Page 19 of Lone Star Wanted
The sun was just starting to dip behind the ridge as they rolled into the quiet neighborhood on the edge of Clear Rock. Houses were spaced wide apart, modest one-stories with dry patches of grass and chain-link fences leaning with time. Most of the driveways held old trucks or sun-faded cars.
Cassidy slowed in front of a beige house with blue trim. The blinds in the front window were closed shut, and a small Texas flag fluttered from a rusted pole on the porch.
Marlene Lang stepped into view just as they pulled to the curb.
She was dragging a trash can toward the street, her hair pulled back in a quick ponytail, still in uniform pants but a plain T-shirt now. The moment she spotted them, her body stiffened. Her hand gripped the edge of the trash can a little too hard.
She looked ready to run.
But she didn’t.
Cassidy got out first, calm and steady. Kincade followed, the backpack slung over his shoulder, his hand near the Glock tucked at his side.
Marlene straightened as they approached. “I can’t talk.”
Jericho stepped up beside them, holding out his phone. “Then maybe you’d rather explain this.”
He tapped the screen. The image lit up, grainy but clear. Her face, visible through the windshield. Her arm outstretched. A gun pointed directly at Travis.
Marlene’s lips parted like she might deny it, then clamped shut.
Kincade stepped closer. “We’re going to talk, Deputy. Your choice is whether it happens out here where your neighbors can listen in…” He let the sentence hang.
Marlene looked at them all, her jaw tight, then gave a sharp nod. “Inside,” she said, voice low. “Fine.”
She turned and led them up the short walkway, her movements clipped. Kincade followed, eyes scanning every angle, every window, ready for whatever she might try next.
Because Marlene Lang was a cornered suspect now.
And being cornered made people dangerous.
Marlene went to the front door with quick, jerky movements and pushed it open without looking back. They followed her inside.
The house was modest but well kept. The entryway opened into a small living room with clean beige carpet and a worn brown sofa. Framed family photos lined one wall, mostly black-and-white. Older generations, parents maybe. A floral-scented candle burned on a side table, its flame flickering in the still air.
She didn’t offer them a seat.
Kincade, Cassidy, and Jericho stayed in the foyer just past the door, a few feet from the living room. Marlene hovered near the hallway, arms crossed, chin lifted like she was bracing for impact. But she didn’t speak.
Kincade broke the silence. “You want to explain? Or should I call the Texas Rangers and let them haul you in for kidnapping and obstruction?”
Her jaw clenched.
“Marlene,” Cassidy said, her voice softer. “We need the truth. Now.”
The deputy’s eyes snapped to hers, full of something close to panic. “Someone took my mother, Ginny Lang.” The words came out with a stream of breath. “I don’t know who. I got home three nights ago and she was gone. Door unlocked, her phone left behind. No sign of a break-in. Then I got a message with no name, no number. Just instructions.”
Kincade narrowed his eyes. “What kind of instructions?”
She swallowed hard. “Get Travis. Bring him to the safe house. That was it.”
“Why you?” Cassidy asked.
Marlene’s shoulders sank slightly. She shook her head, but not like someone who didn’t know. More like someone who hated what the answer would cost her to say.
“I don’t know,” Marlene finally muttered. “Maybe because I was close enough to reach him.”
Her voice cracked on the last word. She swiped at her cheek as a tear slid down, jaw tightening like she refused to let herself fall apart in front of them.
