Ranger Guardian Page 10
Kendall leaned down to look under the passenger seat. “Candy wrappers, twenty-seven cents and an eraser.”
“Eraser?”
“Yeah, it’s Betty Boop. A fat Betty Boop, but I recognize the cartoon character.” She set it on the seat cushion.
“Can I see that?” Heath asked after taking pictures.
Kendall handed it to him, and he pulled the head off to reveal a USB. “A flash drive?”
“This I can work with.” He smiled from ear to ear.
“I bet they were looking for this at her place. Perhaps it’s a connection to Public Exposure.”
Heath took something from his jacket pocket and plugged it into his phone. Then he plugged the flash drive into it.
“I should probably warn you that we shouldn’t look at the evidence yet.” She waved at him to let her see the screen, too. “You’re one of the only guys I know who carries a flash drive attachment for his phone.”
“Hey, I resent that remark. I picked it up this morning from the ranch. This case is about computers.” He shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“That looks like a complicated encryption. Do you think you’ll be able to break it?”
“Looks like it’s going to be a tech thing after all. Yours or mine?” he asked.
“This time, I think I have to go with mine. They have a bigger department. If we connect Public Exposure to cybercrime, they’ll put a rush on it. DC might get involved.”
“Then our adventure would be over.”
With the exception of one major thing—they needed a shred of proof for the big leagues to come on board. She didn’t know why that was important to her. Maybe it was justification that she hadn’t wasted six months of her time and taxpayer resources. Maybe it felt strange, and she wanted a solid explanation.
Or maybe she wanted a big break to boost her career. She couldn’t tell. It was probably a little of all of the above.
“Maybe not yet. I’d like to flash this in front of Bryan Marrone to get his reaction.”
“It’s a long drive to Waco.” He bagged their evidence.
“I asked Dallas PD to extradite him. He’ll be here in the morning. Honestly, did you think I wouldn’t?”
“Nope. Just hoping for more time with you. My couple of days is officially up.” They spoke to others in the garage and waited on local law enforcement to take over the car.
“We make a pretty good team, Barlow.” He touched the small of her back to guide her through the door first.
“That we do, Murray.”
* * *
THE OFFICIAL CALL came that Heath would be continuing with the case. The city of Dallas wanted someone local representing their interests.
Avoidance. Who was worse? Him or Kendall? Both of them took the opportunity to talk with as many other people as possible. Right up to the time they were in the SUV and they went over their plan to interview Marrone.
“I like watching you work. I always have.” Blocks away from the house...his mouth finally caught up to his heart.
“Right. We only worked one case together.”
“Hey, I watched from home.”
“Right.”
That tone...one of disbelief. Normally it was a good reason to stop and walk away to avoid what would follow. Not today.
“Kendall, I need you to believe me that I don’t want you to stop working. Wait a minute before you do the psychological profile and get angry.”
“Okay.”
“See, I probably did mean it six months ago. But I don’t know why. My mom has worked every day of my life. If it wasn’t for her, things around me would never have happened. I know you’re capable of handling everything.”
Seconds ticked by but she wasn’t angry. The emotion would have shown up in her movements.
“Then why?”
“I was scared. For you. For Skylar Dawn. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted another kid for the right reasons, but I wanted you around to protect all of us.”
“Your dad?”
“Yeah,” he squeaked the word out. “Things happen that are beyond our control. Dad is gone because he fell not because he chased criminals through the street.”
“I wish you’d told me this earlier. Maybe...”
“It’s hard for a man in my line of work to admit he’s scared. Even though we know the risks.”
They were in the driveway and in a good place. As much as he wanted to stay...she needed time.
“See you in the morning.”
His wife waved from behind the wheel without looking at him. He didn’t press for an answer just got in his truck. For the first time in months, he might get a good night’s sleep.
Chapter Thirteen
Kendall began her questions from the door and slowly moved closer, taking a chair and inching it even closer to invade Marrone’s space. Several people watched from the two-way mirror. It was a classic technique.
“Come on, Bryan. We understand if you’re scared.” Kendall was an excellent interrogator. She had the Reid technique down pat. She’d planned this one down to the minute, or cue. “I mean, they killed your friend. Who wouldn’t be scared?”
After she moved in close, after she commiserated, then Heath would enter and say they found proof that Marrone was guilty. They’d discussed exactly what he was to do while returning from McKinney the day before—and again this morning.
“Bryan, you’ve got to give me something to work with.”
“Are you sure Saundra’s dead?” He gulped. The young man’s Adam’s apple moved up and down his thin neck.
“Yes, hon. I may be alone in thinking you’re not guilty.” She placed a hand on his knee. “None of my coworkers believe that you left town right after you saw us yesterday morning.”
That was Heath’s cue.
A light tap sounded on the door. He let himself in, and Kendall withdrew her hand with a guilty look.
“Special Agent Barlow, there’s no reason to continue the questioning. The techs found this in Saundra Rosa’s car. It proves that Marrone here is guilty. He has one, too.”
