Ranger Guardian Page 7

  He missed being with her every day, helping her pick out clothes—frilly girl or cowgirl. He wanted to sit beside her bed to read, then turn out the light with a goodnight kiss. Wanting to have memories with her, but also of him. Just like he did of his dad.

  If things between him and Kendall stayed good today, maybe they’d get a chance to talk about him moving back in.

  Chapter Nine

  Kendall pulled her phone from her pocket, ready to report what had just happened. Three streets from the original neighborhood, Jack still followed at a distance far enough back not to call obvious attention. At this time of the morning, cars and trucks flooded this part of Dallas. And they basically all looked the same.

  Their one saving grace was that Jack’s vehicle hadn’t been on the street very long. Hopefully, no one had seen her jump inside.

  “What did the guy on the porch do?” Jack asked, tires squealing as he turned a sharp corner.

  “He was the distraction.”

  “For the guy who hasn’t done anything? That’s sort of—Hang on.”

  She grabbed the handle above the door as Jack followed the path of the car, cutting across two lanes and pulling a U-turn. The bulkier truck required some of the sidewalk.

  “I thought you had that light pole for sure.” She tried to joke, but her heart raced, causing her voice to shake a little.

  The man they followed turned again. Jack hit his brakes, waiting two heartbeats before turning after him, but the sedan was already turning again.

  “This guy is acting like he’s being followed. Either he’s paranoid or his aim is to make us paranoid. I can’t tell.” Jack securely gripped the wheel and made another U-turn. “I bet he’s doubling back. I can get there before him. We’ll already be on the street and he won’t know we’re in position.”

  “Good idea.” She wished she’d thought of it. She wished she could think about anything useful. Her mind kept jumping between Skylar Dawn and Heath.

  Focus was definitely necessary.

  Truth was, she hadn’t been in pursuit of a vehicle in a while. She was out of practice. Most of her work now happened behind a desk or in a lecture hall. Sure, she completed field interviews from time to time, but that wasn’t the norm. At least not for her.

  Then the file on Public Exposure had landed in her lap. Mysteriously after it had been closed for lack of evidence. She hadn’t been able to tell if Jerry had supported her work or not.

  “There he is.” She pointed to the second car in the left turn lane. “Your hunch paid off.”

  “This would be easier if we had some backup and could leapfrog tailing him. Anyone around Harry Hines?”

  “It wouldn’t help. I couldn’t catch the license plate number to call it in. Did you?”

  “No. It’s obscured by the other vehicle. Looks like it’s just us for now.”

  The car passed them on the left with a car between them. Kendall pressed the video button on her phone without physically turning to look in his direction. Definitely their man, and he had no clue they were following him.

  Or had been following him. They went straight as he slowed to turn. The sedan waited its turn in the feeder lane for the interstate. Just her luck.

  “We’re in the wrong lane.”

  “I got this.” Jack jumped the short curb of the median and pulled a U-turn without slowing traffic. “Maybe you should call this in before it gets real.”

  As Jack sped up to catch her non-perpetrator, Kendall gripped the dashboard, knowing that his definition of real perfectly matched her husband’s. All she could do was hope it wasn’t real yet for Heath.

  * * *

  HEATH TUGGED HIS slacks higher onto his thighs and knelt, without touching the stone path or garden dirt. He could manage the balancing act for a few minutes. He pulled a blade of grass an edger had missed and almost tucked it between his teeth but thought again.

  Kendall wouldn’t have let Skylar Dawn mimic his actions. No telling what pesticides might be lingering around. This time he sort of believed there was something in the water. This street was as strangely quiet as the first one everyone had run from.

  No dogs barked.

  No cars drove past.

  Nothing to disturb the heaviness in the air.

  Humidity churned with the gut feeling that there was a lot more to Kendall’s case than she was letting on. If she ever admitted to acting on her instincts, he might actually get the whole story.

  Eventually.

