Long, Tall Texans_Hank

by Diana Palmer

  “I’ll keep looking at the workers who might have held jobs in the areas near the attacks,” Chief Hurt said.

  Julie nodded. “And I’ll work with Brody to see if we can get through to Will.”

  Brody gritted his teeth. Hopefully the agents knew what they were doing.

  He only wished he did, that he knew how to reach his brother.

  Julie checked her watch. “Come on, Brody, it’s time to meet with the judge.”

  His chest clenched again. What if the judge refused to release Will and made him go to prison until his trial? Judging from what he’d been through, locking him up would only force him deeper into that silent shell. That was the only way he had coped, Brody realized with a pang to his chest.

  So setting Will free was the only way he’d ever get close enough to him to convince him to talk.

  The lawyer he’d hired to defend Will met him at the courthouse, and Brody pulled him aside and explained the doctors reports.

  Ethan glanced at Julie. “What are you planning to do?”

  Julie offered a tentative smile. “Request that he be released into my custody. We need his help, and he doesn’t deserve to be locked up right now.”

  “I have bail money ready to go,” Brody said.

  Satisfied with their strategy, they filed into the courtroom for the arraignment and took their seats. Brody’s heart stuttered as the guard opened the door and another guard escorted his brother inside the courtroom, handcuffed and shackled.

  Brody searched Will’s face, a bone-deep ache consuming him at how rigidly he walked, at the tough bravado on his face.

  And the bruises on his body.

  Will sank into the chair on the other side of Julie, a dead look in his eyes.

  Brody scrubbed a hand across his face. If he found out who had put those bruises on his brother, he wouldn’t ask questions.

  He’d make the bastard feel the same kind of pain he’d inflicted on Will.

  *

  JULIE SPOTTED District Attorney Byron Stewart and inwardly winced. He was a thirty-five-year-old edgy man with a harsh attitude and an unforgiving spirit. She’d rarely seen him show pity on anyone.

  It didn’t bode well for Will today.

  “We’re going to try to convince the judge to release you into my custody,” she said quietly to Will.

  He didn’t respond, simply sat stiffly as if expecting to be punished.

  Her heart bled as she imagined all he’d endured. He’d probably been taught that fighting back only made the punishment worse.

  Ten minutes later, she feared they were in real trouble.

  D.A. Stewart presented photo after photo of Will and Tray Goodner robbing three different convenience stores.

  “Your Honor, this young man is dangerous. He held a young woman hostage and, judging from this behavior, would have killed her if police hadn’t intervened.”

  “Objection, conjecture,” Ethan Houser said. “The district attorney cannot predict what my client would or would not have done.”

  Stewart rounded on Houser with a shocked look. “Your Honor—”

  “The gun was not loaded,” Houser added.

  “The young woman and the police didn’t know that,” Stewart snapped.

  Julie stood. “Your Honor, may I please speak?”

  The judge adjusted his bifocals. “You have evidence to show me?”

  Julie nodded. “May we approach the bench?”

  His eyebrows furrowed, but he nodded and gestured for Stewart and Houser to join her.

  “Your Honor, I find this highly objectionable,” D.A. Stewart said, slanting Julie a cynical look. “Special Agent Whitehead has spearheaded this investigation and assisted in collecting evidence against the young man in custody. And now she’s trying to get him off?”

  “That is not my intention, Your Honor,” Julie said. “But there are extenuating circumstances that you should be aware of.”

  He rubbed his forehead. “I’m listening.”

  Julie took a deep breath. “We have just learned that this young man, Kyle, is really Will Bloodworth, a boy who was kidnapped when he was ten years old.” She explained about the doctors reports and the connection to the other kidnappings. “We believe that he is traumatized, but that he may be able to lead us to his abductor and to Hank Forte, the six-year-old child who was kidnapped this week.”

  “Then leave him in jail and have a counselor work with him there,” D.A. Stewart said.

  “The young man has been severely abused and traumatized,” Julie said. “Locking him up is cruel and unusual punishment.”

