He pulled away from her, giving each of them the space they needed to remember what was happening around them. His gaze linked with hers. In the smoldering depths of his eyes, she glimpsed wariness. They had had their chance at love once, but at the time she couldn’t see him as anything other than a best friend. Now she didn’t know how she saw him. Everything in her life was in flux. She didn’t trust her emotions, not when she was a target for the Russian Mafia.
“Good night, or maybe I should say good morning. I need to be at the courthouse by eight thirty.” She turned away from him, but the whole way out of the kitchen she sensed his intensity boring into her back.
What I’m feeling isn’t love. It’s friendship. It’s the by-product of the danger I’m in right now. Nothing is real, nothing is to be trusted, especially my emotions.
“He’s here,” Kim said as she ran into the kitchen at the ranch. “He just pulled up to the house. What should I do?”
Rebecca pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at the perplexed expression on her niece’s face. “Go let Rob in when he rings the doorbell.”
“Yes, I can do that.”
“I want to.” Aubrey put the spoon with the leftover icing into the bowl and hopped down from the chair. She rushed after Kim.
Hattie looked at Rebecca and chuckled. “I don’t think the fact we had a fire and stampede has affected them one bit. They’re going about a hundred miles per hour.”
“It helped that we were able to return to the house almost immediately and the ranch hands have been working to get everything back to normal.”
“Where’s Brody?”
“He went with Jake out to the south pasture to make sure there aren’t any hot spots and to check out where the fire started.”
Hattie removed the brisket from the oven. “To think someone used gasoline and deliberately set the fire. What’s the world coming to? That wildfire could have spread to the other ranches and hurt even more folks and livestock.”
“That might have been the intent. With the cattle stampeding, they created mass confusion. Thankfully our cowhands have been trained in what to do in case of a fire, and the fire department from Dry Gulch got here in record time.”
“Has Tory returned from the hospital?”
“She’ll be here in fifteen or twenty minutes. Thomas was restless for her today. She called me at lunch all excited, but she wanted to be here for Rob’s visit. She wants to thank him for what he did for me.” Sounds of voices coming from the foyer drifted toward Rebecca. “I don’t know how much Kim slept last night. She had sugarplums dancing in her head. All she talked about was Rob.”
“She has a crush on him. He’s a hero to her.”
“He is to me, too. I could have been seriously hurt if he hadn’t been in the right place at the right time.”
“Let’s go meet this young man. I’m anxious to thank him, too.”
Brody studied the burn pattern, the stench of gasoline still evident almost two days later. “They must have used a lot of gasoline.”
“They didn’t care that we knew it was arson. They left the gasoline cans at the scene.” Jake gestured toward the area where the firefighters had found the evidence.
“I would say that could have been a mistake, but we didn’t find one fingerprint on any of the cans. Now that you’ve accounted for the cattle, how many did you lose?”
“No more than seven, so I don’t think it was the cattle rustlers. Why would they burn the cattle instead of stealing them? We’ve found most of the cattle, or rather, their dead carcasses.”
“I agree the intent wasn’t to cover taking more cattle. The intent was to burn down the house and other buildings.” Brody walked back to the Jeep and hopped in on the passenger side. “How are the two cowhands?”
“Embarrassed, angry, and suffering nasty headaches.”
“But they’re alive. They should be thankful for that.”
Jake started the engine and headed back toward the house. “They survived only because one of them recovered consciousness and managed to drag the other out of the way of the cattle. If they’d stayed where they went down, they would have been trampled.”
Or at least that was what the two cowhands said when they were found. Sheriff Overstreet was checking into their lives. Was there any connection to either the Russian Mafia or the gang? Although he didn’t think the Dos Huesos Cruzados Gang was behind this, Brody was covering all his bases. The Russian Mafia had had a clear motive.
As Jake drove past the burn line, where the fire had finally been put out, the main house stood only thirty yards away. Too close. What was the motive for the fire? With all the security in the immediate area of the house, it would have been hard to get close enough to actually burn down the house. Setting the fire in the pasture gave everyone a chance to get out of its way. Pretty risky as a harassment statement for the Russians, but maybe they didn’t think everyone would get out in time. The wind had been strong that night.
Brody’s gut burned as though a spark had taken hold and flared into a wildfire that was out of control within him. He didn’t have a good feeling about this. There was something he was overlooking. If he couldn’t figure it out, someone else might die.
“It looks like your company has arrived.” Jake came to a stop at the front door, noting the dusty white pickup parked not far away and two rangers at the front door checking the visitor for any weapons. “Poor Clark, he probably didn’t realize what he was getting into when he acepted the invitation to dinner.”
“Yeah. Thank God Rob Clark was able to get to Rebecca in time.”
Brody remembered watching the near hit-and-run—too far away to do anything—with frustration and helplessness. He would never have been able to forgive himself if something had happened to Rebecca that day at the hospital. She had been under his care. He owed this Rob a debt of gratitude.
Kim led the way to the stables to show Rob her horse, and Aubrey had insisted he see hers, too. Rebecca smiled at the small battle between the two sisters for the young man’s attention.