Bryan might have been watching him toss the evidence bag onto the table, but both him and Kendall stared at the young man’s reaction. Everything about his face screamed that he knew what was on the flash drive.
Then he relaxed. He sank down in the chair and acted like he couldn’t have cared less what evidence they had. He knew. Whatever was on the flash drive, Marrone knew. It’s what he’d been looking for in the apartment.
Kendall’s tactics changed. She jumped up from her seat and grabbed the bag. “You know what this is, don’t you?”
“You don’t have anything on me ’cause you can’t read that thing without the key. You’ll never get the algorithm before we kick some ass around here.”
“You’d rather go away for murder than tell us?”
“I’m innocent.”
“Your fingerprints are on the syringe and once we—”
“No. They’re not.” He tried to bring his arms above his head, but the handcuffs jerked his hands back to the table. “I think I’d like my lawyer now.”
They’d gotten nothing definitive. Kendall would be upset.
He wasn’t. No one had called to tell him to remove himself from the investigation. That meant another day working with his wife.
Another day to work up the courage to tell her he wanted to come home.
“What do you say? Ready to go home?” Heath asked.
Not Kendall. She was ready to rework everything she had on Public Exposure. “What do you think he meant by ‘before we kick some ass’?”
They left the county jail, changed cars and headed out. It was the first time she’d walked to the passenger door and let him drive their SUV home. But it was a silent ride while she scoured her notes, flipping page over page over page.
“Daddy, make me fly.” Skylar Dawn took a running start and leapt into his arms.
Heath had completely forgotten about his injured side. When she hit his ribs, a smoldering burn kicked into a bonfire of pain. He hid it as best as he could before he lifted his daughter into the air and spun her around like an airplane, complete with sputtering propeller noises.
It didn’t last long.
“Hey, sweetie. Let me grab some jeans, then I can play in the backyard with you.” Heath used his key and opened the front door.
“Skylar Dawn, come get your bunny and jacket,” Kendall called from the car.
Maybe...just maybe she hadn’t seen him. Either way, he needed a minute to catch his breath.
He rounded the corner, heading for his bedroom closet. He barely had his shirt unbuttoned and an old pair of jeans thrown on before his mother-in-law appeared in the doorway with laundry.
“Oh dear Lord. You scared me.” The stack of clothes fell to the floor as she grabbed her chest with one hand. “What in the world are you doing here? It’s Wednesday.”
“It...it is my house, Naomi.”
“No. You used to live here. It’s not your night. Does Kendall know you’re here?”
“You know we’ve been riding together.” He bent and scooped up Kendall’s laundry. “You’re spoiling her by keeping everything together.”
It was meant as a half-assed thank-you, but her expression turned deadly.
“I have the right to help my daughter and spoil her if I want. Someone needs to treat her nicely.”
“I think I should head back outside.” He tried to scoot around her, even with the laundry in his arms.
“I am dead set against you staying here. We have an arrangement and you’re breaking it.”
He dropped the laundry onto a dresser and turned back to the door. “I don’t have an agreement with you, Naomi. There’s not even a formal agreement between me and Kendall.”
“I beg to differ.”
“You can beg all you want, but as long as Kendall’s comfortable with me at home, I’m staying. Now step aside, or I’ll have to force you.”
She did, cowering at the door as if he’d really threatened her.
Five years. For five years he’d been in the house, been around her. He’d never hurt her, and he hoped she knew that.
“I’m truly sorry you don’t want to be around me. After all this time, nothing’s going to change that.” He returned to his walk-in closet, jerked an old T-shirt out of a drawer. “I’m going to play with my daughter now. You can go talk with yours or complain. Whatever you want.”
She moved to Kendall’s dresser. With her back to him, she began refolding the laundry. He couldn’t let her obvious hatred bring him down. Tonight was a plus. An extra night to see his daughter. More time with Kendall, with the possibility of a discussion.
Skylar Dawn was putting things away in her bedroom as her mother had instructed. He wouldn’t interrupt her. Pulling his phone out, he texted his own mother. He hadn’t appreciated her enough for accepting Kendall as part of their family. He had it pretty good.
His dad may not be capable of remembering things, but his mom was a rock. Just a simple Love you went a long way with her. The return text was a smiley face and heart emoji.
“Your ribs are cracked, aren’t they?” Kendall appeared with an armful of kid stuff, probably from various places throughout the house.
“Did I forget to mention that? Yeah, it happened Sunday.” He raised his shirt and let her see the darkening bruises. “It’s getting better. How did you know?”
“You winced when Skylar Dawn jumped into your arms.” She playfully acted like she was about to leap into his arms, too. “Bulls or broncs?”
“Bronc. He caught me off guard. I was thinking about something else.”
“Dare I ask? I’ve seen all those rodeo groupies.” She leaned against the doorframe and shook off an offer to help. “Never mind. It’s none of my business.”
