Double Cross (22 page)

8:15 A.M. THURSDAY

After informing his grandparents about the condition of their home, Daniel persuaded them to change hotels again with police protection and an exchange of nursing staff. Exhaustion punched his body, and his wrist stung. In his twenties, he’d have barreled through the day. Fat chance of making it through the next few hours with any logic before taking some downtime. Maybe he needed to increase his workout, build up his endurance.

His thoughts drifted to Laurel. For the first time, he understood why she pushed him away. She believed she was unworthy of love
 
—from God or him
 
—stemming back to when her parents were killed and she’d been powerless to save them. Sad. She had so much to offer, but she didn’t see it. Her past only made him more determined to show his caring, fast growing into something more. After all, she didn’t refuse his offer to escort her to the stables as Krestle the bodyguard.

When Daniel reached his temporary home in last night’s disguise, Wilmington was leaving in his Mercedes with his driver. No surprise there. The man kept strange hours. Daniel waved and waited for him to pull out of the driveway. Wilmington parked and stepped out.

“Morning.” Daniel exited and walked his way.

“Need anything beside a good night’s sleep?”

He laughed. “World peace.”

“I’ll second that. She didn’t get hurt, right?”

Daniel shook his head. The man had feelings for Laurel, maybe even loved her. It was evident in the way his tone changed when he spoke of her. Hard to understand, considering their history. “She’s at home resting, and we’re taking a ride out to the stables later.”

“That horse is like your Harley.”

“So your men have been inside my garage?”
And are they responsible for the bomb in my truck?

He shrugged. “I believe in being thorough.”

Daniel was too tired to argue. “It’s my way to escape the pressures of life. Are you playing golf?”

“Breakfast. Want to come along?”

“Not this morning. I need sleep.” Daniel studied the man neither he nor Laurel could trust. Manipulation? Deceit? He smiled. “I’ll cook tomorrow. I can do mean waffles.”

“Sounds good. Why is a bright man like you working a beat instead of a detective’s desk?”

“First of all, I’m not bright. Just an average police officer on loan to the FBI.” He drew in a breath. “Right now this is what God wants me to do. It’s not about how many crimes I prevent or how many people I help. My significance is in being available for whatever’s needed.”

“I see you one day as Houston’s police chief.”

“We’ll see.”

“Get some rest. Need you carrying the flag. Two minds are always better than one,” Wilmington said. “And when God’s in charge and minds have the same goal, how can we lose?”

He climbed back into his car, and the driver sped away.

Daniel had an errand to finish before resting
 
—running the fingerprints on the ballpoint pen in his pocket. He’d gotten permission from SSA Preston to take it to the police lab. Even if the original holder of the pen wore latex, leather, or fabric gloves, forensics had ways of detecting the print by matching friction
ridges, the butt of a palm, the body’s natural oils, or telltale ID on the object. Criminals often preferred the tight fit of a latex glove, which over time offered more identification possibilities. If a print belonged to Messner, Cayden, or Fields, evidence piled against the threesome and made for a solid reason to bring Cayden in. He startled. Banking on a ballpoint pen for evidence and recalling experience in law enforcement revealed his lack of sleep.

The early morning intruder had pro written all over him. Anyone who could bounce back from a bullet that fast was wearing something stronger than Kevlar. He’d read about various new fibers stronger than the department-issued body armor. Possibly Zylon. Transparent and flexible, making it easier for the wearer to move. Expensive, which meant the scammers were backed by high dollars.

He reached into his truck for a bottle of water and three Tylenol. Where was this all leading? Doubts about Wilmington assaulted him like bullets.

1:30 P.M. THURSDAY

Daniel slept hard for three hours until his phone alarm jarred his peaceful world. He had one hour before picking up Laurel, and although he didn’t want to crawl out of bed to shower, he wanted to be with her more.

As he forced himself awake, the thought of someone getting to her by doing damage to her horse crossed his mind. Worked in
The Godfather
. Pretty low blow, but Daniel would suggest housing her horse at another stable. In the middle of brushing his teeth, he texted Wilmington. If the bad guy had access to Laurel’s personal life, he’d target her horse.

Do u have a man on phantom?

Should have thought of that. on it

One of Wilmington’s men would be watching Laurel and him this afternoon. Better one armed man on their side than a shooter with a nervous trigger finger. Of course, that implied he trusted Wilmington, and he didn’t.

