Bulletproof Badge

by Angi Morgan

  Ex-boyfriend Joey had the same smile as him. Of all the stinkin’ luck.

  “Kenderly, darling. It’s been ages and ages.” If Joey’s smile wasn’t wide enough, he opened his arms. Why? Expecting her to run into them? “Who’s this?”

  “A friend. Can we talk a minute?” She avoided his arms and led the way toward a door by the dish-washing station.

  Outside. Potential targets again. Kenderly might have been wishing for shoes, but he was wishing for his sidearm. He wanted to gauge this character’s reaction, but he watched the perimeter and listened.

  “It’s been a while, Kenderly.”

  “Yes. We both know why, and there’s no need to dredge it up.”

  “This my replacement?” Gone was all pretense of a happy return. There was animosity in his voice. “Or did you bring muscle to get your way?”

  Maybe he hadn’t cheated on her, after all.

  The sounds of the highway interfered with Kenderly’s mumbled words, but not with Joey’s “you owe me.”

  “Really, baby? You going to bring that up after all this time?” Joey’s voice continued getting louder with a touch of anger mixed in.

  Garrison forced himself to keep his back to the conversation. He searched each passing car for the guy who’d been chasing them. The look he’d gotten had been quick and blurred, but he’d recognize him again. It wasn’t enough to look for the car. He might have ditched it. So he stared, growing angrier himself at each word Joey spat.

  “I owe you nothing,” Kenderly answered. “In fact, I’m here to collect on that little problem you have.”

  “Nobody will believe you, baby. It’s been two years.”

  “You’re right. Of course, you’re right. But I don’t think two years is long enough to avoid prosecution for tax evasion. And don’t call me baby.”

  There was a quick movement in Garrison’s peripheral vision. He spun and caught Joey’s hand on the way toward Kenderly’s face. “Not a good idea, buddy.”

  “I wasn’t going to hit her. Just try to—” He yanked his arm. “Do you mind?”

  “Yeah. A lot.”

  Kenderly smiled, but Garrison didn’t let go. “I need to borrow your car and cell. And a couple of hundred cash would be nice.”

  “There’s no way in hell I’m doing that, b—”

  Garrison dropped the man’s arm but stuck a finger in his face. “Watch it.”

  “It’s okay, honey. I’ve got this,” she said patting his shoulder. “Joey owes me big-time. Would it help if I promised to be careful? Oh, and never mention your little off-the-books business again.”

  “No way, baby. I can’t do that.” Joey shook his head and waved them off with his hands.

  “Sure you can.” Garrison wouldn’t strong-arm the ex-boyfriend again. Not unless he threatened Kenderly. On the other hand, there was no harm letting the man think he would. They were desperate.

  Chapter Eight

  Kenderly tried calmly lacing her fingers together in her lap. It didn’t work. She didn’t feel secure and had almost bitten through the inside of her lip. Joey’s sports car didn’t help. With each shift in gears, her heart revved a little higher.

  The built-in safety handle would be too obvious. It would make her look scared. Dammit, she was scared. What did it hurt if Garrison knew it? She reached up, latching on with a death grip.

  She was so ready for a nice slow drive in the country. Barely missing cars at every juncture was beginning to take its toll. Not to mention being shot at, running, sleeping like a mummy—when she’d slept at all. Garrison was staying with traffic, but definitely pushing the speed limit and switching lanes like a maniac. The fast corners she could manage. Just no more parking lots.

  “I know it’s hard, but I want to get away from that area as fast as we can.”

  “Do you have a destination in mind?” Kenderly used her left hand to grip the console, wedging herself in place. If she’d been more prepared the last time, she may not have hit her head. “Any place with aspirin?”

  “I’m delivering you to my company in Waco. It’s the safest place for you to be. They’ll take care of you, and I can come back to sort through this mess.”

  “That doesn’t work for me.” The words were out before she realized the thought was there. She didn’t want him to leave her anywhere. The panic rose faster than he was driving.

  “Don’t be naive, Kenderly. My first duty is to get you to safety. I can’t investigate the murders or find this guy who’s after you as long as you’re in danger.”

  She knew about his assignment, knew he had a duty. She felt her eyes welling with tears. Frightened of starting over again, of trying to trust yet another person who had nothing to risk but their job.

  “Us. He wants to kill you, too,” she reminded him, blinking the moisture away.

  Garrison gave her a quick sideways look. Did he think she was crazy? Did he really think he was invisible? Of course he did. He was a Texas Ranger. Maybe he was above being scared.

  “What if he finds me wherever I am? What if whoever’s behind this doesn’t ever stop sending killers? What if we get stopped before you get to Waco, and we’re arrested on the spot? What if—”

  “Whoa. That’s a lot of what ifs. How about trying what if you trust my judgment and experience?” He let off the gas. A car actually passed him. “Taking you to Waco is a risk I’m willing to take. The men of Company F know me. Know that I’m one of them. Know that a ranger would never commit murder.”

  “I’d rather find out what’s in the jewelry box. Don’t you want to know what happened to Captain Oaks?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then why don’t we take a breath, slow down and maybe talk some of this through?”

