“Thanks.” She pursed her lips and studied Jeff’s profile. “You’re sure calm about this.”
“Just doing my job.” He found a pullout and swung the car around. “You ready to go exploring?”
“I’m always ready, but could we stop by my place real quick so I can get cleaned up?”
“Why? You’d end up smelling more like horse anyway.”
She frowned. “Do I stink?” Looking bad she could deal with, sort of, but smelling bad, no way.
“Relax. I didn’t mean that you smell. I just figured you’d want to take a shower after you went riding, and there’s no sense in taking two and dirtying more clothes.”
“Oh, okay.”
Back at the ranch, they went into the barn, and she glanced around for Jake. He must be outside somewhere working. Kara felt Jeff’s gaze resting on her as she saddled Blaze.
“When did you learn to saddle a horse?”
Kara focused on the task of cinching the straps. “Yesterday. How’d I do?”
He checked the cinch straps. “Looks like you did well. The straps are nice and tight. Who taught you?”
“Jake.”
Jeff’s brows rose, but he didn’t comment. Kara knew what he was thinking, but it didn’t matter. She hadn’t been flirting with Jake. She mounted. Time to investigate the scene where the mystery men had been.
Chapter 18
Kara followed Jeff’s lead and guided her mount past sagebrush and juniper trees along the high desert trail to the river. A warm breeze kicked up dirt around them.
She blinked rapidly to clear the dust from her eyes. “How do we get across the river?” She’d heard stories of people drowning in river crossings, and she didn’t want to become a statistic.
Jeff flicked a glance her way. “We’ll find a slow moving, shallow spot. It’s more of a slow-moving stream than a river this time of year.”
Didn’t look like a stream to her. “How do you suppose those men got there the other day?” She looked around the terrain, hoping to spot an easier way to get to the other side.
“There’re several options. They could’ve come in from the road or from the other side of Eric’s property or rafted in on the river. This ranch is huge. I’m sure there are plenty of ways to get onto the property unnoticed.”
“We can take a road in?” Why didn’t he say so from the start?
“Sure, but this is the more direct route. See how shallow the water is through here, only a foot at the most. Follow me.”
Kara swallowed the lump in her throat and guided Blaze into the meandering river. To her amazement, he didn’t mind the water at all and crossed without mishap.
“Let’s walk the horses from here. Look for footprints, litter, and drug paraphernalia. With this wind and the dry ground, I doubt there’d still be any footprints, but you never know.”
An hour later, Kara sank onto a large porous rock and wiped sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand before taking a drink from her water bottle. “Nothing but deer tracks. Whoever was here didn’t leave anything behind.”
Jeff sat beside her. “I agree. And it appears we’re no closer to knowing who was out here that day.” He put binoculars to his eyes, looked to the north, then panned right. “I see nothing unusual.” He frowned. “I wish we could do some serious exploring without raising suspicion, but we’d almost need to camp to cover this amount of territory. Bureau of Land Management property butts up to Eric’s, so there’s a lot of ground to cover.”
“I noticed the BLM property on the map. There’s no reason to assume the traffickers aren’t using that land. We need to plan an overnight trip. Maybe we could pull together a small group of agents to pose as tourists and set up some kind of campout trail ride.”
Jeff grinned. “That’s a great idea. No one would suspect a thing. From what I understand Eric caters to the tourists, so I don’t see why we couldn’t pull it off. I’ll contact Tad with CODE, and see what we can work out.”
Kara rose and untied Blaze from a large juniper tree. “Come on. There’s nothing more we can do right now. She swung up onto Blaze. “Before I forget, have you given any thought to coming to the singles’ group meeting tonight?” She really didn’t want to go alone.
“That’s not my kind of thing. I don’t like those social gatherings. I’ll pass. How about you?”
“I might. Jessica seems nice. I’d like to get to know her, and it would be fun to have a friend close to my age to hang out with while I’m here. Gail is great, but she’s more like a mom.” She guided Blaze back through the shallow water and up the slight embankment.
