While she made fresh coffee, Natalie reasoned that she knew he wasn’t a man who played women. But what kind of a message had she been sending him, waiting up for him as she had last night? No doubt he could sense how crazy she was about him—subconsciously she’d wanted it to happen. Any normal man would have made a pass, even a highly principled Texas Ranger. But she’d been so embarrassingly eager in her response...
The sound of the garage door lifting was music to her ears. Her cheeks felt hot just knowing he was here. When Kit walked in, she stayed busy emptying the dishwasher. “Hello, stranger,” she teased without looking at him. “Long time no see.”
“It seems like eons,” he drawled in his deep voice, sending ripples of delight through her. “I’ve come with some amazing news.”
She wheeled around and got caught in his all-encompassing gaze. “You’ve captured Alonzo Morales?”
“I wish that were the case. This is something else that directly affects you. Where’s Amy?”
“Taking a nap.”
“Then why don’t we sit down.”
Her heart thudded. “All right. Would you like coffee? I’m going to have some.”
“That sounds good.”
In her nervousness she spilled some of the hot liquid as she poured it into the mugs. After wiping up, she added cream and sugar and took them to the table. He held the chair out for her then sat across from her.
No more priest’s collar. The formality was killing her.
“Thanks for the coffee. This is what I’ve needed all morning.” He sipped the hot brew. “All right. Today I had a talk with Mr. Farbes, the attorney who handled the affairs of Gladys and Joseph Park. He was very interested to learn that the Parks have a living relative in Amy, and he will be contacting you and setting up a time to meet.”
The mug almost slipped out of her hand. “Are you talking about an inheritance?”
“Yes. I have no idea of the amount, but he did say that Joseph Park was very successful in his profession. I’m sure he’ll answer all your questions, but I wanted to tell you now so his phone call doesn’t surprise you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll gather my things.”
In a stupor-like state Natalie finished her coffee. It didn’t take Kit long to appear with his arms loaded. He went out to his car and came back in empty-handed.
She looked up at him, feeling the wrench of loss. He’d only been here temporarily, but her soul was already grieving to know he wouldn’t be staying with her anymore. “Again I find myself thanking you for everything. I never would have thought to inquire about Gladys’s financial situation.
“I keep thinking back to the graveside service. I was in a state of shock, but not for long because one of the legendary Texas Rangers came to my rescue and restored my world in a brand-new way. Don’t say you were just doing your job. I don’t want to hear it.”
His expression remained solemn as he responded. “I’ll text you every day to keep you informed about your case. I have every reason to expect we’ll catch Morales before the week is out. Then you can get back to work and Amy can go back to playing with her little friend across the street.”
A text? He didn’t even want to hear her voice? She supposed it was the perfect way for him to keep feelings and emotions out of the conversation. Perhaps he didn’t regret last night, but he was backing away so she wouldn’t get any ideas about it happening again.
“What about the camera at the front door?”
“We’ll leave it for now. There’s a chance it could still provide us with a clue. For the time being I’ll keep the key and the remote.”
But you won’t use it, her heart cried.
“Thanks again for the coffee. Enjoy your day and don’t worry. The arrests of Marcos and Juanita have been made public. The news is everywhere, so we can be pretty sure Alonzo will hear about it and make a mistake. When he does, we’re ready for him.”
Kit disappeared too quickly for her to say anything else. She had the crazy urge to run after him, but what good would it do to chase him? It would be too painful and humiliating. Apparently he’d quit her cold turkey and it was all her fault.
She went to her bedroom and changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Amy would be up soon and she would take her out to play in the backyard.
As she dressed Amy for play time, Natalie decided she would also take her laptop out to the patio table and pay bills. It would help fill her day.
When it was nearly time to go in for lunch, Natalie’s phone rang. It was a Colorado area code.
“Hello?”
“Mrs. Harris? This is John Farbes from Farbes and Lowell in Denver. We represent the estate of Gladys Park.”
“Oh, yes. Ranger Saunders told me you’d be calling.”
“Would it be possible for me to come to your home at noon tomorrow to speak with you about your daughter?”
“That would be fine.”
“He told you the reason?”
“He did, yes.”
“Good. I’ll see you soon, then.” The attorney confirmed Natalie’s address and suggested some of the documents she might want to have on hand for their meeting. “Thank you, Mrs. Harris.”
“Thank you.”
* * *
KEEP BUSY OR GO CRAZY.
Kit swung by the grocery store to do some shopping. Then he drove to his condo to put everything away. His sandwiches didn’t taste like Natalie’s. He drank half a quart of milk. Still not satisfied, he reached for the pack of chocolate-chip cookies. As he was opening it, his cell rang. The government number on the ID could mean several things.
“Ranger Saunders speaking.”
“This is Officer Walton at the jail. Juanita Morales’s arraignment before the judge is scheduled for three o’clock. She’s asked to speak to you first. Alone.”
Well, well, well. It sounded as if she was getting nervous. That was a good sign and worth his trouble to find out what she wanted before she headed to the courthouse.
