The Texas Ranger's Reward (Undercover Heroes)

by Winters, Rebecca

  “Melissa…” His blue eyes glittered.

  “Whatever you do, come home to your son,” she said. And without waiting for a response, she raced up the sidewalk to her condo and let herself in. Once safely locked inside, she ran to her room and collapsed on the bed in a paroxysm of tears.

  When she finally couldn’t sob any longer, she got up and washed her face. After that she left the town house and drove to her sister’s home in the Sugar House area of Salt Lake, not far from the university. Melissa wanted the comfort of Linda’s toddlers. If her mother came over, so much the better. She’d never needed her family more.

  * * *

  CASEY HAD BEEN IN Travis’s heart from the second they’d learned Valerie was pregnant. But recently someone else had joined his son in that secret chamber. Melissa wasn’t happy about his decision this morning, but he would no longer subject her to the dangers awaiting her at the cabin.

  When it came to his work, he’d learned to separate his personal life from the mission at hand. There was no other way to survive.

  On his trip up the canyon he received a call from Roman. “Travis, I just talked to the detective at police headquarters about the fingerprints you lifted at the cabin. The one taken off the pine table was a match for the prints found at the crime scene in Douglas, Arizona, of that elderly couple. It’s the man you fingered at Grampy’s.”

  “That had to be a one-in-a-million shot. I can’t believe it paid off.”

  “It’s more like a billion. I’d bet on your vibes anytime, comrade. There’s more. The left front tire on the camper has the two cuts that showed up on the tire tape at forensics. That puts him at the cabin, to provide the link. One more thing, Travis. He’s on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. I’m afraid he’s right up there with your wife’s killer,” Roman said in a quieter voice. “At least you have one of them in your sights, and he won’t be getting away.”

  Adrenaline shot through Travis. “What does his rap sheet look like?”

  “It’s a mile long. His name is Luis Manuel Carvelo.”

  “He didn’t sound or look Hispanic.”

  “He’s probably mixed blood and bilingual. As for his hair, he bleaches it. But his earlier photo shows him with black hair, slicked back. He’s wanted for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, murder, kidnapping, rape and parole violation. In July of 2010 he shot and killed three gang members in Holbrook, Arizona. A year later he kidnapped, raped and murdered a woman in Lake Havasu.

  “Carvelo is believed to work for a Colombian drug cartel, and is known to travel between the U.S. and Colombia via Mexico. His rap sheet says he may have a tattoo on the back of his neck—and with you on the case, we know he does. You’re a great asset, Travis.”

  “It works both ways.”

  “The Feds are ready to move in as soon as you give the signal.”

  That moment couldn’t come too soon for Travis. Jose’s latest information via the listening device confirmed what he’d been worried about: the illegals had indicated the coming weekend would be the end of the harvest. By next week they’d have made a haul worth millions on the streets.

  It was now or never for Travis. He had to find the marijuana grove while the men were still working it. Otherwise they’d move on and start another plantation somewhere else, and the culprits would slip through his fingers.

  “I hope to have news by nightfall.”

  “Be careful.”

  “Always.”

  Travis clicked off and turned onto another firebreak road that gave him access to an area he needed to explore. After climbing out of his truck and locking it, he moved into the shadows of the forest and began hiking quickly. This side of the mountain was definitely steeper. It would be a difficult climb to the mine Melissa had mentioned. Even if gold wasn’t what the Colombians were after, it might have been, under other circumstances.

  Armed with his heat-seeking goggles, Travis zigzagged up the slope. He’d been walking about ten minutes when his boot tip hit something that pitched him forward, straight into a crop of Early Misty marijuana.

  Travis leaned over to find black pipes hidden among the plants, evidence of an elaborate irrigation system. He followed it a few hundred yards to a narrow stream. Careful now, he waded through the twists and turns. At a certain vantage point his goggles picked up human forms. He counted six men working above him. One of them was Carvelo.

  After the way the killer had eyed Melissa when she’d walked up to the window at Grampy’s, there was no doubt in Travis’s mind he was the man who’d had plans for her. It’s not going to happen, you monster.

  Reaching for his camera, Travis took shots of the entire area including the makeshift camp. He saw a couple of rifles propped against a log. Obviously, the illegals were prepared to fight off other traffickers who might want the same rewards.

  There were natural springs and hundreds of feet of irrigation piping, with sprinklers to water the plants. Garbage was strewn everywhere, including containers of fertilizer and other chemicals.

  It was difficult to guess how many thousands of plants were under cultivation, but Travis had no doubt some of the crap had already been harvested. This close to the firebreak road, it would be easy to haul it off in trucks, with no one the wiser. The Feds would get aerial photographs to identify the perimeter.

  Having seen all he needed to see, Travis made a beeline to his truck before it was spotted. On the way down to Kamas, he phoned Roman. “Tell the Feds they can move in. I hit the jackpot. There are six men, Carvelo among them. They’re armed. Here are the coordinates.”

