Reunion Mission (Rangers Under Fire)

by Virginia Vaughan

  But even if Ryan had been the one driving the truck, it didn’t mean he wasn’t working for Brown. “I know about your past work at Mortan Pharmaceuticals. You went from a six-figure annual income to a teacher’s salary. That must have been quite a downfall. Why don’t you tell me what happened?”

  Daryl Brown grew defensive. “Why is my occupation any of your concern?”

  “Because I’m here to ferret out whoever is behind this drug ring and right now you’re looking pretty good for it, Daryl. You made your money for six years developing new drugs and now you’re stuck in a school dealing with teenagers. Your truck was used to try to run down Claire, and you were overheard having an argument with Ryan Summerhold, the same boy you’re saying had possession of your vehicle at the time of the incident. Now, maybe you want to answer my questions before I haul you to the police station for a much more detailed discussion.”

  Brown’s eyes widened on hearing that he was considered a suspect. He rushed to answer Matt’s accusations. “I had what my doctors called an emotional breakdown. I buckled under the pressure to always have to come up with the newest moneymaking drugs. Mortan poured millions into developing and selling new drugs, but it’s a cutthroat world. Sure, the money is good, but the stress made me an old man before I was forty. I still have a substantial savings and my house is paid for, so this position at Lakeshore was a good fit for me. The school wanted someone with a solid background in professional science to complement their new science program, while I get to share my wisdom and have summers off to travel.”

  “And the argument between you and Ryan?”

  He laughed, then shook his head. “As I said, I enlisted Ryan to do some mechanic work on my truck. Academically, he’s not a great student, but the boy is a genius with mechanics. I paid him $1,500 for a new engine that he said needed to be replaced.” He shrugged. “It’s cheaper than buying a new car. But when I wanted my truck back, he tried to claim it needed additional repairs. I didn’t believe him. Now I suppose I know why he didn’t want to return my vehicle. He used it to commit a crime.”

  “So you have no involvement in the drug ring that’s operating out of Lakeshore High?”

  “Look, Agent Ross, I might have had some problems, but I went into pharmaceutical research because I wanted to help people. Doping up teenagers isn’t what I would consider a valuable contribution to society. Not only is it morally reprehensible, but as I stated, I don’t need the money, so there’s really no reason for me to waste my time on that kind of junk chemistry.”

  Brown’s denial seemed genuine and he’d logically explained his change in careers, his hefty bank account and the use of his vehicle in the attack on Claire. Matt’s gut was telling him he wasn’t the supplier. He would keep Brown on his radar, but he no longer believed Brown was the drug supplier.

  However, what Brown had just told him had strengthened the case against Ryan Summerhold, throwing more light on the boy’s involvement in the affair.

  SIX

  Before the wreck on prom night, Matt had been active in church and a strong believer in God. However, since that night, his faith had taken a backseat to grief and guilt. But now, something had changed in his life again.

  He opened the nightstand drawer in his boyhood bedroom and pulled out his old Bible. He’d left it behind when he’d joined the army, angry and bitter at God for the wreck and for losing Claire. He’d remained angry at God for so long that it had simply become a part of his life to keep Him at arm’s length.

  But tonight, he took out his Bible and walked into the backyard. If he ever hoped to have a future with Claire—which was more and more on his mind these days—when this was all over and she was out of danger and cleared of this outrageous murder charge, he knew he had to also fix his relationship with God. Claire had said herself she was a woman of faith and she would never want someone who hadn’t spoken to the Lord in years.

  He opened to Genesis and turned to the story of Joseph. Ever since Claire had mentioned studying that, Matt had felt a connection. He remembered the story from his childhood, but he read it now with fresh eyes.

  Like Joseph, who had been betrayed by his brothers, Matt knew the sting of betrayal. He and his ranger squad had been betrayed by a translator embedded with them who had led them straight into an ambush. He knew that topsy-turvy feeling of watching his life spin out of control, out of any ordered way he’d thought it would go. Joseph surely had had plans for his future that didn’t include being sold into slavery and spending years in prison and servitude. Matt could relate. After the ambush of his ranger squad, he’d been distraught. He’d expected to remain a ranger for many more years, but the injury he’d sustained in the attack had left him in constant pain. He’d held on for several months, even completing another mission with the rangers, but his heart was no longer in it. Matt reminded himself now that God had used Joseph’s tragedy for good. He’d had a plan for Joseph’s life, and He had a plan for Matt’s.

  He would never have thought God’s plan would bring him back into contact with Claire, but how else could he account for being in the same school at the same time just when she needed him?

  He rubbed his face. He tried so hard to keep it together, to not allow himself to fall apart under the pressure, but it was hard. He’d lost so much already. Now Claire was in trouble. And once again he was pounding his fists trying to make things happen.

  He heard the back door open and his father joined him on the patio, a fresh cup of coffee in his hand. “You’re up late.”

  Matt nodded. “Just doing some thinking.”

