Lone Star Standoff

by Margaret Daley

“No private plane this time?”

  He shook his head. “Only because they’ll be safe.”

  “Well, in that case I’ll manage the thirteen-hour trip to get them.”

  And it would give them time to talk. He didn’t want to end what was developing between them.

  “I want to follow the van to the county jail. I’ll feel better when he goes inside. I can come back and pick you up.”

  “Sounds like a good plan.”

  Don stuck his head into the room. “The van is here.”

  “Okay. I’m coming.” Sean squeezed Aubrey’s hand gently then released it.

  “Two of my deputies will be in the front while two will be riding in back with Villa. I’ll be in front of the van,” Don said.

  “And I’ll be following them.” Sean smiled at Aubrey as he made his way to the door to go outside and check the area with Don before the deputies and Villa left by the rear entrance. Sean and the sheriff scanned the buildings around the station, but Sean didn’t see anything suspicious. If the cartel tried to help Villa escape, it would be en route to the county jail. There were several ways to travel there. The sheriff in the lead car would make the decision which one he would take. While Don was on one side and Sean the other, the deputies brought Villa out and safely put him into the van.

  Sean headed for his SUV, breathing a little easier for the moment. He couldn’t let down his guard. His job was to take up the rear and prevent anyone coming up from behind to hijack the van.

  Sean arrived last at the prison, where the deputies were already taking Villa out of the van. They were supposed to wait until he and Don assessed the surroundings, although the county jail was off by itself right outside town.

  Sean slammed to a halt and jumped out of his SUV. “Wait!”

  In that second a bullet struck Villa in the middle of his forehead—a kill shot. He collapsed to the ground as Sean grabbed his rifle and tried to calculate where the shot came from.

  The clock tower? It was the only structure with the right trajectory. He hopped back into his SUV and sped away from the van toward the tower. Whoever had just killed Villa was an expert shot. The distance meant it was a person trained as a sniper.

  He pressed his foot harder on the accelerator, keeping an eye on the only escape from the tower. In the thirty seconds it took him to get in his SUV and drive away from the crime scene, no one had come out of the door. Was his informant right about Mario Bravo not being the cleaner? Or was there a new one sent by Sanchez?

  His car came to a screeching halt near the tall tower’s only entrance. He shoved open his door, drawing his Sig Sauer P226 pistol from his holster while he rushed into the slender, tall building. The quiet taunted him. He took the stairs, checking any place a person could squeeze into and hide. When he reached the top, he spun slowly around. No one was there but him. Was he wrong in his estimation of the killer’s whereabouts?

  Then his gaze latched onto a rope thrown out of a wide window-like opening that afforded a sweeping view of Port Bliss and the water between the mainland and South Padre Island. He covered the distance to it and leaned out of the opening. In the distance, a slender person dressed in black jumped on a motorcycle and disappeared over a hill. He started to turn to hurry back to his car when a splotch of red on the rope caught his full attention. Blood? Then he spied a jagged piece of rock siding nearby with red on it, too.

  He called Don and asked him to track the motorcycle with a person in black with a sniper rifle slung across his back. Sean snapped photos of the evidence then took out his knife and cut the rope. He pulled it up and wound it in a circle, seeing various other red spots on the twine.

  At least he had DNA of the killer. He hoped it led to a person’s name.

  * * *

  Aubrey stood in front of the bay window in the safe house kitchen, staring at an empty backyard where she tried to imagine her children playing and laughing like they had at home. Jorge had brought her back because Don and Sean were tracking a sniper who’d killed Villa. The situation again put Sean in harm’s way. She had to halt her growing feelings for Sean. She just couldn’t go through another loved one dying in the line of fire. He loved being a protector, but at the same time, that trait could cause an early death.

  The sound of the front door opening then closing caused Aubrey to twist around to face the entrance into the kitchen. Footfalls drew closer, and seconds later, Sean appeared in the room. The haggard look on his face tugged at her. No, she needed to keep her distance and keep her walls up.