  If he earned her trust—no, when she trusted him again. He could wait for her. Just like he waited for the woman in the pink sweater to feel confident enough to leave wherever she was hiding.

  Two houses with orange trim were nearby. He waited. His gray suit mixed in with the red roses, and he hoped his white Stetson lost its shape against the white house.

  Waiting was the only option until Kendall returned. She might have called for backup, but he wouldn’t know what type of car to look for. He’d turned his phone to silent, so it wouldn’t even vibrate, just after tucking himself amidst the roses.

  He wasn’t making the mistake of his phone giving him away after the five or six thorns he’d fought.

  Waiting was his specialty. But he had little choice in the matter. It wasn’t like he had cause to go house-to-house looking for a woman he wasn’t certain had even been there. What was he supposed to ask? Is there a pink sweater inside?

  At least Kendall and Jack were on the trail of a sure thing. Jack was good. Kendall was better. They’d make sure the driver from yesterday didn’t get away.

  * * *

  “WATCH OUT!” KENDALL braced herself between the middle console and the door. Her feet worked imaginary pedals. She stopped and accelerated the truck as if she were driving.

  “Do you see him?” Jack asked.

  “I hate the sun’s reflection at this time of day. I can’t see the lanes, let alone a gray sedan.”

  “Same here.” Jack moved half of the truck onto the shoulder.

  She finally had a better view and tugged at the seat belt to lean forward. “Wait. See the car darting half in the lane and back again?”

  “Hang on.”

  As if she wasn’t already.

  She made the calls—one saying they were following a person of interest, then another to Jerry, the boss, who wasn’t pleased they were darting through a major Dallas traffic artery during rush hour.

  “Even one-sided, that conversation didn’t sound good,” Jack said when she hung up.

  “We’re not to put any lives in danger.”

  “Understood.”

  Jack drove with skill, taking advantage of a shoulder or exit lane—when there was one—to illegally pass without putting too many civilians at risk. But it didn’t stop her heart from climbing into her throat.

  “Looks like he’s heading east. Maybe I-30 or south to I-45. What do you want to do?” he asked.

  “Do you think he knows we’re following?”

  “Can’t tell.” Even behind his mirrored shades, Jack’s eyes reflected his excitement. “Right now, he’s not showing signs that he knows. He just seems in a hurry to get somewhere. If he heads into downtown proper, we’re going to have a problem keeping our cover.”

  “And if he stays on either highway, we can coordinate a safe stop with Dallas PD.”

  “Looks like it’s the Cadiz Street exit. You’ve got your direction. It’s downtown. How aggressive do you want to get with this guy who hasn’t really done anything?”

  “When you put it like that...” So Heath hadn’t mentioned to Jack that they’d nearly been killed the day before. Or that this guy had been involved. “Before he clearly fled, he was a person of interest. We only wanted a conversation.”

  With the man who tried to kill us.

  “I’ll get close enough for a clear loo
k at the plates.”

  “I’ll call it in, making all departments happy.”

  Jack got the truck just behind the sedan as it braked to exit. She snapped a picture of the plates and of the driver as they passed. Jack turned right at the light and the driver turned left. She made her calls.

  The second one was to Jerry, who still wasn’t happy.

  “I’ve sent a unit to the address you gave me. No one’s on the porch handcuffed or sipping their morning coffee. Did you get the name of this supposed subversive?” Jerry shouted.

  “Ouch,” Jack said softly.

  The last thing she needed was one of Heath’s partners cracking jokes. She shortened her breath, deliberately holding an exasperated sigh at bay. “There wasn’t time.”

  “There are two agents cruising the area,” her ex-partner said. “No sign of Murray either. Are you with him?”

  “Looks like our guy is heading for the interstate. Should we follow or check on Heath?” Jack asked.

  “Stay with the sedan,” she told the Ranger. Into the phone she said, “Tell them not to shoot the man in the white hat.”

