“I wonder. Look outside. The lights in the parking lot are still working.”
Cade’s right hand instinctively went to his gun, his palm resting on the grip, his thumb unsnapping the tab that kept it in the holster. “You’re right. Stay where you are. I’ll go have a look around.”
He heard shuffling. Then she grabbed the sleeve of his leather jacket.
“I’m going with you.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“The silly part is how afraid I get when it’s totally dark. Either you take me with you or I’ll probably panic and get hysterical.” She drew a noisy, shaky breath. “I mean it. I know it’s stupid and irrational but I’m really, really scared.”
“Okay. You can come. Grab the evidence. We’re not leaving it unguarded.”
He heard the slide of a zipper as she closed the carrying case. Now that his vision had adjusted more to the darkness he could see enough via the reflected exterior lights to move around safely, even in such unfamiliar territory.
“Got it,” Paige said. “I’m ready.”
Judging by the quaver in her tone she was truly frightened. Although such unfounded fears made no sense to him, he was willing to indulge her, particularly in view of the Rangers’ desperate need for her talents. The last thing he wanted to do was alienate her.
They crossed the room, moving as one.
Cade grasped the doorknob. He had no sooner started to twist it than he heard a clicking, sliding sound. He froze. Was that a bullet being chambered in an automatic weapon?
If someone else was outside in the hallway, as he now suspected, they might very well be getting ready to shoot the first person dumb enough to stick his—or her—head out.
Cade steeled himself. He wasn’t going to make it that easy.
TWO
Staying close to Cade, Paige kept out of the way of the Ranger’s drawn gun. He’d tensed and stopped dead in his tracks when they’d heard the metallic sounds on the other side of the door.
It was ludicrous to assume they were in any serious danger. This was one of the safest buildings in the whole state. The sprawling complex of the Texas Department of Public Safety housed both the State Troopers and the Rangers. With all those lawmen roaming around, not to mention enough professional bureaucrats to scare the socks off anybody, no criminals would dare set foot in the place.
When the Ranger reached back and gave her a gentle push, she resisted. “You’re not leaving me.”
His tone was brusque and civil at the same time. It rumbled along her nerve endings and raised goose bumps on her arms. “Just stay back while I check. You’re not going out there till I say it’s clear.”
“Yes, sir.” Feeling contrite, Paige eased away from him slightly. The padded case bumped against her knees. She shoved it toward the hinged edge of the opening door for added security, thinking belatedly that maybe she should put her own body in its place. She didn’t.
“Who’s there?” Cade called loudly. “Identify yourself.” No one answered, and he said more quietly to Paige, “Do you happen to have a flashlight? I left mine in my truck.”
“Yes. I’ll get it. What are we going to do?”
“We’re not. I am.”
As soon as he had the light in hand, he eased the door open another six inches, then a foot, then all the way. Swinging out in a half crouch, he aimed both gun and light first in one direction, then the other.
“Okay,” Cade told her, straightening. “Looks like the coast is clear.”
“Now what?”
“We find the main panel that controls the lights in this place and try to figure out what’s wrong. Any idea where that panel might be?”
“Up front. We throw those breakers whenever we have a fire or disaster drill.”
“That’s what I’m looking for.”
Paige pointed down the hallway toward the reception area. “Go that way. There’s a fuse box in a utility closet. It’s on the left, not far from the front door.”
“Okay. Follow me. And stay close.”
She chuckled derisively, positive that doing so was a lot better than letting herself be too serious. “Close? Trust me. That’s not going to be a problem.”
The farther they traveled, the more the hair on Paige’s neck and arms prickled. She shivered. Listened to the echo of their soft footfalls. Suddenly, there was something else. What was that noise?
Tapping the Ranger on the shoulder, she saw the beam of the light he was carrying jump and realized he wasn’t nearly as calm and collected as he’d wanted her to believe.
“Stop,” Paige whispered. “Did you hear something funny just now?”
“I don’t think so. Did you?” He played the light over the walls and floor and shined it into the distance, forward and behind. Its beam vanished into the gloom.
“I don’t know. I thought so but now I’m not sure. I do have a very active imagination.”
“In your line of work that’s probably an asset.”
She huffed softly. “It’s not so hot when I’m trapped in a dark building, even if I do have one of Texas’s finest to protect me. I was sure I heard something. Besides our footsteps, I mean.”
They stood quietly together, listening to the silence, before Cade said, “Maybe you aren’t the only one who stayed to work late and somebody else is trying to fix the problem, too. Come on.”
Carrying the evidence bag behind her, Paige stuck close to Cade as they tiptoed along the hallway. Each private office door they tried to open was locked, as they should have been. Unless the prowler—assuming there was one—had individual keys, there was no way he could be hiding in any of those rooms.
“You said the controls for the overhead lighting are around here, right? Show me.” Cade painted the beige-tiled floor with the narrow beam of light.
It took her only a few seconds to guide him to the gray metal box containing the electrical panel. He located the breakers and flipped them all to On.