Rob paused at the first paddock, nearest the stables where Dusty, Kim’s pinto, was kept. Leaning against the fence, he watched the horse approach Kim, then nuzzle her hand for the treat she had brought for her mare. Rebecca came to Rob’s right side, and Tory flanked him on the left. Ranger Parker stood in the background, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.
“Ma’am, you have a nice spread. I’ve dreamt of settling down one day and getting myself a ranch. Not this big, though. A small one, to raise horses.” Rob looked from Tory to Rebecca.
“Not cattle?” Rebecca asked while Aubrey drew her small horse to her by presenting the flat of her palm, which held pieces of carrot.
“Let me show you the stables. We have two—a small one and another, larger one, where our more expensive horses are sometime kept. With all that has been happening, most of them are inside their stalls.” Tory started for the large stable, where Jake kept his office. “The cowhands use the smaller one when needed.”
“Why are the horses in their stalls?” Rebecca heard Rob ask her sister-in-law as they strolled toward the twenty-stall stable. She was surprised that Tory knew anything about the horses. She always stayed away as if she were afraid of the animals.
Thomas had been toying with breeding quarterhorses, but had not yet fully committed to the idea. Rebecca didn’t know what would happen now. Until Thomas was conscious and his health stronger, she would have to run the ranch with Jake’s help because Tory knew next to nothing about it.
Rebecca wanted to be involved. She watched until Kim and Aubrey had finished feeding treats to their horses, then joined them to follow Tory and Rob inside. Rebecca glanced back and found the ranger trailing about three yards behind them.
Aubrey took Rebecca’s hand, while Kim skipped ahead to catch up with Rob and Tory. “Why didn’t Mr. Calhoun come with us?”
“He got a phone call he needed to take. He may be down here when he’s throug
h.”
“I like him.”
“So do I, sweetie.”
“He likes you.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He’s always looking at you.”
“That’s because he’s making sure nothing happens to me.” She’d wished she didn’t have to say anything to either girl about what was going on, but she’d had to explain the protective detail at the ranch. Members of the detail even drove her nieces to school.
“Cuz he doesn’t want anything to happen to you like happened to Daddy? When will Daddy be home? I miss him putting me to bed, reading me a story.”
Rebecca swallowed hard, not sure how to answer Aubrey. “I can read you a story.”
“Not the same, Aunt Becky. When you do, you don’t use the voices like Daddy.”
“Why didn’t you say anything? I can try to do that.”
Aubrey stopped just outside the large stable and turned her face up to Rebecca. “It still wouldn’t be the same. Daddy’s always happy. He makes me laugh. You’re sad.”
“Oh,” was all Rebecca could say.
“But I love you anyway,” her younger niece quickly said to reassure Rebecca.
“I guess I’m going to have to have your dad teach me how when he gets better.”
“I’ve been praying every night for Daddy to wake up. Why isn’t God listening to me?”
Rebecca knelt in front of Aubrey and clasped her arms. “He’s always listening to us. He has His reasons. Maybe your daddy needs more rest. Sometimes we don’t always know what’s best for someone, but the Lord does. Keep praying.”
Aubrey bent over and kissed Rebecca on the cheek. “I won’t stop.”
“Good. We’ll shower heaven with our prayers.”
“You pray?”
“Every day.”
Aubrey whirled around and raced toward Tory, Rob, and Kim. Rebecca rose slowly, watching them. She was glad to see Tory smiling and the girls laughing at something Rob had said to them.
A tingling sensation skimmed down her body. A grin came to her lips. Rebecca didn’t have to look over her shoulder to know that Brody was behind her. She sensed him as though she was able to home in on him. Even when they were children, she’d always known where Brody was. When they’d played hide-and-seek, she’d always found him.
“Is everything all right?” she finally asked with a glance behind her.
“The DNA results came back from the crime scene at your house. We got a match.”
“You did? Who?”
“Alexandrov’s bodyguard, Nicholas Saldat.”
Rebecca stiffened. “Do you think Alexandrov was in my house?”
“We’re showing your neighbors his photo, along with the bodyguard’s.”
“Do you have a BOLO out on Saldat?”
“Yes. I want to move fast before Alexandrov finds out. Charlie thinks he has a location on the Saldat. If they get him, I’m going to the station to have a little conversation with him.”
“Ask him about both murders.”
“I will, but I don’t think he murdered the guy found behind the pawnshop. When I compared the scenes, I could see that although they were similar on the surface, there were too many differences in method and weapon.”
“He could have used a different weapon and method.”
“Yes, and I’m not totally ruling that out. But I’m leaving it open that there are two killers, not one.” Brody’s cellphone rang, and he answered the call with, “Calhoun here.”
He listened to the speaker on the other end, then said, “I’ll be there.”
When he disconnected the call, he grinned. “They’ve found Saldat. They’re bringing him in. I’ll let the security detail know where I’m going.”
“I’ve noticed them around more than usual.”
“The fire was a bold move. They don’t want to be caught unaware.”
“We all were caught unaware with the fire.”
“I’ll let you know what happens.”
As Brody walked toward Ranger Parker who stood not far away, Rebecca’s phone interrupted the quiet with the old-fashioned ringtone of a phone from forty years ago. When she answered, the caller identified himself as the prosecutor on the Petrov trial. She knew Barton well, having worked with him for a couple of years before she became a judge.
