’t.” He licked his lips. “I knew you would understand.”

  “I do. And that’s why I’m looking out for you now. I care you about you, Kyle. Do you really think Dan does?”

  “No, but he can’t go against me either. I know too much.” The hand holding the gun lowered to his side. He came around the coffee table, his expression earnest. “I’m sorry, Megs, but there’s no other—”

  Luke lunged from the couch and tackled Kyle. Both men went flying. They slammed into the bookcase, sending it crashing into the wall. Kyle’s gun sailed through the air and landed on the carpet.

  Megan rocked off the couch and kicked the weapon farther out of reach. The sound of glass crashing was followed by a grunt of pain. She turned. Luke was crumpled on the floor.

  Kyle bolted for the door. He swung it open and ran for the garage. Luke struggled to his feet, grabbed his primary weapon from the wet bar, and checked to make sure it was loaded before cutting her loose.

  “Take my backup,” Luke ordered.

  The gun was cool against her sweaty palm. Holding the weapon didn’t erase the fear, but it put her on a more level playing field. She let out a breath. Luke scooped up his cell phone and dialed.

  Shots rang out. Megan ducked behind the wet bar. It took her two heartbeats to realize they’d come from the garage.

  “I need backup now,” Luke said as he peeked over the counter. The roar of a truck’s engine came from outside. “Suspects are escaping in a vehicle. A black truck. Names are Dan Carter and Kyle Franklin. They are armed and dangerous.”

  He paused as the vehicle passed outside the living room windows. “Correction. Only one suspect is in the vehicle. Chief Deputy Dan Carter.”

  Tires peeled, and Megan lifted her head high enough to see the truck speed down the driveway as Dan escaped.

  The hospital emergency room was a hum of activity. Luke leaned against the wall, weariness seeping into his bones. He’d washed Kyle’s blood off his hands, but it still stained his shirt and sports jacket. Dan had shot the younger man twice and left him for dead in the garage before fleeing.

  Kyle was in surgery and his family was staked out in the waiting room. Sheriff Franklin’s face was drawn and pale. He looked as if he’d aged a decade in only a few hours. Brent, dressed in his deputy uniform, paced the length of glass overlooking the parking lot. Cindy couldn’t stop crying. Her nose was red and her eyes swollen.

  Megan walked into the waiting room carrying two cups from the vending machine. Her hair was tangled, her shirt also stained with Kyle’s blood, and a dark smudge of mascara marred one cheek. She handed one of the cups to Cindy, before taking a seat next to the other woman and fishing some fresh tissues out of her purse. Luke couldn’t hear her words, but he knew they were ones of comfort.

  “Every cop in the state is looking for Dan,” Weston said, drawing Luke’s attention back to their conversation. “I’m sorry. We should’ve gotten there faster.”

  He snorted. “How? By teleportation. You were there within fifteen minutes of receiving the tip.”

  An individual had called the Medina County Sheriff’s office and anonymously reported that Kyle was sellin
g drugs taken from the evidence room. Weston had immediately tried to contact Luke to warn him and, not being able to find him, sent backup to Kyle’s house. Unfortunately, Dan eluded the incoming troopers.

  “Any idea where the tip came from?” Luke asked.

  “We’re trying to trace it now, but it came from a prepaid phone.”

  “Huh. The mysterious woman who called Megan also used a prepaid phone.”

  “Yeah, but our tip came from a man.” Weston pulled out his cell phone and selected an audio file. He hit play, and the conversation between the dispatcher and the mysterious caller played out. When it finished, he asked, “Recognize the voice?”

  “Something about the cadence is familiar, but he’s using something to distort his voice, so I can’t quite place it.” Luke waved Brent and Sheriff Franklin over. “Play it again. Maybe they’ll recognize it.”

  Weston did. Both men shook their heads.

