Out of Time

by Shirlee McCoy

  “Agreed. I’m going to send Oliver to take your shift at the Alamo. I want you and Susannah to go to the hospital. From what you’ve said, I think Mitch will respond better to her than anyone else.”

  “Good call.”

  “I’ll still send Gisella to check on him while you’re waiting for Oliver, and I’ll give you a call if his condition changes.”

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem. I’ll see you at the meeting this afternoon.”

  “See you then.”

  Levi hung up. Only then did he notice the silence. Had Susannah left? Was she walking to her car unescorted?

  “She’d better not be,” he muttered as he surveyed the empty room.

  “Better not be what?” Susannah walked out of the office, her hat off.

  “Walking to your car alone.”

  “After what happened to Mitch, did you really think I would?”

  “You walked here unescorted.”

  “How did you…?” She stopped, her eyes narrowing as she speared him with a look that would have made stronger men than Levi cower. “You were watching me.”

  “I watch lots of people. It’s part of the job.”

  “What did you do? Wait outside my house all night and then follow me here?”

  “When you say it like that, it doesn’t sound like the best idea I’ve ever had.” But it had made sense at the time. He’d known the perp would show himself again, and he’d been hoping to be around when it happened.

  He’d also wanted to make sure Susannah was safe.

  Things were escalating quickly, and he didn’t want her to be caught in the cross fire between the Texas Rangers and the Lions of Texas.

  “I’d like to say it was the worst idea you’ve ever had.” She frowned, twirling her hair through her fingers in the same restless gesture he remembered from their childhood.

  “But you won’t?”

  “Not if you don’t say that walking from my car to the compound by myself was the worst idea I’ve ever had.”

  “It wasn’t. Walking from here to your car alone? That might have been.”

  “Eventually, I’m going to have to leave. You know that, right? I mean, I can’t stay here with you all morning.”

  “Too bad. I can think of a lot of interesting things we could do together,” Levi said.

  “How about you think of something else, because I’m done with interesting things.”

  “I was talking about marking out the stage area for the ceremony. I want to see exactly where the guests will be standing when they speak.”

  “Oh.” She blushed, turning away as Marcus stepped out of the office.

  “You two leaving?”

  “I’m waiting for my replacement. Then we’ll head out.”

  “All right. I’m going to do rounds. Use the radio if you need anything.”

  “You said you have a replacement coming?” Susannah asked, her gaze following Marcus as he left the chapel.

  “Oliver Drew. He’s a member of my company. Once he gets here, I’ll drive you over to the hospital, and we’ll see how Mitch is doing.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled, the first real smile he’d seen all morning. He wanted to lean in, taste it on her lips.

  “For what?”

  “Not making me wait to visit Mitch. I’ve grown to care about him.”

  “Obviously, the feeling is mutual. He was determined to get that warning to you.”

  “I feel terrible that he was hurt in the process.”

  “Hopefully not too badly. I asked Ben to send a Ranger over to check on Mitch, so we should know the extent of his injuries soon.”

  A soft tap sounded on the chapel door, and Susannah pulled it open, allowing Oliver Drew to step into the room.

  His gaze rested on Susannah briefly, and then landed on Levi. “Hey, McDonall. I hear you summoned me?”

  “That was Ben, but thanks for coming.”

  “You’re not going to thank me when I give you the news Ben sent me with.”

  “What news?”

  “Gisella went down to the emergency room, looking for the guy who was beaten outside of the Alamo’s gate. He’s gone.”

  “Gone as in left the hospital? Or gone as in dead?” Levi asked.

  “Left the hospital. I guess he didn’t think he needed treatment.”

  “Or he was afraid if he stayed, he’d be a sitting duck. Just because he wasn’t killed outside the compound, doesn’t mean the person who struck him wasn’t trying to murder him,” Levi responded.

  “Good point.” Oliver smiled. “You must be Susannah.”

  “That’s right.”