“Is there a problem?”
“No. In fact, the opposite. Petrov wants to cut a deal. He’ll testify against Alexandrov for immunity from prosecution. We’re drawing up the papers and want to make sure you’re on board. He can give us dates and information to place Alexandrov at the scene of several unsolved murders. Petrov’s trial can be over tomorrow.”
14
You’re going to have to have more than that to bring Alexandrov in.” Rebecca swung around to see if she could catch Brody before he left, but he was already gone.
“He’s kept an account of the hits. The voice on the recorder will match Alexandrov’s, or so he says. If the information doesn’t give us enough to convict Alexandrov, the deal is off the table. The Feds really want Alexandrov. Petrov is nothing compared to his brother-in-law, who ordered the hits. That innocent businessman Petrov killed wasn’t innocent. Petrov is giving us information on his involvement.”
“So why is Petrov doing this?” She asked the prosecutor on the phone.
“Alexandrov told him he would take care of him. That he wouldn’t see any prison time. After the prosecution presented its case, Petrov has seen that that’s not going to happen.”
“What do you want?”
“We’ll reduce his charge down to manslaughter. He’s been in jail almost a year since this began. When he goes into the Witness Protection Program, he’ll be under house arrest for the remaining years of his sentence. He’ll wear an ankle monitor. If he breaks any part of his sentence stipulations, he’ll go to prison to finish his term.”
Rebecca began walking away from the stable as Tory, Rob, and her nieces started for the exit. “Where he will most likely be killed.”
“Yes, and he knows that.”
“Send me the agreement first thing tomorrow morning. You do realize this will start all over with Alexandrov.” The thought of going through this again, especially when they were close to a possible conviction of Petrov, didn’t sit well with the prosecutor in her. But she also realized Alexandrov had to be stopped. He ruled with fear and intimidation and was quickly getting a tight grip on the area. They needed to stop him now and send a message.
“The Feds will be taking over his case. There are charges that go across state lines. In the short time Alexandrov’s been here, he has expanded quickly, even into some of the surrounding states and Mexico.”
“No wonder the Dos Huesos Cruzados Gang is so upset. They saw what was coming.”
“Yeah, a total takeover by the Russian Mafia.”
The girls hurried toward Rebecca. She lowered her voice and said, “I’ll see you first thing in the morning,” then clicked off before Kim and Aubrey were in earshot. The Petrov trial had already disrupted their lives far too much. She didn’t want it to intrude any more.
“Rob has to leave,” Kim said when she skidded to a halt. “I told him he could take home what was left of the carrot cake.”
“That’s a great idea.” Rebecca took the hand of each girl and fell into step with Tory and Rob.
For the first time in weeks the weight she had carried was lifted from her. Hope nipped at the edges of her mind. Just maybe things would return to normal soon, especially if Thomas awakened.
J. R. paced the floor of his rented house, waiting for the call. He should have heard something an hour ago. When the cellphone finally rang, he yanked it out of his pocket and flipped it open.
“It’s about time.” J. R. bit back the impatience surging through him. He wanted this over with.
“It’s all true. The Petrov trial is over. Petrov made a deal. Judge Morgan signed off on it and sent the jury home.”
“That means we go on to th
e next part of our plan.” Anticipation replaced his earlier impatience. Finally the end game.
“Yes, you know what to do. She thought her woes were because of the trial. She doesn’t know what heartache is. She will soon.”
“I’ve enjoyed throwing her off what is really going on, but I want her to know why in the end.”
“She will, but we’ll be out of the country with all the money by that time.”
When he disconnected, he placed a call. “Laura, this is Jim. I enjoyed our time together a few nights ago. How about going to dinner tomorrow? I found a nice restaurant I think you’ll like.”
“How about I treat you to dinner at my house? I love to cook and don’t get to that much. Living alone and cooking for one isn’t fun.”
J. R. grinned. “This guy isn’t gonna turn down a home-cooked meal. What time?”
“Seven.”
Perfect. This is going better than I thought it would. In the background he heard voices. A man said something about a job well done. Cheers followed his statement. “Where are you?”
“A few of us who worked on the Petrov case are out celebrating.”
“Have fun. See you tomorrow.”
When he ended the call, he sank onto a nearby couch, his smile growing. Because soon you won’t have any more fun.
“Who was that, Laura? You’re blushing,” Rebecca said. They were sitting in the Blue Bonnet Cafe not far from the courthouse.
“Jim. We’ve got a date tomorrow night.”
“What is this, the third date?” Detective Charlie Nelson scooped up some dip with his chip and popped it into his mouth.
“I didn’t realize you were keeping track. How did you know?”
Charlie tapped his temple. “I’m all-knowing. How do you think I solve my cases? You can’t keep much from me.”
Laura’s blush deepened, and Rebecca decided to come to her friend’s rescue. “What about you, Charlie? Who are you seeing?”
“No one. Who has time with all that’s been going on?”
Scorned Justice: The Men of Texas Rangers Series #3 (Men of the Texas Rangers) Page 18