One Tough Texan

by Barb Han

  “And what if it’s not? Plus, you can’t exactly go waltzing back in there now. If he sees you he’ll figure you out right away.”

  Suddenly her cup of empty coffee became the most interesting thing in the room based on how intensely she studied it. Was he getting through?

  “If we go back and retrace your steps we have a better chance at finding her,” he said, trying to drive home his point.

  Alice sat motionless for a few minutes that stretched out before nodding her head. “You’re right.”

  She struggled to bite down a yawn.

  A wave of relief rippled through him. Joshua wasn’t sure how he’d come to care so much in such a short time about a stranger—maybe he could relate to her determination to do the right thing and her sense of guilt—but he wanted to help Alice. No one should carry a burden like hers alone.

  “That pretty much highlights what I’ve done. What’s our next step, cowboy?” she asked, sounding resigned and maybe a little hopeful. “It’s good to get fresh eyes on the investigation.”

  “I can take a few days off from the ranch.” He didn’t even want to touch the thought of how easily that statement rolled off his tongue. “It won’t take long to travel to Arizona. We can leave tonight.”

  “Good idea.” She nodded her head. “Arizona is the last place Perez would be expecting to see either of us.”

  “If what you said is true he’ll stick around here a few days trying to find me. It would be smart to change our appearances.”

  “Right again.” She smiled and maybe it was the spark of hope in her eyes that stirred something dormant in his chest.

  Joshua didn’t want to think about that. He was just glad that something moved in there. Since taking leave from the force, he could admit to feeling empty inside. He should have an interview or a rejection from the FBI coming soon. In the case of a job offer, he’d have to find a way to tell his brothers that he had no plans to return to the ranch. How in the hell was he supposed to do that? They were counting on him to do his part. As for his father’s disappointment...he couldn’t even go there right now.

  If the FBI offered, he had every intention of accepting on the spot even though he knew it’d be a couple of months before he could officially start. The agency would need to complete a background check and he’d have to pass the physical—no problem there because he kept up his training. Other than his brothers, there wasn’t anyone special in his life that he’d need to talk over the decision with. And why did that fact suddenly make his life feel like it was missing something? Or, more appropriately, someone. Being alone had never bothered him before. What had suddenly changed? Hold on there, O’Brien. Joshua wasn’t touching that one, either. He refocused his thoughts on the investigation. He wanted to talk to the Hardings himself and get a feel for them. Years of training and experience had honed his instincts into a fine-tuned machine and he’d get an accurate feel for them after one good conversation. He trusted Alice’s instincts, too. He also couldn’t ignore her bias toward the couple.

  Also, he wanted to talk to Alice’s supervising officer to see if he had any new information on the case. If this case was important to Alice, it would be important to everyone she knew at work. Cops operated that way, like more of a family than coworkers. Hopefully, Tommy could help with the connection since Joshua didn’t know anyone in Tucson.

  “You hungry?” he asked after poring over the intel she’d gathered. All of which led to the same conclusion—Perez. Her source had believed a teenager with Isabel’s description had been a target. But then the guy was a two-time loser heroin addict going for a get-out-of-jail-free card. Alice was so hungry and desperate to find Isabel she would have been willing to take just about anyone’s word at face value. Her judgment was blinded and that’s why it’s never a good idea for an officer to work on a case too close to his or her heart. It’s the reason doing so was considered a conflict of interest. She’d want to see something so desperately that she could miss real clues. Of course, mentioning the possibility to her would most likely get him a boot out the door. In her defensive state, she wouldn’t appreciate having her judgment questioned.

  “Do you happen to have any food stashed in your Jeep outside?” She stretched again, winced and he could tell she was holding in just how much movement hurt.

  “I can do better than that. I’ll pick up breakfast burritos. Bacon or sausage?” he asked.

  “Bacon,” she said with a slight smile, easing off the bed. “I’ll clean up while you’re gone.”

  Joshua took the last drink of coffee before tossing the cup. He’d offer to help her walk to the bathroom but figured that would just get him another look and he didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the progress he’d made so far in gaining her trust. Instead, he walked out to his Jeep, shivering in the cold morning air.

  The breakfast run was going to take a few minutes more than Joshua had anticipated because the line in the drive-thru extended to the street. He’d forgotten all about the fact that it was a weekend. He also thought about the expensive piece of art in the back. He’d need to swing by the ranch before heading out of town or have one of his brothers meet him somewhere to make the exchange. It would be about a fifteen-hour drive to Tucson or they could cut the time dramatically if they flew. It’d be easy enough to arrange a car to be waiting at a private airport if they decided to fly and that would keep them off the highways where Perez and his men could be waiting, watching. The air might be their safest bet and especially since he could control how many people knew about the trip.

  He’d paid and moved to the second window of the Burrito Barn when his cell buzzed. It was Tommy, so he used Bluetooth to answer as he took the food bags from the smiling redheaded attendant and thanked her.

  “I have news on the name you gave me,” Tommy started right in.

  “Good or bad?” Joshua didn’t like his friend’s tone as he rolled up his window and pulled out of the drive-thru lane.

