Czytaj książkę: «Shotgun Justice»

Chapter Two

Two weeks later, Company F, Waco, Texas

“Thomas Rosco is dead. His throat was slit by the Snake Eyes Killer.”

Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jesse Ryder had to replay the words in his mind to verify that he’d heard the major correctly. There really wasn’t another interpretation of Thomas Rosco is dead. Everyone in the room quieted, probably replaying the same words.

Rosco was a crime boss, rumored to have been partnered with Paul Tenoreno—brought to justice earlier that year. The Rangers received the credit, but the man mainly responsible had been his best friend, Garrison Travis, and his witness, Kenderly Tyler, a beautician. They’d witnessed a double homicide orchestrated by Tenoreno. Her courage, along with detailed files left by the murder victims, provided the prosecution with an excellent case.

Then they’d turned Rosco to testify against his partner, but he’d been missing for the past week. Tenoreno had one play left...eliminating the witnesses. Rosco was just the first. He’d be after Garrison and Kenderly next.

Major Josh Parker stood at his office door to make the announcement. If he expected a response, there wasn’t one. It looked as though the other rangers in the room were just as dumbfounded.

Tenoreno had hired an assassin who left no trace of evidence. He was a virtual ghost. Law-enforcement agencies across the country hadn’t collected more than a page of notes on the man. Or woman, whatever the case may be, since they had no DNA to prove either.

So far, Snake Eyes was known for killing bad guys. The bodies found had all been those of people wanted for other crimes. If there had been more evidence, maybe someone would look harder.

“Property owners came across the body off of Texas 349 south of Sheffield,” the major finally continued. “The medical examiner estimates he’s been dead six days. Pure luck on our part that the owners were dropping off a hunting blind.”

“His death blows a huge chunk of the case against Tenoreno.” Bryce Johnson hadn’t realized what he’d said until the sputters grew in number around the room. “Okay, okay. Huge chunks. Got it. Ha-ha. We all know that it has to be Tenoreno pulling the strings from his jail cell to order something like this.”

Bryce was the resident expert on Texas organized crime. He knew better than any of them how much the state’s prosecutor was depending on the rival crime family’s testimony.

“Tenoreno’s been in solitary. No visitors. No communication other than his lawyer.” The major might have been waiting on answers or ideas, but none came forth. “No apparent connection to Rosco’s murder. No one believes that to be true.”

“How was he killed?” someone behind him asked.

“What does that do for Garrison’s detail?” It was no secret that Jesse was more concerned about his best friend’s safety than putting Tenoreno away. One couldn’t happen without the other, but Jesse knew what his priority would be.

“Who’s taking the lead on the investigation?” Bryce asked.

The major gestured for the two of them to come to his office. Jesse followed Bryce, ready to work with him, ready to get some real action instead of tracking criminal activity through the internet.

“The murder of Thomas Rosco will be handled by the local PD with the aid of Company A. Headquarters is ready to roll if they think there’s a problem. They’ve got it covered and don’t need our help. Before you begin objecting, the two of you are needed other places.”

Jesse was ready to object anyway, but his commanding officer turned his back as he walked around his desk. He sat and propped his feet on the corner, taking his thinking position.

“Prosecutors have asked for your help, Bryce,” he continued. “They have a lead that needs your knowledge and expertise. Vivian has the information. Hand over anything you’re working on to her and we’ll get it taken care of.”

Bryce didn’t hesitate. He was out the door and gathering his things after a hurried “Yes, sir.” Jesse’s nerves began twitching. Whatever was about to come, he didn’t get the feeling that Major Parker felt comfortable, either.

“What’s happened? Did they discover the location of Garrison’s detail?”

“No, nothing like that. But while Tenoreno was at the pretrial, he plainly stated that no one close to Garrison would be safe. It’s a threat most criminals make. That’s nothing new. But we have intel that someone accepted a contract on Garrison’s sister.”

“Avery’s a deputy in the Panhandle. Has she been made aware of the situation? Have you alerted Sheriff Myers?”

“Headquarters believes this could be another nail in Tenoreno’s coffin if we can capture the assassin and get him to turn state’s evidence.”

“That would mean they’re using Avery as bait. Did anyone tell her?”

“It’s been handled. Her participation, on the other hand... Well, Jesse, the attorneys think it would be better coming from you when you arrive in Dalhart.”

“Then they should think about that again, sir. I’m the last person Avery wants to see. The title’s mine with Garrison a close second.”

He actually missed Avery. They’d grown up together, gone to the same schools, same concentration of studies. He’d made the Rangers and she hadn’t. She quit everything, packed up, left and hadn’t spoken to him since. Of course, the real reason for not talking to him was a little more involved.

“Our information is credible, Jesse. The hit is happening soon, so you don’t have much time.” Major Parker wasn’t pondering any longer. He had both feet on the floor and leaned forward on his desk. “It’s already been decided, Lieutenant. Already in motion. This isn’t a debate.”

“I had her thrown in jail to protect her the last time this happened, sir. She’s not going to listen to me. And I doubt I can get her near the county lockup again.”

“Make her listen. The last thing we need is for Garrison Travis to be lured from the safe house and be killed. Take care of his sister or you’ll be searching for her murderer instead.”

The two choices hit him between the eyes like the baseball Avery had thrown when they were nine. His head was whirring just as badly as back then. Murdered?

