Texas Takedown

by Heather Woodhaven

  The walkie-talkie squawked again. “Housekeeping is rushing up some baby shampoo, Matt. You’re supposed to wash your face and eyes with it. Perhaps you could use her room? As soon as you’re able, the police are waiting for you.”

  Matt just hoped that was all that was waiting for them.

  * * *

  Isabelle’s nose and eyes stung, even though she hadn’t suffered a direct hit from the spray. She refused to complain, though, especially standing next to Matt. He’d washed the affected area and said he felt much better, but the side of his face looked as if he’d been attacked by five-year-olds armed with blush. He really needed to change his clothes, as well, or she might never stop sneezing. His jacket reeked.

  The housekeeping crew was cleaning the elevator. They wore masks as they mopped and wiped down all the surfaces. Isabelle gave them an apologetic wave as they waited for the other elevator. Thankfully the security guard rode down with them. Otherwise Isabelle wasn’t sure she could handle stepping into a moving box again.

  As they entered the marbled lobby, she wouldn’t have even known something criminal had occurred. The soothing piano ballads played through the speakers, and some guests of the hotel mingled around the couches and lounge chairs. One of the hotel employees waved Matt toward the registration. “You have some people waiting in your office.”

  She followed Matt into a side door marked Employees Only. A police officer was speaking to Lyle, the security guard who seemed to be in charge. The officer turned to them. “I have good news and bad news. You mentioned a car was shot near the pharmacy yesterday. Late last night, the driver came forward. He’d allegedly spotted the gunman while driving away. The man we just arrested matches the description of the shooter.”

  Isabelle blew out a breath. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the rest. “And the bad news?”

  “He’s using the same lawyer as Jimmy Diaz.”

  Her pulse quickened. “Doesn’t that count as evidence that they’re conspiring, or colluding, or whatever legal term you want to use?”

  “That’s not how it works, ma’am.”

  “So he’ll likely be released on bail soon,” Matt said. “Even though you suspect they’re part of the mafia.”

  The officer raised his eyebrows. “There may be rumors, but I can’t officially confirm any of them. I am afraid the likelihood of bail is high. We’re keeping an eye on Diaz, so if this guy gets out, we’ll do the same, but I won’t pretend the danger isn’t there. Can you offer us anything on what they may be after that can help us pinpoint their motivation?”

  In other words, was there any way she could tie all these seemingly random attacks to an unnamed organized crime ring? It was ludicrous. If the instigator was someone in the industry, she could buy that. Organized crime usually focused on drugs and extortion and...well, she didn’t really know, but they didn’t have the reputation of stealing academic research. She sighed. “I have research they’re after. Tomorrow I’ll be presenting on it—‘Particle Swarm Optimization, Velocity Redefinition and Mutation Factors for Permutation Solutions.’”

  The officer stared at her for a moment. “I’m afraid that doesn’t give us much to go on.”

  She threw her hands out. “Well, that’s all I have. They’ve taken everything else I own.”

  He shook his head as if trying to think of something. “We’ll do our best to find something, but aside from what we’re already doing, you might want to consider hiring a bodyguard. If that’s not possible, I suggest asking the conference center and hotel to hire extra security. We’ll continue to patrol the area around the hotel and the conference center.” He nodded at her. “Call us if you think of anything else.” The officer made a circular gesture toward Matt’s face. “Stings, doesn’t it?” He let himself out of the office and headed out the door.

  “Fat lot of good that did,” she muttered.

  Matt glanced at the clock on the wall, and his eyes widened. “My family will be here soon.” He stormed out of the office.

  Now would be a good time to offer to move to a different hotel, but she hadn’t called Hank yet. She followed him out.

  Mr. Frazer stood waiting for him. Matt placed a hand on his forehead, which she almost pointed out wasn’t a good idea. He shouldn’t touch his face at all until he’d changed clothes and was sure all the pepper-spray oils were gone. Otherwise he’d spread it further, but she didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his coworkers.

