High-Risk Reunion

by Margaret Daley

  “No.”

  “We’ve already come this far. Stay here with my uncle. Get ready to go to the courthouse.”

  “Then call as soon as you find her. If you aren’t taking yours, borrow someone’s phone.”

  “Do you have a recent picture of her?” Cade asked.

  After Tory retrieved a photo from her purse, Cade strode to the truck, slipped inside, then drove to the store where he prayed Michelle still was. When he walked inside, he scanned the mini-mart. Only the clerk and two customers—a woman, dressed for work in an office, and a young man in jeans, boots and a leather jacket. No sign of Michelle.

  As Cade made his way to the counter to show the clerk her photo, another man entered. His scruffy appearance coupled with a matted, long black beard put Cade on alert. He’d seen him somewhere recently. Was it when he interviewed Mederos’s gang? Had he been in the background? He couldn’t shake the feeling something was off.

  Cade showed the clerk Michelle’s photo. “Have you seen her in here today?”

  “Yeah, she went into there a while back.” The young man jerked his thumb to the left.

  “Thanks.” As he kept his eye on the customers, Cade strolled to the diner entrance and pushed through the doorway into the restaurant.

  The scruffy middle-aged man followed Cade into the restaurant. The hairs on his nape tingled. Cade moved to the side to let him pass him while searching the crowded eatery. He kept his attention on both the room full of people and the bearded guy, who paused a few feet away and swept his gaze over the throng.

  Cade couldn’t see everyone. The counter was in the way of a section of the big room. He moved forward to survey the rest of the place.

  The big bearded man blocked his path. “Can you lend me some money for food?”

  The odor emitting from the guy nauseated Cade, who looked into his bleak expression. He remembered where he’d seen him. Loitering in the park across from the courthouse. He could be one of the homeless people who hung out at the park or a person planted there by Mederos to keep an eye out. With his wallet back at the cabin, Cade dug into his pocket and withdrew a couple of dollars in change.

  “That’s all I have,” Cade said, then started to skirt the man.

  He grabbed Cade’s arm, halting him. He prepared to defend himself when the man grinned, two of his teeth missing, and said, “Thanks, mister.”

  Cade nodded and pulled his arm out of the guy’s grasp. A movement drew his attention across the room. All he caught sight of was a tall person with a gray hoodie on disappearing down the hallway that led to the restrooms. Michelle had a gray hoodie.

  He weaved his way through tables as quickly as he could. As he rounded the counter, the door to the women’s bathroom clicked shut. He closed the distance and knocked. No one said anything.

  He put his hand on the knob. “This is Ranger Morgan. I’m coming into the restroom.” When he tried to open the door, it was locked. He returned to the main room and found the couple who owned the diner.

  “Do you have a key to unlock the ladies’ bathroom?” Cade showed them his badge.

  The wife scurried to the cash register and removed something from it. “This will work—” she put the key in Cade’s hand “—ever since a little girl locked herself inside and wouldn’t open the door.”

  “Did you see the thin person in a gray hoodie?”

  “No. It’s been a busy morning. Amber waited on the hoodie guy or gal.” The wife of the owner signaled a short redhead. “Ask Amber.” Then she left to return to the cash register.

  Cade showed the redheaded waitress the photo. “Was this the person in a hoodie that you served?”

  “I was about ready to tell her to leave. She ordered a Coke and was taking her sweet time drinking it. Soon this place will be so busy we’ll need her table.”

  “How long has she been here?”

  “About forty-five minutes.”

  “Thanks.”

  When Cade unlocked the door and stepped into the empty restroom, his focus centered on the open window. He stuck his head outside it and heard an engine revving. He raced from the bathroom, through the diner and out the front door. A car and someone dressed in black on a motorcycle were speeding away. He searched the area. Was Michelle with them? There was something familiar about the biker.