  “I’ll relay this to Jose and Lon. They’re on their way up. Anything you need, let us know,” his boss told him.

  “I’m going to park my truck away from the firebreak road, then hike back up and watch for signs of trucks pulling near the camp to pick up the marijuana,” he repeated. “I’ll get license plate numbers and pictures.”

  Travis had a personal reason for wanting to see this whole operation go down fast. When it was over, he couldn’t wait to see the look on Melissa’s face when he told her she had her cabin back to enjoy. And then he couldn’t wait to get her alone and make certain things clear to her.

  Chapter Nine

  Melissa’s mother joined her at Linda’s house, and they spent the whole day together with the children. After her sister got back from her doctor’s appointment, the three of them were able to visit. It gave Melissa a chance to tell them everything she knew about what was happening at the cabin.

  Though they were horrified, Melissa assured them that Travis had kept her perfectly safe, and it wouldn’t be long before he caught the bad guys. When she told them he was a former Texas Ranger whose wife had been murdered in a revenge killing, the tone of the conversation changed. There couldn’t be any question in her loved ones’ minds that Travis was of vital importance to her, but for once Linda didn’t tease her and her mother didn’t pry.

  When it got to be seven o’clock, Melissa drove home to her condo, half expecting Travis would have called her by now. Finally the phone rang. She picked up without looking at the caller ID.

  “Hello?”

  “Is this Melissa Dalton?”

  “Yes?” She didn’t recognize the voice.

  “This is Pat Lawrence, Travis’s sister.”

  “Oh, hello! He’s told me wonderful things about you and your family.”

  “I’ve heard a lot of good things about you, too, and hope you don’t mind
my phoning.”

  “Not at all.” Melissa’s pulse raced. “Did he call you?”

  “No. Travis gave me your phone number this morning before he left for the mountains. He indicated he might not get home before tomorrow, or even the next day. Realizing how Casey worries when he’s late, Travis said you would know how to comfort him.”

  It meant the world to Melissa that Travis trusted her enough to provide backup in case of an emergency. “Is Casey anxious now?”

  “He has that solemn look on his face. A few minutes ago he asked if he could talk to you.”

  “Oh, of course he can.”

  “All right. Just a minute and I’ll get him.”

  Her heart was racing by the time he came to the phone. “Melissa?”

  “Hi, sweetheart. How are you doing?”

  “Have you heard from my dad?” He was worried, all right. Otherwise he would have answered her question, if only to tell her what Dexter was up to.

  “No, but I do know he’s working hard on the case. Just remember he has a whole backup team that works with him, so they keep each other safe.”

  “I know,” the little boy said in a subdued voice. “I want to go home. Could you come to my house and stay with me till he gets there?”

  He wants me, rather than his aunt? Melissa’s throat swelled with emotion. “Of course. I’ll come now. Do you have a key?”

  “Yup.”

  “Great. When you see my Jeep in the driveway, then run across the street.”

  “Okay. See ya!” He ended their conversation on a happier note.

  Since it was possible Travis wouldn’t be home until tomorrow or even the next day, she pulled out an overnight bag and packed the clothes and toiletries she’d need. On top of them she put in some of her art supplies and her portfolio. Casey might like to look through it.

  Before long she’d left her condo and driven the short distance to Lone Peak Estates. No sooner had she pulled into the driveway than Travis’s sister walked Casey across the street. Dexter came running up to Melissa while the two women shook hands and chatted. They all went inside Travis’s house. Casey hurried to his room to put on his pajamas.

  “I brought enough clothes to stay through the weekend if I have to,” Melissa confided. “Travis has been setting up a sting. I’m presuming it could take several days.”

  “The idea was that when he moved here and took the P.I. job, he’d be in less danger. But we both know it’s all dangerous.”

  Melissa eyed Pat, who resembled her brother and was very attractive. “At the movie, Casey told me his dad went after bad guys. I think it’s what Travis was born to do.”

  “I know it was.”

  “For what it’s worth, I have total confidence in him,” Melissa said. “There’s an authority about him. That picture of him over Casey’s bed says it all. Travis has no idea how much I admire him.” The throb in her voice had to be a giveaway.

  Casey’s aunt studied Melissa for a moment. “You’re so different than Valerie.”

  “You’re kidding! According to Travis, if you don’t look too closely, I’m a dead ringer for her.”

  “You have similar coloring, but you’re nothing alike. She was terrified of the work he did. In fact, she was so scared she begged him to quit after every case. It was a constant source of trouble between them. They almost divorced over it.”

  This was news to Melissa. Somehow she had this idea everything had been perfect between them. “I didn’t realize.”

  “My brother has gone through hell believing that if he’d gotten out of the Rangers, she’d still be alive. But as I’ve reminded him, not every man is lucky enough to love what he does and be a natural at it. In Texas he’s a hero to many people.”

  “He’s a hero to our family,” Melissa confessed emotionally. “Thank heaven he went to work for Lufka’s. You should see how fast and thoroughly he set things up at the cabin that first day. I never saw anything like it in my life!”