Jeff held his hand to his heart. “You wound me. I thought I was your friend. Am I not good enough for you anymore?”
Kara laughed. She enjoyed this lighter side of him. “You’re plenty good enough, but you’re not a girl. We ladies need to stick together.”
“Then by all means, don’t let me keep you from your bonding.”
Kara chuckled. Jeff’s playful side didn’t come out often enough. As they rode into the yard Kara spotted Veronica entering the barn. She glanced at Jeff. “I wonder what she’s doing. You mind taking care of Blaze for me? I want to talk with Veronica.” Kara dismounted then patted Blaze’s neck.
Jeff turned to her, his eyes questioning. “Sure. Care to share what you’re up to?”
“Later.” Kara strode ahead and entered the barn. She spotted Veronica sitting behind Jake’s desk in the office and knocked on the doorjamb. “Hi. Mind some company?”
Veronica’s attempt at a welcome smile failed miserably. “Of course not. Have a seat.” She motioned toward the folding metal chair across from the desk.
“Thanks. I’ve never seen you out here. Don’t you and Eric keep an office in the house?”
“Yes.” She shrugged. “I’m a snoop. I can’t help myself. I need to know everything that’s going on, and Eric’s been keeping to himself. I’m usually out here more since I’m a trainer, but things have been a little slow of late.” A horse whinnied loudly. Veronica startled.
Kara puzzled over Veronica’s admission and jumpiness. Why not talk to Eric about her concerns? Unless she was afraid of the answer. Kara could hear Jeff tending to the horses and tried to ignore him. “I’m sorry for prying. If there’s anything I can do to help, or if you just want to talk, I’m a good listener.” She motioned toward Veronica’s hands. “Your manicure is holding up well.”
She held out her hands and looked at them. “They are. You do good work. I’ll be sure to let my friends know about you. Speaking of that. How is it you’re here and not working?”
Kara shrugged. “I set my own hours. Most people work this time of day, so I adjust my hours for when they’re free.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.” She rose to leave, and Kara stood.
Veronica placed her hand on Kara’s arm and spoke softly. “Please don’t tell Jeff I was snooping in Jake’s office. He might tell Eric.”
“Don’t worry, Veronica. I know how to keep my mouth shut.” Kara turned to leave the office and tripped over a loose board. “Looks like that board needs to be fixed.”
“I’ll let Jake know.”
“Or I could tell him. I’m going to be out here a while with Jeff.”
Veronica’s expression relaxed a little. “Thanks. I’ll be in the house if anyone needs me.”
Kara waited nearby and watched Jeff groom Blaze.
He looked over his shoulder. “You and Veronica have a nice chat?”
“Uh-huh.” She sidled up to Jeff and lowered her voice. “I found a loose board in the office. Think there could be anything under it?”
“Could be. Give me a second, and I’ll take a look.”
Jeff let Blaze out to the pasture then followed Kara. “Hmm. The board is warped so I doubt it’s some kind of hiding place. I’ll check with Eric and see if he wants the board replaced.”
Kara’s cell phone rang. She checked the caller ID and mouthed “Gary” to Jeff. “Kara h
ere.”
“How’re things going?” Gary answered on the other end.
“Fine.” Kara’s gut clenched. Something about the tone of Gary’s voice set off all kinds of alarms. “What’s up?” She motioned to Jeff that she was going to take the call outside and left the barn.
“Luis Alvarado has people in your area. There’s a hit out on you.”
She lowered her voice. “Is my location compromised?” She leaned against a fence post for support. How had everything gone wrong so fast? Where was God anyway? Didn’t He want her to put away the bad guys and help stop drug trafficking?
“Unknown. We’re putting out feelers, but we both know it’s only a matter of time before your location is compromised.” He cleared his throat. “I know I don’t have to tell you, but be careful.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll will.”