Laurel met Daniel at the door looking far more rested than he felt. Dressed to ride, she put purpose into gorgeous. How this woman could make it through a shootout and look this good amazed him.

“Mr. Krestle, you look more tired than I am.”

“I’ve been busy. The FBI lab couldn’t lift any prints other than Gramps’s from the pen.”

“But we’re keeping at it, and it is a source of evidence.”

“Thanks. I needed a boost to my ego.”

They climbed into his BMW and headed out of town.

“I checked just before you got here, and the FBI sweep hasn’t found a thing on the hospital shooter,” she said. “The blood sample will take a few days even with a rush. And the DNA tests won’t be available until the end of next week. Do these people ever slip?”

“You and I are a pitiful case, gunshots and sleep-deprived. Yes, they slip, and we’ll find them.”

“We’re battle scarred, Daniel. Have you talked to Wilmington today?”

He laughed. “Have you been spying on me?”

“I’m a good FBI agent. So you did.”

Daniel told her about Wilmington this morning. “He’s putting a man on Phantom.”

She whipped her attention to him. “Hadn’t thought about my stallion.”

“Want to move him?”

“I’ll make the arrangements this afternoon.”

“Wilmington’s man will be watching.”

She nodded. “I have to do what I can. The FBI doesn’t have an animal protection division. Wilmington never had a problem killing a man. He wouldn’t think twice about harming a horse.”

Daniel reached for her hand in the car. “We’ll ride this out to see what side of the fence he falls on. My vote’s for a life sentence.” He refused to mention Wilmington’s feelings for her.

The countryside welcomed them, but Daniel had a difficult time enjoying nature. “Are you meeting with Cayden tonight?”

She nodded. “Wilmington says we’ll find out about the fund-raiser. I want to know how the money’s being laundered. Fields is supposed to be there too, but I don’t see how.”

“I expect to learn she’s dead. No one could survive those wounds without medical care.” He paused. “Doctors can be forced
to treat someone at gunpoint. But we don’t have any reports of missing or dead doctors either.”

At the stables, the aroma of fresh hay and horse pulled Daniel back to the days when he and his grandparents rode horses. They walked down the long row of stalls, admiring the splendid display of horseflesh.

“I should have asked if you rode,” she said.

“I’m a Texas boy. Until six years ago, Gran and Gramps had a small ranch near San Antonio. Beautiful rolling acres
 
—a lazy creek, a few longhorn cattle, a half-dozen quarter horses, and a huge log cabin. We spent many weekends and summers there. Gran and Gramps taught me how to fish, shoot, and use a bow and arrow.”

“You learned how to hunt too? I should have guessed that with your game room.”

“Gran can bring a deer down and grill a mean venison steak.”

“Make sausage too?”

“Of course. We’ve done it all. When I was four, they had a leather jacket made for me from one of our hunting trips.”

“You had such a wonderful life.” She paused. “So did I until the tragedy. I must keep the good memories intact. Without them, I’ll grow into a bitter old woman.” She drew in a breath. “At least I’m telling myself that now.”

At Phantom’s stall, she wrapped her arms around the horse’s neck, whispering to the animal like Daniel wished she’d do to him.

“He’s a beautiful stallion,” he said. “No wonder you’re devoted to him. But I’ll keep my distance until he’s okay with me.”

“I’ll convince him you’re a good guy.” She patted the stallion’s neck. “I’ve always called him my boyfriend.”

“How can a guy measure up to a white stallion who can do no wrong?”

“That’s the point.” She laughed.

Daniel helped her saddle Phantom the best he could. Between his wrist, her shoulder, and an awareness of a stallion’s temperament
 
—they were clients for a nursing home.

“I need a horse to ride,” he said.

“Phantom is buddies with a gelding.”

“Perfect. No repeats of the last time you rode alone.”

“As if you could stop a sniper.”

“We have an extra pair of eyes, remember?”

She nodded. “True. Let’s get one of the hands to saddle you up. I don’t want to attempt it again.” She disappeared to the office.

When a mount was ready, the two rode out into the pasture. Dazzling sunshine met them, along with trees still green. But the cooler temps marked Daniel’s favorite time of the year. He pointed to a couple of squirrels scampering over branches but saw her distraction. “What happened back there?”

“I’m thinking before I spill my guts.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“We can work through it together.”