  “Mr. Frazer, I’m terribly sorry,” Matt said. “I thought I could squeeze you in today, but something has come up.” Matt turned to the registration desk. “Is the Ambassador Suite ready for my family?”

  “Absolutely. Checked myself,” Ellen answered.

  “Perfect. Could you have a bellhop—I don’t know who’s on duty tonight—grab Miss Barrows’s things and take them to the suite?”

  Isabelle took a step forward. “What? I can’t stay with your family.”

  “Of course you can. There’s plenty of room. And, Ellen, would you ring Rosa and ask her to give Mr. Frazer a tour? She should almost be done with the Townsend rehearsal.”

  Matt reached over the side of the counter for a pad of paper. He tore off the top sheet and handed it to Mr. Frazer. “Rosa is my right hand.”

  Frazer shook his head. “Well, I was really hoping for you. You’re supposed to be the best.”

  “And I appreciate that, but unless you can wait until next week, I can’t make it work.”

  Frazer narrowed his eyes. “I’ll wait for Rosa.”

  Matt nodded, said his goodbyes and darted down the hallway to change while Lyle guarded Isabelle like a hawk. The way he stepped in front of her, his shoulders back and his eyes scanning the room, she knew he took his job seriously. “You like working here?”

  He nodded without looking at her. “A whole lot better since Matt became my boss. You’ve got a good man there.”

  Her cheeks heated. “He’s not exactly mine, but I agree he’s a good man.”

  “Well, you better make him yours. About time he stopped working so hard and learned to enjoy the fruit of his labors.” Lyle said it with such severity she almost snickered.

  It was obvious Matt shared the same work ethic she did. Every time she watched him in action, her heart beat a little faster. There was something attractive about a person who’d found what he was really good at and yet still strived for excellence.

  Matt strode across the lobby before she could reflect further. His face had almost turned back to its normal color. “Ready?” He gestured at the elevators. “I’m starting to hate these metal boxes.”

  “But better than stairs, right?”

  “Absolutely.” The pepper smell had been replaced with the cedar smells she enjoyed.

  He pressed the button for the thirtieth floor. As the doors began to close, he took a giant step backward, no doubt to give himself a better vantage point should anyone enter at the last second.

  She grabbed Matt’s arm, instantly regretting it because of the heat that traveled up her arm when he looked at her in surprise. “I...uh...realized I have to stop by the room. My laptop is still in the room safe. The bellhop can’t access it without the code, can he?”

  “I should’ve remembered. No, he can’t. Let’s see if he has already dropped off your stuff, and then I can run down and get it while you are settled. Though you’d have to trust me with the code. I mean, I understand if—”

  “I do.” The words slipped out of her mouth before she realized what they sounded like...the affirmation of wedding vows. Her mind kept going there. What was wrong with her? It never had done that with any other man she’d ever dated.

  And sure, should the unthinkable happen and Hank needed to close the institute, she could get a job in San Antonio. If she had to, she’d give tours at SeaWorld until she could find an opening in
research. Maybe San Antonio could be her forever home...if Matt felt the same way she did. But that was a giant if.

  She inhaled, taking control of her thoughts. “I can’t imagine you’d ever want to leave here. Your employees would clearly do anything for you. They’re a genuine team. That’s rare, you know.”

  “Thank you.” His chest seemed to puff a bit. “But I’m not staying.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve come to realize this week that my staff could run this place without me.” He gave her a side glance. “I have you to thank for that. I haven’t allowed myself any time off to give them a chance to show me.”

  “But th-that’s the mark of a good manager! You’ve trained them well. But they’ll still need you if there is a hiccup. I’m sure there is a ton of other things they couldn’t do without—”

  “You’re right, but I’m not ready to settle down until I find somewhere to implement my own ideas and vision.” He shrugged. “If that place isn’t with David’s venture, then I’ll keep looking until I find it. One day I hope to have built enough clout that I won’t be seen as a risk. I just need someone to believe in me.”