“Word on the street is that Luis would kill you himself if given the opportunity.”
Kara’s heart skipped a beat. That only meant one thing. This was personal for him—not good. He had a reputation for exacting revenge in the cruelest of ways. A shudder snaked through her. “I’m sure the fact that I deceived him tops his list of reasons to want me dead. Plus, I know things he wouldn’t want his mother to know, much less the US government. It’s amazing what you learn simply by dusting a room at the right time.”
“Yeah. I saw the deposition you gave. Hang in there. We’re working overtime trying to find Alvarado, and when we do, we’ll let you know.”
“Thanks.” She slid the phone back into her pocket. Even if they found and arrested Alvarado, the hit would still be in play. Lord, I know we don’t seem to be on the same page of late, but if You could keep me alive, I’d sure appreciate it.
Jeff sauntered up to her. Concern etched on his face. “What’s wrong?” He took her hand and guided her to a private bench nestled in the shade of a huge juniper.
Kara eased down beside him and leaned forward resting her forehead in her hands. “Alvarado has people here.”
“Already?”
She nodded.
“How much time do we have?”
“I don’t know.” She heard the edge in her voice. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.”
He grasped her hand and gently squeezed it. “I think we should pray.”
“Already did. Though I doubt it will do any good. God doesn’t listen to me.”
Jeff blinked. “Wow. What’s up with the attitude?”
“Nothing.” She stood. “I need to get out of here. Are you going to take care of the camping trip?”
“You still think it’s a good idea?”
“Yes, and the sooner the better. I doubt anyone will be able to find me in the middle of nowhere. And even if they did, I’d be surrounded by trained professionals.”
“Okay. I’ll set it up. Be careful.”
“Always.”
Chapter 19
A glance in the mirror displayed pale lips. Kara applied a fresh coat of burgundy lipstick and swished a little powder over her face before hopping into her car. The singles’ group would begin in fifteen minutes, and she didn’t want to be late. The directions looked simple enough, and it should only take a few minutes to get to the address Jessica provided. She should’ve asked whose house they were meeting at.
Regardless of Alvarado’s people being in town, she had a job to do and would not stop living.
Kara took a left out of the alley and drove down Main Street. A glance in her rearview mirror showed a yellow pickup truck several car lengths behind. Hadn’t that same vehicle been parked across the street from her apartment? At the next corner, she made a quick right, sped up, and made another right. Punching the gas, she slid to a stop back on Main Street in time to see the pickup turn around the corner and follow the same route she’d taken.
Kara pulled back out onto Main to follow the pickup. “Bingo.” The truck sat parked along the side of the road. She memorized the plate and continued on by. The vehicle didn’t follow this time. Kara pulled out her cell and called the local sheriff’s office. “Tad Baker, please.” The voice on the other end informed her he was out for the evening. Now what? She called the DEA field office, and a guy she’d met her first day in town answered.
“Kara Nelson here. Someone was following me, and I need their plate run.” She gave the number and was told to hang on.
A glance in her rearview mirror revealed an empty road. She continued on toward the address of the singles’ get-together.
“The vehicle is registered to Sean Wilkins. There’s a security code attached also. He must be law enforcement of some kind.” He rattled off a Bend address. “Does that name mean anything to you?”
“Nothing. Thanks for checking.”
“No problem. Everything okay?”
“Fine. I owe you, Max.”
He chuckled. “I’ll be sure to collect. Saw you in here a few weeks ago. That was messed up—you doing better?”
“Yes, no more bandages. I gotta go. Thanks, again.” She turned onto a long gravel driveway flanked by ponderosa pines. Why would someone in law enforcement be tailing her? Something felt wrong, but for now, other matters were more important—like who frequented these singles’ meetings. Kara went up a slight hill and passed a small cabin on the right as she continued to the top. The directions indicated the place sat at the end of the long driveway. Several cars were parked along the edge of the gravel lane. She pulled up behind the last vehicle and took a deep breath. Then she climbed out of her car and headed for the door.