The resulting illumination was blinding. Paige shaded her eyes with her free hand and could feel the tension flowing out of her. “Whew. That’s better. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. We’ll need to report this incident to Captain Parker. It may have been just a blown breaker from a power surge or something, but an electrician should have a look at the whole system just the same. No use taking chances.”
“If you say so.”
“I do. Anything that scares you as much as this incident did should definitely be investigated.”
“Me? I wasn’t the only one on edge. You almost hit the ceiling when I tapped you on the shoulder.”
“That’s because I never did find a logical explanation for what sounded like somebody cocking an automatic weapon right outside your office.”
“Now that I heard, too,” Paige said. “So tell me. After what already happened to you on your way here, do you honestly think this electrical problem was an accident?”
She saw more worry than she was comfortable with in the Ranger’s eyes when he shook his head and said, “No. I can’t say I do.”
Remaining on his guard, Cade escorted the artist back to her studio. He didn’t know what was going on but he didn’t believe in chance. The incident on the highway that had almost gotten him killed had been too convenient. So had this supposed power failure.
In his view, there was a good possibility that someone wanted to keep this victim’s identity a secret. That made perfect sense, particularly if the Lions of Texas cartel really was involved.
Paige once again removed the skull and started to study it.
“The lab boys said he was a man in his thirties,” Cade offered. “Do you agree?”
“Perhaps. I suppose they took dental X-rays and checked the opacity of the teeth to help decide.” She was rotating the skull as she spoke. “It has large brow ridges and blunt orbital borders, plus a dandy occipital protuberance. Nasal openings and the structure of the inner ear fit, too.”
“In English, please?”
Cade didn’t mind seeing that his request for plainer speaking had amused her. There was little enough laughter in the world, particularly their corner of it.
“Okay.” He held up the open carrying case. “Better let me have him back for now. I’ve delayed you long enough. We can get down to serious business tomorrow.”
“Fine with me. It is getting late. Max will be wondering what kept me.”
To Cade’s surprise, he felt a twinge of emotion that was too akin to envy to suit him. “Max? Are you married?”
Paige shook her head and the sparkle in her emerald eyes was so appealing, he almost stared.
“No,” she said. “Max is short for Maximum, which is what I named the biggest dog I’ve ever had. He’s part Old English sheepdog, part fence-jumper, I think. I have to keep trimming his hair so he can see where he’s going.”
Cade gave a soft chuckle. “Well, I don’t want to keep you, ma’am.”
Paige stripped off her gloves and disposed of them while he zipped the bag closed. “You can leave that here so you don’t have to tote it all over Austin with you,” she said. “I have a big vault for secure storage.”
“Thanks. After the strange goings-on tonight it’ll be a relief to have it locked away safely.” Cade patted the closed top of the bag. “Are you the only one who knows the combination to your vault?”
“Of course not. Why?”
It occurred to him that maybe he should keep the skull with him, even if it would be a real pain to guard it every second. “Sharing the combination is not good. I told you how important this clue is. We can’t take any chances on losing it.”
“I have never lost a shred of evidence. Not once.”
“You probably aren’t normally as edgy as you were tonight, either. Suppose somebody was prowling around looking for this skull? What then?”
“We never saw a soul,” Paige countered.
“True. But if the Lions of Texas are as well connected as we suspect, they probably already know you’ve been chosen to do the facial rebuild.”
She arched her brows and rolled her eyes, almost making Cade laugh out loud. “That doesn’t take a rocket scientist. I’m the only forensic artist the Rangers have.”
“My point, exactly,” he said, watching her expression until he sensed that she’d begun to comprehend the importance of his warning. “They know what your job is.”
“And maybe they were watching you instead of me and knew you’d just delivered that evidence. Did you think of that?”
“Unfortunately, yes, which means your safe is the most secure option.” He took the carrying case to the safe. “Let’s get this guy locked up and get out of here. I’ll check in with the troopers before I go and have them keep an eye on this building. Especially your office.”
To his chagrin, Paige began to laugh softly.
“What’s so funny?”
“You are. You seem to have forgotten you’re on foot. You don’t have your truck anymore.”
“It’s around here somewhere. Probably still in the maintenance garage. It’s dented and scraped but the running gear didn’t look damaged. If they aren’t through checking it for clues yet, I can probably borrow some decent wheels from the motor pool.”
Taking her arm as soon as she locked the safe, he started to urge her toward the door. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
“Okay. Give me a minute to grab my things.”
Cade stayed on alert and by her side as she secured her office. Watching Paige that closely, it was impossible to avoid noticing how attractive she was. Her jeans, plain green T-shirt and fitted denim jacket were extremely well suited to her. So was the soft, draping leather shoulder bag she carried. They also indicated that she wasn’t into fancy clothing and such. His kind of down-to-earth, simple-pleasures woman, not given to prissiness.