  “Once you’re safe in Waco.” He relaxed a little, draping his wrist over the top of the wheel. “Why would you want to play detective and risk that SOB finding you again?”

  “Isabella was my friend.”

  “Who would want you to stay alive.”

  “But also trusted me to finish something for her. What if she gave me evidence that would convict the person who ordered her death?”

  “The Rangers can take care of this...even without us.”

  Did she really need this man to make all the decisions regarding her life? She was out of her mind if she thought she didn’t. But there was a feeling that she needed to stay in Austin. Maybe because she’d always been in charge of her own life. She couldn’t dismiss Isabella’s faith in her as easily as Garrison could.

  “Do you trust them?” she asked. “These men you work with.”

  “Only with my life.”

  “Then how come you’re wanted for murder?” Why would anyone jump to the conclusion that an undercover ranger would murder two women? Was Mr. Tenoreno truly that powerful?

  “I’m certain Company F is wondering the same thing.” He slowed and stopped for a red light.

  “That’s not really an answer. I think I’ll take this.” She gathered the cell with shaking fingers, not knowing completely what she would do. But she couldn’t run and hide. Isabella had depended on her.

  “Who are you going to—”

  She got out of the car, slamming the door and cutting his words off before she could change her mind. She ran between the cars, across two lanes to the right side of the road. It would take him a few minutes to make a U-turn and come back for her.

  Or at least she thought it would. She turned around to find him following. On foot. The light turned green, and cars began honking. It was a busy street, but it didn’t stop him.

  “Leave me alone, Garrison!” She looked around for a place to run. She had picked the only street with no store or gas station around. Just a covered bus stop.

  “No way. I have a job to do.”<
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  It didn’t take him long to catch her. She was barefoot and wearing a ridiculous party skirt. Horns and shouts from other drivers didn’t hide their exerted breathing as they faced each other. He held on to her arms, but it didn’t frighten her. His grip assured her she wasn’t going anywhere without him, but the look in his eyes was admiration. Not anger.

  “Come on before somebody calls the police.” He cocked his head back toward Joey’s car and smiled. Genuinely. Only for her. Not part of a calculated plan.

  Fingers laced, he led her quickly through the cars. It didn’t go unnoticed that he pressed the auto-lock as soon as he was also inside. But she wasn’t going anywhere. As soon as she’d made it to the sidewalk, she knew she was in trouble. She had no idea how to go about helping Isabella on her own.

  Even more than that, she had no one to turn to for help. She would just be putting her friends in danger if she went to them. She needed the Texas Rangers as much as Garrison relied on them.

  A mile or so up the road, he pulled over on a residential street and twisted sideways in his seat to look at her. “I admire you, Kenderly. I really do. But you have to be reasonable about this.”

  “I know you’re right, but running away to save myself just feels so...wrong.”

  He reached out and cupped both of his hands around hers resting on the console.

  Hold it.

  “Wait a minute.” She slipped her hand from his and leaned back against the door. “I’ve known you a little over twenty-four hours, but this comforting thing...it’s not you. What happened to the overconfident Texas Ranger on the motorcycle?”

  “That’s a relief. I didn’t know how long I could keep that up.” He winked. “I need the phone.”

  She handed it to him, a little confused as to what that scene was about. Garrison was a mixture of arrogance and cocky. That was definitely appealing for a while, but those men never ever turned out to be the comforting type. He wasn’t a jerk. At least she didn’t believe he was. But it sure would have taken a lot to prove he wasn’t. That is, if they’d met under different circumstances. Was it just an act?

  “I’m looking up news footage. If they’re reporting on the condition of Oaks, they’ll be in front of... Gotcha. Brecken Ridge Hospital. If that don’t beat all. It’s right back where we were last night.”

  “Are you calling them? They won’t give you any information.”

  “It can’t hurt to try. Somebody might slip up and let us know something.”

  The car automatically connected to the phone, and she heard it dialing. Garrison put a finger across his lips.

  “Brecken Ridge Hospital, how may I direct your call?”

  “May I have the room for Captain Aiden Oaks?”

  “I’m sorry, that information is restricted. May I help with something else?”

  “No, thanks.”

  He disconnected. He could have taken it off speaker but hadn’t. He could have driven straight to Waco without any other discussion. Instead he’d parked and included her. Now what was he up to?

  “He’s still there, still alive. He must have been shot more seriously than he let on. I admit that I wondered if he was the primary leak that left me out to dry. Then again, Tenoreno has so many dirty cops and politicians in his pocket that I don’t think Oaks would have faked an investigation.”

  “Somehow I don’t believe you were thinking of him like that.”

  “I might rule Oaks out simply because he’s a ranger. But I don’t think we’re going to get close enough for a chat to verify our roles in yesterday.” He continued to scan news about the shooting from the day before. “Thing is, we’re out of the loop. I don’t have a way of knowing if it’s better to take you to Waco. As much as I want to jump in and clear my name, my orders were to keep you safe.”

  He flipped the phone toward her, and she saw the headline: State Manhunt for Rogue Ranger.