“Wait a minute.” He lowered his voice to avoid little ears. “I have never—okay, I can’t say never. But since I’ve met you, I haven’t been attracted to anyone else. What about you?”
“Oh, it’s not like no one’s asked,” she teased. “It’s just...there’s something about touching the person you’re in love with. That same kind of touch doesn’t come from anyone else.”
She smiled thoughtfully. Or maybe wistfully. Words weren’t his thing. He’d always used as few as possible. But he’d never thought about what she’d said before. He liked it. She was exactly right. No forbidden fruit was better than a touch from her. No one affected him like she did.
His baby was done putting away her toys. He rushed in the room, squeaking like a monkey. Then he acted like the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, quoting some of the famous lines from the movie. Skylar Dawn quickly imitated the monkeys and wanted to fly like them.
Kendall joined them by cackling and doot-da-do-da-doing the witch’s theme. They all collapsed on the twin-size bed, tickling each other. Naomi walked by without a smile. No longer angry, he was simply sorry she couldn’t find joy or happiness. He recognized the feeling.
When he wasn’t with his family, he felt the same way.
* * *
THE EVENING WENT off without a hiccup—not one phone call about Marrone’s questioning or Saundra Rosa’s murder. No additional complications from Naomi, who left for her own home before dinner. And no last-minute inquiries from work, for either of them.
Heath glanced at his girls, his ladies, his loves. He slid the bookmark into The Wizard of Oz and snapped a picture of the page to be able to pick up the story if he read from his place.
Dammit. This was his place. Not the room he used at the Thompson’s ranch.
Kendall didn’t stir when he picked Skylar Dawn up from her arms. He tucked his daughter in bed, making sure the night-light wasn’t blocked by a Lego tower. He kissed her forehead one more time before leaving her door cracked a couple of inches.
She’d be four years old next week.
And he’d missed six months of the past year.
To get to the guest room, he had to cross through the living room again. Kendall had slid down the leather couch and curled into a ball. He reached for a blanket but then tossed it into the chair he’d vacated.
Cracked ribs didn’t deter him from lifting her into his arms and carrying her to their king-size bed. He left her dressed, but pulled a light blanket on top of her. He kissed her forehead and got a smile—he could see it from the night-light she now had in their room.
And because he couldn’t resist the beautiful temptress in front of him, he brushed her lips with his. He wouldn’t be sleeping now. He could sit in her “perfect” chair that matched the “perfect” color of chocolate paint on the walls. Or he could lie down beside her.
Thunder rolled in the far distance as he watched the woman he loved sleep.
Chapter Fourteen
Kendall woke with something all too familiar wrapped around her...Heath. Lightning flashed. A crack of thunder followed.
At some point, Heath had moved them to the bedroom. She’d slept through it. Well, she might have missed him holding her earlier, but not now. His strong arm dropped from her shoulder to her waist.
Perfect. Her world right that minute was perfect.
“You okay?” he whispered close to her hair. His voice was so soft that it wouldn’t have woken her. “Want me to go?”
“No. It’s too late,” she whispered. “You’d just come right back first thing. Stay. But I should check on Skylar Dawn.”
“I got it.” His warmth left her side as he rolled off the bed behind her.
Heath yawned, using a lot of his vocal chords, as he often did. It always made her smile. His bare feet slid across the carpet, then tap-tap-tapped down the hallway’s wooden floor. Minutes slipped by. She closed her eyes, trying to reclaim the dream she’d been in. Heath returned, gently closing the door.
Another lightning bolt struck. The thunder answered more quickly. He sat in the chair they’d specially ordered to match the paint and bedspread.
“I don’t mind sleeping on the couch.” He crooked an arm behind his head, supporting it. He still had his white undershirt on along with the rest of his clothes. Another bolt of lightning gleamed off his championship-roping belt buckle.
Kendall pushed into a sitting position, letting the cover drop to her lap. “I need to get out of this blouse and bra.”
“I could help with that if you’re too tired.” He was backlit by the glow of lights outside, so she relied on experience to know he grinned from ear to ear.
He wouldn’t make the first move. He wouldn’t say the first word, opening a conversation about what they really needed to discuss. When she’d suggested counseling six months ago, he’d told her talking had gotten them into this mess. Then he’d asked how it would get them out.
So far their week had been full of polite comments and—dammit—professionalism. Just like she’d insisted. God, she wanted to kiss him.
Wanted to lie next to his long body and be wrapped in his protectiveness. In five years, she’d never wanted to sleep alone. Before Heath, she’d never considered herself a cuddler. But she was. At least with him. And she missed it.
She threw back the covers and went to change. Their bathroom was in the opposite corner from where he sat. She didn’t need the light to find the door or her things. Her pj’s hung on the hook. She slipped them on and crawled across the giant king-size bed back to her side.
If she’d walked over to her husband—still sitting in the chair—she would have sat on his lap, tucked her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around his solid-as-a-rock chest.
But she hadn’t. She pulled the covers up to her breasts, just wishing she had. Wishing for a simple way to get out of the mess they found themselves in.