Taken in Texas

by Susan Sleeman

  “Does he give her another picture?”

  “Yes.” Cord held out the page.

  “Looks like the guy Billie Jo described, but I don’t think he resembles Herman at all.”

  “Agreed.”

  “We need to show this picture to her, too. And if he really did move to Lost Creek and rented an apartment, I should be able to find something on him.” Kendall went back to the computer.

  Cord kept reading the messages that continued after Phillip had arrived in town. “She arranged all of her dates via direct message.”

  “If the relationship was going well, then why didn’t they call each other?”

  “No idea. Can you give me the dates for the meals so I can cross-reference with the messages to be sure we have the right guy?”

  She flipped open her notebook and handed it to him before focusing back on the computer again.

  He ran down the dates and they matched. “She dined with Phillip each time, right up until this week. Nothing in the messages to indicate they had a falling-out.”

  “I’m not finding anything under that name. If he is here—”

  “Oh, he came to town, all right. The messages from Eve confirm that she enjoyed meeting him and was obviously falling for him,” Cord said reluctantly.

  “Then maybe he’s not really catfishing her. Or if he is, he’s using an assumed name for his living quarters.” Kendall grabbed her phone. “I’m calling Donald Edwards. He’s the cybercrimes task-force leader, and he might have new reports of catfishing scams in the area.”

  She dialed her phone and lifted it to her ear. “It’s Kendall McKade. Do you have a minute?”

  Cord continued reading the messages but kept an ear out for Kendall’s half of the conversation.

  “I’m looking for information on a Facebook catfisher. Classic sweetheart scam. Has there been anything recently reported on that?”

  Kendall was quiet for a long time, then said, “Okay, thanks. Let me know if you hear anything.”

  Cord looked up. “He have anything to report?”

  Kendall shook her head. “But I can text Reese’s picture to my FBI friend to get her to run facial recognition on him. If he’s in the system, we could have an ID before long, and this could all be over soon.”

  * * *

  Kendall stroked Beauty’s neck with the curry comb and sighed. Her friend hadn’t called back, and Matt was coming over soon to talk about what to do in the morning. She was frustrated. Cord was worried sick, and they were both getting cranky. Totally cranky, and she needed a quick break. From the case. From him. From her continual awareness of him.

  So she’d asked Granddad to come out here with her so she could spend time with Beauty. She could’ve come alone, but Cord would insist on accompanying her, and that would defeat the purpose.

  Footsteps sounded outside the open door, and she looked up to see Lucas stomping her way. He’d likely fought with Cord again. Gone was the easygoing mood of the morning.

  His sullen expression cleared when it landed on Beauty. “Can I help?”

  She smiled at him. “Sure.”

  He grabbed a comb with his good hand and came to stand next to her but didn’t move.

  She glanced at him. “Is everything okay?”

  “Okay? Nah. Like anything’s been okay since my parents died.”

  She stopped brushing to meet his gaze. “I’m so sorry about that, Lucas. It must be hard for you. I wish I could help.”

  “Don’t see how.” He sounded like a frustrated toddler. “If only I didn’t have to live with Cord.”

  His response wasn’t a surprise, but it was still painful to hear. “He loves you, bud. And wants the best for you.”

  He flashed her an as-if look.

  “You may not be able to see that right now but trust me. I’m a good judge of people. Cord’s the real deal. He loves you, and you should give him a break.”

  “I just... He... It’s his fault, you know. My mom and dad dying. He probably didn’t tell you that, did he? They weren’t supposed to be on that plane. He was. But he bailed at the last minute. Mom and Dad decided to go instead.” He jutted out his chin defiantly.

  She ignored his attitude. “But that doesn’t mean it’s Cord’s fault. God’s in control of life and death. Not Cord.”

  “God. Right.”

  “You don’t believe in Him?”

  “Did. Once.”

  “But not now?”

  He shrugged.