  Cade rushed for his truck, hopped in and pulled out of the parking lot. With no phone, he had no way of calling for backup, but he had to keep his eye on the car and motorcycle. He couldn’t shake the feeling Michelle was in the vehicle or the trunk. At least he had his gun, but he needed to call Paul and the sheriff.

  Then he remembered the throwaway cell kept in the glove compartment, put there for situations just like this one. As he pressed his foot on the accelerator, he leaned over and retrieved the phone. He called 911 and asked to be put through to the police chief.

  When the car and bike turned onto another small county road, Paul came on the line. Cade told him where he was going. “I don’t know for sure Michelle is with them, but I think so. In case I’m wrong, send an officer to the diner connected to the mini-mart at the intersection of the highway and County Road 5476.”

  “I’ll get a roadblock set up. I’ll call Sheriff Dawson.”

  After hanging up with the police chief, Cade made another call to the cabin. His uncle answered.

  Cade explained what happened at the diner.

  “I’ll check around in case Michelle isn’t in the car you’re following. She could be hiding and might come out if she sees me.”

  “Yeah, she’s not angry at you like she is with Tory and me.”

  Cade disconnected and tossed the phone on the passenger seat within reach, then returned his full attention to the pair of vehicles about a hundred yards ahead of him. He tamped down his anxiety and prayed he’d made the right call. The way the two ahead of him left the diner indicated something wasn’t quite right.

  When the car and motorcycle increased their speed, Cade did too but kept some distance between them until the roadblock was in place. If Michelle was in the car, he had to keep her safe.

  Up ahead two deputy sheriffs’ vehicles were parked across the road. The car slowed while the bike made a U-turn and headed toward Cade. He slammed on the brakes, jumped from the cab and drew his gun.

  “Stop. Now,” he shouted over the noise of the motorcycle.

  The biker skidded to a stop, gripping the handlebars.

  “Keep your hands there.” Cade stepped from behind his open pickup door and walked toward the man. He remembered he’d seen him with some of Mederos’s gang when he was questioning them about Pedro.

  “I ain’t done nuthin’ wrong.”

  “Then why are you avoiding a roadblock?”

  Suddenly the biker revved his engine as though he meant to take off.

  * * *

  “What if Michelle is here somewhere?” Tory asked Ben as he pulled into the parking lot at the diner.

  “Cade said that was a possibility, but with us and the police at the diner we should be able to find her.”

  “But if my daughter is in the car, that means she’s been kidnapped and...”

  Ben frowned. “Let’s think positive. We’ll get her back, and she’ll be fine.”

  “You and I know what can happen. We’ve seen kidnappings go wrong before.”

  “That’s what’s so hard about the work we do. It’s hard to stay positive.” Ben grasped the handle. “Paul’s here. I’m going to see what they’re doing about searching around the truck stop.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “Don’t. Remember the sniper. He already got a piece of you once.”

  “I need to talk to Paul about the witness transfer.”

  “I’ll have him come over and see you.” When Ben left, the
sound of the door shutting emphasized how little freedom she had because of the Mederos trial. The confined feeling made her want even more a guilty verdict. Criminals shouldn’t be able to get away with intimidating others like Mederos had for years.

  When Ben returned, Paul accompanied him and climbed into the backseat. “Ben said you wanted to talk to me.”

  “I need to use a cell phone to call Judge Duggin and then the US Marshals if this can’t be resolved in the next hour. I can’t leave until Michelle is found. I’m hoping for a delay in the trial. I promised Carlos I would be there when he testifies.”

  “I don’t have enough manpower to support the protection of your witness and searching for Michelle. I know my officers won’t be the only ones guarding the witness, but everyone we can put in place keeps him safer. The sheriff will let me know what happens at the roadblock.” Paul removed a cell phone from his pocket. “This is my personal one. Use it.”

  “What roadblock?”

  “The sheriff had a couple of deputies set one up on County Road 5476. That’s where the car and motorcycle were heading. The last I heard the biker had made a run for it.”

  So many people put at risk because of what was happening. “You think Michelle is in the car.”