  “She’s in trouble with her employer in Tucson. How well do you know this person?” Tommy asked.

  “What kind of trouble?” Joshua dodged the question.

  “I’ve been advised to bring her in for her own good or have her stay put so someone can pick her up.”

  “She’s wanted for questioning?” Sure, she’d dodged a few rules going out on her own to investigate this case. Joshua understood that her SO would probably be angry if she wasn’t following the law to the letter. That was most likely the reason she’d gone off the rails in the first place. She needed answers, not red tape, and especially since a little girl’s life hung in the balance—a girl Alice felt responsible for.

  “It’s worse than that. She disappeared in the midst of a Professional Standards Department investigation.”

  “What did the Professional Standards Department want with her?” he asked, but he already suspected that he knew the answer to that question based on his earlier discussion with her.

  “To talk to her about charges of tampering with evidence in a federal investigation,” Tommy said.

  “Whoa. Hold on there. A federal investigation?” Joshua asked, not liking the sound of those words. If his involvement with Alice came to light, his application, his future could be ruined.

  “Yes. And her SO said that if she didn’t get herself back to the station soon there’ll be nothing he can do to protect her. He’s already covered for her as much as he can without jeopardizing his own job.”

  Damn.

  “We’re heading to Tucson tonight.” Joshua trusted Tommy with his life but he didn’t want to give his friend any specific details that might put him in an awkward position. Sharing the information that they’d be on a plane tonight would constitute prior knowledge and Tommy couldn’t lie in court about it. “I’ll convince her to go in and clear this whole ordeal up with Professional Standards.”

&nb
sp; “Good. I have everyone on alert for Perez. I’m guessing these two are connected in some way.”

  “It’s best to hang up now,” Joshua said, again thinking about how his friend might have to testify in court and that it would be best if Tommy didn’t know everything.

  “You sure about that?” Tommy asked.

  “Keep eyes out for Perez. I’ll give you a call after I get Alice to her station house.”

  Tommy agreed to the last part, so Joshua didn’t argue. He was pulling into the parking lot of The Bluff Motel and his stomach was reacting to the smell of the burritos. There’d be no time to stop off at the ranch. Joshua owed a call to one of his brothers to give them the statue. He decided to text his twin brother, Ryder, instead. He picked a location near town and set the time. Ryder confirmed a few seconds later.

  At least the rain had let up from last night. The sun was out but a cold front had moved in overnight just as promised and the temperature was hovering a bit above freezing.

  Joshua wondered if Alice had brought any warm clothes with her. At least his had dried out. The door to the motel room would be locked, so he knocked and waited.

  Was she still in the bathroom? Surely she wasn’t showering longer than forty-five minutes. She might’ve dozed off again while she waited for him. She looked more than exhausted earlier and he figured that was half the reason she hadn’t pegged him for a cop yet. He had no plans to tell her about his background even though it felt like a deception, and those were mounting. Keeping things from the people he was closest to was beginning to be a habit, he thought as he knocked louder this time.

  Still no answer and that fact spiked his blood pressure. What if Perez had found her?

  Don’t do that, O’Brien. Don’t make assumptions.

  Joshua made a quick dash toward the motel’s front office.

  A bell chimed as he opened the door and the attendant looked up from the newspaper spread out on the counter in front of him. The older man smiled to acknowledge Joshua. He was leaned forward over the paper and must’ve been sitting on a stool. He had on a mint-green button-down shirt that looked a size too big.

  “Something I can help you with this morning?” he asked.

  “I’m visiting a friend in room 115 and she’s not answering the door.” He heard how that sounded the minute it came out of his mouth. He held up the food bag. “She called and asked if I’d bring over something to eat. Said she wasn’t feeling well last night. Stomach bug or something but now she was starving.”

  “I have the key right here. I’d be happy to check on her.” The idea someone might’ve messed up the room etched a frown line across his forehead.

  “I’d appreciate it.”

  “Hold on. You want to take a seat?” the man asked.

  Joshua introduced himself.

  “I’m Sherman.” The old man took the hand being offered.

  “Any chance I can follow you, Sherman? She didn’t sound good this morning when I talked to her and I want to see for myself that she’s okay,” Joshua pressed.

  “As long as you stay outside the room,” Sherman said. “I reckon’ it’ll be all right if you take a peek.”

  Joshua didn’t want to touch how poorly that spoke to security at The Bluff Motel as he followed Sherman out the front door. He waited as Sherman posted the out of the office sign before locking the door.

  “Let’s see here.” Sherman held the key up as he shuffled his feet, moving forward at a hair faster than a snail’s pace. “You said room 115.”

  “Yes.” Joshua shouldn’t be impatient with the older man but his danger instincts kicked up, telling him something was wrong.

  Sherman paused in front of the door and it was all Joshua could do not to take the key and open the door himself.

  “Here we go,” Sherman said, opening the door and stepping aside. His nose wrinkled like he expected to be hit with the stench of vomit.