  “I’m Ranger Oliver Drew. I heard you’ve been keeping Levi busy.”

  “Actually, the Alamo is keeping him busy. We’ve had a lot of action these past few days.”

  “Maybe I’ll see some of it while I’m here.”

  “I think Ben would prefer it if things stay quiet.” Levi took Susannah’s arm, walked toward the chapel door. “We’re going to head out. Will you be at the Alamo Planning Committee meeting this afternoon?”

  “If Ben wants me there. Personally, I’d as soon skip it.”

  “You and me both.”

  “Unfortunately, you don’t have a choice.” Oliver grinned as Levi walked outside.

  The sun had yet to crest the horizon, and the sky was pitch-black. No moon. Thick clouds covering the stars. Not a good night to be wandering around with a head injury.

  Where had Mitch gone?

  A shelter?

  Did he have family to stay with?

  “I hope he’s okay,” Susannah said, her words barely carrying through the darkness.

  “Mitch? I told you, he’s a tough old guy. He’ll be fine.”

  “Not if he didn’t leave the hospital of his own volition. What if someone followed the ambulance to the hospital, walked into the emergency and—?”

  “Kidnapped him? I have a feeling Mitch would have put up quite a fight.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “I know I’m right. It would have been easy enough for someone to sneak into the hospital, but it would have been nearly impossible for anyone to sneak Mitch out.”

  “I’m still worried about him.” They stopped at her car, and Susannah leaned against the door, her face a pale oval, her eyes shadowed.

  “I know. That’s one of the things I’ve always loved about you. That you care so deeply.” He hooked his thumb in her belt loop, pulled her a step closer.

  “Levi—”

  “Are you going to tell me this is a bad idea?”

  “I don’t know if it is a bad idea.”

  “Then how about we just take things slow, see how they play out?” He tugged her in so that her head was resting on his chest, smoothed his hand down her silky hair.

  Slowly, her hands slid around his waist, and he smiled, inhaling the sweet berry scent of her shampoo. “See? That’s not so bad, is it?”

  “No. It’s just—”

  “Levi! Hold up!” Oliver called out from across the street, his footsteps echoing through the darkness as he ran toward them.

  “What’s wrong?” Levi’s hand dropped to his gun, as he stepped in front of Susannah, blocking her from an unseen threat.

  “Nothing to get too riled up about. Ben just called. The meeting has been rescheduled.”

  “Sounds like good news to me.”

  “Rescheduled to happen now rather than this afternoon.”

  “It’s not even dawn.” Susannah stepped out from behind Levi and frowned.

  “I think that’s the point. There are some high-powered people in attendance. They don’t want media coverage. Don’t want anyone to know they’re concerned about security details for the ceremony.”

  “Who are we talking about?” Levi asked.

  “Besides the planning committee? Some of Governor Kingston’s people and Senator Huffington.”

  “That puts a spin on things.” President Pro Tem of the Texas Se
nate, Huffington was third in line to the governorship of Texas. He was also speaking at the opening ceremony.

  “The meeting is at the Riverwalk Hotel. Penthouse suite.”

  “You’re coming?”

  “Unfortunately, I don’t have a choice. They want as many of us there as possible.”

  “Us?”

  “Security personnel. Ben’s words, not mine.”

  “So, Marcus is alone at the Alamo?” Susannah stopped, and Levi was sure she planned to turn around and go back.

  “He assured me he’d be fine until I got back. I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be. It seems all the incidents at the Alamo center around you.”

  Susannah visibly stiffened at Oliver’s words, but she didn’t respond.

  There wasn’t much she could say. Wasn’t much Levi could say, either.

  Everything that was happening seemed to be centered around Susannah and the Alamo.

  The Lions’ agenda. Levi felt confident of that.

  He only wished he knew what that agenda was. Why they wanted Susannah out of the way. What they hoped to accomplish at the opening ceremony.

  Time.

  Ticking away.