  She slumped up against the side of the elevator. “I believe in you.”

  Of course his dream would be the exact opposite of hers. That was the way the world seemed to work, in her experience. Though, if she were honest, part of her dream included a family. If she had the opportunity to marry and start a family with her best friend, would she say no because it meant moving a lot? It was something she had vowed she’d never do.

  It was enough to turn Randy down, but her heart had never been fully invested in that relationship. What’d her mom always say? Home is where the heart is. It sounded like a platitude more than a quote from Pliny, a Roman philosopher two thousand years ago. Either way, she’d disregarded the sentiment. But maybe it was worth revisiting. Was she merely trying to justify the possibility of walking away from her dream?

  That philosopher had one thing right, though, when he said, “No mortal man moreover is wise at all moments.” The stress of the unknown, the danger of the week, and her heart’s longing to stay connected with Matt. It was all becoming too much to bear. She needed wisdom.

  A verse in James basically said if someone lacked wisdom, she should ask God, who gives it generously without fault. I’m asking, Lord.

  “I appreciate that more than you know,” Matt said.

  Isabelle blinked and wondered if she’d prayed aloud until she realized he was responding to her comment about believing in him. “I’m sure your employees and family would agree with me,” she said.

  “I hope so. If I ever reach the point that I’m doing it just for the money and recognition, then I think I’ll need to move on to a different career. ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart be also.’ Right?” The doors swung open and he stepped into the hallway.

  Isabelle didn’t move. “What did you say?”

  He frowned and pressed a hand to keep the doors open. “‘Where your treasure is, there your heart be also.’ It’s a verse.”

  “I—I know.” The words hit her in a way they never had before. She would have to digest the timing of him quoting that verse a little later. Sure, it was figurative, but maybe she should consider taking it for the literal meaning, as well. She certainly treasured her relationship with Matt. She sighed and stepped out to join him.

  Matt pulled out a hotel key and stuck it in the closest hotel door. “I figure it must be important because it’s quoted twice, in Matthew and in Luke.”

  Way to make a point, Lord. Her gaze flickered upward. But I don’t want to jump to conclusions, so excuse me if I’m being thickheaded. I really need it to be crystal clear.

  The door swung open. “After you.” She followed Matt’s hand and stepped inside. Despite the darkness, her focus swept past the room to the windows. The first set of doors opened to a balcony. The other two sets of windows took up most of the wall space. In front of her was a wonderful view of the San Antonio skyline. It was a luxury to enjoy the view without needing to network with other people or watch it speed by in an elevator.

  Matt kept his gaze down. “Go ahead. Take a look. I’m going to make sure everything is ready for my family.”

  Isabelle strolled past a dining-room table and a set of couches on her way to the balcony. In the middle of the table, a large basket was filled with San Antonio souvenirs. Matt really left no detail undone. His family would be impressed.

  She put a hand on each of the door levers, pushed down and swung the French doors open at the same time. The refreshing air blew her hair back, the closest she would get to the sensation of flying. This high up, despite the city lights, she felt she could almost touch the sky.

  A hand grabbed her shoulder. She turned, surprised Matt would join her with his fear of heights. But it wasn’t his eyes she stared into.

  Her smile dropped. The man with the knife who had chased her into the grotto faced her.

  Her mouth wrenched open to scream, but the man shoved a gloved hand over her face. She fought to breathe.

  She shoved him with both fists, but he didn’t budge. She pulled her leg back to kick him, but he propelled her backward until the small of her back pressed against something metal. The rest of her torso felt the wind rushing past. Cold dread spiked her heart rate as she flung her head side to side, trying to free herself of his grasp, desperate for a deep breath.