  She should probably leave this alone and let Cord handle it, but she couldn’t ignore the boy’s obvious pain. “Have you talked to your pastor about this?”

  He shook his head. “Cord’s been making me go to church every week, but I didn’t really feel like talking about it.”

  “And now?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “Our pastor is amazing,” she said, seizing the opening. “I could ask if he has time to talk to you.”

  “Maybe... I guess. If you think it will help.”

  “I do. I honestly do.” She circled her arm around his shoulder and held him close.

  She expected him to squirm away, but he didn’t.

  “Thought I’d find you down here.” Cord’s voice broke the connection, and Lucas pushed free. His expression closed down as he started brushing Beauty.

  Kendall went to Cord, took his arm to move him out of Lucas’s hearing and explained how he wanted to talk to a pastor.

  Cord’s eyes narrowed. “Now? Here? Can’t it wait until we get home?”

  She understood him wanting to put this off, but she felt a strong desire to make it happen. “At his age, he could change his mind in a flash. We should grab the chance while we can. Besides, our pastor is young and he gets along great with all the students, so Lucas might relate well to him.”

  Cord gnawed on his lip. “I suppose it can’t hurt.”

  “Let me call Mark to see when he’s free.” Kendall quickly dialed their pastor’s cell. When he answered, she gave him an overview of Lucas’s issue.

  “Youth group just ended, and I’m closing up the community center. You could bring him down here now if you want. We could shoot some hoops and talk. You know, a casual kind of thing.”

  “Perfect! We’ll be there as soon as possible.”

  Kendall ran back to the barn. “Granddad, can you finish grooming Beauty?”

  “Of course.”

  “Okay, Lucas, let’s go. Our pastor wants to shoot hoops with you at the youth center.”

  “Cool.”

  The three of them started up the path to the house, but Cord seemed like he was dragging his feet. He glanced at Kendall. “You should stay at the ranch.”

  “I want her to come with me.” Lucas lifted his chin, fairly demanding Cord to deny him.

  She didn’t want to do anything to stop Lucas from meeting with Pastor Mark, so she gave Cord a pleading look. “It’ll be fine.”

  He ran a hand over his hair and nodded. “But keep your eyes open.”

  She linked arms with Lucas and led him toward the parking area.

  “Can we take your patrol car?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.

  “Sure.”

  “Shotgun.” He scrambled inside the passenger’s seat the moment she unlocked the door.

  Cord didn’t look happy riding in the back seat, and she didn’t blame him, but Lucas came first right now. Cord checked around the vehicle for a GPS tracker and got in the back, but he didn’t complain or even scowl.

  Lucas spent the whole drive asking her questions about the car and her job, her father’s job as sheriff, and about law enforcement in general, talking about how cool it must be to be a deputy. She felt Cord’s eyes burning holes in the back of her head, and he was likely wishing that Lucas would be this excited about and interested in Co
rd’s job.

  She pulled up to the community center and parked by the front door.

  Lucas looked over the seat at Cord. “I want Kendall to come in with me and you to stay here.”

  Kendall’s heart creased over how badly that comment must’ve hurt Cord. She had to try to rectify it. “We both—”

  “Just you. Please.” Lucas’s pleading gaze nearly had her caving in.

  “I’ll escort you both inside.” Cord’s tone was tight. “And then I’ll come back to the car. Does that work?”

  “Yes.” Lucas bolted from the vehicle and slammed the door.

  “I’m sorry about that, Cord,” Kendall said.

  “It’s okay. If this is what Lucas needs right now, it’s the right thing to do, and I’ll get over it.”

  Kendall had never admired Cord more than she did at this moment. He was totally selfless when it came to Lucas, and she prayed God would honor that.

  Cord escorted them safely inside and walked away, with his shoulders just a bit lower than usual. Kendall wanted to run after him to give him a hug. Instead she plastered on a smile for Lucas and they went in search of Pastor Mark. They found him dressed in athletic attire, standing at the end of the hallway. She introduced them.