  The ceremony was just a few days away, and they had more questions than answers. More trouble than peace. If he had his way, Levi would gladly put Susannah on a plane and fly her to another state, hide her away until Greg’s killer was in custody and the Lions of Texas had been destroyed.

  But he couldn’t have his way.

  All he could do was stick close to her side and pray that that would be enough to keep her safe.

  FOURTEEN

  Ranger Oliver Drew was nothing like Levi.

  The thought flitted through Susannah’s mind as they walked to the Riverwalk Hotel. Levi’s body was taut and hard, his stride brisk and confident. Oliver moved more slowly and with less purpose, his body softer, his stomach pushing against his pale yellow shirt.

  He flashed Susannah a smile as they started across the street. “Don’t look so nervous. No one there bites.”

  “I’m not worried about them biting, I’m worried about them firing me.”

  “For what?”

  “I haven’t exactly done a stellar job of keeping the Alamo secure.”

  “I don’t think anyone could have done any better,” Levi broke in, his words not as soothing as Susannah would have liked them to be.

  Of course he thought she’d done a good job.

  He was…

  What?

  Blinded by his feelings for her?

  Old feelings.

  New ones.

  She understood.

  She felt them, too, rising up and spilling out every time they were together.

  “McDonall is right. You did as well as anyone could have.”

  “I appreciate you saying that, Ranger Drew.”

  “Call me Oliver. I’m not into formalities.” He offered a smile, and Susannah tried to respond in kind, but her smile felt forced, faked, as stiff as a board, and she finally gave up the effort, her gaze on the stunning Riverwalk Hotel.

  “I guess we’re here.”

  “No need to sound so gloomy. It’s not a death sentence, Susie.” Levi’s voice rumbled in her ear as they stepped into the opulent lobby and hurried toward a bank of elevators.

  “Of course it’s not,” she said, but she wasn’t sure she believed it. She’d worked hard to become an Alamo Ranger, and over the past few days, she’d begun to think that she could push past her fear, continue her job. If it was taken from her, her childhood dream would die.

  Just as another was springing to life.

  She glanced at Levi, her heart jumping as she met his eyes.

  He was everything she remembered from their childhood.

  More.

  “You look pale, Susannah. Are you sure you’re up to this? Me and McDonall can handle it if you’d like.” Oliver’s offer pulled her from her thoughts. Good thing. She had too many other things to worry about, too much to focus on. She couldn’t afford to be distracted by anything.

  Or anyone.

  “You said they wanted as many security personnel as possible. Since I’m security personnel, I need to be there. Thanks for your concern, though.”

  “No problem. Guess we all should zip up our jackets. I think things are about to get really chilly,” Oliver said as the elevator door opened into the hotel’s penthouse suite.

  A short, wiry man greeted them, checking their ID and then motioning them to a room to the left. The door was closed, a hushed murmur of voices carrying through as Levi knocked.

  “Come!”

  Susannah was first into the room, Levi and Oliver stepping aside so she could enter. A dozen pairs of eyes watched as she took a seat next to Chad. He smiled grimly, anger flashing in the depth of his eyes.

  Not good.

  Chad didn’t lose his temper. He didn’t get angry. If he was, things were worse than either of them had anticipated.

  “Glad to see the security team is punctual. At least you’ve gotten that right.” Hank Zarvy’s tone set Susannah’s teeth on edge, and she bit her lip to keep from falling into the trap she knew he was setting. If she became defensive, she’d lose the war before the first battle had even begun.

  “Hank, let’s not start this meeting off the wrong way.” A pretty redhead spoke up, offering Susannah an easy smile. She looked familiar, but Susannah couldn’t place her face.

  “What’s wrong with the way I’m starting it, Melora? We’ve had trouble left and right at the Alamo, and I want an answer as to why.”

  Melora?

  An unusual name, and it sparked Susannah’s memory. Melora Hudson’s husband, Axle, had been missing for years, his body just recently discovered.

