The Texas Ranger's Family

by Rebecca Winters

  “Check on the call that went to the Rodney Harris home maybe five, six minutes ago.” He wrote down the number of Natalie’s landline. “I need to know who made it, anything you can.”

  “Will do.”

  “I’ll be in with Stan when you’ve got any information for me.”

  He moved on and found Stan comparing pictures on a screen. “Stan? Have you got prints from the Harris home yet?”

  “We’re still working on them, but we have the prints off Harris’s cell and laptop. There were several different sets on and inside the car. They found a couple of long black hairs on the front passenger seat. We’re running the prints that aren’t Harris’s or his wife’s through the AFIS database. I’ll email you a copy of the results.” He eyed Kit but didn’t remark on the collar.

  “Great.”

  “Les has finished going over the car. It was totally clean. By that I mean there wasn’t anything in the glove compartment, no litter. Nothing.”

  “When he checked the spare tire, did he see anything that could give us a clue where the car was serviced or purchased?”

  “No. He found the laptop and cell phone in the trunk. They found a thumb print on the lid and we’re looking at it now. The two items were wrapped in a baby quilt, of all things.”

  “Obviously it was wrapped to hide it from view.”

  “You’ll notice two hundred and eighty thousand miles on the car.”

  Interesting. Why would an accountant have done so much driving? “Later in the day someone from the staff will drive it over to Mrs. Harris’s house with the deceased’s personal effects.”

  “Thanks, Stan.”

  Kit would look through everything with her later. He hoped Natalie could remember how many miles were on the car when she’d first met her husband. If he had a travel allowance, Kit knew the mileage on the car would be way over the limit.

  “Kit?” He turned to see Rafe coming toward him.

  “What did you find?”

  “That call originated from a throw-away phone.”

  “I thought so. Appreciate it.”

  Whoever had broken into Natalie’s house was anxious to get back in. Maybe the culprit thought the money had been stashed in the attic, unless he’d checked it out the first time. Kit phoned Stan.

  “Kit?”

  “One more question. Did the forensics team take prints on the trap door leading to the attic at the Harris residence?”

  “Let me check.” He came back on the phone quickly. “No.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  Forensics should have checked that. Kit would do it after he went back to Natalie’s house. Now that he was through here, he’d head over to LifeSpan Pharmaceutical and get the status on the investigation of the accounts fraud.

  When he reached the car in the underground parking, he removed his clerical shirt and put on the brown Western shirt he’d brought, the badge attached to the front pocket. Then he phoned Natalie.

  “Hi. I just found out Rod’s car will be delivered to your house later today. They’ll phone you first. I just wanted you to know what to expect. You’ll be happy to learn that the baby quilt you made was found in the trunk.”

  “Oh—I’m so glad. I hated losing it. Thanks for letting me know.”

  “Of course. While I have you on the phone, do you have any idea of the mileage on Rod’s car when you first started going out with him?”

  After a silence she said, “No. Like I said, I simply wasn’t that curious. Sorry.”

  “Not a problem. See you later.”

  But before he could put his key in the ignition, his cell rang. After a glance at the Caller ID he answered.

  “Brandon? What are you doing calling me at this time of day? I thought you’d be out practicing with Scott!” He always liked talking with his brother.

  “You’re not going to believe what happened. Scott was in an accident this morning and went to the hospital with a broken leg.”

  “You can’t be serious.” Kit’s eyes closed tightly. His brother had just lost his hazer for at least three months. The timing couldn’t be worse considering his schedule on the rodeo circuit. “How did it happen?”

  “A semi’s brakes failed and it T-boned Scott’s Silverado before it ended up in a field. It was a miracle no one was killed, but Janie’s a wreck.” Brandon sounded shaken.

  “I’m sure she is.” He ran a hand through his hair.

  “What hospital is he in?”

  “Seton.”

  Kit would have to give Scott a call.

  “I don’t know what to do, bro. We have a competition coming up this Saturday night in San Antonio. I’ve got to find another hazer, but that takes time.”

  “Ask Whitey. He’s worked with you before.”

  “I’m afraid he’s off his game these days.”

  That meant Whitey was drinking again. “Try Pete.”

  “He’s not up to speed anymore.”

  “Then spread the word you need a hazer fast!”

  “I’m sure I’ll find one, but not in time for Saturday night.”

  Kit had too much on his mind to give his brother’s problem a lot of thought. “Can you afford to give this rodeo a miss while you search for someone else?”

  “I guess I might have to.”

  Kit heard the disappointment in his voice.

  “Kit?”

  He could hear it coming. “Yes?”

  “Are you working on a big case these days?”

  “Yup. In fact I’m in the middle of it right now and I have to go. I’ll call you later when I get a chance.” He rang off and headed across town. It didn’t surprise him that his phone rang again as he pulled into the guest parking lot at the LifeSpan Pharmaceuticals.

  He clicked on. “Hi, Mom. I heard the news.”

  “It’s a darn shame, Kit.”

  “I agree.”

  “But Brandon was counting on winning in San Antonio. Is there any way you could haze for him on Saturday night? You know better than anyone how important it is, and there’s no one better on a horse than you.”