  “I’m warning you,” Mark said, a fiendish look in his eyes. “I’m crazy good at hoops.”

  Lucas laughed.

  “You two have fun. I’ll wait outside.”

  “Afraid we’d skunk you if you played?” Mark asked, but she could tell he was glad she planned to leave them alone to talk.

  She settled on a bench outside the door and glanced at the wall clock. Man. Only nine o’clock. She was so mentally exhausted, it felt like midnight. Standing in as a detective was more grueling than patrol. In a different way. It didn’t have the adrenaline highs that patrol brought. After all, each day she climbed into her squad car, she was putting her life on the line, and the day was made of decision after important decision. If she made even the slightest mistake, she could lose her life.

  She closed her eyes and rested her head against the cool concrete-block wall. She ran through the day’s events and the investigation again. She needed to figure out who in Eve’s circle might be smart enough to erase her computer and phone history so thoroughly. Sure, you could get programs online pretty easily, but it still took some understanding to pull it off, so she had to believe their suspect possessed some technological skills. But his identity was as much of a mystery tonight as when she’d been attacked.

  A noise sounded nearby, and she opened her eyes, catching sight of the big wall clock. She was surprised to see an hour had passed while she was thinking. She glanced down the hall, half expecting that Cord had given up on waiting in the car and had come inside, but the hallway was empty.

  She sighed. He had to be hurting. And he’d already been through so much pain. She closed her eyes again and lifted him, Lucas and Eve up in prayer.

  She sat quietly and thought about all that had recently transpired. Could she be confusing her Christian concern for Cord for feelings for him? Could she even separate the two emotions? Being a Christian was who she was. It informed her life and everything she did. Why would this be any different?

  She heard a footstep. Thinking the session was over, she opened her eyes and put on a smile to greet Lucas.

  A man wearing a ski mask stood before her instead. He held a handgun focused on her.

  Instinct kicked in. She reacted. Launched herself at him and prayed. Prayed hard that she didn’t lose her life.

  FIFTEEN

  A gun’s report split the quiet.

  Cord’s heart almost stopped.

  Lucas. His last family member who was safe. He was in there with a gunman. And Kendall. His Kendall. She wasn’t carrying. He was certain of that.

  Cord bolted from the car and drew his weapon.

  He wanted to shove the front door open and race inside, but he had to take his time. He couldn’t help any of them if he allowed himself to be shot.

  He glanced in the glass front door. Saw Kendall down on the floor. The gunman nowhere in sight.

  He jerked the door open. “Kendall!”

  “I’m fine. We scuffled. He got off a shot before I disarmed him. He took off out the back.”

  Cord charged inside and turned the lock behind him so the shooter couldn’t come back through that door. He jogged down the hallway to Kendall.

  She was getting to her feet. “He wore a mask, but he was the right size for the intruder at Eve’s house.”

  The gym door opened, and Mark poked his head out.

  “We’re all clear,” Cord said. “Lucas okay?”

  “Fine.”

  Cord picked up the shooter’s gun and gave it to Kendall. “I’m going after him. Lock the door behind me and call in backup.”

  Lucas poked his head out. “I heard the gunshot. Be careful, Cord.”

  Cord ruffled Lucas’s hair on the way past. “You got it, kid.”

  Lucas smiled up at Cord, and he wanted to let the shooter go and hug this kid, who actually seemed to care about him at the moment, but Cord had a job to do.

  He raced toward the back door and slipped into the quiet that was suddenly usurped by a motorcycle engine. He caught sight of the glowing taillight as the full-size bike roared out of the lot and careened onto the street. Cord couldn’t make out the plate, but he did see the bike was black with red detailing and shiny chrome trim.

  Cord came to a stop. He couldn’t catch this guy and there was no point in trying. He would make sure the scene was processed for forensic leads, though. Turning back toward the building, his thoughts went to Eve. If this man had escalated to using a gun, that wasn’t a good sign for his aunt. He didn’t want to think the guy had killed her, but the idea wouldn’t leave him alone.