  “Do you really think it’s a good idea to leave Austin?” She genuinely wanted to know. If this man was willing to risk his career to protect her, that meant something. She should trust him completely. Right?

  It was just so hard to do. No one had really been there for her to practice that particular skill. The situation was calling for her to quickly overcome big time therapy issues...without any therapy.

  “We need to talk with Jesse. We’ll call, and you can pretend that you’re the dog sitter. Whoever’s chasing us knows all about me, so they might be monitoring his phone. We’ll see if it’s safe.”

  “How do I do that? I don’t know what to ask.”

  He dialed. “Let him do most of the talking. If I shouldn’t come home, he’ll find a way to let me know.”

  “Jesse Ryder.”

  “This is...um...the dog sitter for Bear and Clementine. I just wanted to see if things were okay.”

  “Sure. They’re happy to be here.”

  Kenderly shrugged her shoulders not knowing what to say. “That’s...um...great. Real good.”

  “I appreciate you checking up on them. But, yeah, there’s really no telling when they’ll be able to go back to Garrison’s place. Not with all this mess.”

  “I heard someone was shot pretty badly.” Kenderly watched Garrison mouth the word package, drawing a square with his fingers.

  “Captain Oaks. He’s still in ICU. No one’s getting in to take his statement.”

  “There was a...um...a package left here. Should I forward it to you?”

  “Don’t rush it or anything. I won’t be around for the next three days. Thanks for checking on these mutts. If you want, you can check again.”

  “Thanks.” Kenderly searched Garrison’s face for confirmation of what she thought she’d heard. If she was the package, then it wasn’t safe. Not for either of them. “What do we do now?”

  “We find a place to stay. Ditch this car and phone before your friend calls the police.”

  “He won’t. He’s afraid of what I might say.” She heard him suck in a breath. He was about to ask a serious question. “We can’t get into that. Not now. I promised I wouldn’t tell you about him, but I didn’t promise I wouldn’t drop an anonymous call to the IRS. But one problem at a time. A bed for tonight. I don’t suppose you have any friends in Austin.”

  He shook his head. “Do you?”

  “As a matter of fact. How good are you at picking locks?”

  Chapter Nine

  Garrison was in total awe of this woman. The news from Jesse wasn’t good. The fact that they were reporting a statewide manhunt for the first Texas Ranger wanted for murder was worse. There was no way he was going down in history with that title.

  All things considered, Kenderly was holding it together and working with him.

  Without shoes.

  She had made a run for it, but he didn’t think that was serious. Just a moment’s hesitation. She’d come back to the car quick enough and been cooperative afterward.

  Not to mention calling his bluff when he’d tried to comfort her. He wasn’t that guy. He’d been way too busy over the past ten years to get where he was at. Naw, comforting wasn’t his style. He was more the love ’em and get too busy to call back sort of fella.

  If he heard that description out loud about someone, he might call them a jerk. Okay, there was no might in that thought. He would call them a jerk. It didn’t happen all the time, though. Yeah, he could justify it. His work since transferring to the Rangers had been secretive and intense. It hadn’t left time for serious—or even nonserious—dating.

  “You take a left on the next street unless you want to go to the store before we stop.”

  They still hadn’t bought a change of clothes. Had nothing except a couple hundred bucks and the change in the console. His stomach seemed to be a bottomless pit, and Kenderly hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Their
outlook wasn’t good at all.

  “This is the apartment of a coworker who you’re sure is gone for the weekend?”

  “Yes. Rose took off for a family emergency Thursday. I was supposed to take her four o’clock perm. Home is in California, so she didn’t know when she’d be back in town. It’ll be at least a week, giving us time until we check in with your friend again. Right?”

  Fifteen minutes ago he’d agreed to break into an apartment because there was no other option left for them. Jesse’s message to check back later meant just that. Stay out of sight and come up for air in three days. No hotels, motels or checking out the captain’s hospital room.

  “There it is. The corner one.”

  “With the light on?”

  “I’m pretty sure.”

  “Dammit, Kenderly. You need to be more than just pretty sure.”

  “I’m going to let that outburst slide because I can understand your anxiety. I’ve only been here once. Coworker—not best friend. I remember it was on the corner because I could see the parking lot from two windows. I also remember climbing two flights of stairs. So, yeah, I’m sure now. And for the stupid record, I leave my lights on all the time.” She mumbled the last sentence.

  “Sorry. I’m not good at this.”

  “What? Breaking and entering or communicating?” She had his number, unlike most people. “Let’s just get it over with.”

  Maybe they got lucky with the time of day or maybe it was because they were on the third floor. No one caught him shoving or pulling at the door. And no one barreled up the outside staircase after he’d gotten it open. The complex hadn’t bothered to install secure, safe locks, and Kenderly’s friend had left without latching the dead bolt.

  “It’s very discomforting to see how easy it was for you to get in the door,” Kenderly said as she walked through.

  Once inside, to turn the dead bolt he lifted the door a little, making it slip into the slot. “Your friend needs to have maintenance rehang that door.”

  Kenderly dropped to the couch, spreading her arms wide, sinking into the cushions. “Oh, my gosh, this feels good. How long do you think we’ll be here? Do you think I could take a shower?”