Page 17 of A Ranger for Christmas
He dialed the number of the hospital, and when he identified himself he was routed to the right person. He asked about Marisa.
“No news yet,” the nurse said. “She’s pretty banged up and still unconscious. They’re running scans and X-rays now.”
“How long before you know?”
“Morning at the earliest.”
He gave his contact information and placed his phone back in its belt holster. Fifteen minutes later he pulled into a gas station, now dark and quiet. It was past midnight, and it made sense that a garage owner out here wouldn’t be expecting much business.
The headlights of his SUV shining on the station, he searched for signs that a driver would have come through this way. By the pumps he saw a chunk of tire. With the beams of his lights still shining, he got out of his car and studied the section of tire. This close, he could also see a depression in the dirt as if the driver was working on a rim. Moving ten paces away, he found more tire tracks, but these marks weren’t those of a damaged tire. Had the driver stopped here long enough to change his tire before moving on?
In the dark, it was impossible to tell, and he spotted the small red light mounted on the top edge of the garage. A camera. He scribbled the name of the gas station and called Information. It took minutes before he heard a gruff and tired, “What?”
“This Skip Donovan?”
“Yeah.”
“This is Texas Ranger Lucas Cooper. I’m working a hit-and-run accident case, and I believe the second driver might have stopped at your station about an hour ago.”
“I’ve been closed since six. Holidays. I’m on vacation in Mexico. Just landed about an hour ago.”
Lucas tapped an impatient index finger on the phone. “What about your surveillance cameras? Do they work?”
“Yeah, they work. And I can give you the tapes when I get back in three days.”
“Is there a way to access them before then?”
After a beat of silence and a sigh, “I can call my brother-in-law. His name is Rafe Jeffers. We both own the station. He’s in Austin visiting his girlfriend for a few days. I’ll have to track him down. Might take me a few hours.”
“Do that. I need to see those tapes sooner rather than later.”
“Sure. And Merry Christmas.”
“Right. Thanks.”
Lucas stared up at the surveillance camera. “I’m going to find you, you son of a bitch.”
Chapter 7
Sunday, December 21, 6:45A.M.
Lucas arrived at the hospital just before dawn. He’d contacted Rafe Jeffers, and the man had promised to get the tape as soon as he sobered up or found himself a designated driver.
As he strode across the lot, his cell rang. He glanced at the number and, recognizing his sister’s name, hesitated an instant before he hit the ANSWERbutton. “Hey, Sherry, what are you doing up this early?”
“I could ask you the same, but I know you probably can’t tell me.” Her voice was light, friendly with the excitement of the holidays.
“Just following a lead on a hit and run. About to talk to the driver of the car.”
“They hurt?”
“Will know in a few minutes.”
“I’m sorry. No one should have to spend the holidays in the hospital.” She sighed. “Are you going to make it up here for dinner tomorrow? I know you said you were working this week, but I thought I could practice a few recipes out on you. Bill’s working so we won’t have the official holiday celebration until next week.”
He glanced up at the hospital and imagined Marisa in her bed. “I’d like to, Sherry, but I can’t promise.”
“At least say you’ll try.”