  * * *

  FORTUNATELY, THERE WEREN’T any windows on this side of the house he leaned against.

  Heath wanted to move but needed to stay put. Without anyone coming around, the woman in the pink sweater was bound to feel comfortable enough to come back outside. And most likely, she’d be heading down this path back to her place on the other street.

  And he’d be there. Easy-peasy, as Skylar Dawn would say.

  Unless the rosebush that he’d pretty much flattened caught on his jacket and kept him from moving. Then again, it might be his stiff legs that kept him from chasing someone down. He pushed the brim of his Stetson up with his forefinger, then wiped the sweat into his hairline.

  Kendall had shaken her head at that habit more than once. It’s why he tied a kerchief around his neck when he worked outside. His straw work hats had more ventilation than the regulation white beaver-felt Stetson. He wouldn’t take a chance at drawing attention to himself by digging his sweat rag out of his inside pocket.

  Still...he loved wearing the big hat. He loved being a Texas Ranger and all it stood for. Sweat ran down his back. Okay, the suit jacket he could live without.

  A door opened.

  It had to be close. Maybe even the front door to the building he leaned against. Light steps across the concrete porch headed in his direction. Heath pressed his shoulders closer to the wall and tipped his head back until his hat raised off his forehead.

  “I’m sure they’re gone now, Rita. Thanks so much for the lemonade. Oh my goodness. I don’t need to wear this sweater until I’m back indoors. It’s getting warm out here.”

  “You take care. I really enjoyed the visit. I just need one more hug. It’s going to be a while before I see you again.”

  There were two female voices. No distinguishable accents. Then additional steps—heels this time. An outer door gently swung shut.

  “You guys take care on your trip,” the woman who apparently lived there said. “Let us know when you get to Del Rio. That’s quite a drive.”

  “Sure thing. I can’t wait until you’ll be there, too. Bye now.”

  More steps. Two doors shut. Humming.

  It must be his lucky day.

  The blonde he’d been chasing waltzed around the corner of the porch as she swung the pink sweater over her shoulder. She looked toward the street just as she passed him, missing that he stood in the rosebush.

  “Howdy,” he said with his best twang. He latched onto her elbow so she couldn’t run. Then as she twisted to free herself, he said, “Don’t do it.”

  Gone was the polite woman on the porch. She made a disgusted sound, stomped her foot and slung a couple of curse words in his direction.

  “Who do you think you are? Let go of me.”

  He was surprised she didn’t have a cell phone in hand, already trying to call for help. “Saundra Rosa?”

  “How do you know my name? And what are you doing hiding in the rosebushes?”

  “I had a couple of follow-up questions about yesterday.”

  That got her attention. “What about yesterday? I’ve never seen you before.”

  “That’s right. I don’t think we met at the accident. Ranger Heath Murray, ma’am. We should probably move back to the sidewalk before someone calls the police.” He gently and firmly moved the pink sweater lady in front of the house she’d been visiting.

  “If I’m under arrest, aren’t you going to read me my rights or something? I’d like to contact my lawyer before you cart me off to jail.”

  “Sure. Is that what you want...for me to arrest you? I was fine with a conversation.”

  “A conversation?” She looked truly bewildered.

  “But if you want me to arrest you...” He reached for his handcuffs, forgetting they were on the wrists of a man almost two blocks away.

  “No.” She cleared her throat. “Not really. You just want to talk? What about?” She kept looking around, mainly up at the windows trimmed in orange.

  Heath took a step sideways, blocking her view of the house behind him. “What were you doing in that part of Dallas?”

  “I was delivering some items to a shelter.” She stuck out her chin, defiantly, practically daring him to call her a liar.

  “I promise this won’t take but a minute. You told the officer yesterday that you were unfamiliar with the car you were driving. That’s why you accelerated by mistake through the intersection.”

  “Yes. This is really about the car accident?” She lifted her hand and chewed on her short thumbnail.