A half hour later it was like déjà vu as he entered the interrogation room. He turned on his digital recorder.
Juanita didn’t display the attitude of the day before. Overnight she’d lost her confidence and looked pitiful in her shackles.
“You’re going to be taken before the judge within the hour. Say what you have to say.”
This time her eyes didn’t flash. They looked dull. “Did you mean what you said about cutting time off my sentence if I give you information?”
“That depends on how valuable it is.”
“Harold’s wife is in danger.”
Her statement burned like acid. “What makes you say that?”
“Alonzo and I were the ones who ransacked her house.”
“What were you looking for?”
“Four-hundred-thousand dollars and two guns. My brother was sure they were there, but we found nothing.”
That money has to be somewhere. “Tell me where he put the millions he helped Marcos embezzle from nine banks.”
“He lost most of it on bad investments and gambling.”
“Were you involved with Marcos?”
“No. I hated him.” That came as a surprise. “My brother should never have gotten mixed up with him.”
“How did they meet?”
“My fault. I had a boyfriend in Denver who was an accountant. I learned a lot from him. When my brother said he had a plan to escape prison if I helped him, I couldn’t turn him down. Our parents died early and he kept me alive. This was my way to pay him back. I drove him and Harold to Texas. When we got there, I needed a job.
“Marcos advertised for an accountant. I applied and he hired me. Before long I could see what he was doing and wanted to leave. He threatened to kill me if I didn’t do what he wanted. By then he knew my brother
was an escaped felon. They both used me.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“I didn’t kill Harold. I’ve never killed anyone.” The hard as nails woman teared up. Somehow Kit believed her. “My brother was furious because Harold had double-crossed him. Alonzo was the one who had the plan to escape eight years ago. He thought he could trust Harold. My brother put a gun to his head and gave him one last chance to tell him where the money was hidden before he blew his brains out.
“Harold swore it was in the house, hidden in a place no one would think to look for it.
“Alonzo called him a liar. My brother always did have a violent temper and he shot Harold just as he was about to tell him where to look. After we left the hotel he ordered me to go to Denver to find out if Harold had hidden the money with his grandmother. Alonzo needed that money to pay some gambling debts and he said if I didn’t go, he’d kill me.”
Kit checked his digital recorder to make certain everything was getting picked up. So far, so good. He looked at Juanita.
“Where did he hang out?”
“With friends in the back of Raul’s Billiards in Round Rock. I’m sure he’s not there now.” No, but it could give Kit a lead. “It took time to come up with a plan, but it put space between me and the police who were looking for me after Marcos was arrested.” She grimaced. “It was a wasted trip. Harold’s grandmother told me her life story, but there was no mention of the money.”
“Why did you go to her funeral service?”
“How do you know about that?”
“I have my ways.” Thanks to Natalie.
“I thought maybe I’d hear the pastor say something in passing about her belongings and where they’d been stored, but no such luck. I called my brother and told him.
“That’s when he said he was going back to Harold’s house, and he said that if Harold’s wife got in his way, he would kill her to get the money.”
Kit’s blood ran cold. He got to his feet while she was still speaking.
“That trip has put me in this hellhole. My brother won’t come to my rescue because I know too much now. After he finds the money, he’ll bribe someone to kill me in prison.”
Kit exhaled sharply. “I’ll see what I can do.”
He left the jail at a dead run. The second he got in the car he phoned Cy at headquarters. “Hey, bud. Big break in the case. I’ll explain after I’ve picked you up. Wait for me at the entrance to the underground parking. I should be there in five minutes.”
After ringing off, he phoned TJ and told him about Juanita’s confession. “I’m headed for Natalie’s to take her and Amy to my condo. I’m taking Cy with me to set a trap.” He would hide Cy in the back of his car.
“I’ll send a surveillance crew to your condo.”
“Will you also call Judge Leemaster? Tell him I have the recording of Juanita’s confession. She wasn’t the killer. I want him to keep that in mind.”
The proof on his digital recorder ought to persuade the judge to give Juanita some kind of break, no matter how small. When she’d talked about her brother, he’d seen real fear. The details of their childhood would probably be a horror story he wouldn’t wish on anyone.
“Consider it done. And, Kit? Watch your back.”
“I intend to.”
Chapter Nine
Natalie had just started a wash when she heard noises from the nursery. Amy had awakened from her nap and wanted out of the crib. At the same time she received a text on her phone and her heart leaped. Driving into the garage.
Kit had come again when she’d least expected it. He entered the kitchen like a man on a mission, his piercing gaze zeroing in on her. “Quick! I need to get you and Amy out of the house now. I’ll explain later. Cy is with me. He’s putting the car seat in my car. While you get Amy ready, I’ll load the playpen, the high chair and a few other things you might need.”
Within five minutes the three of them had gathered the most important items and clothes and put them in the trunk of Kit’s car. Amy called Kit’s name and he paused long enough to kiss her before settling her into her car seat with some of her favorite stuffed animals.
