Gunslinger

by Angi Morgan

  “You just preferred horses,” Blackhat said over his wife’s shoulder. “You were never bad, son. Where did you get that idea?”

  “There’s much more to that story than either of them is willing to tell.” Cheryl looked back and forth between father and son. “Seriously, you don’t remember, Bryce?”

  “I remember it was an awful experience.”

  “Do you really not remember what happened that night?” his dad asked.

  Bryce shook his head. His parents stared at each other.

  When no one continued the conversation, she was torn about asking. Kylie was super curious. More than wondering what would happen to the Tenorenos. Not as much as imagining what might happen in her new relationship with Bryce. She could ask Bryce later, but he seemed genuinely in the dark so she wouldn’t be able to find out later from him.

  “I really don’t know what they’re talking about,” Bryce answered.

  “Do you mind if I ask what happened?” She looped her fingers around his upper arm and tugged him to stay put. Did she have the right? She didn’t know. But she wanted it. Since he stayed, she hoped it was willingly because he didn’t mind her knowing.

  Cheryl looked at Blackhat and he shrugged. “Beats me why he doesn’t remember. Maybe he’s stared at his computer screen too long and it fried his memory circuits.”

  Cheryl playfully swatted him, then hugged his arm, weaving her fingers through his. “That oldies benefit was in Austin. Johnson was playing for several artists. Bryce performed and I was waiting at stage left for him. He exited stage right and before I could make my way around to that side, he’d disappeared. He was gone for about half an hour.”

  “You guys never talked about this.” Bryce’s muscles tensed under her palms. He looked at her, confused. “It’s the first I’m ever hearing about going missing.”

  “It’s why we bought this place,” his dad laughed. “Don’t you remember getting that badge Mom keeps on the kitchen bulletin board?”

  “The toy star?”

  “Honey...” Cheryl gave him an all-knowing look only a mother could. “That’s the real thing given to you by the man who found you. After that you didn’t want to have anything to do with the drums. Like your dad said, we bought this place. You learned how to ride and were focused on becoming a Texas Ranger.”

  “Where did he go? Did someone try to kidnap him?” Now Kylie wanted the entire story.

  “He never told us. He was found several blocks away. Good thing you knew your name. The ranger knew the song you were singing and had a feeling you belonged to someone at the ’60s benefit concert. Bryce made it back before the police could begin their search. That’s why the papers and television never got the story.”

  “You’ve never sung since,” his dad said.

  “He sang for me,” she admitted before thinking much about the importance. All three faces brought the significance to her attention.

  “Was it ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’?” Cheryl asked in a whisper.

  “Yes.”

  “Cool,” Cheryl and Blackhat said together. They looked at each other and hugged, shaking their heads. Then Cheryl let out a soft squeee.

  “Don’t read anything into that.” Bryce dropped his chin to his chest.

  Kylie tried. Really tried not to believe what his parents were implying. But it didn’t work. She spent the rest of the night thinking of what could be right with Bryce instead of everything that had been wrong for so long.

  * * *

  KYLIE WAS LYING next to Bryce on the patio listening to music later that afternoon. His parents had left them alone just a few minutes before. She was drifting, letting the hot sun hypnotize her into deep oblivion. Someplace she didn’t have to wonder about what would happen tomorrow.

  “Still awake, Kylie?”

  “If I have to be.” She was completely content not to move or think.

  “I don’t think it’s necessary for you to go to Hico and draw these guys into the open. Just bringing the car to the house should accomplish that. It’s safer if you stay here with Dad’s security. I spoke with my father earlier and he’s cool with it.”

  She couldn’t raise her voice to argue. She also couldn’t make an argument for or against a plan that he hadn’t told her about yet.

  They’d been sitting in silence and she’d actually thought he’d fallen asleep. Kylie turned to her side, leaning on her elbow. She attempted to be calm even though her heart was racing ninety to nothing at his out-of-the-blue decision. “If the plan isn’t safe enough for me, then call the whole thing off.”