  He motioned toward the Bible on the table. “Good to see you have that open again. Anything you want to talk about?”

  Matt told him the truth. “I’ve spent my entire army career making sure I kept my nose clean and my reputation was spotless.”

  “Nothing wrong with that.”

  “It’s all been a lie, Dad. My reputation is anything but spotless. No matter how far I ran from the consequences of that wreck, it was never far enough to make me forget. I suppose I never realized until recently what you must have had to go through to keep them from pressing charges against me. I could never have joined the army with a DUI hanging over my head. You covered for me.

  His father shrugged. “I did what any parent would do in that situation. I begged Claire’s parents and the DA for leniency.”

  “You did? Why did you do that?”

  “Because I’m your father. It’s a parent’s job to look out for their kids.”

  “Sometimes it’s better for a kid to suffer the consequences of their actions.”

  “Sometimes. But then you were always harder on yourself than a normal kid, and sometimes there’s more than enough consequences to deal with without piling on. We all saw that, even the Kendalls.”

  Matt realized he wasn’t any different from any of those kids Claire taught now. He’d been spoiled and entitled. He’d been one of them. “They could have ruined me.”

  “But they didn’t. You turned out to be a fine young man.”

  “I’ve been running from that night my whole life. It defines me.”

  “No, son. Who you are as a man defines you. Your relationship with the Lord is what truly defines you.”

  “My relationship with God has been nonexistent for years. Sometimes I wonder if He’s forgotten about me.”

  “He hasn’t. He can’t, any more than your mother or I could forget about you.”

  “I’ve done so many things I regret, Dad. My whole life has been one mistake after the next and so many people have been hurt. Do you think Claire can ever truly forgive me for what I’ve put her through?”

  His dad smiled. “I think Claire has never been the type of person to hold grudges. She’s a fine young woman. We’ve always thought so. Besides, if she couldn’t forgive you, I doubt she’d be putti
ng such trust in you now.”

  “I’ve been called off the investigation. My supervisor believes it’s a dead end. He wants me to find other leads.”

  His father nodded his head. “I guess that means you’ll be leaving soon?”

  “No. I can’t believe how much I still care for her even after all these years. When I saw her being arrested, it felt like my heart was being cut out. I know it’s probably too late for us to be together. Too much has happened between us. But I can’t walk away from her again. Not while she’s in danger.”

  “Well, son, I don’t think it’s ever too late when love is involved. But if you’re working without your DEA resources, you’ll need backup. I’m not as young as I used to be and we still have all this wedding stuff to deal with, but I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”

  Matt smiled. He’d expected nothing less than his father’s offer of help, but his family was already overwhelmed with the wedding. “I appreciate the offer, Dad, but I’m not alone. I have the rangers to back me up.”

  He would drop everything to aid one of his ranger brothers—and had when Josh had needed their help—but he hated asking for it for himself. But this wasn’t about him. He let his mind drift back to ten years ago, to the good times before the car wreck. He and Claire had laughed together, studied together, served in the church youth group together. Even then her kindness and compassion had been evident in her everyday life. She wasn’t capable of the kind of violence she was being accused of. She was innocent, and she was depending on him to prove it. He wouldn’t let her down again.

  He pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled through his contacts until he found Garrett’s number. When his friend answered, Matt got right to the point.

  “I need your help.”

  * * *

  Matt drove two hours to meet up with Garrett and Josh, two of his ranger buddies who had also left the army.

  “I know it’s a lot to ask,” Matt said after spilling the details of his and Claire’s predicament.

  Josh dug through the files Matt had provided him. “So you believe whoever killed Luke is also behind the drug ring?”

  “Yes, and the one setting up Claire. She did not kill anyone. Now I just need to prove it.”

  “Can I make a suggestion?” Garrett asked.

  “What is it?”

  “It seems to me you’re too emotionally involved with this. Maybe you need someone else to take a fresh view. They might see something that you’re missing.”

  Matt was a little uncomfortable having someone else realize his personal connection to the case. He’d always liked to keep his emotions in check during his time with the rangers. Emotion made you reckless and after the wreck he’d vowed to never be reckless again. Still, he would do whatever it took to protect Claire, even if that meant bowing to his ego.

  “That’s why I called the two of you.”

  “And we’re glad to help,” Garrett stated, “but I was thinking Elise might be a good person to ask, as well. She’s an FBI-trained investigator.”

  Josh nodded. “That’s not a bad idea. I can take her these files and let her look through them. Maybe she can see something you’ve missed.”

  Matt nodded. “I would appreciate that.”

  “No problem, brother. You know the rangers are always here for you.”

  Matt realized he owed his brothers a lot for how they’d come through for him. He owed them the truth about himself and about what had really happened ten years ago.

  “There’s something you should know about me and Claire. We were in love a long time ago.”

  “I take it that didn’t end well?” Josh asked.

  “That’s an understatement. I’ve never told anyone about this.” He went on to tell them about the accident and how he’d abandoned Claire to join the army.