While the two Rangers went back into the house, Natalie sat next to her daughter to comfort her. “Kit will be right back. We’re going on an adventure,” she said, trying to calm her own pounding heart. They had to be in grave danger for him to burst into the house the way he had.
When he came out to the car, he was alone. He pressed the remote, then backed out onto the street. She noticed that the surveillance van had gone.
Kit talked Ranger business on his phone as he drove. Wherever he was taking them she’d find out when they got there. Amy chattered the whole time, excited to be doing something different. Without Kit around, Natalie realized she and her daughter had been going stir crazy in the house.
“We’re home,” Kit announced. They’d come to the area called Chimney Corners, not far from where Natalie lived. He pulled into the driveway of a town-house condo complex and drove into the garage.
They entered one of the units through the kitchen where he deposited the high chair. As he helped her get her things inside, she looked around the living room, spying some framed pictures of Kit and his family on the end tables. He’d brought them to his home. She’d wondered where he lived, never expecting to see the inside of it.
He set up the playpen so she could deposit Amy with some toys. “For the time being she can sleep in the playpen while you sleep on the couch. It’s amazingly comfortable, I promise. I’ll get you sheets and quilts. I’m afraid I only have two bedrooms upstairs and I use one as my office. It’s a small place, but perfect for me until I buy a home with horse property.”
She darted him a glance. “You think we might have to be here for a while?”
“I can’t predict.” He disappeared up the stairs and brought down bedding and pillows. “You can use the bathroom near the foot of the stairs. The fridge is stocked, so feel free to help yourself to anything.”
Natalie took Amy’s snacks and jars of baby food into the kitchen. Before long everything had been organized.
She went back to the living room where she found Kit playing with Amy. He’d taken her out of the playpen and was stacking blocks with her. The little girl loved the attention of the tall, handsome Ranger.
So do I, Natalie thought.
“Can you tell me what’s going on now, Kit?”
He looked over his shoulder before gravitating to one of the chairs. “I was called into the jail earlier. Juanita decided she wanted to make her confession in the hope the judge would go a little easier on her. She explained that her brother killed your husband because he’d double-crossed him.”
“That was your theory all along.”
“The confession substantiated it, but my blood chilled when she said Alonzo is convinced the money is still hidden in your house, and that he’s willing to kill you in order to get to it. Because Juanita’s arrest was publicized, she’s certain he’ll go back for it any time now.”
Natalie felt a shiver run down her spine.
“While you’re here, a surveillance crew will remain outside the condo for your safety. Cy will be at the house, waiting for Alonzo to break in, no matter how long it takes.”
“I’m sure Juanita’s brother isn’t working alone.”
“You let me worry about that.”
She sucked in her breath. “Won’t he see you letting yourself into my house?”
“That’s not the plan. One of the guys will drive a car with a real estate logo and put up a For Sale sign in your front yard with a number to call. After he leaves, we’re hoping Alonzo will think you’ve been frightened off. Believing that the house is vacant, he’ll come for the money. The ruse might work, but it might not. In any case Cy will be inside wait
ing for him. I’ll provide backup.”
“Where will you be?”
“In the big tree growing in the backyard on your neighbor’s property. On the first day I came to your house through the back, I noticed it would provide the perfect perch.”
Oh, Kit...
She opened the Little People Farm that Kit had grabbed for her to bring. Amy loved it and started arranging all the animals.
“I need your cell to call Mr. Farbes. He’ll have to put off his visit until Alonzo is captured.”
Natalie had forgotten all about the attorney. She reached for her purse and handed him the phone. While they talked, she got up and went into the kitchen to put some milk in Amy’s sippy cup in case she was thirsty. As she turned to go back to the living room with it, Kit was right there.
“Oh—sorry. I didn’t see you.” She would have run into him if he hadn’t steadied her shoulders with his hands. The contact shot darts of awareness through her body. “How did Mr. Farbes take the news?” She could hear her voice shaking.
Kit’s hands moved to her upper arms. He squeezed them before letting her go. Natalie wished he hadn’t touched her. “He’ll be happy to come when this nightmare is over.”
“I’m so glad you remembered.” She moved past him and returned to the living room. Amy saw her and raised her hands. “Mik.”
Kit was right behind her. “Milk,” he said back. “That was almost perfect, Amy.”
“As you’ve noticed, L’s and H’s are hard for her.” Natalie handed her the cup and sat on the floor next to her. Her pulse raced when Kit stretched out on the floor, too. His hard, lean body was too close.
With one hand propping up his head, he teased Amy by taking her animals away one at a time. When she grabbed one from him, he reached for another. They played back and forth until he had her giggling uncontrollably and she dropped the cup she’d been holding.
“I don’t believe my daughter has ever had this much fun.”
When he flicked his gaze to her, his eyes danced. “I haven’t, either. I know we planned to distance ourselves, but circumstances have thrown us together again and I find this little cherub to be excellent company.”
The Texas Ranger's Family Page 14