  “Did you catch the sniper?” she finally asked.

  “No, he disappeared, but we’re analyzing the blood on a rope that he used to escape the clock tower.”

  “What if he isn’t in the system?”

  “I choose to believe he will be. We’ll know something by tomorrow morning. We discovered the weapon that killed Villa also killed your husband and some of the ones at the burial ground who were murdered by a gun.”

  “How about Cal when he was in my backyard?”

  “The bullet didn’t come from that gun or the one that Mario Bravo had on him when we found him. But the sniper could have several guns he uses.”

  So much information to keep track of. A dull headache thudded against her forehead. “I want to bring my children home, but I can’t as long as that person is out there. We don’t have any idea what his agenda is.” She blew out a loud breath. “I was hoping after Villa was sentenced, I could be with Sammy and Camy.”

  “Let’s see what happens with the DNA test being rushed through. I have a feeling things will come together. We’ve learned a lot in the past weeks.” Sean closed the distance between them.

  “So Mario Bravo didn’t kill Samuel, but this unknown sniper did.”

  “Technically the gun the sniper used killed Samuel. That doesn’t mean the sniper did, but I think he did. To a sniper, a gun is important.”

  Aubrey massaged her fingers against her temples. “I’m on overload. I’ve eaten dinner and left you some in the refrigerator to heat up. I’m going to bed. Tomorrow I’m going to my office at the courthouse. I need to finish the paperwork on Villa’s trial.” She started to move around him.

  Sean touched her arm, the space between them narrowing. “I know how hard this has been for you, especially concerning your family.”

  “I’d worked through my grief over Samuel’s death, then all this started happening and I’m having to go through it again while keeping my family safe.” Then you go after a sniper who just killed Villa. “I want a life without this kind of conflict. My children deserve not to worry about what might happen to me.”

  “I understand what you’re going through. I stared down at Jack’s decomposed body in a grave. All the pain I’d been trying to push away came like a slamming fist to my gut. I owe it to Jack and Samuel to solve their murders.”

  “So that’s why you went after the sniper by yourself with no backup. From what I heard, the sniper was really good. Villa was shot right between the eyes. He could have shot you while you were trying to get to him.”

  “But he didn’t, because he was escaping. That was more important to him. The sniper has to be stopped, or he’ll keep killing others. There have to be people who’ll do that, or lawlessness will prevail.”

  “I know.” Just not you. She looked into his eyes and saw the hurt there. For a few seconds she thought she and Sean had a chance... “I’m going to bed. Good night, Sean.”

  She practically ran from the kitchen. She loved him, but she couldn’t go through what had happened with Samuel again with Sean.

  * * *

  “Thanks, Don. I’m not surprised, but it’s good to have it confirmed. Have we got any results back about the blood on the rope?” Sean asked the next morning as he left the safe house with Aubrey, who was going to work at the reopened courthouse. He slanted a look at her. She faced forward, bu
t she stared out the window. “The DNA from the blood on the coverlet is Jana Adams’s. The question is who killed her, Mario Bravo or the person who killed him?”

  “Does it make any difference? She’s another person who’s been murdered. Another family will be mourning.”

  “I know the past two weeks have been horrific, but at the least the discovery of the bodies in the burial ground will allow their families to have closure. That’s important.”

  She finally swung her attention to him. “I’m sorry. I know that means a lot to those families. You’re one of them. I just need to hold my children. We’ve never been apart for long. I used to think I was tough. After all, I’m a judge and have overseen many felony trials. I had to ID my husband. I saw firsthand a brutal murderer’s work.” She returned to focusing on the landscape going by.

  Silence ruled.

  Sean pulled into the rear parking lot at the courthouse near the sidewalk into the building. He got out at the same time as Aubrey and they walked to the entrance. When Aubrey saw Bill on guard at the door, her solemn expression transformed into a smile.