  “It’s still a good plan that could work.”

  “Then I need to be a part of it.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. No exceptions. I have to do this. I thought you understood that.” They hadn’t explicitly said the words aloud. But she had thought he understood because she’d been included from the beginning.

  “I get it. I just...”

  “Last week at my house convinced me that no one is safe around me. Even if I start over in another town, maybe even in another state, I’d be putting people in danger. I have to face whoever tried to kill me five years ago, Bryce. No more running. No more people hurt because of me.”

  He took her hand in his and rolled to his back. “I had to try.”

  And so did she...only she needed to succeed.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The outside walls and windows had been repaired on her house—or Fred’s house since he was the one that rented it to Kylie. The inside had been picked up, swept clean of glass and the destroyed items removed. The bedroom was okay and her laptop was safe inside that room.

  After the drive, she excused herself and checked on her gun safe. The handgun was still in the bathroom. Either Bryce had forgotten about it, or he trusted that she at least wouldn’t pull it on him.

  “Officer Harris and Fred made certain everyone was off the street.” Bryce told her when she joined him in the living room. “I’m surprised that everyone was so cooperative.”

  “Why here? Why couldn’t we do this at Fred’s place outside city limits?”

  “We talked about it and agreed they’d think it was a trap.”

  “But not this? I mean, it’s summer and there are no kids on the block. No one driving anywhere.”

  “We can’t have everything.”

  “In the meantime, we’re sitting ducks here. Will the walls hold up if they start firing that cannon at us again? Fred didn’t have time to get another refrigerator.” She hadn’t been thrilled with the idea of trying to trap the men after her. Honestly, she’d agreed solely because she knew Bryce and Fred had already committed to it. The wheels had been put into motion without her.

  “It’ll be okay.” Bryce wrapped his arms around her, hugging tight. “I’ve been wondering—only a little, mind you—about something.”

  “What are you wondering only a little about?” She tried to smile at his attempt to cheer her.

  “How come there’s no Mister Kylie?”

  “If you’re asking why I’m not married, I didn’t want to become involved with anyone with this—” she drew a circle around her “—situation hanging over my head. It wasn’t fair to bring anyone else into the uncertain future I have.”

  “Had. We’re remedying part of that problem today.”

  She wished. Hoped. Prayed it would be over. “How about you? Why aren’t you married yet instead of just uncle of the year?”

  “Haven’t met that right person. My dad once looked at my mom and told me to fall in love completely. Not halfway. I can’t tell you how many times he said not to expect the person you love to fill you fifty percent. ‘It’s all the way or not at all.’ One hundred percent all of you...that’s love.”

  “Those sound like song lyrics.”

  “Probably. My dad is a drummer, remember?” He shrugged. “I’ve never been that much in love with anyone. But I figured if it worked for my parents, maybe I should wait for the real th
ing.”

  Bryce’s phone buzzed and they separated for him to look at the message.

  “Fred just texted. He just got to town. He stopped at the Koffee Cup to buy pie.”

  “Nothing like setting priorities.”

  “Good move. We get pie and somebody might see the car since the shop is on the corner.” Bryce rubbed his hands together in a greedy motion.

  “You better tell him to get coffee, too. The coffeemaker was shot to pieces.”

  Bryce typed a text and looked up. “I’m going to open the garage so he can drive inside.” He pointed to the folding chair and what lay on top of it. “Time to put that on.”

  “You’re not wearing yours.”

  “I will be. The vest is the only way I can protect your heart.” He left through the front, stopping on the porch to tap on his phone.

  The bulletproof vest was heavy. Bryce had already adjusted it to fit her. She assumed one of the police officers had borrowed it for her since HICO PD was printed across the front and back.

  It was only a few minutes until they had plastic forks in one hand and pie containers in the other. Bryce stood next to the front window, Fred at the back. She sat in a folding chair in the hallway.