  “Possibly. My men are scouring this area and haven’t found her. A couple of people inside confirmed she was here. We’ll find her, Tory.” Paul patted her shoulder then left the SUV.

  “I’d always thought Michelle and I had a good relationship. But in a short time, that bond has been destroyed. I made a mistake how I handled the whole situation fifteen years ago. Now I don’t know if my daughter will ever forgive me.” And she didn’t know if she would forgive herself, especially if anything happened to another innocent person.

  Ben twisted toward her. “You aren’t angry that she left the cabin when she shouldn’t have?”

  “Of course, I am. I tried talking to her, but she wasn’t hearing me. Honesty has always been important to me. She’ll never believe me again.” Tory dropped her head.

  “Look at me.” Ben took her hand and waited until she glanced up. “At worst, you made a mistake. There isn’t a soul on earth who hasn’t. I’m not saying it will be easy, but if y’all have a good foundation, she’ll understand the whys. Give her time.”

  What if I don’t have that time? Tears swelled into her eyes. “I need to do something...” She yanked her hand from his grasp. “I can’t sit here any longer just waiting.” She gripped the handle and started opening the door.

  “Wait. Paul Drake is coming this way. See what he has to say before you get out and expose yourself.”

  * * *

  Cade braced himself for an attempted escape. “Turn the motorcycle off, or I’ll shoot your tires. You aren’t going anywhere.”

  The biker glared at him, probably trying to gauge if he spoke the truth.

  “I never make threats that I won’t back up.” Cade stepped away from the truck and sauntered toward the man as though he was deadly calm and capable of moving fast enough to stop the guy from leaving the roadblock.

  The burly man revved the engine one more time then switched it off.

  “Move away from the bike.” As he approached the motorcyclist, Cade kept his weapon aimed at him. He wouldn’t put it past the guy to still try something. “Put your hands behind your back and turn around.”

  When the biker complied, Cade clapped handcuffs around his wrists. Then he pushed him forward toward the deputies and the stopped car. As he neared the roadblock, finally the two men inside relinquished their guns and slowly slid from the vehicle.

  Cade hurried his pace. “Is anyone in the backseat?”

  One of the deputies shook his head, leaned in and popped the trunk.

  A few yards away, Cade saw a still body in it, partially covered with a blanket. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he reached the rear of the car.

  NINE

  Michelle flew out of the car trunk and hugged Cade. “You saved me.”

  Holding his daughter for the first time with her knowing the truth robbed him of words. He was full of emotions he’d never experienced. His child was safe.

  “Let’s go. Your mom will be anxious to know you’re okay.”

  Michelle’s expression morphed into a scowl. “I don’t want to talk with her.”

  “You might not, but I’m sure she wants to talk to you. You leaving the cabin scared her. Scared Uncle Ben and me too. You could have been killed.” He waved his hand toward the pickup. “Time to leave. Your mom has to go to court.”

  “This trial has taken over our lives. I hate her job.” Michelle charged toward the truck.

  Cade followed. He didn’t want the judge to postpone the trial. It kept Tory in the public eye. Having to go to court every day put Tory in jeopardy until he could solve who was after her and their daughter.

  Before getting into the truck, Cade called the landline at the cabin. No one answered. Was Michelle’s kidnapping a diversion so the biker gang could really come after Tory? He paused outside the pickup and punched in Paul’s work number.

  “No one answered at the cabin. Did you contact Tory or Ben? Are they with you?” he asked immediately when Paul answered. Cade’s adrenaline continued to pump through his body, keeping him alert in case there was another kidnapping.

  “Yes, to both questions. I was afraid the cabin was compromised so I had Ben drive Tory to the diner. There were enough police swarming the place that I felt she would be safer. Is Michelle safe?”

  “Yes. There were three gang members involved. The deputies are bringing them in. I’m heading your way with Michelle. Let Tory know I have—her daughter, and I’ll meet her and Uncle Ben at the cabin. We don’t have much time to get her to court.”

