A Treacherous Mix

by Kathy Herman

  “I’m standing,” Billy Gene said, “leaning against the same tree, pretending to text. The bounty hunter stopped walking and wrote something down. I think he’s testing Hawk to see if he acts nervous with him standing there. So far, Hawk’s been amazing.”

  “Where’s Saman …? Billy Gene …?”

  “Sheriff, I’ve gotta go—now!”

  Virgil stared at the monitors. Hawk was leaning on the shovel, looking pensive. The bounty hunter, the vile assassin wanted in Europe and the Middle East, was no more than ten yards from him, talking on the phone.

  “Hawk,” Romo said, “the bounty hunter is easing his way toward you. He’s about thirty feet behind you, talking on his phone again. I’m going to ask you to do something difficult and brave. I need you to be even more of an actor.”

  “And do what?”

  “I want you to turn around slowly,” Romo said, “and make eye contact with the bounty hunter. Smile or somehow acknowledge him.”

  Hawk exhaled and whispered. “I can do this. I need to do this. Lord, help me do this. Okay. Here goes.”

  Every agent in the room was fixated on Hawk. Virgil’s heart pounded so hard he was sure they could hear it. Come on, Hawk. This is the moment of truth.

  Hawk turned slowly, still looking at the ground around the tree. Finally, he lifted his gaze and looked at the bounty hunter and smiled. “Hey, man. You doin’ all right?”

  “Yes. I am fine. Thank you.”

  “It’s getting hot out here,” Hawk said. “Be careful not to get overheated. That’ll put a damper on your vacation big time.”

  The bounty hunter nodded. “Yes. Big time.”

  Virgil scanned all the monitors, hoping to spot Billy Gene, but the cameras were focused on the main event. Something was going on. Virgil could feel it. He resented that his hands were tied and his authority trumped by Romo. Why did Billy Gene have to get off the phone so abruptly?

  “Sheriff, are you still there?” Billy Gene sounded out of breath.

  Virgil turned around, his back to the agents. “Yes, what’s happening?”

  “Saman has a gun. In his hand. What do you want me to do?”

  “Where is he?”

  “Behind the bounty hunter.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m behind Saman.”

  “I trust your instincts, Billy Gene. The success of this operation depends on the bounty hunter being taken in unharmed. But do what you need to do to protect Hawk, whatever it takes. Go.”

  Virgil could hardly breathe. He spun around and stared at the monitors, listening to what was being said in the room—and on the other end of the phone.

  “Number six, zoom in on that man standing behind the bounty hunter,” Romo said. “We saw him on camera earlier. Do we know who he is? He seems to be inching closer. I’d sure like to know why.”

  “I don’t recognize him,” someone said. “But isn’t that Hawk’s friend, Kirby something-or-other behind him?”

  t

  “Hawk, isn’t that your friend, a few yards behind the bounty hunter?” Romo said.

  Hawk made eye contact with Billy Gene and sensed something was wrong. His pulse surged, and he was hot all over. He wanted to run, but he had to see this through. “Yes, that’s him. Do you want me to say something?”

  “Actually, I’d like him to leave,” Romo said. “But I don’t know how to get that done without blowing everything.”

  Hawk kept getting bad vibes from Billy Gene but couldn’t figure out why. Then he saw it—the man standing directly behind the bounty hunter had a gun pointed at his back!

  Billy Gene charged the guy like an angry bull and knocked the gun out of his hand just as it discharged.

  People screamed and were running in all directions. It was utter chaos.

  The bounty hunter looked alarmed, and turned to run. Billy Gene stuck his leg out and tripped him, sending him falling facedown on the ground.

  Without thinking, Hawk jumped on the bounty hunter’s back and straddled him, fighting to hold him down.

  The man who fired the gun had the wind knocked out of him. Billy Gene slapped handcuffs on him.

  Hawk rolled off the bounty hunter so Billy Gene could subdue him. In a matter of seconds, Billy Gene pulled the bounty hunter’s arms behind him, put on the handcuffs, and pulled him to his feet. “Surprise, sweetheart. You’ve got a blind date with the feds.”

  Hawk got up and was immediately surrounded by at least a dozen FBI agents.

  “You okay?” Gary said.