No one else would try as hard as him. That was a certainty. And if something happened to her, he’d never forgive himself. Neither would Garrison.

“We call. Now. She needs to be warned.” And Garrison needs to be kept in the dark.

“The state’s attorney informed the sheriff as soon as we knew about the threat.”

“Who else is on the protection detail?”

“Did I mention a detail? One riot, one ranger. That’s our motto. Right?” Parker stood, looking ready to dismiss Jesse. “You’ll be coordinating with the county sheriff. Keep the element of surprise on your side. You know the hit man is coming. He doesn’t know about you. Handle it.”

“Of course, sir. I’ll catch the next available flight.”

“Vivian arranged a private flight to Amarillo that leaves as soon as you arrive. Then a rental car. We’ve got Tenoreno on lockdown, but somehow he’s getting directives to his men.” Josh Parker picked up a stack of papers and tapped them into a neat pile. “Did I ever tell you why you have Garrison as a partner here?”

“We both knew it was improbable.” The suspicions he’d had for eight months were going to be confirmed. The major waited. “You mean why it’s me and Garrison. Not me and Avery.”

“Exactly. You’ve had a relationship with her. A close one, from what I gathered. You didn’t lie to cover it up. If you had...”

“If I had, sir, none of us would be rangers.”

“That’s true.” He nodded his agreement.

It was a fact. He was the reason Avery hadn’t become a Texas Ranger. Somewhere while they were being secret, kissing in corners, or sneaking glances at each other... Someone had seen them.

When asked about it at the end of their training, he’d come clean. Avery had discovered she wasn’t selected, then said the Texas Rangers was an old-boy organization and would never consider her good enough. Well, he’d known she’d never forgive him for what he’d said in the interview.

Of course, she didn’t know and she’d left anyway.

“This isn’t the time to rebuild bridges. There’s no evidence that will help you pick out the Snake Eyes Killer. He’s good at what he does. Killing. You’re there to protect Deputy Avery Travis. It’s not going to be easy. If it were, a ranger wouldn’t be needed. Go on. Vivian’s waving information for you on the other side of the door.” Parker opened the first file, ready to get to work. “And, Jesse, remember, we want to interrogate the man hired to kill her. Try not to kill him.”

“Always up for the challenge, sir.”

If he survived the assault of the green-eyed deputy he was being sent to protect, he might be able to capture Snake Eyes.

Definite challenge.

Dalhart, Texas

AVERY TRAVIS IGNORED the readout on her radar gun. Five miles over the speed limit was forgivable in her opinion. She’d told herself for months that sitting here wasn’t a speed trap. Drivers had enough time to slow down before they reached her spot at the tractor store.

Or they slowed down as soon as they spotted her. It was the ones who ignored both that she’d stop for a ticket.

Midweek shifts were easy to hate. Especially in the middle of the night on a Texas Panhandle road. But it was her turn. Life was totally different here as a Dalhart deputy after four wasted years trying to become a Texas Ranger.

Her brother was the one fighting real criminals. He’d uncovered evidence against one of the biggest crime bosses in the state. Garrison rescued witnesses, saved the day and who knew what else. The anger was building up again. It was definitely easier to tap it back into place, buried under the surface of everything job related.

Safe zone. Find a safe place to park all this emotion.

Knowing what to do and accomplishing it were definitely different, but she’d manage. Her self-improvement tapes would be easier to understand the second time through. But if she began listening to one tonight, she’d fall asleep.

This. Is. Boring. With a capital B, boring after being posted in Austin. No, after working anywhere.

An occasional flat tire. Watch a lot of shooting stars. Watch a lot of dust. Watch a lot of snow. Watch a lot of grass grow. Did she mention giving a ride to an occasional driver with a flat? Yep. Boring in every sense of the word.

“Car two-twenty-two. You around, Avery?” Julie Dunks’s perky voice broke the silence. “Are you still out on Highway 385 at the Supply Company?”

“Where else would I be, Julie? I always tell you when I go on break or move locations.”

“Oh good. But you know Bo sometimes doesn’t bother to tell me. Sheriff Dan always takes a break when his coffee kicks in—if you know what I mean. So it’d be understandable if you did the same while you’re out and about. I know you drink coffee.”

“You switched me to tea.” She yawned, wishing for some coffee.

“Did I tell you what Miss Wags did this morning? That terrorizing little diva wouldn’t let me leave the house today without feeding her a bacon treat. Isn’t that just too cute?”

“Julie, was there a reason you needed me?”

“Why, yes, there is.”

“And...”

“Oh. Right. You had a visitor here looking for you. He said he was a family friend. Pretty nice lookin,’ if you ask me. Of course, you didn’t ask, but I didn’t think that would matter.”

A good-looking family friend could mean only one person. Jesse Ryder. Avery was forced to listen. She couldn’t interrupt Julie on a two-way radio. Besides, what else did she have to do?

As Julie kept being her natural chatty self, Avery tuned her out and wondered what had gone wrong. What or who would force Lieutenant Jesse Ryder to come barging into her life? Barging all the way up here to the Texas Panhandle?

It wasn’t fair. She’d left Austin and Waco behind because she’d been upset for being passed over. But it was also because everywhere she looked there was a memory of her with the man. Memories she no longer wanted to think about. If he was coming to see her...there would be images of him at the café to haunt her mind every time she ate there.