Severed Trust: The Men of the Texas Rangers | Book 4 Read online

  “May I take a look at his computer and this room? See if I can find anything to help me reconstruct his whereabouts last night.” A suicide note or an indication someone was mad at Jared.

  “Sure, but I can’t stay in here. I’m going to call Annabelle.” Bradley crossed to the exit, an ashen tint to his tan features. “Keep me informed.”

  When Bradley left, Ethan began his search of Jared’s bedroom. Apprehension nipped at Ethan. Since he’d returned home, he’d only had routine investigations, but he was afraid all of that was going to change with this case.

  Lexie eased open the back door of the warehouse, its creaking noise clamoring through her head and the vast building. The sound announced to anyone around that someone was coming in. As Lexie squeezed through the opening, sunlight poured into the place, mingling with the cloudy streams coming in through the dirt-crusted windows scattered along the walls on both sides of her. The stench of stale beer, urine, and vomit permeated the air, nearly gagging her.

  Find Kelly and get out of here.

  Her eyes quickly adjusted to the dimness while she started to the left, searching for her friend. The beer bottles and cans littered the concrete floor—lots of them. What went on here? The question kept running through Lexie’s mind as she moved further into the warehouse.

  Then she spied Kelly, or at least it looked like her, curled into a fetal position on the dirty floor, her back to Lexie. Not moving.

  2

  Beth Alexander drove halfway to church and made a U-turn to head home. Lexie was rarely sick. Maybe it was more serious than something she ate last night. But even if it was, as a nurse, Beth knew about food poisoning and how some people died from it. She’d feel better if she were home, in case there were complications.

  She pulled into the driveway, punching the button on the garage door opener. Slowly the door rose to reveal two empty parking spaces. Had Lexie become sicker and driven herself to the hospital?

  After pulling into the garage, she checked her cell phone to make sure she hadn’t missed a call from her daughter. Nothing. Maybe she left her a note. Lexie was always good about doing that.

  Rushing into the house, Beth went straight for the whiteboard in the kitchen where they both posted messages to each other. Blank. As she flew through the two-story house, looking for any kind of note or indication where her daughter was, Beth placed a call to Lexie’s cell phone. It went to voicemail. The hospital. She punched in the numbers, praying one of the nurses she used to work with would answer.

  When she connected with the nurses’ station in the emergency room, she identified herself then said in a voice she hoped didn’t sound as frantic as she felt, “Has my daughter Lexie come into the ER?”

  “No. Is something wrong with her?” A fellow nurse she had once worked with on the surgery floor asked.

  “She was throwing up this morning, but thought she was getting better. She probably went to a friend’s.” Beth hung up, embarrassed she’d panicked so fast. Lexie just forgot to write a note, telling her where she was going. Knowing Lexie, she was over at Kelly’s house. She placed a call to check with Kelly.

  “Hello,” Mary Lou said in a slow, drawn out voice.

  “Did I wake you up?”

  “Beth?”

  “Yes. Is Lexie over there?” Anxiety still cloaked her. Why did she have the feeling something wasn’t right? Though Lexie would be seventeen in a month, she never gave her any trouble and disappearing without leaving word where she would be was so out of character for Lexie.

  A long pause, then Mary Lou responded, “I don’t think so, but I’ve been asleep.”

  “Would you please go and check with Kelly and see if she has heard from her?”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “She was sick earlier this morning and now she’s gone. Just being a worrywart.”

  “Sure. I’m walking to Kelly’s room right now. She’s like me. Hates to get up early if she doesn’t have to.”

  “Sorry to disturb your sleep.” Beth heard Mary Lou knock on her daughter’s bedroom door. She smiled. Both girls wanted their privacy. That started about the time they turned eleven.

  Sounds of the door opening drifted to Beth, then Mary Lou muttering some unladylike words. When she came back on the phone, anger infused her voice. “It doesn’t look like she came home last night from her date. Her bed hasn’t been slept in. Let me check the rest of the house, and I’ll call you back.”

  Mary Lou hung up before Beth could say another word. She again trekked through the house, searching for anything to tell her Lexie’s location. She made another call to Lexie’s phone, but all she got was her daughter’s voicemail. Again. She even texted Lexie who always responded almost immediately when she did.

  When Beth’s phone chimed, she answered so fast she didn’t even see who was calling.

  “Kelly isn’t here. I don’t know where she is. You think she’s with Lexie?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I looked for the outfit Kelly wore last night. I couldn’t find it on the floor with all her other clothes. I tried Jared and Kelly’s cell phones. Nothing.”

  “Me, too. Lexie isn’t answering. I don’t like this.” The nagging feeling persisted. “If you hear from either one, please let me know, and I’ll do the same.”