  “I’m so glad you’re all right, Bill.”

  The deputy sheriff blushed. “I was in the hospital overnight, but I’m fine. Just a mild concussion and a flesh wound that bled more than it should have.”

  “You shouldn’t be back on duty so quickly.”

  Bill chuckled. “Judge Madison, I seem to remember you coming back too fast just last week.”

  “That’s because I needed to get the Villa trial over with before too many people got hurt.”

  Bill leaned toward her and murmured, “It’s been extra quiet around here this morning. All trials have been postponed until tomorrow.”

  “Good. Others won’t interrupt me, and I can get caught up on paperwork.”

  Sean scanned the area. “Deputy Lockhart, are the tight protocols being maintained?”

  “Yes, there’ll be two guards back here tomorrow when the trials start again.”

  “See you later,” Aubrey said and headed for the front of the courthouse.

  Sean followed. “Where are you going? The stairs are back there.”

  “I’m using the front stairs. Too many bad memories of being trapped in that stairwell.” In a quieter voice she added, “I thought I was going to die in it.”

  “What happened a couple of days ago isn’t the usual.”

  She didn’t say anything.

  At her office, Sean greeted the guard at her door then went in first to check the room. A few minutes later he came out into the hallway. “It’s clear. I’ll pick you up at twelve unless you want to go earlier. Call if so.”

  She nodded and entered her chambers, shutting the door behind her.

  Sean first drove to the police station. He needed to talk with Juan about Sergeant Vic Daniels. The police chief greeted Sean with a handshake.

  “How’s the manhunt for Villa’s killer going?”

  “Slow. My description of the sniper wasn’t exactly that revealing. Slender and about five foot seven or eight isn’t much to go on. He was covered in black from head to toe. Can’t even tell you what color his hair was. It was under a hoodie. I didn’t get a good look at the motorcycle, either. I saw him disappearing over the rise. It wasn’t a hog but more like a medium-sized bike.”

  “That’s more than half the ones I see around here.”

  “Can we go into your office?”

  “Sure.” Juan moved toward it.

  Sean closed the door behind them. “I believe I’ve found the mole in your department. I’ve been checking financial records, and this officer is spending money way over his income.”

  “Who?”

  “Vic Daniels. A lot of stuff he bought was with cash. Something is fishy. Also, I know Cal thought he could have been a mole because he overheard Vic and his wife discussing that her cousin was the cleaner. Since then we think Mario Bravo was the cleaner or working with him.” Sean gave him a full report on his findings concerning Daniels.

  “Thanks, and I mean it. The idea of one of my officers being a mole for the cartel is unacceptable. Working as a law enforcement officer is hard enough without having a traitor in our midst.”

  “If I can help, I will.”

  “Keep digging for more information. I will, too. I don’t want anyone else working on this.”

  “I agree. The pattern I uncovered is over three years old.”

  “Which makes you wonder if he had a role in your brother’s death? The sergeant was the investigator for Jack’s case.”

  “I won’t deny that. It’s something I’ve considered, but it also means I’ll make sure whoever is the mole is revealed. If something comes up, call me.” Sean left Juan’s office and hurried toward the exit. In the parking lot, he spied Vic driving away from the police station.

  At the moment, the more important issue he needed to investigate was who killed Villa. He headed to the sheriff’s office. The instant he arrived and stepped into the station, Sean knew something big was going down. He crossed to Don, who was talking with several of his deputies.

  “We’ve got the sniper’s photo. We need to release this information across the country since it’s been a day since she killed Villa. She could be anywhere.” The sheriff passed out photos to his people.

  She? When Don gave him the picture, then signaled they go into the sheriff’s office, Sean followed and closed the door. “Jana Adams isn’t dead. She’s the sniper?”

  “The DNA matches. Did she kill her husband? Her cousin? Why? What’s going on here?”