  “Is it your husband’s?”

  “What? No, I’m not married.”

  “Who did the car belong to?”

  “Why does that matter? I’m paying for the damage to the other car. But I’m buying the Pink Thing. That’s what my car reminds me of. You know, like the ice cream.”

  She popped a hip to one side and rested her hand there. It reminded him of when his daughter pretended she was a teapot. Saundra wasn’t four years old. The pouting, put-out actions weren’t reflecting well on a woman in her twenties either.

  A couple of other doors had opened, including that of the home she’d been hiding inside. No one yelled or stepped onto their porch, but he got the feeling they weren’t going away.

  “That’s good, very responsible.” He brought his notebook out from his pocket. “This is actually for my office. More paperwork for the higher-ups.”

  “Are we done, then?” She pointed toward the unofficial path connecting to the next block. “I really have somewhere to be.”

  “Yeah, that just about covers it.”

  “Finally.” She took steps back toward the house she’d left.

  “One more thing.” He pointed his finger in the air to stop her, then focused on her face, waiting on a reaction. “Why does Public Exposure want to kill my wife?”

  Chapter Ten

  By the time Jack took the right-hand turn and drove two blocks for the U-turn, the sedan and occupant were nowhere to be found. Kendall received a call that the Dallas PD hadn’t seen the car driving down or near Cadiz Street.

  “We heading back to Heath?” Jack asked.

  “Yes. Hopefully he’s had better luck.”

  She dialed, but knew by now her husband had probably silenced his phone. He was excellent about calling Skylar Dawn, like clockwork. But communicating with the rest of the world...well, he answered when it was convenient. She left a message and sent a text asking for his location and informed him they were ten minutes away.

  “Thanks for your help with this, Jack. I won’t be caught like this again.”

  “No problem. I’ve been helping Dallas PD out with a couple of cases until Wade is off desk duty.” He was relaxed behi
nd the wheel, taking morning traffic in stride now.

  “I didn’t realize Wade had been injured that badly.”

  “Well, it’s his injuries combined with the fact that he went against orders. Of course, I’m not complaining too loudly. I did get a girlfriend because of his misbehaving. Take a look in the console.” He grinned, a charming smile that had been breaking hearts ever since she’d met him.

  Wow, that had been six years ago. She raised the console lid, where a black jewelry box sat alone.

  “Go ahead. Take a look. I’d like your reaction.”

  “My opinion won’t mean much.” She reached for it, shutting the console and sitting straight again, both excited and embarrassed at the same time.

  “You’re a woman, aren’t you?” Jack laughed and switched lanes on the interstate. “And this is bling.”

  She flipped open the ring box. “Oh my, that’s a lot of bling.”

  “I was hoping you’d react that way. I’m a little nervous. Okay, I admit it. I’m a lot nervous.” He exited Oak Lawn, very close to the neighborhood where they’d left Heath.

  “This is the woman you met last fall?”

  “Yeah, Megan Harper. Honestly, I don’t know what she’s going to say. I mean, I think she’ll say yes. It’s the logistics of Austin versus Dallas. Who moves, that type of thing.”

  “No doubts about if she loves you?”

  He shook his head. “There’s been a zing there since the first time I held her in my arms.”

  Kendall didn’t have any words. The ring was beautiful and she stared at it, missing the ring that normally sat on her fourth finger. She’d removed it and stuck it in her jacket pocket when she’d seen Heath on the stoop of Mrs. Pelzel’s house the day before. Things had been hectic and she’d forgotten about it.

  “It’s gorgeous, Jack. I think she’ll be very pleased. When are you going to ask her?”

  “Soon. At least I hope to. Her parents are coming from England in a couple of weeks. I think I’ll do the whole old-fashioned thing about asking her dad for permission.”

  The sweet gesture of respect was enough to bring tears to her eyes. It brought back many memories of her and Heath. She quickly closed the lid and stowed them away again.