  “I can’t believe I didn’t know about this pie. I’ve driven through Hico a lot over the years to get to the ranch.” Bryce put another mouthful of banana blueberry cream into his mouth, then another. He looked guilty. What had he said? Was he afraid Fred would frown on his background?

  “Your parents never stopped either?” Fred asked.

  “No, sir. They don’t drive much.”

  “I thought you said they traveled a lot and you stayed home.”

  “I did. I mean, they did travel. Do. My dad’s a pilot. They own a sweet Piper Cherokee that they take to major airports.” He scraped the bottom of his container. “My dad’s threatened to fly and get a gallon of milk before. The Rockin’ J is a long way from everything.”

  “Wait a minute. Your parents own the Rockin’ J?” Fred asked like everyone knew what that meant. “Blackhat J is your dad?”

  “I knew he was a drummer and has played with some famous people.” Kylie quirked an eyebrow in his direction. “They never implied that people would recognize his name.”

  “Kylie, Blackhat J has played with the best rock and roll bands in history. He’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You met him?”

  “I stayed there the past couple of days.”

  “It’s no big deal. He’s just a drummer.” Bryce supplied reluctantly, shrugging. “I’d be happy to change the subject now. And would appreciate it if you kept this info to yourself, Fred.”

  “If you insist.” Fred looked a little sulky.

  “So he and your mom traveled and you stayed at home?” She reminded him of one of the few things he’d said about his family. “You don’t fly much?” Sarcastically adding.

  “Not commercially. And I did stay home, traveling made me sick as a kid. When I was a teen, I had commitments at school. My siblings didn’t feel the same way and traveled all over the place. But I knew what I wanted and the only way to get it was to stay in school, go to college.”

  It was the first time she’d seen Bryce flustered, embarrassed, talking too fast. He didn’t seem to enjoy his parents’ status and looked uncomfortable.

  “How come the Rangers didn’t play up who your daddy was? They make big deals of politicians and military grads all the time.” Fred finished his pie and took a long gulp of his coffee.

  “I didn’t tell them.” Bryce’s pie was set to the side as he looked through the blinds. “Changing the subject, we’re sure all the houses were cleared?”

  “Yes. Harris and I checked in with everyone.”

  “Even the house on the corner that normally has the big rig out back?”

  “That would be Grant Fenley’s place. No one was home early this morning. His wife has a sister in Meridian. Want me to have somebody follow up?”

  “It may be a ceiling fan or something, but the curtain keeps fluttering.”

  “I can have Harris check it out again—”

  “Let’s wait.” Bryce interrupted and stared out the window. “Something just doesn’t feel right.”

  “You guys told me the plan for getting here. So what happens now?” She was curious, of course. But were they really just going to wait around for an attack? “What do you think those men plan to do?”

  “We thought they’d...well...try to get you.” Fred scratched his stubble whiskers.

  “Even after my confrontation with Xander in Austin?”

  Fred plopped all four legs of his chair back to the floor. “What’s this? You talked to Tenoreno?”

  “He wanted me to sign annulment papers. I got away before he could do anything threatening. You don’t need to get upset, Fred.” Kylie stood in the hallway, able to see both men, feeling the weight of the situation as well as the bulletproof vest on her shoulders. “Oh, and he acted like he hadn’t known I had the car all this time.”

  “So he didn’t think you had the Cadillac? You know, Bryce, that’s always bothered me. From the time Kylie drove that classic convertible into town I expected to find a stolen vehicle report on it. That’s why I was so fast to believe Kylie was the intended target.”

  “If they aren’t looking for Kylie, then what are they...?” Bryce nodded his head “The car? They actually want the Cadillac. What’s inside it? I’m assuming you checked it out?”

  “Didn’t let her park it here until I did. But there’s nothing. Trunk is clear. I searched for blood, debris, drugs. No papers, nothing in the glove box except a bottle of whiskey that I gave to Kylie.”