  “He committed armed robbery and held a girl at gunpoint,” Stewart hissed.

  “With an unloaded gun,” Houser added.

  “Judge,” Julie continued. “There is much more at stake here than the robberies. We’re talking about solving a serial kidnapping case that spans a twenty-year-old time frame, and finding out what happened to nine other missing children. In fact, it is our belief that Will Bloodworth’s life has been threatened, and that the other children, if they are still alive, may be in extreme danger. The fact that the press showed Will’s photograph on screen could trigger this unsub to try to run, and to get rid of any evidence of his crimes, including the children he stole. Time is of the essence.”

  “Judge,” D.A. Stewart argued. “These dramatics are out of line. You can’t release this young man. He’s dangerous.”

  Julie pivoted toward the D.A. “What do you think is happening to the other children this man is holding hostage?”

  The D.A. opened his mouth to object, but the judge threw up his hand. “I’ve heard enough.” He glanced down at the files, skimming over the reports Julie had provided.

  When he looked back up, a deep frown marred his face.

  “What do you propose we do?” the judge asked. “I can’t release him on his own.”

  “His older brother, Brody Bloodworth, is here, Your Honor. He’s been searching for his brother for years. He’s not only a respectable member of society, but he owns a ranch called the Bucking Bronc Lodge. The BBL is designed to help young boys and men in trouble, and is equipped with on-site counseling services.”

  The judge’s eyes flickered with recognition. “I’ve heard of the BBL.” He glanced over at Brody with a quick smile.

  “I will also be monitoring him,” Julie added. “You can release him into my custody. Together with Mr. Bloodworth, I believe we can convince Will to lead us to his captor and to Hank Forte.”

  Julie held her breath while she waited on his response. A moment later, he gave a short nod then gestured for them to take their seats. The D.A. gave her a disapproving look as she went to stand beside Will. Brody looked anxious, but Will still sat rigid, his expression stony.

  Julie said a silent prayer that the judge agreed with her. If Will had to return to jail, she was afraid they would lose any chance of him talking.

  *

  BRODY’S LUNGS churned for air as he waited on the judge to answer. He’d tried to hear what Julie and the D.A. were saying, but they had spoken in hushed voices.

  But Julie was fighting to save his brother.

  His admiration for her mounted. He had loved her so much when they were young. And as much as he hated her job, he was impressed with her tough, professional demeanor. She was a powerful advocate when she cared about something.

  The judge pounded his gavel and the bailiff gestured for them to rise to hear his decision. “After evaluating the evidence in this case and considering the extenuating circumstances,” the judge said, “I have decided to release Kyle into the custody of Special Agent Julie Whitehead with the stipulation that he remain in her care and that he reside on the BBL with supervision by Mr. Bloodworth.” He angled himself toward Will. “But know this, young man, if you attempt to escape from them or do not cooperate and undergo counseling as mandated by this court, you will be returned to jail until time for your trial. Do you understand?”

  Will squared his shoulder
s, but a flicker of some emotion Brody didn’t understand registered in his brother’s eyes.

  “I asked you a question, young man,” the judge said in a firm voice. “Do you understand?”

  Will’s lips pinched tightly together. “Sir, yes, sir.”

  The judge studied him for a moment then looked at Brody. “Bail is set at a hundred thousand dollars. You can pay the clerk outside.” He turned to Julie. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Special Agent Whitehead.”

  “Yes, sir,” Julie said.

  He pounded the gavel, then dismissed them. Ethan shook Brody’s hand. “I’ll let you know when the trial date is set. And I’ll need to speak to my client before then.”

  “We’ll stay in touch,” Brody said. “Just see that the trial date is postponed until we have a chance to get some answers.”

  “Of course.” Ethan reached out to pat Will’s shoulder, but Will stiffened and moved away from him.

  Brody’s heart ached. He would do everything he could for his brother.

  He just hoped it would be enough.

  The guard removed Will’s handcuffs, but Will remained rigid as if he’d just been sentenced to another cell.