  That’s right, Mom. Butter me up to make me feel guilty.

  “I’m working undercover on a big murder case. It’s possible I might have to be in Arizona this weekend.” Natalie and Amy would be with him. He found he didn’t want anything to get in the way of his plans. “If I can see a way to do it, I’ll call him, but don’t count on it.”

  Though his mother didn’t say a word and never would, he could hear her thoughts.

  Your father never put his Ranger duties ahead of his family when it counted.

  And that hurt.

  Chapter Four

  Natalie was in the middle of making tacos for dinner when she heard her cell ring. There was no Caller ID, but Kit had given her a heads-up earlier in the day. “Hello?”

  “Mrs. Harris? I’ve brought your husband’s car home. It’s in the driveway with the key in the ignition. I’ve left it unlocked.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  After she hung up, she turned to Amy who was in her playpen chewing on one of her doughnut toys. “I’ll be right back, sweetie.”

  She left the kitchen and hurried through the house to the front door. When she opened it, she found it strange to see Rod’s Sentra again, knowing he was out of their lives permanently. Her feelings were so dead where he was concerned, she felt as if she’d turned into an entirely different person.

  She opened the trunk and reached inside for the quilt. The cell phone and laptop were in there, too. She gathered everything in her arms and shut the trunk before rushing back into the house.

  Natalie put the things down on the couch but carried the quilt to the kitche
n. “Look what I’ve got, honey!”

  Amy pointed at it, but kept playing with her red doughnut. While she was still content, Natalie took the quilt to the laundry room to be run through a wash and dry cycle. Before doing anything else, she walked to her bedroom and gathered the rest of Rod’s things from her closet. Kit had mentioned wanting to look through them, so she carried them to couch.

  Once he’d checked everything, she would throw out the last vestiges of Harold Park. A shudder ran through her body. She couldn’t wait to be rid of anything that reminded her of him. That included his car. She’d take it to a used-car dealer to sell or, better yet, donate it.

  While she finished cutting up some tomatoes and avocado, her cell rang. She saw that it was Colette and took the call.

  “Oh, Colette. Thanks so much for calling me back.”

  “Of course. I feel terrible that I couldn’t fly to Austin for the graveside service, but Chad had his appendix removed that morning and I had to stay home with him.”

  “I understand totally. To be honest I’m glad you didn’t come.” Natalie’s voice shook.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Do you have a few minutes?”

  “Sure I do.”

  Natalie gave her friend a brief account of what had happened.

  “My gosh, Natalie. I don’t believe it. Rod was a felon?”

  “Afraid so. There’s so much to tell you, but not right now. The reason I’m calling is because the Texas Ranger who’s working on the case wants to fly to Phoenix to talk to you about the day you saw Rod with that other woman.”

  “You mean the woman who wasn’t your cousin?”

  “That’s the one. When would it be okay to come? He says the sooner the better. Amy and I will fly there with him.”

  “Come tomorrow. Chad is feeling better every day. I’ll meet you at the airport to save you time.”

  “That would be wonderful! I’ll tell him and get back to you on the exact time.”

  “Good. I’ll wait for your call. Stay safe.”

  “With a Texas Ranger guarding us, I’m not worried. Talk to you later.”

  No sooner had she hung up than the phone rang again. She picked up and said hello.

  “Hi, Natalie.” Kit’s deep voice resonated through her. “I’m almost to the house. I don’t want you to be alarmed when I let myself in.”

  “Thank you.” He was so considerate, she was amazed. “Just so you know, Rod’s car is out in the driveway. The key is still in the ignition.”

  “In that case I’ll park his car in front so I can drive into the garage.”

  “I’d like to get rid of it, maybe through a donation if I can.” The words rushed out of her, revealing her state of mind.

  “Forensics is done with it, so you’re free to do whatever you want.”

  “I still haven’t found the title.”

  “Don’t worry about it. You can donate without one.”

  Relief swept through her. “That’s good. I have news for you. Colette called and said we can fly to Phoenix any time tomorrow. She’s offered to meet us at the airport.”

  “That’s terrific news. I’ll see you in a minute.”

  Natalie lifted Amy and put her in the high chair with one of her toys. Then she folded up the playpen and put it back in the nursery. Before long she heard the garage door lift. To know he would be there in a minute made her excited, and it had nothing to do with the fact that his job as a Ranger was to keep her safe while he solved this case.

  In a very short time she’d gotten use to this temporary arrangement and had made dinner with him in mind. Remember it’s only temporary, Natalie. But try telling her heart that when he appeared in the kitchen wearing the clerical shirt. There was no way to shut out his arresting masculine appeal.

  “Something smells good.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Famished.”

  “I’ve made tacos.”

  “Give me a minute and I’ll join the two of you. Here’s the key to Rod’s car.”

  When he disappeared, she got out a jar of junior sweet potatoes and lamb for Amy. Kit walked in a few minutes later wearing a claret-colored polo shirt and jeans. It was getting harder and harder to keep her eyes off him.

  “Help yourself to anything you want, Kit.”

