Secrets of the Lynx (21 page)

Kendra took a breath and forced herself to focus on the case. “Do you have anything new for us, Preston?” she asked.

“Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do. I found out where Miller was staying, a motel not far from here. That’s now named in the search warrant. It’s my next stop, and I thought you’d want to come with me and take a look around.”

“You bet,” she said without hesitation.

With Preston in the lead car, they made their way southeast across Hartley.

“We’re close to finding the answers,” she said softly. “Can you feel it?”

He nodded. “Yeah. It’s something that starts in your gut, then all your senses become fine-turned. Smell, taste, everything becomes super sharp. There’s no other feeling like it. Well, maybe one.”

She laughed. “Stay on track. Even with Miller sidelined, we’ve never been in more danger. Whoever hired Miller will throw everything he’s got at us now.”

“I know.”

“There’s something I need to do.” She took a long, deep breath. “If we run into trouble, you’ll need the authority to act in an official capacity, using deadly force if necessary. I have special deputation authority, so I’d like to swear you in.”

“All right,” he said with a nod.

“As soon as we get to the motel, we’ll make it official,” she said.

Ten minutes later they arrived at an upscale motel at the junction of two main city streets that merged onto the highway leading out of Hartley. The five-story building was roughly stuccoed with a Mediterranean look that included balconies and a red slate roof. The landscaping was immaculate, even for this time of year, and a sign proclaimed the presence of an indoor pool, sauna and gym.

“Guess Miller doesn’t like to rough it,” she said.

“In his shoes I wouldn’t have stayed in a cheap dump either. Those attract low-end criminals, generate trouble and, ultimately, the police. Here, the room rates alone guarantee him more privacy.”

Once out of the car, Kendra saw Preston parked just ahead, talking on his radio. While he finished his business, she stood before Paul. “Are you ready to be sworn in?”

“Absolutely.”

“Raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear to faithfully execute the duties of a U.S. Marshal, so help you God?”

“I do,” he said, his voice strong and clear. Something in the tone made Kendra realize just how much he still missed his old job.

“It’s like a step back in time for you, isn’t it? I’m—” She started to say she was sorry, but the last thing Paul wanted was her sympathy. She fell into an uneasy silence.

“I do miss the job,” he said, “but I meant it when I said I wouldn’t go back even if I could. When I first started my business, I saw it as a temporary thing, something to keep me distracted while I sorted myself out, but I’ve made a place for myself in Hartley. Now that Grayhorse Investigations is turning a steady profit, I’m going to accept the offer Daniel made me when I first opened my agency’s doors. He wanted to merge our companies and make it a family-owned business. I didn’t jump in back then because I didn’t feel I was bringing enough to the table, at least in comparison to him, but he said he’d be ready whenever I was. Now I am.”

“It sounds perfect, you two working together,” she said. “It would also broaden your options, wouldn’t it?”

“Yeah,” he said with a smile. “I’d get to do more field work, which is something I’ve wanted.”

Preston stood by the side door and waved. “You two coming, or taking a vacation?”

Paul laughed. “Let’s go.”

A few minutes later they entered a large, ground-floor room close to the rear exit of the main structure. “Fancy model laptop,” Preston said, glancing at the corner desk across from them.

Kendra walked across the thick carpet, then stopped and studied the computer without touching it. “This could have information that’ll lead us to whoever hired Miller. I’d like to take a quick look.” Seeing Preston nod, she turned it on with a gloved hand.

As they waited for the computer to boot up, she helped Paul and Preston search the room. In the closet were two gun cases, one with two nine millimeter autoloader pistols and spare, loaded magazines, and the other containing a .308 caliber bolt action Remington rifle with fifty rounds of hunting ammunition. There were also several small pistol and rifle targets, a hunting knife, New Mexico large game hunting flyers and two forest service maps of area woodlands.

Kendra noticed the hunting jacket and red vest on a hanger in the closet. “With deer season coming up, no one around here would have questioned all this stuff.”

Kendra returned to the computer screen and tried to access the files, but kept getting an enter password screen. “It’s encrypted. I can’t get in without risking triggering a program that’ll wipe everything clean,” she said at last. “Do either of you know anyone who can hack into this thing?”