  Sheriff Franklin squeezed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “This is a nightmare. Luke, I’m so sorry. I should’ve taken your concerns about Dan more seriously.” He dropped his hand. “I trusted him because ten years ago, Dan saved my life while I was on vacation. His bravery earned my loyalty, and I never questioned it.”

  “I can see why.” Luke turned to Brent. “I guess you knew about their history?”

  Brent nodded. “I wanted to tell you, but it wasn’t my place. It was the sheriff’s story to share when and if he wanted.”

  Some of the pressure on Luke’s shoulders lifted. He hadn’t been able to understand why Brent and the sheriff were so protective of the chief deputy, but things were snapping into place.

  “Dan took advantage of your loyalty,” he said. “Neither of you have anything to feel bad about.”

  A doctor strolled into the emergency room. He wore scrubs and carried a face mask in his hand. “Franklin family?”

  Cindy jumped from the chair. Brent and Sheriff Franklin flanked her. “Kyle’s my brother.”

  Megan came next to Luke. He reached for her hand, sliding her fingers in between his.

  “The surgery went well and your brother is resting now,” the doctor said. “He was very lucky. Whoever provided first aid on the scene before the paramedics arrived likely saved his life. If he’d been left alone for another few minutes, I don’t think we would’ve been able to save him.”

  Cindy burst into fresh tears and turned. She wrapped her arms around Luke first and then Megan.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you. I know he’s done horrible things, but he’s…”

  “He’s your brother.” Megan squeezed the other woman’s arm. “And you love him.”

  The other members of the family shook their hands before they all moved away. Weston started to follow but paused. “Oh, hey, Luke. Before I forget, your dad stopped by the sheriff’s department looking for you.”

  He rocked back on his heels. “He did? Did he say what he wanted?”

  “Yeah. To make sure you were okay.” Weston pointed to the television bolted to the ceiling. “You probably haven’t been watching, but your face was all over the local news. He looked terrified. I didn’t give him any information, but I did say you were unharmed. I hope that was okay.”

  “Yeah. Thanks.”

  Weston nodded. “Sure thing.”

  His colleague walked away, unaware of the impact his news had on Luke. His dad had gone to the sheriff’s department to check on him? He wasn’t sure what to do with that information. He’d broken his leg when he was six, had stitches at ten, and been hospitalized at thirteen after a car accident. His mother had called Patrick each time to let him know, but his father had never shown up to check on him. Not once.

  Until today.

  Lord, have I stubbornly refused to listen to You? Have You touched my dad’s heart and changed him?

  “Maybe you should call him.” Megan squeezed his hand. “And if you need someone to hold your hand while you do…well, it seems I have dibs.”

  He tugged her closer, wrapping an arm around her waist. “You would do that?”

  “I’m your friend. It’s my job to hold you up.”

  Something inside Luke cracked. They’d nearly died today, and the entire time, all he could think about was that he hadn’t told Megan the truth about his feelings. By the grace of God, he’d been given a second chance, and he wasn’t going to squander it.

  “Megs, I love you. I’m sorry I didn’t say it the other night.”

  She sucked in a breath, her gaze scanning his face. “Why didn’t you?”

  “Because I was afraid we wouldn’t be able to move past the mistakes and the hurt. There’s a lot of history between us and it’s not all good. I screwed up by keeping the truth of Wade’s alcohol problem from you. I helped put him in prison. I know you said you’ve forgiven me, but that’s not the same thing as reconciling and truly leaving the past in the past.”

  “Luke, you nearly died several times working this case. You’re running down every lead and doing everything possible to prove Wade’s innocence. Don’t you think I see that?” She cupped his face in her hands. “You didn’t just say you were sorry. You showed me you were.”

  His chest constricted so tightly, it was hard to draw in a breath. There was nothing in the depths of her eyes except love.

  “You weren’t the only one who made mistakes,” she continued. “I’d lost faith in everything. God, you, myself. But I was wrong. I should’ve stayed and fought, and I’m determined not to make the same mistake twice. I love you, Luke. And I’m in this for the long haul.”