Laughter and the smell of Italian food floated through an open window. Sounded like they were having fun. She knocked on the deep red door of the white clapboard house, and a tall man with dark hair greeted her. She’d seen him someplace before. The DEA intel file—Tad. No wonder why he had the night off. Tad held out his hand. “You must be, Kara. Jessica mentioned she’d invited you. I’m Tad Baker.”
Kara shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too.” He opened the door wider and stepped aside for her to enter. She walked by an open door to the right leading to a bedroom and spotted his sheriff’s deputy uniform on the bed.
Jessica sat in a brown leather chair near the couch, visiting with a dark-haired woman in her mid-to-late twenties. The couch seemed to swallow up the petite stranger. Kara set her course directly for the two women.
“Kara!” Jessica stood and greeted her. “I’m glad you found Tad’s place okay. This is my friend Becky Graham. We teach at the same school.”
Becky rose and hugged Kara. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Jessica’s mentioned you several times.”
Kara’s arms hung at her side for a moment, but she quickly recovered from the surprise of such a friendly greeting and gave Becky a quick squeeze. “Thanks.”
Jessica motioned toward the couch. “Take a seat. How’s business? I saw your sign the other day when I was in town.”
Kara sank into the soft cushion and sighed. “It’s fine.”
“That good, huh? Don’t worry, it’s bound to pick up as soon as word gets out that we have a nail salon in town.” Jessica held her hands out in front of her. “Come to think of it, I could use a manicure myself.”
Kara handed Jessica her business card. “Give me a call or text. I work weird hours, but I try to make myself available when it works best for my clients.”
Jessica stuffed the card in her purse. “Thanks.” She motioned toward a guy with curly hair who had to be at least six foot two. He was talking to a young woman in the corner. “That’s Greg and his wife, Kelly. He’s been leading our Bible studies for years. He’ll start by reading scripture. Then he’ll open the floor for questions and comments.”
Kara swallowed the lump in her throat. If she’d known this was a Bible study, she may not have come. For some reason, she’d had the impression this would be a social gathering. Oh well, she’d have to make the best of it.
Everyone in the room bowed their heads to pray, and Kara f
ollowed their lead. She opened her eyes when Greg said amen. He then turned to a passage in his Bible and read from the book of Hebrews.
Why was someone following her, and did it have anything to do with the hit? Or had someone been assigned to protect her without her knowledge? There was nothing she could do about any of that right now. She had enough mysteries to solve without adding to the load. Were drugs stashed beneath the loose board in Jake’s office, or was it really only a warped board? But if there was a cache beneath, who had put it there? What bothered her the most, though, were the guys out on the range. Who were they, and why hadn’t they seen them again?
Kara came out of her musings when she heard the flow of conversation around her. People were beginning to stand and move toward the food table.
Jessica sat down beside Kara on the couch then leaned in and spoke quietly. “How’d you like the Bible study?”
“It was interesting.” Not a complete lie as she’d had time to think about the case.
“I’m glad. We meet every other week. I hope you’ll come to our next meeting. The bulletin at church usually has an announcement with the details.”
“Thanks.”
Kara made a point of introducing herself to several members of the group as they stood around feasting on lasagna and French bread. One never knew when it would pay to know someone.
Jeff sat in the darkness of Kara’s apartment, his knee bouncing up and down. He pressed the button on his watch to illuminate the time—nine thirty. Keys rattled in the door. Finally!
Kara flipped on the light switch. He noticed she didn’t so much as flinch when her eyes rested on him. “Making yourself at home?” She kicked the door shut with her foot and sat in the cushy chair next to him.
“Yeah, thanks. I had an interesting phone call about an hour ago.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “The field office called.”
Kara frowned. “Why?”
“We’re partners, and apparently, you turned your phone off.”
She pulled her cell out and took the ringer off vibrate. “No. I just didn’t notice it vibrating. What’s going on?”
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