Oh, well. He shrugged with resignation. He knew from his fellow Rangers that her assignments were usually completed quickly and efficiently, which meant his stay in Austin would be brief. Too bad he and Paige would never have a chance to really get to know each other.
That thought brought him up short. It wasn’t bad, it was good. Not only were in-house romances frowned upon, he’d had his fill of ladies who fretted over his dangerous occupation so much that it drove them away. The nervous tendencies Paige had recently demonstrated meant she was not suited to being any part of a Ranger’s personal life. Matter of fact, he was a bit surprised that she was able to cope with her daily tasks as well as she did.
Puzzled, he wondered what had formed such a forceful personality, yet had left an unreasonable fear of the dark and perhaps other vulnerabilities in her psyche? If he had some spare time, maybe he’d look into her past.
Just to satisfy his natural curiosity, of course.
Paige led the way across the well-lit parking lot with Cade at her side. “Do you think I need to take any extra precautions?” She smiled. “Except for not staying after hours in a deserted building while I wait for a tardy Ranger, I mean.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“No problem. It’s my hang-up, not yours.”
“Well, it’s always good to keep an eye out for the unusual,” he said.
“Like what, for instance?”
“Anything out of the ordinary.”
Although she nodded to indicate she understood and agreed, there were several reasons why Paige doubted she’d be able to spot danger before it was too late. For one thing, her head was usually in the clouds and her mind drifting, or so she’d been told often enough, first by her parents, when she was younger, and then by her friends and coworkers.
“Earth to Paige. Which is your car?”
“The baby blue pickup right over there. It’s not necessary for you to walk me all the way. I can take care of myself from here on.”
“Humor me.”
Paige huffed and gave him a lopsided grin. “I’m starting to get the idea that you intend to do as you please no matter what I say.”
Touching the broad brim of his cattleman’s hat and, nodding politely, he drawled, “Yes, ma’am. And it will be my pleasure.”
Being on the receiving end of the Ranger’s overt courtesy made Paige feel decidedly shamefaced. She climbed into her truck while he held the door, then said, “Why don’t you hop in and let me drive you over to the motor pool? I’m sure you must be tired.”
He yawned, covering his mouth. “You could say that. It’s been a long day.”
“And a long last few months, I imagine. I can’t believe the Rangers haven’t solved the murder of one of their own yet.”
“Neither can I.” She saw him eyeing the passenger side of her pickup as he asked, “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” Paige concentrated on bestowing a gracious smile to confirm her invitation. She understood his frustration with any unsolved case, especially the one he was currently working. Even this many years after the fact, she sometimes found herself wondering about her sister’s disappearance and wishing she could go back in time and do things differently.
Starting the engine as soon as Cade had joined her and slammed his door, Paige began to drive toward the garage where the State Troopers stored and processed their vehicular evidence.
A sudden thought caused her to hold out her hand. “You’d better give me your card so I’ll have your cell number handy, just in case.”
“In case of what?”
She chuckled wryly. “If I knew that, I could tell you now and forget using the phone.”
“Very logical.” Smiling, he pulled out a business card and passed it to her. “Here you go. I keep my cell as close as I keep my Colt .45, so feel free to contact me anytime, day or night.”
“Thanks. Se
e you bright and early tomorrow? I usually start around seven.”
“Boy, you don’t kid around, do you?”
“Nope. What I do is too important. When I have work like this waiting for me, I make sure it gets done ASAP.”
“Understood.” He saluted with a nod as he stepped out of the truck and paused. “Night, ma’am.”
“Good night.” As he closed the door, she hit the button to roll the window down so they could continue to hear each other speaking. Beyond lay the garage where his damaged truck would be waiting. It disturbed her to think of how close they may have come to never getting together at all, let alone having the opportunity to discuss their mutual goals regarding Captain Pike’s murder.
Paige leaned across the truck seat to watch his face when she added, “Take care of yourself.”
“I will.”
He’d tossed off the comment too blithely to suit her. “I mean it. I’ll worry.”
Cade grinned, making her glad she was still seated because she suddenly felt a little off balance—and more than a little charmed.
“Don’t waste energy fretting about me,” he said. “Everything will be fine. I got the evidence delivered and we’ll be done with it in no time. I’ve heard you’re a genius with clay.”
“Thanks. I do have my moments.”
He waved goodbye and so did she.
Watching him walk away, Paige was struck by a strong sense that, given what had already happened, the rest of this case was not going to be a stroll in the park.
That particular choice of words did not sit well. Her hands fisted and clenched on the steering wheel. Her heart began to beat faster. There was nothing peaceful or relaxing about a visit to a public park when those grounds might hide a waiting predator. She, of all people, knew that.
Pausing by the garage entrance to watch the attractive forensic artist drive away, Cade realized how much she had impressed him. Considering Paige’s strong work ethic, it was no wonder the Texas Rangers were able to get by with only one artist. A person like her was worth a dozen who treated their tasks as nothing more than an everyday job.
Face of Danger Page 2