  His smile made her pulse race. “Since you’re busy feeding the cherub, can I fix you a plate, too?”

  “I’d love it.”

  She’d fried half a dozen tortillas. One taco was enough for her. But when she saw that he’d eaten four filled shells along with a large helping of tossed salad, she wondered whether she’d made enough.

  He finally sat back in the chair and centered his hazel gaze on her. “That was delicious.”

  “I can make more.”

  “If I take another bite, I won’t have room for the chocolate-marshmallow ice cream I bought.”

  Natalie grinned. “So that’s your favorite dessert?”

  “One of them. I’ll get it. Would you like some, too?”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Do you think Amy would like a taste?”

  “Of course, but she’s not getting the chance yet. Once she discovers chocolate, all my hopes of feeding her healthy foods will go right out the window.”

  Laughter rumbled out of him, grabbing the little girl’s attention.

  “Kit—” Amy spoke his name with a happy smile.

  “That’s my name, sweetheart.” The tender look he gave her daughter touched Natalie deeply.

  Kit dished out two bowls of the ice cream and handed one to Natalie.

  She took a mouthful. “This is yummy. I haven’t had this flavor in years.”

  His dessert disappeared in a hurry. “I’ve loved it since I was a little kid.”

  “What else did you love as a boy?”

  “Oh...the usual. Snakes, fireworks, anything scary or that went boom.”

  A chuckle escaped her lips. “Your poor mom.”

  “Yup. With two sons to raise, she had her hands full while Dad was out on a case.”

  Her head lifted. “A case? What kind? What did he do?”

  He eyed her through narrowed lids. “He was a Texas Ranger.”

  “Was?”

  “Dad was killed in a shootout when I was seventeen.”

  “Oh, no—I’m so sorry.” She bit her lip. “How hard to have lost him that early in life. I’m surprised it didn’t put you off becoming a Ranger.”

  He shook his head. “Just the opposite. In 1842 Sam Houston got a law passed that provided for a company of mounted men to act as Rangers under Captain John Coffee ‘Jack’ Hays. My ancestor was one of them.”

  “You’re serious?”

  “Yup. Three of the other Rangers who are my close friends are also descendants from the original company. The guys at headquarters have nicknamed us the Sons of the 40.”

  “Wait a minute. I saw the four of you on TV. You brought down that huge drug ring!”

  He nodded.

  “I thought I’d seen you before.” She studied his rugged features. “I guess it isn’t all that surprising that you wanted to be like your father. The Texas Rangers are legendary and honorable. The kind of men any child would look up to.”

  “That described Dad.”

  Natalie thought of her own father. Those adjectives didn’t apply to him.

  “Captain Hays and his company of forty defeated the Comanche raid at Bandera Pass, protecting the southern and western portions of the Texas frontier. Their story was passed down through my father’s side of the family. I knew that one day I wanted to be a Ranger, too.”

  “I guess with a heritage like that, you couldn’t help but want to follow in your father’s footsteps.�
�

  “Something like that. Throughout high school and college I did steer wrestling, but it couldn’t last. So I quit to go to the police academy. Eventually I was taken on as a Ranger.”

  “Amy and I are very thankful you did,” Natalie said in a quiet voice and got up to clear the table. Much longer and she’d be begging to hear the rest of his life story.

  He’d told her he was single. Much as she wanted to know, she didn’t dare come out and ask if he was romantically involved with someone. It was none of her business.

  “I left Rod’s things on the couch with his laptop and cell phone. If you want to go through them, I’ll do the dishes and give Amy her bath before putting her down.”

  “Thank you for dinner. I didn’t stop for lunch. You have no idea how happy I was to smell your food cooking.”

  She laughed. “As long as I’m staying home, plan on eating any or all of your meals here. It’s nice to have someone to cook for.” Natalie could have bitten her tongue off for saying that, but it was too late.

  An hour later she walked into the living room having put Amy to bed for the night. She found Kit searching through the files on Rod’s computer.

  “Have you discovered anything that could help you?”

  “No. He was too savvy to leave clues behind. I’ve been through his clothes, but they’re several years old and nothing stands out. If you’ll notice, he removed the labels so it would be difficult to trace where they’d been purchased.” Kit stood. “Do you mind if I bring in the step ladder from the garage? I want to look for prints on the attic lid and climb inside to take a look around.”

  The attic? “Go right ahead.” She’d almost forgotten the house had one.

  “I’ll be as quiet as I can.”

  Natalie didn’t doubt it. So far he seemed to be an expert at everything he did. While he put on plastic gloves and got busy, she went to the kitchen for a garbage bag to put Rod’s old clothes in to take to Goodwill.

  To her shock Kit came down the ladder carrying a medium-size suitcase. His gaze flicked to hers. “Have you ever been up in the attic?”

  “Never.”

  “Have you ever seen this suitcase?”

  She shook her head.

  “Let’s see what’s inside.” Natalie followed him into the kitchen and he put the case on the table. “It’s locked, but I have tools.” He went to the guest bathroom for his bag. She marveled that within seconds he’d opened the lock.