  “That’ll be all.” His cold hard voice met her ears at the same time his hand loosened around her face and dropped to her neck. She inhaled a greedy breath. He shoved his right hand into her chest as he yanked on the necklace with his left. The chain bit into the back of her neck. She cried out until it mercifully broke free, leaving a stinging, hot, liquid sensation.

  He shoved her. Her back threatened to snap as her torso bent. Her hands reached out to find nothing but air as he flipped her the rest of the way over the balcony.

  THIRTEEN

  Matt flipped on the lights of the full kitchen. So far everything looked in perfect order. He was pleased all the curtains had remained closed in every room but the entrance. He wanted his family to enjoy the aha moment of the beautiful city, but there was only so much he could take of the views before the slow build of fear made him nauseated.

  A doctor told him the medical term was “acrophobia.” It’d been something he’d prayed about for as long as he could remember, especially since he’d grown up desperate to follow in his father’s footsteps. Essentially he didn’t trust his own sense of balance when faced with heights. As long as he didn’t have to climb a ladder or stand near a balcony or cliff, he was able to cope. He could even fly in an airplane as long as he kept his gaze forward.

  A noise shook him out of his thoughts. Perhaps the door. Maybe the bellhop had arrived to deliver Isabelle’s things. The two-thousand-square-foot suite was about as spread out as a one-story house. He turned each set of lights off as he walked back toward the entry. “Isabelle?” he called out.

  He stepped into the living room and averted his gaze from the window. “Isabelle?”

  Something slammed into his side. He crashed over the side table and smashed into the wall, his shoulder taking much of the brunt force. A dark shadow wrenched open the front door and disappeared into the hallway.

  Matt jumped up. The man had come from...

  The realization took his breath away. A breeze blew in from the open balcony doors, carrying only the sounds of traffic in the streets below. “Isabelle?” His blood pressure spiked, and his temples throbbed. “Isabelle!”

  He forced himself to run to the balcony. A whimper brought him to his knees. He couldn’t see her, but he could hear her gasping for air. “Where are you?”

  “Uh—under.” Her voice sounded panicked, high-pitched.

  Matt gulped and forced his fo
rehead against the metal bars. He still couldn’t see her, but he could see the distance to the cement below. His stomach turned and he gritted his teeth. “Hang on. I need to call for help.”

  “I’m slipping, Matt! I can’t!”

  The terror in her voice vaulted him to standing. Lord, help. He gripped the top of the balcony and blew out a breath as he bent over the balcony. His stomach threatened to lose the remains of his lunch.

  Underneath the edge of the balcony, Isabelle clung to the metallic decorative trim. Her wide eyes met his. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Why’d he have to get the fanciest suite on the top floor? If he’d just picked one of the normal rooms, she’d have had a balcony below she might’ve been able to get to. He wasn’t good at guessing distances, but at this point she’d drop fifty to a hundred feet onto the pavement surrounding the terrace pool on the twentieth floor.

  Even if he bent over as far as possible, he wouldn’t be able to reach her without falling himself. Matt gauged her position. He squatted down and stuck his arm through the metal railing until his shoulder prevented it from going any farther. He couldn’t see her but knew his hand had to be close. “Grab my wrist!”

  “I don’t think I can let go,” she cried.

  “One hand. Come on—you can do it. You can do anything when you set your mind to it.” He knew that for a fact, especially when she got angry. “Come on, Izzy,” he taunted. “You never did the monkey bars before? Leave one hand on the metal and grab me.”

  She grunted. “I told you. Don’t—” she took a breath “—call—” a hand latched on to his wrist “—me Izzy.”

  Her weight pulled down his arm in an unnatural position, tightly wedged between the metal bars. He worried for a half second whether he’d just made things worse. He closed his eyes and mentally constructed a game plan. But if he made one wrong move, she’d fall to her death.

  He breathed out and twisted his hand so his own fingers could latch on to her forearm. No easy feat without being able to see her. “Don’t let go.”

  “Same to you,” she screamed back.