  “I didn’t know you did all that, Fred.”

  “Darlin’, we might have wanted to play the Good Samaritans when you arrived, but I couldn’t have lived with myself if I let you bring drugs into town. I hung up my badge, but not my good sense.”

  “Why wouldn’t Tenoreno report it stolen? If he was after Kylie it would have been the fastest way to find her.” Bryce rubbed his forehead as if he was tired of thinking about all the possible whys.

  “Unless, he really didn’t know I had the car. He said as much in Austin.” She’d been trying to piece it together in her mind throughout the morning. “There’s one thing Xander didn’t mention. The shooting. He didn’t smirk or brag or anything like that. Which actually says more. He’s the kind of guy who would have pointed out how unsafe it is without him around.”

  “If the police had picked you up with a stolen vehicle, they could have searched it. So something has to be inside.”

  “There’s nothing in that car,” Fred said with more conviction.

  “Nothing obvious.” Bryce left his window. “Can you get Richard to watch the Fenley house more closely? Kylie, come with me. Fred? Key?”

  “There ain’t nothing in that car,” Fred mumbled, tossing the key. “I’ll tell Richard.”

  Kylie followed Bryce into the garage. He slipped the Cadillac key back onto the ring she’d grabbed from the Tenoreno rack so many years ago.

  “What do you hope to find?”

  When she got near, he stole a lingering kiss. “I’ve been wanting that ever since Fred arrived. And have I told you how sexy you look in that vest?”

  “Why are you buttering me up, Ranger Johnson?” Kylie smiled at him. Who wouldn’t want that smoldering kiss? “Is it because now that we’ve slept together you think you can ask me to hide and I will?”

  “I didn’t say a word.” He held up his hands as if he was defenseless.

  “You’re thinking it. Open the trunk and start looking.” She raised her voice to be heard inside, “I think you’re a very thorough man, Fred. I bet you looked under the seats.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I think I spent the quarter I found.”

  “So there’s no reason for me to look there.” She took a flashlight off the shelf. “I’ll slide under the car and see if anything’s noticeable.”

  “I’ll do th
at.” He lifted the flashlight from her hand. “You take the trunk so you don’t have to take off the vest.”

  Bryce was under the car before she could think of a response. There was nothing inside the black carpeted area. The ridges were still there from being vacuumed.

  She stared into the darkness. It was one of those moments where she really couldn’t think of what to do next. Fred had searched the car but she agreed that Xander’s interest in the car was unusual. Something had to be here.

  “A car doesn’t seem like a very safe place to hide something important enough to kill over. It would have to be secure and other than taking the car completely apart, how would we find it? Xander could have bought a safe or rented a safety deposit box. His father had a safe. Why use an old car he rarely drove?”

  “We don’t have time to unscrew every screw. And I would imagine he wanted to keep it away from everybody or this was a temporary place.”

  “Except the other person shooting at us. Don’t you see? At least two people knew something was hidden. The man shooting at us last week seemed to know about the car, too.”

  Bryce scooted his head from under the back. “You’re right.”

  “Are you through with the flashlight?” She took it from his extended arm. As soon as he was free from the undercarriage, she crawled in the trunk. “I don’t think Fred did this.”

  She lay on her back and aimed the beam of light into all the nooks and crannies of the car. The light reflected off something shiny stuck way back in the corner toward the seat. She used her feet to push herself closer and found a small lock.

  “The key ring that you have, Bryce. Does it have a small one on it like for a lockbox?”

  He put them in her hand, fingers around the smallest. She slipped the key into place and turned.

  “A safe made for a car?” Fred asked from the doorway.

  “Looks like it. Anything inside?” Bryce asked.

  “Just this magnetic hide-a-key thingy.” She handed it and the flashlight to Bryce. “Wait for me.”

  Once out of the car, they all stared at the tiny box as Bryce slid the top off. “A flash drive.”