“Okay.” Her gaze stayed fixed ahead. “Probably need to record that. Might never hear it from me again.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“The stable hand told me a man stopped by last week and requested information about Phantom. Said he wanted to make an offer on him.”

Daniel wasn’t surprised and didn’t think she was either. “Did he leave contact information?”

“No. Asked for mine and got it.”

“Description?”

“Bald and muscular.”

“Not good, and no one meeting his description has crossed my path,” Daniel said. “Glad you’re having Phantom transferred until this is over.”

“Me too. This has gotten way too personal.”

“Would you like to take a walk around the pond?”

They dismounted and made their way through thick grass. “I do fish,” she said. “Miss Kathryn used to take me. Never mind
how I felt about slimy bait and cleaning guts. She gave me her favorite cornmeal breading, forced me to fry ’em up.”

“You’re kidding. I see a fishing trip in our future.”

She stopped. “Are you sure?”

He understood exactly what simmered beneath her words. “Any girl who can clean and fry fish hits the top of my list, especially one who can also use a gun.”

Her cheeks flushed, or was the color due to the afternoon sun? Whatever the reason, he enjoyed it very much. Daniel stepped closer, his attention on her nut-brown eyes, her flawless skin. He wanted to kiss her. But that would risk a bullet in both of them. Instead he backed up.

“Thanks,” she whispered. “Daniel, I need time to think about us. Too much too soon.”

Her words sparked reality. “I understand. Forcing a relationship will push you away and distract us from what we need to do.”

“One of us could make a mistake while worrying about the other. I couldn’t survive losing another partner.”

He smiled. “You’re one smart woman. Ready to head back? Being alone with you is tempting. All this nature stuff is driving me nuts.”

At the stables, Laurel frowned at Phantom. “He’s missed me. I can tell by the way he keeps nudging me. I’m going to brush him down the best I can.” She pointed to the end of the stables, where Daniel had seen a vending machine earlier. “If you’ll get us a couple bottles of water, I’ll get started. May take a while with one hand.”

“Ah, the horse over me. I know where I rank.” He left her alone to search for cold water. A driver unloaded feed from a pickup, and the young stable hand stacked it in a corner. Daniel listened to the conversation.

“You’re new to the delivery service,” said the hand, who couldn’t be much more than eighteen. “Early too. Wasn’t expecting the feed until Tuesday.”

“Just following orders.”

“Don’t I know it.” The hand spit a wad of tobacco juice, then examined one of the bags. “The feed’s a different brand.”

Daniel’s ears perked. The conversation continued about the weather. When the driver said his good-byes, Daniel typed in the license plate number on his phone. He approached the young hand.

“Yes, sir,” the hand said. “How can I help you?”

He stuck out his hand. “C. W. Krestle. I have a few questions concerning the delivery you just received.”

“Why?”

“I’m part of an investigative team who’s looking for an operation that poisons horses.”

The hand’s eyes widened. “The boss isn’t here, and I don’t want to get into trouble.”

“I agree. Taking chances can mean a mistake.”

He grinned, reminding Daniel of a fence post–thin cowboy from the Old West. “Craziest thing,” the young man said. “I don’t have feed on this week’s order, and it’s a brand we don’t use. Not even delivered on the right day.” He bent to read the label. “Not a good blend for our horses either.”

“I’d like to have this tested before you use it. Why take the chance?”

The young hand paled. “Really.”

“Can I take a bag with me? Don’t let anyone use these others. In fact, do you have your boss’s number? I’ll call him.”

He produced a card. “What kind of lowlife poisons horses?”

Daniel lifted a brow. “Read the news. They’re all over the place. Sometimes they add people to their list of victims.”

“What if the delivery guy returns?”

“Be friendly and call 911.”

Daniel phoned in the license plate number and hoisted a bag of feed to his shoulder, gritting his teeth with the pain in his wrist. Between the man inquiring about purchasing Phantom and the possibility of tainted feed, Laurel would be ready to take her horse home.

“You were gone a long time,” she said, brushing Phantom’s mane. “Thanks for the water. What are you doing with that sack of feed?”

He explained what happened. “Once Phantom is in a temporary hiding place, I’ll get the feed tested.”

“License plate number?”

“Already called it in.”

She leaned against the stallion. “I understand the old psychology thing about getting to me via those things that matter.” She frowned. “I’m ready to unload my Glock on whoever’s responsible.”

Daniel hated not knowing the scammer’s plan. “We just need to find out who is responsible.”