  “All good questions, and I don’t have answers. We have the black truck leaving at the time of Cal’s death. We only saw one body in the cab—a large person around six feet. Jana Adams isn’t that tall.”

  Sean rubbed the back of his neck. “If Jana is a sniper, where did she come from? We need to dig into her background. Check into her family in Houston. Plus we need to get her photo out to the media. Give me a computer, and I can start now. I don’t have to pick up Aubrey for a couple of hours.”

  “You can use my office. I’ll get you a laptop.”

  While Don slipped out of the room, Sean prowled the small area, feeling caged. Many questions were still left unanswered. He’d met Jana, and she hadn’t seemed like a sniper, which might be why she was so successful.

  * * *

  Aubrey stared out the window. Sean had called and said he’d be there at noon. The church bells rang every day at that time. She grabbed her purse and headed down the front stairs. There were only a few people at the courthouse. That seemed strange to her. Usually there was a lot of activity, but without trials taking place, the numbers were way down.

  She walked down the long hall, greeting Bill with a smile. “How’s it been this morning?”

  “Quiet, which is nice after the past couple of weeks.” He opened the door for her.

  “Thanks. Today is a beautiful day.”

  “Is your ride here?”

  She checked her watch. “Yes, it’s noon.”

  Aubrey exited the building, pausing a few seconds to relish the light breeze and the warmth of the sun on a gorgeous day. It lifted her spirits.

  Halfway down the sidewalk to the parking lot, Aubrey spied Sergeant Daniels coming her way. A grim expression darkened his features. Bad news?

  He stopped in front of her. “Judge, you need to come with me. There’s been a development—”

  A shot rang out at almost the same time as the sergeant’s eyes rounded. A bullet pierced her shoulder. Vic fell forward into her. She staggered backward as his weight finally took her down.

  * * *

  On the way to pick up Aubrey, Sean received a call from the sheriff. He punched his answer button on his steering wheel. “What’s up, Don?”

  “We got a tip that a woman who fit the description of Jana A
dams has been sighted near the courthouse. I’m calling Juan next.”

  “Good. Let your deputies there know about the sighting. I’m almost there.” He disconnected the call and pressed his foot on the accelerator. He didn’t want to put on his siren and spook Jana into running.

  As he turned into the rear parking lot, he heard a shot and glimpsed Daniels stumbling into...Aubrey. She fell with the sergeant on top of her.

  No! Not Aubrey!

  Deputy Lockhart, along with two other deputies, ran toward Aubrey and Daniels. Sean slammed on his brakes, checking the line of fire. The only possible place was the hospital’s roof. He moved toward Aubrey as he called Juan to send police officers to the Port Bliss Hospital. Then he hurried to Aubrey as Lockhart and another deputy dragged Daniels off her.

  The sight of her on the ground, blood flowing from her shoulder, spurred Sean faster. As he ran, he called 911 to report two people down. When he reached Aubrey’s side, he knelt.

  “We need to get out of the range of the sniper,” he shouted at the deputies.

  Lockhart checked Daniels’s pulse. “He’s dead.”

  “Aubrey, I’m moving you into the building.” He slid his arms under her, being careful not to jostle her right shoulder. As he quickly moved to the entrance, Lockhart ran ahead to open the door.

  Inside the building, Sean carefully laid Aubrey on the floor out of the range of the sniper.

  “Sean—get the guy.” Her gaze, filled with pain, linked with his. “We can’t—live always in fear. Go.”

  “There was only that one shot. There may be more. I need to protect you.”

  “Go. Bill’s here.”

  Sean didn’t want to, and yet he did because Aubrey was right.

  Bill waved his hand. “I’ll take care of her.”

  Sean rose, wishing he could be in two places at the same time. As he exited the building, he raced for his SUV. On the way to the hospital only three blocks away, he called Juan. “What’s going on? Did you catch Jana?”

  “No. But we’ve locked down the hospital. There’s no way she got out. We had two officers at the hospital in the ER. They moved into action right away.”