“Daniel,” Preston and Paul said at once.

“Your brother’s a computer geek?” she said.

“That’s not how he’d express it, but, yeah, you bet,” Paul said. “He’s also got some top-notch techs on his payroll.”

“The fewer people involved, the better,” she said. “Did you happen to include an electronic device search on that warrant of yours, Preston?”

“Sure did. With today’s criminal element, it’s almost automatic when we conduct a search. And there’s no problem using Daniel. The Hartley P.D. hires him all the time to do specialized work, so it’s mostly a matter of getting the right signatures on the paperwork.”

“This should have gone to the marshals service directly, but without knowing the good guys from the bad, I don’t want to risk it,” Kendra said. “I’ve got to think outside the box now.”

Preston reached for the computer, but just then his cell phone rang. He took a step back, spoke hurriedly, then hung up. “Miller’s awake,” he said. “The doc says we can question him, but not for long. Supervisory Inspector Thomas is already out of recovery and has been moved into a private room.”

“Miller’s a target now, and with an informant on the inside, his employer may already know where he’s at,” Kendra said. “We have to move him to a secure location before all hell breaks loose.”

“Here’s what I can do,” Preston said. “If his doctor consents, we can move Miller to a small but well-equipped clinic on the Rez. I’ve got a place already in mind. I’ll tell only a few key people, including my boss, and keep the relocation under wraps that way.”

“He’s my prisoner. I have to be in on the transfer,” Kendra said.

“All right. I’ll set it up. Where will you two be sleeping ?” Preston asked.

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” Kendra said.

“I have an idea. You’re both still in the crosshairs, and I’m betting neither of you has had a good night’s sleep in days,” Preston said. “I know a place where you’ll be safe. The Wilson brothers have a large, secure house. One’s a former cop, and the other two are currently with the department. They let us use the place whenever we have a high threat situation. It’s strictly for emergencies, but you’ll have two cops keeping watch, plus George.”

“George Wilson went blind after an accident and was forced to retire, right?” Paul said.

“Yeah, but he can hear someone breathing at twenty-five yards. In the dark he’s more aware than either you or me.”

“Refocused senses. It works that way sometimes.” Paul glanced at Kendra. “George’s brothers, Jake and Hank, could bench press a horse, too. Those guys are
big
.”

“No one messes with them,” Preston said, “but you two won’t be able to use the same room. The Wilsons are very straitlaced about things like that.”

“I remember. Their dad’s a preacher,” Paul said, then added, “I see no problem with that. They’ve always shown respect for Navajo ways, and I can do the same for theirs.”

“Me, too,” Kendra said. “Give us the address.”

* * *

T
HERE WAS A
big iron gate at the walled entrance to the Wilson home, but as Paul and Kendra drove up, it swung open to the inside and Paul was able to drive in without stopping. Their headlights soon swept past an enormous, blue-uniformed cop standing on the far side of the covered porch.

“Talk about security, it’s barely four in the morning and they’ve already got someone outside. Which of the brothers is he?” Kendra asked.

“That’s Hank. He must have been pulled off duty.” Paul parked his pickup next to a Hartley patrol car. “Come on. I’ll introduce you,” he said, stepping down from the truck as the gate clanked shut behind them.

When Hank came up to meet them, flashlight in hand, Kendra suddenly realized just how big he really was. Paul was over six feet tall, but Hank Wilson was half a head taller, and must have weighed two fifty. He was the kind of backup someone like her would have wanted when walking into a Denver biker bar. If Hank had played sports, she could easily imagine him as a defensive end.

Paul bumped fists with Hank, then introduced Kendra.

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am,” Hank said, his voice almost soft despite the deep tone. “It’s all copacetic out here at the moment. I’ll be watching the grounds but I’ll try not to make any noise. You two don’t have to worry. Just catch up on your sleep, okay?”

“Thanks. Jake and George inside?” Paul asked.

“Copy that. Just ring the bell when you go to the door, okay? Anyone who knocks gets a pistol waved in their face.”

“Good to know,” Kendra said. “Nice to meet you, Hank.”

“You too, ma’am. Good night.”