  “Come on, Kyle,” Julie said softly as she took his arm. “We’re taking you to Brody’s ranch.”

  Will frowned, and Brody wondered when would be the best time to tell him about the DNA test. Ethan flanked Julie on one side while he walked beside Will, the four of them leaving the courtroom at the same time.

  Brody went to pay the clerk the bail money, then joined the trio again and they headed down the hall, then outside.

  He gritted his teeth when two reporters shot forward, mikes extended, cameras flashing. “Special Agent Whitehead, we heard you arrested one of the boys in the gang of robberies?”

  “Son, why did you do it?” the other reporter asked.

  The first reporter shoved the mike at Julie. “Are you releasing him?”

  Julie’s expression tightened, and Will dropped his head in an attempt to avoid the camera. “Yes, we made an arrest but the investigation is ongoing, and I can’t comment on it at this time.”

  Reporter one bristled. “Mr. Bloodworth, you run the BBL. What is your relationship to the defendant?”

  Brody glanced at Will and saw his jaw flinch slightly. He couldn’t divulge the truth to the public before Will knew. Neither did he want to reveal where he was taking Will in case his kidnapper came after him. “No comment.”

  Ethan stepped up. “Excuse us. We’re done with this interview for now.”

  The reporters both opened their mouths to ask more questions, but Ethan quickly herded Julie, Will and him toward the car.

  Will’s posture remained rigid as they stepped outside, but his eyes scanned the streets as if he was looking for someone.

  Or for a way to escape.

  Brody grimaced. He’d have to watch him on the ranch. He had a feeling the first chance he got, Will would bolt and run away.

  *

  HE WATCHED THE NEWS interview with a scowl. Son of a bitch.

  How the hell had Brody Bloodworth found Kyle?

  He bunched his hands into fists. If he was taking him back with him to that ranch, it meant he knew who he was.

  And he would drill Kyle until he remembered what happened that day at the rodeo.

  If anyone could break Kyle, it was his brother.

  Fury coiled inside him as he stood and went to the window. If Kyle broke and spilled his guts, he might lead them to the compound.

  He couldn’t let that happen. He’d moved before, but he liked it here. And every time he moved, he had to leave some of his family, his team behind.

  Jeremy walked in the door and he explained what had happened.

  “Don’t worry, Father,” Jeremy said. “I will take care of Kyle.”

  He smiled and patted Jeremy on the back. He had taught his son to obey and now he would.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The ride to the BBL was riddled with tension. Julie kept her eyes on the wheel and listened as Brody told Will about the BBL.

  “It adjoins my property,” Brody said. “It’s definitely a working ranch so I have hired hands, but the boys who attend the camps also assist. The older boys, actually teens like yourself and some in their twenties, teach the younger ones how to ride, groom the horses and work with the cattle.”

  Will remained sullen as he stared out the window.

  “We had a rodeo last year to raise money and had some big-name rodeo riders. One was a friend of mine—Johnny Long. The boys also made promotional signs for it and participated in riding, roping skills, barrel races and other events.”

  Other than a small frown that puckered between Will’s dark eyebrows, he showed no reaction.

  “I bet you’re hungry.” Julie glanced in the rearview mirror to see his response but he made none.

  “I could eat a burger,” Brody said.

  “Me, too.” Julie knew the area and found a steak-and-burger place that she remembered had great fries, and pulled in. Will made no movement to get out until Brody climbed out and walked around to his door and opened it for him. Will unfolded his lean body from the vehicle. Brody placed his hand on his shoulder to guide him in, but Will’s look of warning made him drop it.

  Five minutes later, they were seated at a corner table sipping tea and waiting on their food.

  “I realize you don’t know me,” Brody said. “But I really want to help you, Will.”

  “My name is Kyle,” he said tersely.

  Julie gave Brody a sympathetic look, trying to telegraph to him to be patient.

  “All right, Kyle.” The waitress brought their food and she and Brody dug in. “I think you’ll like the horses. At least you used to when you were little.”

  “How do you know what I liked?” Will asked.