  “I love you too, Megs.”

  He kissed her, his heart breaking free of the chains holding it down. She was his past. She was also his future. The good Lord hadn’t just spared their lives, He’d given them a second chance. And Luke knew exactly how he felt in that moment with the love of his life in his arms.

  Blessed.

  Twenty-One

  Three days later, Luke stepped into the barn. The west side doors were open and a brilliant sunset painted the sky in hues of deep oranges and pale yellows. For a moment, he breathed in the air scented with horse and hay. Some of his exhaustion ebbed and his headache lessened.

  This was his first time home for longer than a quick meal and a catnap since Dan’s attack. The chief deputy was still at large. While the ranger team had gathered a lot of evidence against Dan, all of it related to stealing drugs and weapons from the evidence room. They hadn’t found anything connecting him directly to Franny’s murder.

  “Megs?” Luke called out.

  “I’m here.”

  He followed the sound of her voice around the corner and found her sitting on a hay bale, watching the sunset. She greeted him with a half smile. Dark circles shadowed the skin under her eyes, a testament to her own lack of sleep, and there was tension in the edges of her smile. Still, she stood and opened her arms, pushing up on her tiptoes to hug him.

  Luke pulled back and kissed her gently. Megan’s smile widened. The last rays of sunlight reflected off her hair, and he brushed a few strands out of her face.

  He brushed her lips with his again. “Hey, you.”

  “Hey. Wanna pull up a hay bale and watch the sunset with me?”

  “Absolutely.”

  They settled on the makeshift bench. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and Megan rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh.

  “How did the interview with Kyle go?”

  The sheriff’s nephew had finally been well enough to question this afternoon, following a second surgery for his gunshot wounds.

  “It was helpful in piecing together how Dan was stealing the evidence,” Luke said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t provide us with any new information on Franny’s murder case. Kyle claims he had no idea Dan had anything to do with Franny’s death until after you told him.”

  “I believe that. He looked shocked when he found out.”

  “What about you? Any new developments on your end?�
��

  She nodded and picked at the hay bale. “We’ve decided not to move forward with Wade’s appeal at the moment.”

  “What?” He pulled back to look at her. “Why?”

  “In order to get my brother out of jail, we have to file a writ of habeas corpus. The evidence we have so far isn’t sufficient to invalidate Wade’s confession and overturn his conviction. Dan didn’t admit to killing Franny, and that makes a difference.”

  He rubbed a hand down her back. “I’m sorry.”

  It was unfair and a rotten hand. They’d torn Dan’s house apart looking for evidence tying him to Franny’s murder. Or Skeeter’s. Or even Quentin’s. But they’d come up empty on all fronts.

  Even worse, Dan was out there somewhere. A danger to people in general, but a threat to Megan specifically. Luke understood the kind of man Dan was—vengeful and arrogant. He might be lying low now, but he would circle back around.

  She twirled a piece a hay between her fingers. “I keep telling myself to have patience. It’s only been a few days. I just want him out as soon as possible.”

  “I know you do. So do I.”

  Megan snuggled closer. “We’ll reevaluate after all the evidence has been gone through and the audit at the sheriff’s department is finished. Maybe my aunt will wake up and be able to help us. It’s not the end of the road. It’s just a speed bump. I’m going to keep praying and keep having faith.”

  “And working hard.”

  “Well, that’s a given.” She placed a kiss along the bottom of his jaw. “How is the audit going? Has everyone else at the sheriff’s department been officially cleared?”

  “Not yet, but so far, so good. Sheriff Franklin has been top-notch. He’s as determined to get justice for Franny, Skeeter, and Quentin as we are. Brent too. I think they feel terrible about putting so much faith in Dan. We’ve spent a lot of time talking the last couple of days, and as more has come out, they’ve realized what a master manipulator he was.”

  “There are so many loose ends to this case. I hate that.” She rubbed her cheek. “I still think about the woman who called to warn me. I hope she’s okay.”