  Hawk nodded. “I’m fine. What just happened?”

  Special Agent Ziegler poked Billy Gene in the chest. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Deputy Billy Gene Duncan of the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department. I’m off duty. Up here to enjoy a relaxing weekend.”

  “You told us you were an old friend of Hawk’s,” Gary said.

  “Sorry about that. It’s never good to tell people you’re a deputy when you’re trying to get some R and R.”

  “Well, Deputy, you’ve got some explaining to do. You just interfered with an FBI operation in progress.” Ziegler smiled. “And I, for one, am grateful to you.” He shook Billy Gene’s hand. “We’re going to need to talk to you. It may not turn out to be the relaxing weekend you’d hoped for.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about that.” Billy Gene winked at Hawk. “Dealin’ with the feds will be a nice change of pace.”

  t

  Romo glared at Virgil. “You want to tell me what that was all about?”

  “It appears that one of my off-duty deputies just saved your heinie,” Virgil said, trying not to smile.

  “Don’t get smug,” Romo said. “I made it clear that this was my operation.”

  “And by all accounts, it was successful. Congratulations. I’m sure the higher-ups in the Bureau will recognize you for capturing the bounty hunter.”

  “You were working behind my back.”

  “How do you figure that?” Virgil said. “I’ve been standing here all this time. But I’ll tell you something. This is my county, my turf, my people. I took an oath to protect them.”

  “I didn’t need your help,” Romo said. “The operation was right on track.”

  “Except you didn’t know that your bounty hunter was being hunted. A good deputy taking a few days of vacation saw the gun and acted accordingly.”

  Romo’s eyes narrowed. “Vacation, huh? Then tell me why he knew to tackle the bounty hunter.”

  “Actually Hawk tackled him quite handily. Deputy Duncan subdued him in order to get the cuffs on. As for Hawk, he really is a hero.”

  “Just so you know,” Romo said. “I wouldn’t have put him at risk.”

  “I believe you did all you could to protect him. But we both know that if he had been hurt or killed, you would have considered it acceptable collateral damage.” Virgil shook his head. “I’m sorry, but anyone who agrees to help me and my deputies, after being told we’ve got their back, is not—nor ever will be—acceptable collateral damage. We leave no man behind.”

  “We live in different worlds, Virgil. Sometimes I have to make decisions that keep me up at night. Decisions I hope Timothy and Lacy will never know about.”

  “Being a fed is tough. I’m not sure I could do it. But I’m glad there are good people who do.” Virgil put his hand on Romo’s shoulder. “But don’t think you’re the only one who’s had to make decisions that haunt you for a long time. I think it’s the nature of law enforcement. The biggest difference between your job and mine is that mine is subjective. I love this community. These people. I grew up here and know many of them by name. I feel it when any of them is in peril. My biggest challenge is putting my feelings aside and being objective. On the other hand, you don’t know the victims or the perpetrators, so staying objective is easy. Your biggest challenge is
knowing when to give yourself permission to feel. Either way, it’s a balancing act.”

  “What an interesting perspective. I never thought of it quite that way.” Romo seemed lost in thought. Finally, he said, “I like you, Sheriff. You’re a good man. I’m not going to ask what part you played in this. The truth is, Deputy Duncan saved the day. A gunshot wound at close range would likely have killed the bounty hunter or critically injured him. As it turned out, we got him into custody unharmed and successfully completed the operation, which will make some powerful people very happy.”

  “Did I hear we?” Virgil said.

  “You did. I intend to put in my report that our success was largely due to the cooperative efforts of the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department. Oh, I’ll get razzed unmercifully, but it’s a small price to pay. I really am grateful.”

  “The CIA will be too.” Virgil winked. “You might even get a promotion.”

  Romo laughed. “Stranger things have happened.”

  A comfortable silence settled over them for half a minute.

  Finally, Romo said, “Seriously, Virgil, thanks for your help. I’m ashamed that I misjudged you and didn’t think you would be an asset to the operation. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

  “I appreciate you saying that. If you hadn’t offered me a hot dog today, I might never have gotten a glimpse of the man behind the badge. Not only are you a good lawman, you’re a heck of a dad. And just for the record, you were outstanding with Hawk. You never put him in harm’s way beyond the obvious risk he understood going in. In fact, I was impressed with the way you organized and ran the entire operation. But I tend to be disagreeable when I’m shut out of a case that involves the people I swore to protect.”