  Julie held her breath. She and Brody hadn’t discussed when to tell him about the DNA results.

  Brody shifted, pushing his fries around on his plate, then shrugged. “Most kids like horses. Especially boys.”

  Will shrugged. “Whatever.”

  Brody’s jaw tightened in obvious frustration. “Well, we’ll see when we get to the BBL.”

  Kyle didn’t respond, but he wolfed down his food as if he hadn’t eaten in days.

  “You can have another burger if you want,” Julie said, wiping ketchup from her mouth with her napkin.

  But Will simply folded his napkin neatly and placed it on the table. She noted the meticulous way he handled it and had a sinking feeling his captor had been obsessive-compulsive.

  Brody paid the bill, and they drove the rest of the way to the BBL in silence. Cracking through Will’s veneer might be harder than she thought.

  But getting him to talk was imperative. If his abductor had seen the newscast, he would probably have panicked.

  That panic might trigger him to do something bad—like take his anger out on the other kids he was holding.

  Or what if he came after Will?

  She didn’t want to tell Brody, but she’d stick around and keep her eyes peeled. And she’d alert her coworkers.

  Will was not only a suspect in a crime and a kidnap victim, but he was also a witness and could identify his abductor.

  Which meant he might be in danger.

  *

  BRODY WATCHED Will’s reaction as they arrived at the BBL, but just as he’d been on the ride and when they’d stopped to buy him some clothes and toiletries, he remained sullen.

  Will’s look turned even more wary as Brody showed him around the ranch house. He behaved as if he was searching for bars on the window and guards like he was still in prison.

  Or maybe that was how it had been where he’d lived the past few years.

  “You can have this room,” he told Will, strategically giving Julie the first guest room by the stairs and placing Will in the second. Both rooms were situated across from the master suite so he and Julie could monitor if Will left his room and went downstai
rs.

  He also intended to keep the alarm set at night in case Will tried to leave.

  Julie set the shopping bag of jeans and shirts in the room, but her phone buzzed and she excused herself to answer it.

  “Come on,” Brody said. “I’ll give you a quick tour of the ranch.”

  Will’s lips pressed into a thin line. “What will my assignments be?”

  “Your assignments?” Brody asked.

  “Yes, sir. I’m here under court order. I expect to have assignments.”

  Brody rubbed his chin. He wanted to tell him that his assignment was to remember him, to remember his life before the kidnapping. But he couldn’t push. “You mean what will your jobs, your chores be?”

  “Sir, yes, sir.”

  Brody’s chest squeezed at the military response. “You can muck stalls, help exercise and groom the horses.”

  Will’s eyes crinkled. “Sir, yes, sir.”

  “You can stop with that, too,” Brody said, his irritation mounting. “This is a camp, not a military base. The boys here call me Brody.”

  Will’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Sir, yes, sir.”

  “It’s Brody,” he said again, struggling for patience. “Now, come on, I’ll show you around.”

  He led Will down the stairs and outside. Julie was on the porch. “I have to go, Brody. I’ll be back in a while.”

  “What’s going on?”

  She cut her eyes toward Will. “A woman from the fair where Hank Forte went missing called in. She said she saw someone suspicious and is going to meet with a sketch artist.”

  That sounded hopeful.

  “I’ll be back in a little bit.” She looked at Will. “Anytime you’re ready to talk, Kyle, I’m ready to listen.”

  A mixture of emotions flickered in his eyes for a second, but then his mask fell back into place.

  Brody watched her leave, then turned to Will. “My brother and I used to love riding when we were little,” he said. “Our father had a spread east of here, not a big one. He wasn’t a smart rancher, but we had a couple of horses we used to ride. Chance was mine and my brother, Will, liked this old guy named Tully.”

  He walked toward the stables where they kept the quarter horses and Will followed. “One day Will took Tully out on the riding trails and Will got turned around. But even though Tully was old, he had a good sense of direction and brought him back.” He paused, glancing at Will to see if he had any reaction, but Will seemed to be looking across the land as if he was still searching for the prison guards.