  “There’s always going to be trouble when big events like this are planned, and it isn’t the fault of Alamo security.”

  “That’s a matter of opinion.” But Zarvy settled back into his seat, his gaze on Susannah.

  “Well, my opinion agrees with Ms. Hudson’s.” A suave dark-haired man spoke up, rising from his position at the end of the table. Susannah had seen him on television plenty of times during his bid for senate, but Senator Huffington was even more compelling in person, his intense gaze touching on each person in the room before landing on Susannah.

  “You’re Susannah Jorgenson.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Your supervisor has been telling us what an outstanding security officer you are. We appreciate that and don’t want you to think this meeting is any reflection on your work.”

  She wasn’t sure what he expected her to say, so she simply nodded, waiting for him to continue.

  “Unfortunately, it’s becoming clear that security at the Alamo isn’t where it needs to be to guarantee Sunday’s success. What we’d like to do during this meeting is establish alternate security in the form of Texas Rangers and Secret Service agents.”

  “They’ve already been included in the plans,” Susannah offered, though she knew where he was heading. The planning committee planned to yank the Alamo out from under Alamo Ranger control.

  “I think you’re misunderstanding what Senator Huffington is saying. Your plans, whatever they may be, aren’t working. We’re going with Plan B,” Zarvy spoke up.

  “Which is?” Levi asked, a dangerous edge to his voice. Obviously, he was reading things the same way Susannah was.

  “The Alamo Rangers will be present at the Alamo, but we’re moving in a full security team. Twenty men and women handpicked to keep the site secure. They’ll arrive this afternoon and be on-site until Sunday after the ceremony.” Zarvy’s smug announcement was met with a silence so thick Susannah thought she might choke on it.

  Say something.

  Say.

  Something.

  She cleared her throat, stood. “If I could have a few minutes of your time, maybe I can convince you that such extreme measures aren’t necessary.”

  Every eye rested on her.
Everyone in the room waited for her to speak.

  Too bad she had no idea what to say.

  “Go ahead, Ms. Jorgenson.” Senator Huffington settled into his chair, tapping his fingers together impatiently.

  Levi was to his left, his hat off, his hair slightly mussed, his brown eyes warm and welcoming. He smiled, and she relaxed, focusing her attention on Huffington as she explained the measures that had been put into place, gave details of the bomb scare, stressed the fact that there had never been any real danger and went over security details for the opening ceremony.

  When she was finished, Senator Huffington frowned, his attention jumping from Susannah to Hank Zarvy. “I thought you said the Alamo Rangers weren’t prepared for the scope of this event.”

  “They aren’t.”

  “It appears that they are, Mr. Zarvy.”

  “We can’t afford to take chances, Senator.”

  “What we can’t afford to do is step on the toes of my constituents. The Alamo is an historic landmark. Moving in a security team may look like a military takeover to the people of this community.”

  “It’s the job of the planning committee to ensure that the Alamo is cared for and preserved for future generations. An extra security team is part of that.”

  “I don’t think so.” Senator Huffington stood. “And I’m not going to be part of it.”

  “But—” Zarvy was nearly purple with rage, but Huffington seemed unfazed.

  “I said, I’m not going to be part of this, Zarvy. You can count out my security team. They’ll report for duty on the sixth as indicated in Ms. Jorgenson’s plans. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have another engagement.” He walked out the door, and Zarvy speared Susannah with a look so filled with venom she took a step back.

  “If anything happens at the opening ceremony, Ms. Jorgenson, I will hold you personally responsible.” He stood, nearly knocking his chair over as he left the room. There was a murmur of voices, a rumble of sound as the room emptied.

  “You were incredible, Susannah! I knew you were the right person for this job.” Chad beamed from ear to ear as he patted her back.

  “Thanks.”

  “Wish I could give you the day off, but I’ll need you back at the Alamo tonight.”

  “No problem.”

  “Good. I’m working shift with you. See you then.” He hurried out of the room, obviously jubilant.