  Romo held out his hand. “I guess we both learned something.”

  Virgil shook his hand. “We did. So does this mean you’re going to tell me who the shooter was?”

  “Nice try, Sheriff. And yes, it’s classified.”

  Virgil laughed. “You’re still using your office in the courthouse, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, but not for long. I promised Timothy I’d be home on Sunday and take him to the pool. I’m happy to say that I have no trouble giving myself permission to feel when it comes to that.” Romo winked.

  Chapter 27

  Kate, Elliot, Buck, Natalie, and Clarissa cheered at the news that Hawk was safe and the bounty hunter was unharmed and in FBI custody.

  Kate wiped the tears off her face and sat back in her chair and whispered a prayer of thanksgiving.

  “I’ll tell you what,” Buck said, “that grandson of mine is a hero in my book. And that Deputy Duncan—wasn’t he somethin’?”

  “Oh, did you folks know him?” Natalie said.

  Kate jumped in before her dad could say anything else. “We’ve known him for years. He worked the case when my late husband and daughter were missing.”

  “Well, that was good thinking and quick action on the deputy’s part,” Clarissa said. “If the shooter had hit the bounty hunter at close range, he would probably have died right there. Another split second, and we’d be looking at an entirely different outcome.”

  “Who was the shooter?” Kate said. “Where did he come from? Why wasn’t the FBI prepared?”

  Natalie and Clarissa looked at each other and shrugged.

  “Whoever he was, he wasn’t on the FBI’s radar.” Natalie walked over and disarmed the security alarm. “I think all our agents must be scratching their heads. Guess we’ll be filled in later.”

  Elliot took Kate’s hand in his. “I’m just grateful that Hawk is safe and this thing’s finally over.”

  Natalie’s and Clarissa’s phones beeped, and each glanced at her screen.

  “Well,” Natalie said. “Looks like our ride will be here within the hour. We had better go pack. It’s been our pleasure staying with you. You’re a really special family.”

  Clarissa nodded. “Your faith throughout this ordeal has truly been an inspiration. For your sake, I hope you never need the FBI ever again.”

  The front door slammed, and Abby and Jesse came rushing in, sounding out of breath.

  “Were y’all listening to what happened?” Jesse said, his face flushed. “Deputy Duncan saw that guy’s gun and knocked it out of his hand just as he shot it, and then he tripped the bounty hunter, who fell flat on his face—”

  “And Hawk held the bounty hunter on the ground,” Abby said, “until Deputy Duncan could put cuffs on him! They’re both heroes!”

  “Yes, we were listening,” Kate said, slipping her arm around Jesse’s sweaty back. “Where were you two when it happened?”

  “Jesse and I were just about to walk home. We were sitting in Flutter’s, cooling off and having a Coke—”

  “When people outside started screaming and running all over the place,” Jesse said. “We looked out and saw Hawk sitting on the guy’s back, holding him down. And then Deputy Duncan cuffed him and gave him over to the FBI. The shooter too.” Jesse grinned. “My big brother is a hero. I can’t wait to tell Dawson!”

  Natalie shook her head. “Jesse, the rules haven’t changed. This isn’t going to be written up in the newspaper. Or talked about on the news. And you can’t tell anyone. And why is that?”

  Jesse sighed. “Because it’s classified.”

  Clarissa tilted his chin. “It’s for your brother’s safety.”

  “I get it,” Jesse said. “I just wanted to brag on him. He was awesome.”

  “You can certainly tell Hawk how you feel,” Kate said. “I can hardly wait to put my arms around him.”

  Jesse looked at Natalie and Clarissa. “Now that it’s over, I guess you’ll be leaving soon.”

  Clarissa nodded. “Within the hour. We were just going to pack.”

  “We’ll miss you—each of you.” Natalie blinked the moisture from her eyes.

  Kate, Elliot, and Buck rose to their feet.

  “We can’t thank you enough for making us feel safe,” Kate said.

  “And informed,” Elliot added.