As they stepped up onto the porch, Kendra waited while Paul reached for the doorbell. “If the other brothers are like Hank, they’re really on the ball. And polite,” she added with a smile.

The door opened just a crack, and they both turned at the sound. “Preston?” a deep voice asked.

“No, Paul and Marshal Armstrong,” Paul said, noting Kendra’s puzzled reaction.

“Just testing to make sure everything’s okay. Come on in, you two,” Jake said, opening the door. As they stepped in, the man, maybe an inch shorter than Hank, placed his handgun back into his holster.

“I’m Jake, Shorty to my brothers,” he said with a smile, nodding to Paul, then offering his massive hand to Kendra.

“I’m Kendra, Kendra Armstrong. Thanks so much for your hospitality on such short notice, Jake,” she said, surprised by the gentleness of his handshake.

“Pleased to be of help, ma’am,” Jake said. “Make yourself at home. You two will be as safe as babies tonight.”

“Appreciate your help,” Paul said, looking around at the big room. The overstuffed chairs and two sofas in the living room were arranged in a half circle around a cozy, blazing pellet stove a few feet from a brick wall. Mounted on the wall itself was a big screen TV, and against another wall were a digital music center and wooden shelves with CDs.

“Thought I heard a racket,” a soft, pleasant voice called from the kitchen side of the room. Kendra turned and saw the oldest giant of the Wilson brothers. George wore shaded glasses and picked his way past a massive oak table and chairs with certainty.

“Would you two like something to eat? I’m a good cook, if I say so myself. When you can’t see, taste becomes more important.”

“Actually, I’m beat. If you don’t mind, I’d rather call it a night, or morning, I guess, and get some sleep,” she said.

“Sure.” George led the way down a short hall, then opened the door.

There’d been no hesitation. “You knew precisely where the door and the knob would be,” Kendra said, surprised.

“I know this house like my own heartbeat. I can tell when something doesn’t sound right, or if anything’s been taken away or added to any of the rooms,” George said. “If anyone’s outside beside my brothers, I’ll know that, too, maybe even before Hank and Jake. When blindness took away my sight, the good Lord gave me other gifts.”

“This room is great. Thank you,” Kendra said, glancing around.

“Clean sheets, fresh towels. If you need anything else, just call. I won’t be far.”

“Thanks,” Kendra said. “There is one thing. I’ll need to be up at eight. Is there an alarm clock?”

“Jake will knock on your door at that time,” George said.

“Great. Then we’re all set.”

As the men left, Kendra sat down on the edge of the king-sized bed. This could be the last night she’d be working with Paul. The thought felt like a heavy weight over her heart. She hadn’t come to Hartley wanting, or even hoping, to fall in love, but her heart had made other plans.

After undressing down to her underwear, she crawled beneath the covers and switched off the light.

Despite her exhaustion, for a long while all she could do was stare into the dark. Everything inside her hurt. She didn’t want to go back to her empty apartment in Denver, then try to tell herself that Mr. Right didn’t exist. He did—he’d just come with pre-existing conditions.

Paul couldn’t give her his whole heart, and even if she could have accepted it for herself, it wasn’t fair to the family she’d eventually have. When it came to love and family, it was all or nothing.

With silent tears running down her face, she gradually faded into a deep, dreamless sleep.

* * *

S
HORTLY AFTER BREAKFAST
they left the Wilsons’ home and headed to the hospital. Things were already well underway there, and soon, they were ready to transport Miller.

Two vehicles pulled out of the ambulance port, a sheltered bay that provided quick access to the emergency room. Preston and another officer led the way in a large black SUV with tinted windows. Paul followed, driving the ambulance, with Kendra at his side.

Kendra wore a protective vest, and the short barrel of a shotgun rested between her feet, visible to anyone who passed by on the passenger side of the ambulance in a high-profile truck or van.

“This time of the morning we won’t be facing much traffic. Most of the coal mine and power plant employees have already changed shifts,” Paul said.

“We’ve got a good plan, and even if we do draw fire, we have the advantage. They’ll assume Miller’s with us and that’ll buy your brother time to get him away safely. I only wish we could have had an escort behind us, as well, but Preston’s right. It would have looked like a VIP motorcade and attracted too much attention.”