Page 16 of A Ranger for Christmas
Lucas hesitated as he studied the mangled vehicle. “Yeah. This one’s special.” Unwilling to elaborate, he circled the car, a panther pacing. “What do you have?”
The officer glanced at his notebook. “Best I can figure, she was driving on the main road and was sideswiped. It was a blue car, judging by the paint on the wreckage. She skidded off the road and went over into the ravine. Seat belt and air bag saved her.”
He fisted his fingers, and it took a moment before he could unfurl them. He moved closer to the car and spotted the brightly wrapped presents. Peeking from the torn edges of the paper was the wheel of the toy Range Rover Marisa had bought last night.Though the toy had been through an accident, he guessed the mangled wrapping job had more to do with Marisa’s distraction with his code yesterday.
The work.
She didn’t believe her late-night visitor was connected to her work with him, but he wasn’t so sure. His reputation for busting cartels was indeed well known, and he knew in his gut she’d been attacked because of her association with him.
His work was dangerous, and he understood the burden it placed on a wife and children, so he’d stayed clear of any lasting relationships.“You come and go as you please. You’re like a cat.”How often had his sister said that? He’d been fine with that decision until he’d seen the petite woman dressed in white, sipping chocolate in the café six weeks ago.
From his coat pocket, he retrieved one of his business cards. “When you finish with the scene, send me those gifts in the backseat. They belong to the driver’s younger brothers.”
“Yeah, sure. Might not be before Christmas.”
“Just get them to me.”
“Sure.”
“What else can you tell me about the accident?”
“I found a chunk of tire on the road. Seeing as this car never made it that far, the rubber could have belonged to the second driver.”
“What kind of tire?”
“That will take me time to figure. I’ll check the database. I should have information for you in a day or two.”
“The sooner the better.”
The deputy accepted the order with a weary shrug. He’d likely gotten the short end of the stick and was pulling holiday duty. “Right.”
“Any witnesses?”
“No. Out here it’s so desolate. If she hadn’t been on her cell with you, she could have languished in that creek bed for a long time. And with temps getting so cold over the next few days, no telling if she’d have been found alive.”
Lucas shoved aside a dark image. “If the second driver damaged his tire, he’s going to have to stop sooner or later.”
“Stands to reason. And I can tell you, judging by the tire marks, the second driver was headed west.”
Odd. If it had been the cartel, bad tire or no, her attacker would have doubled back to make sure the job was done . . . that Marisa was dead.
“Assuming he kept heading west, where could he stop along the way?”
“If it were me, I wouldn’t stop until I crossed the border or found a place to stash my car.”
“Say this guy isn’t as savvy. Where would he stop?”
“There’s a gas station up ahead about ten miles. He’d be getting closer to Fredericksburg and there would be plenty of places to stop.”
Plenty of places meant more people to notice a banged-up car and disabled tire. “Thanks. Keep me posted on what you find.”
“Will do.”
With a weight bearing on his shoulders, he moved up the embankment to his car. He removed his hat and slid behind the wheel. Reason dictated that he not call the hospital and check on Marisa.Let the docs do their job. You focus on the mission.
Firing up the engine, he allowed the heater to warm his skin, far more chilled than he realized. As he sat in the silence, his skin tightened with worry. Any other time he’d have listened to reason.
But not tonight. Not with Marisa.