  As he drove toward the cabin, Michelle hugged the passenger door as if she was going to jump from the pickup any second. She stared a hole in the dashboard, her arms crisscrossed.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were my father last week?” Michelle asked in a whisper as she glanced at him.

  Tears glistened in her eyes. The sight of them ripped through him. “I promised your mom I wouldn’t.”

  “Why?”

  He wasn’t sure how to answer that. There was no answer he could give that wouldn’t cause pain. “I didn’t want to be the cause of problems between you and your mom.”

  “Are you sure it isn’t between you and me? Why didn’t you want to be my father?”

  “You had a great dad in Derek.” He turned into the drive to the cabin. This trip couldn’t be over fast enough.

  “Yes, but...” Her gaze fell on Tory standing in the doorway with Uncle Ben in front of her.

  Knowing Tory, she’d wanted to go out and meet Michelle. This was his uncle’s compromise. “Let’s get inside. Now that everyone knows our general location, this isn’t a safe haven anymore.”

  “Then where do we go?”

  “I’m not sure yet. First we need to get your mother to the courthouse.”

  Michelle pushed the door open. “Why not back to my house, especially if Mom’s part is basically over today.”

  “It’s never over until the verdict, but the critical part of the trial for her case will be finished.” Cade headed toward the cabin.

  “We’re packed and ready to leave,” Uncle Ben said as he backed up to allow them to enter.

  Tory took a step toward Michelle.

  Michelle moved to Cade’s side.

  Tory stopped. “We’ll have to talk later today, Michelle. What you did was dangerous and foolish.”

  “What about what you did? Let’s get this over with.” Michelle snatched up her packed duffel bag and headed outside, forcing them to follow quickly.

  Cade walked beside Tory while Uncle Ben hurried to keep up with Michelle.r />
  When their daughter slid into the backseat and his uncle shut the car door, Tory slowed her pace and whispered in a harsh voice, “What did you say to her?”

  “Nothing about what happened fifteen years ago. Believe me, she is just as mad at me as you.” Except for that one moment when she hugged him at the kidnapper’s vehicle. Would that be his last hug from his daughter? “She wanted to know why I didn’t want to be her father.”

  “What did you say?”

  “Not much. Not the time or place. All three of us need to sit down and talk about it.”

  “I never wanted that.”

  “I know.” Cade opened her door, closed it when she was in the front passenger seat, then hurried around the front of the SUV, calling the police chief to let him know his plans for the day. Now the real fun would start.

  When he pulled up to the police station, he parked by the back door and peered at Michelle. “You and Uncle Ben are staying here. At the moment this should be one of the safest places in El Rio.”

  As his uncle skirted the SUV, Michelle glanced from the building to Cade, both eyebrows raised. “You’re locking me in a jail?”

  “Not in a jail. You two will be in Paul’s office. Stay put or a holding cell might be where you’ll end up.”

  Michelle gasped.

  “Running off like that nearly got you killed and put all of us in danger. I hope you’ve learned your lesson about following directions.”

  As his daughter walked slowly to the rear entrance, Tory said, “I hope that’s all it takes for her to do as you say.”

  The fear in Michelle’s face when the car trunk was opened gave him encouragement that it might work. “So do I.” He pulled away from the police station. “When will Carlos Dietz arrive at the courthouse?”

  Tory checked the clock on the dashboard. “In half an hour. Paul is coordinating with the US Marshals bringing him.”

  “Good. You’ll be there before he shows up. Today I’m sticking to you like glue.”

  * * *

  At noon Tory wrapped up her questions for Carlos on the stand and the judge adjourned for lunch. Next, the defense would have its turn to cross-examine the witness. As she walked to the prosecutor’s table, she locked eyes with Cade, sitting in the first row. He hadn’t left her side the whole morning. Her gaze dropped to his Texas Ranger’s star pinned over his heart on his long-sleeve white shirt.