  “He can’t stay away from what he knows and does best. Of course it’s tragic that Valerie was killed, but none of us has a guarantee in this life. Our own parents were killed by a train.”

  Melissa nodded. “Casey told me.”

  “I’d better get home,” Pat whispered, as her young nephew came running in the kitchen. “Call me if you need anything.”

  “Of course. We’ll keep in touch.”

  “Good night, Casey.” Pat kissed the top of his head and left the house.

  “Will you sleep with me tonight?” the boy asked.

  “Sure. Let’s go to your room and I’ll change into my jammies.”

  “What kind are they?”

  “I don’t have Spider-Man. Mine are just navy sweats.”

  “Oh.”

  They walked to his bedroom at the rear of the house. She disappeared into the bathroom. When she came out, she’d removed the combs from her hair and was wearing it loose, so she could give it a good brushing.

  “Wow! I’ve never seen your hair like that before! You look different.”

  She guessed she did. “Don’t you like it down?” It touched the top of her shoulders.

  “I love it. You should wear it that way all the time.”

  “Well, thank you for the compliment. Why don’t you pick out a couple of your favorite books? After you say your prayers, we’ll read until we fall asleep.”

  “Hooray!”

  A half hour later they pulled up the covers. Dexter crept into the space between them.

  “Night, Melissa. I love you,” Casey sighed.

  Hot tears trickled from the corners of her eyes. “I love you, too. Sleep tight.”

  * * *

  AT SIX IN THE MORNING Travis pulled into the driveway. His heart thudded when he discovered Melissa’s Jeep there. He came to a stop and closed his eyes tightly. Casey must have asked Pat to call her or Melissa wouldn’t be here. He exhaled a sigh of gratitude that they were both safe inside.

  There was so much to tell her. Now he wouldn’t have to go over to her house tomorrow to talk to her, or track her down if she wasn’t there.

  He tried to be quiet as he let himself in the front door, but Dexter was right there to greet him. Travis picked him up and carried him through the house. He passed Casey’s bedroom and saw two heads against the pillows, sound asleep. Half a dozen books lay on the floor. What a sight!

  “You’re going to spend the rest of the night with me,” Travis told Dexter, after he’d shut the door to his own bedroom. He set the Scottie down. Taking a few more steps, he fell across his bed, dirty and exhausted.

  Nothing else registered until he felt a nudge on his shoulder. Light filled the room.

  “Daddy? Wake up. Melissa’s fixing us dinner.”

  Dinner? “What time is it?”

  “Five o’clock.”

  Travis’s lids opened. Through bleary eyes he saw his son, and pulled him into his arms. It was so wonderful getting back to normal! He rolled Casey on his back and tickled him until he begged him to stop.

  “Hey, what’s all that black on you?”

  Travis could just imagine what he looked like after the night he’d lived through. “I guess I should take a shower, huh?”

  “You need a shave, too. It scratches.”

  Travis saw movement in the doorway, but almost didn’t recognize Melissa with her hair down and flowing around her shoulders. Talk about a vision.

  “Welcome back.” She smiled.
“This room smells like there’s been a fire in here. Come on, Casey. While your father does what he has to do to make himself presentable—if that’s possible—we’ll get dinner on the table.”

  Travis grinned at her. “That bad, huh?”

  She nodded. “Pretty awful. Even Dexter didn’t want to stay in here any longer.”

  Travis barked a laugh. “How come you’re not running away?”

  “I don’t know. There must be something about you, but I’ll have to think about it,” she teased.

  “Give me five minutes.”

  “Take ten, please.”

  More laughter rolled out of him. After everyone disappeared, he got out of bed and stretched before going into his bathroom to shower. One look at his soiled clothes convinced him they’d need two to three washings to get clean again.

  He hurriedly showered and shaved, then pulled on clean jeans and a sport shirt. When he emerged from his room, the smell of Italian food drew him to the breakfast room. Melissa and Casey must have gone to the grocery store during the day. The dinner she had prepared made him salivate. Along with lasagna, there was a fruit salad dotted with fat strawberries and daubs of whipped cream.

  Travis sat down at the table, trapping her gaze. “This all looks so good, I don’t know where to dig in first.”

  “Try these bread sticks!” Casey blurted, eating one as fast as he could. “Melissa made them all by herself. She let me twist them.”

  “I’d say you did a great job.” Travis reached for one and ate it in two seconds. “You could make a whole meal of these.”

  “Hey, Dad,” Casey said. “How come you got so dirty?”

  “I was just going to ask you the same question,” Melissa said.

  He checked his watch. “It’s almost five-thirty. If we turn on the TV to Channel Five, you’ll get your answer.”

  “TV? I’ll do it!” Casey slid out of his chair and ran over to the portable on the counter. When he switched it on, the local announcers were talking about a truck that had overturned near Saint George on I-15, and thousands of bees in their hives had spilled out onto the freeway. Beekeepers had to be sent for to clear up the mess.