  “And for being good sports when I clobbered you at gin rummy.” Jesse laughed. “I guess if you really must go, I’ll have no choice but to remain the champ.”

  “I can’t thank you ladies enough for the good conversation,” Buck said. “I sure won’t forget you.”

  Abby put her arms around Natalie. “Thanks for walking me to work every morning. I would’ve been scared to walk alone.”

  In the next minute, everyone exchanged hugs and more thank-yous. And then it was pin-drop still.

  “I hate good-byes,” Jesse said. “This is the part where it’s always sad.”

  “A little,” Natalie said.

  Clarissa brushed Jesse’s damp hair off his forehead. “But I’m glad we enjoyed you enough to miss you. That doesn’t happen most of the time.”

  t

  Hawk sat in an interview room in the Raleigh County Courthouse, finishing up his statement and feeling eager to get home.

  “Hawk, I want to thank you for a superb job,” Romo said. “Special Agents Barron and Ziegler said you did as well as any agent could have done.”

  “I’m glad I could help.” Hawk folded his hands on the table. “Can you tell me anything about the shooter? I honestly thought he was coming after me.”

  “We don’t know anything about the shooter,” Romo said. “The Bureau is doing a background check, but right now, he’s a mystery. We didn’t see that coming. Thankfully, Deputy Duncan did.”

  Hawk nodded. “That’s for sure.”

  “I mean, what are the odds that he scheduled a few vacation days that happened to coincide with our operation?”

  “Yeah, what are the odds?” Hawk said.

  “And he just happened to be right there when our unidentified perpetrator pulled a gun?” Romo said. “And ju
st happened to ram the guy just as he pulled the trigger, keeping the bounty hunter unharmed—which happened to be what my orders were?”

  “Wow.” A grin stretched Hawk’s cheeks. “I remember you sitting in my living room, telling us that it wouldn’t be necessary to rely on God, that your people are the best at what they do, and that you would keep me safe. But it’s pretty hard to deny that God was in the details that even you couldn’t plan for.”

  Romo’s face went blank. “Well, you got me there. I’m not really a man of faith, but you make a point worth thinking about. I’ve got a five-year-old son, and a baby girl due in October. My wife, Annie, wants us to start going to church. Maybe this is a sign from God that we should.”

  “Maybe,” Hawk said. “After I was grown, I really appreciated that my parents brought me up in the church.”

  “You didn’t resent being made to go?”

  “Not at all. I didn’t know any differently.”

  “I always thought I’d let my kids decide for themselves what to believe,” Romo said. “You know, when they’re older.”

  “They will decide,” Hawk said. “We all do. But Grandpa Buck always said, ‘If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.’ Now that I’m grown, I understand what he meant. You have to know what you believe before you can stand firm. You need a moral compass.”

  “I guess that’s true.” Romo was quiet for a few moments. “So when Christians grow up with this moral compass, do you think they make decisions that are better than everyone else’s?”

  Hawk felt shame scald his face. Lord, give me the right words. “Not always. At least not right away. But we know things won’t be right again until we turn it around. For example, how did I end up having an affair with a woman I hardly knew, after being raised in a strong Christian home to believe that sex is a gift God created for a husband and wife, and it’s meant to be expressed only within the parameters of marriage?”

  “Hawk, I really wasn’t talking about you. I—”

  “It’s okay. I’m a perfect example. I met Kennedy in a parking lot and helped her pick up a sack of spilled groceries. She was new to the area and didn’t know anyone. She seemed lonely and I offered to give her a Jeep ride after work. Innocent, right? Or not so innocent. Deep down, I knew I was playing with fire. She was gorgeous and vulnerable and available, and I knew to guard myself against any situation that could turn sexual. But instead of helping her out and then politely walking away, I opened the door that every guy knows is dangerous, and lust exploded into a full-blown affair. That’s like lighting a match and walking into a room flooded with natural gas. My point is I had a strong moral compass. I ignored it. I deceived myself clear up until the time she disappeared. But the truth is I was never really comfortable sinning, and I lied—even to Kennedy—to keep it secret. I disgraced myself. I broke Laura Lynn’s heart. And I disappointed my family. When I realized what I’d done, I asked God to forgive me, and He has. But that doesn’t erase the natural consequences I just have to live with.”