  Garrett whistled when Matt finished his story. “Wow. I can’t believe you’ve kept that secret for so long.”

  “It’s my deepest regret. I hope this doesn’t affect how you both see me.”

  They looked at each, then Josh responded, “Well, it does, Matt. Frankly, it makes you seem more—”

  “Human,” Garrett finished.

  “Human,” Josh agreed.

  “So you don’t think less of me now?”

  “Of course we don’t think less of you. You messed up. Who hasn’t?”

  “Yes, but my mess up cost someone I care about a great deal of pain.”

  “That doesn’t make you special, Matt. It just makes you...” He looked at Garrett again as if he couldn’t pinpoint the word he was searching for.

  “Human,” Garrett finished, smiling.

  Josh nodded. “Exactly. Welcome to the human race.”

  Matt grinned at their lightheartedness. “Guys, I messed up here. I mean I really messed up. This one mistake has haunted me for ten years. Now I have an opportunity to redeem myself in Claire’s eyes.”

  “You can’t change the past. All you can do now is try to make her future better.”

  “And I intend to do just that,” he told them.

  * * *

  Claire noticed Matt in the courtroom Friday morning when she was arraigned. He looked solid and so handsome, but his face showed weariness. He was there, though, and she was glad to see him. She hadn’t had the opportunity yet to speak with him since Preston had told her about the DEA dropping their investigation. She was ashamed to admit she’d wondered if she would see him again.

  Lloyd Wingate, her father’s attorney, was there, too, and she was thankful for his presence. He addressed the court on her behalf, arguing for her release, and arranged to have her bail paid, knowing her father would reimburse him once he returned to town.

  “We need to start preparing for a trial,” Lloyd told her as Claire’s personal items that had been collected when she was arrested were returned to her. “Our firm doesn’t handle criminal defense cases, but since your father is one of my biggest clients and my friend, I’m going to personally contact a criminal defense lawyer on his behalf. He’ll be in touch with you in the next few days to schedule a meeting to go over the case. I’ve also arranged to have your parents contacted on board their cruise ship. I’m certain this is not how they imagined spending their vacation, but I’m sure they would want to know.”

  Claire wondered if they would cut their trip short knowing that she was in trouble. Somehow she doubted it. Her father trusted Lloyd thoroughly, and if he was handling things, then her father would assume that Claire’s case was in good hands. She could almost hear her father’s reprimand that there was no need for them to come home early, since there was nothing they could do here anyway.

  She wondered if other parents reacted the same way. Would the Ross family react that way had Matt been the one arrested? No. She knew emphatically they would drop whatever was going on in their lives to be by his side for emotional support even if there was nothing they could do to help the situation. It seemed to her that only her family was the oddity.

  She’d always sensed something was different about her family, even if she never knew exactly what it was...until she’d met the Ross family with their close ties, in obvious contrast to her own.

  She chided herself. Poor little rich girl. Mommy and Daddy didn’t love her enough. She knew there were so many people with such worse problems in life than a lack of affection from their family. At least her parents were always willing to help her financially when she needed it, as she did now. Her father wouldn’t hesitate to pay for a defense attorney for her.

  Matt was waiting for her outside when Claire was finally released. He waved and gave her a slight smile that made her weak-kneed. It wasn’t fair that he still had such a pull on her even after all these years.

  She walked toward him, conscious of the discomfort in her hip after spending the nig
ht on the flimsy jailhouse mattress. Stress always brought out the stiffness in her joints. She hated for Matt to see her limp. It had to be the final nail in the coffin of their once amazing romance.

  She held her head high as she moved. What did it matter if her limp was noticeable? Their relationship had been over for a very long time.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, concern lining his face. He cupped her face in his hands and she longed to step right into his arms and let him assure her everything would be all right.

  “I’m fine. What are you doing here?”

  “I came to take you home.”

  She liked the way he referred to his family’s house as her home. She’d always been comfortable there and that hadn’t changed. Staying with the Rosses had kept her feeling safe and loved, but she supposed that would all change when Matt left again. “Preston told me about the DEA dropping the case.” She lowered her head, not wanting him to see how his leaving upset her. “I suppose this means you’ll be leaving town soon.”

  He lifted her chin with his finger until she locked eyes with him. “I’m not going anywhere, Claire.” His eyes sparkled as he reassured her.

  “But the case—”

  “Doesn’t matter to me as much as you do. I won’t leave until I know you’re safe and your name is cleared,” he promised her. “A couple of my former ranger friends are going to help us figure out who is behind this. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Her eyes filled with tears at his declaration. “I’m scared,” she admitted. Scared of what was happening to her. Scared of how much she wanted to believe in him again. She hated herself for doubting him for even a moment. She wanted to trust him completely, unabashedly, but when she’d had the opportunity, she had to admit she’d failed him. Everyone deserved another chance and she wanted to give Matt that second chance.

  He pulled her into his arms and she went willingly, happily, drawing her strength from his presence. And maybe they could even have a second chance at love, too.

  * * *