  Joshua stepped inside the doorjamb ahead of Sherman. There was nothing. No smell. No mess. No Alice. Worst of all, there was no sign she’d ever been there, either. The secondary bed had been cleaned off and there wasn’t so much as a scrap of paper lying around.

  “Where could she have gone?” Joshua asked out loud, forgetting that he had company.

  “Maybe she got to feeling better and took off.”

  “Would you mind checking the bathroom? Just to make sure it’s clear?” Joshua asked, stepping aside to allow Sherman access.

  “Sure thing,” Sherman said but the tone of his voice said he didn’t expect to find anything.

  Joshua turned and leaned against one side of the doorjamb while he waited for the old man to shuffle across the room.

  “No sign of her in here, either. Looks like she left in a hurry, though,” he said.

  A thought dawned on Joshua. He hadn’t questioned the fact that Alice had asked if he had a vehicle last night. It hadn’t occurred to him that she would have one of her own. And by taking his, the question of what she drove never even came up. He had no idea what to look for on the road.

  Basically, she could’ve driven right past him on his way back to the motel and he never would’ve realized.

  * * *

  ALICE CROUCHED DOWN low in the field next to the trailer another half hour from The Bluff Motel off Highway 287 going west. Her informant had texted her last night about Perez’s whereabouts and she hadn’t checked her phone until the cowboy had gone for breakfast.

  Even if Dale hadn’t sent that text she’d been prepared to walk away from Joshua. His investigation skills were a little too highly honed for him to be a simple rancher and he didn’t seem to be inclined to share his background with her. He’d gone with the rancher cover and she’d pretended to believe it, all the while plotting her escape. She’d tricked him. Mission accomplished. So, why did she feel like such a jerk? It wasn’t like she really knew the guy.

  Alice tried to shrug off the feeling. The truth was that she was an honest person. No one hated lies more than Alice. Had she been doing her fair share lately? Yes, she thought with a sharp sigh. Her back was against the wall when it came to Isabel and she was bending rules she knew better than to break, none of which made her feel comfortable. Then there was the internal investigation she had ducked out of back at the precinct. No matter how pure her reasons were, Alice knew there’d be a price to pay for her actions.

  She mentally shook off her reverie and refocused on the 1990s single-wide Palm Harbor trailer in front of her. Her body was already soaked from lying in the still-wet grass and she was thinking about that warm cup of coffee she’d had earlier in an attempt to stave off the shivers rocking her. Being from Arizona, she didn’t exactly own a winter coat and the light jacket she had on did little to brace her against the cold, unforgiving earth.

  Isabel had to be Alice’s priority right now. Nothing else mattered, she tried to lie to herself. She missed her boys. The thought of being away from her babies for their first Christmas ripped up her insides and yet how could she enjoy the season while Isabel’s future was so uncertain?

  The boys were too young to know what day it was. If she missed Christmas with them, she’d put up a tree anyway and make her own day. If her worst fears came true she wouldn’t have a job to go back to anyway. Meaning she’d have a lot of free time while she figured out her next move.

  A part of her she didn’t want to acknowledge missed the cowboy, too. And that was as productive as packing herself in ice to stay warm.

  Holidays or not, handsome cowboy or not, Alice had to stay focused.

  She glanced at her watch. She’d already been staking out the place four hours and not one person had come or gone.

  A station wagon drove up the gravel lane fifty yards away from her by the time she looked up. There wasn’t another trailer for a couple of miles. Alice watched as the
white station wagon pulled in front of the trailer. There were two guys in the front who exited the vehicle simultaneously.

  This was her first real break since blowing the setup last night. If she could get a good look, she could ID the guys, maybe even snap a picture. Her hands were stiff from cold. She flexed her fingers a few times to warm them up.

  Alice pulled binoculars out of her backpack, trying to erase thoughts of Joshua O’Brien out of her mind...which would be a lot easier if she didn’t see him, unconscious, being hauled out of the backseat of the station wagon and up the pair of wooden steps into the trailer.

  Chapter Six

  Alice needed a plan, like, right now. Otherwise all her efforts to save the cowboy last night would be for nothing. Okay, what would she do if she was Perez or one of his men?

  First she’d interview the cowboy to find out what he knew and/or if he’d told others about the operation to determine if there was additional threat. Perez would also want to know why he’d shown up the other night to help her. There was no way Joshua O’Brien was going to give him or his men anything, which would leave Perez with no choice but to try to torture the information out of him.

  Again, she couldn’t see a scenario in which the cowboy would talk. So Perez or one of his men would kill Joshua. She couldn’t stand by and let that happen.

  So, if Perez wasn’t there, his men would need a direct order to dispose of the cowboy. There was no way they’d act without permission. They’d need to check in with their boss first, which introduced a variable since Perez might not be available right away. That could buy Alice precious time. Even a few minutes could mean the difference between life and death for Joshua.

  One thing was certain, the cowboy wouldn’t talk and they would kill him.

  There was another important variable she had to consider. She had no idea how many men she was up against. The station wagon was the only vehicle parked out front but that didn’t mean there weren’t others inside or on their way. There was no time for recon and she couldn’t take the risk of getting close to the trailer and being caught anyway.