  Father, please. Please let Eve be okay. I couldn’t handle it if I lost her, too.

  His gut ached so powerfully, it nearly took Cord down. He reached for the door handle and took a few moments to compose himself so he didn’t freak Lucas out and then knocked for Kendall to let him in. She opened the door and he noticed Pastor Mark and Lucas were standing off to the side, deep in conversation.

  “Shooter took off on a motorcycle,” Cord said.

  Kendall lifted troubled eyes to him. “Something’s weird about this. He didn’t bother to hide his face when he sideswiped me the other night, so why suddenly put on a mask?”

  “This’s a public place, and he could be concerned others might see him.”

  “Yeah, I suppose, but the place is all but deserted. Still bothers me, though.”

  “You think it wasn’t the same guy?”

  “His build was right.” She fidgeted with her hands, but suddenly crossed her arms as if she didn’t want him to see this incident had impacted her. “I’m sure you’re right. He was worried about others seeing him.”

  Cord didn’t like how defeated she sounded, but as he was about to discuss it, fists pounded on the front door. He saw her brother Matt and Seth through the glass.

  “I’ll let them in.” Cord brought Matt and Seth up to speed, and Kendall shared details of the attack.

  The mere thought of her nearly taking a bullet made Cord’s blood run cold, but hearing about it in graphic detail was simply too much, and he had to take several long breaths to keep himself under control.

  “Okay, I’ll take it from here.” Matt met Cord’s gaze and held it. “I want you to escort Kendall directly back to the ranch. Got it?”

  Cord nodded as he didn’t trust himself to speak. He took Kendall’s arm and called for Lucas. He came running and bolted for the door. Kendall moved slowly. Cautiously. Worry shadowed her beautiful eyes. She took in a long breath and blew it out, then lifted her lips in an attempted smile that fell flat.

  With everything in his inner being, Cord
wanted to lean down and kiss away her fear. Her worry. Find a way to take her fear on himself and make her smile, that glorious, dazzling smile he remembered from the past. But he couldn’t. What he could do was get her safely to the car and home to the ranch.

  He rested his hand on her shoulder for a moment, then slid it down to take her hand. Before she could balk, he started for the vehicle at a quick clip, feeling her struggling to keep up, but he couldn’t slow down. No, that was wrong. He could, but he wouldn’t and leave her exposed out in the open for longer than necessary.

  She dug out her keys, her hands trembling. The sight of her slender fingers shaking stole nearly the last of Cord’s resolve not to sweep her into his arms. He swallowed hard and took her keys.

  She opened her mouth as if to argue, but he turned her toward the passenger side and prodded her in that direction with a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t speak, but at the door she eyed him for a long moment.

  Lucas stepped in and opened the passenger door. He took her hand and helped her get settled. She smiled at him with a pleased look, the smile that Cord wanted and now hoped he’d see directed at him someday. He was thankful for her kindness to Lucas and for his nephew’s stepping up. He closed the door.

  “Thanks for wanting to take care of her,” Cord said.

  “She’s totally cool.”

  “Agreed.”

  “You, like, have a thing for her?”

  “Maybe.” If Cord was totally honest, he’d say most definitely, but he didn’t want Lucas to think she might become part of their life.

  “Don’t hurt her,” he said with maturity far beyond his years and climbed into the back of the car.

  Cord took his place, feeling mighty comfortable behind the wheel of a Lake County patrol car again as he drove toward Trails End. Now that he was back in Lost Creek, he had to admit he missed the community and wouldn’t mind living a slower lifestyle again.

  He glanced at Lucas in the back seat. He seemed to like ranch living, but would he want to move away from his friends to live in a rural community? Cord doubted that, and he wouldn’t do anything to upset Lucas’s life any more than it had been.