  Maybe Lexie didn’t have anything to do with what was going on with Kelly. She’d try some of her other friends and see if anyone had heard from her daughter.

  Ethan approached Cord who was tagging a set of footprints near the boat ramp. “I see the ME’s van has left with Jared’s remains. Did he have anything to say about the cause and time of death?”

  “He thinks between midnight and five this morning. He might be able to narrow it down more after the autopsy. On his cursory look, he couldn’t find any evidence of murder. No obvious signs at least. That doesn’t rule out drugs, though. He’ll check and see if he has water in his lungs or if he was dead before he hit the lake.”

  “What else have you found?”

  “Several sets of footprints. However, they may be from the hikers. This one looks like tennis shoes. Another over there—boots.” Cord pointed to a marker he’d left by the evidence. “We did have to cut Jared out of his seatbelt so I’ll have that looked at.”

  “It can jam in wrecks.”

  “I’ll give the ME a few hours, then pay him a visit. Want to come?”

  “Yes.”

  “How did the notification go?” Cord looked directly at Ethan. “About the way I thought?”

  “Yep. In fact, Bradley insists I take the lead on the case. He threatened to call the governor if he had to.”

  Cord shook his head. “Bradley hasn’t changed since high school. He always did like to bulldoze his way through things.”

  “Made a great tackler for the football team, but could make it hard to take as a friend.”

  “But you stuck by him better than I did, so I can see why he wants you on the case. There are no hard feelings here. In fact, it takes the pressure off me and my office.”

  “And puts it on my shoulders.”

  Cord patted Ethan’s back. “You’ve got big shoulders. Better you than me. You can take it.”

  Ethan sighed. No wonder he didn’t have a life outside of his work and his extended family. “I have a feeling I’m going to need a month-long vacation after this is over, and you should pay for it.”

  “Yeah, sure, on my pay you can spend a month in the woods living in a tent. I’ll supply the woods and the tent. If you want to eat, you’ll have to bring your own food.”

  Ethan’s cell phone played “The Eyes of Texas.” His sister. “Ethan here.”

  “Lexie is missing. Something is wrong. I just know it. You’ve got to come over here. I don’t know what to do.”

  “How long has she been missing?”

  “A few hours.”

  “She’s a teenager, Beth. She probably went somewhere—”

  “Kelly is missing, too. Her mothe
r is also worried about her.”

  Kelly. The one who had a date with Jared Montgomery last night. “I’ll be there right away.”

  After pocketing his phone, he faced Cord. “My sister needs me.”

  Cord perked up, the furrows in his forehead smoothing out. “What’s going on? I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. Something about Lexie?”

  “She’s missing. Which on its own, I wouldn’t get too concerned about. I seem to remember several times she lost track of time and forgot to let Beth know. But my sister tends to forget those times.”

  “Then why are you leaving the scene?”

  “First, I know you’re a good cop, and you’ll make sure everything is processed correctly. But mostly, Kelly is missing, too.”

  “They’re best friends. No telling what they’re doing. Girl stuff.”

  “I didn’t get a chance to tell you that Bradley told me Jared had a date with Kelly last night. I don’t believe in coincidences. Why is she missing when Jared turns up dead?”

  “I’m coming with you. This scene is basically finished. Not much other than the footprints and a lighter on the boat ramp a few yards back.”

  “Lighter?” Ethan strode toward his SUV.

  “Yeah, I’ll have latent prints run on it. I doubt it’s anything connected to this scene. I didn’t think Jared smoked since he’s on the football team. If coach ever found out, he would have been running laps until he collapsed and not have a breath left to smoke.” Cord opened the door to his truck. “I’ll follow you.”

  “Just like the old days. Should I be concerned you’re after my sister again?”

  “That was ages ago. She married the other guy.” Cord gave him an innocent look.

  “And is now a widow. Is that why I’ve seen you two together a couple of times in town?”

  “We’re friends. We like spending time together. That’s all.”

  “You never married.”

  “Good observation.” Cord cocked a grin. “You haven’t married either. Let’s go.”

  For the second time that day, Ethan left the scene. He agreed with Cord. Several officers had combed over it looking for any clues and evidence. He hoped Jared’s body told the ME more than his location did, and maybe the car would tell them something, too. Bradley would demand answers and wouldn’t tolerate delays in getting them.

  “Mom, what a surprise. You didn’t tell me you were coming by today.” Sadie shut the front door after her mother stormed into the foyer and swept around to face Sadie.

  Her mom planted her hand with her purse clutched in it on her waist. “I saw Harris Blackburn today at Cattlemen’s Grill. What’s he doing back? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Sadie glanced toward the stairs that led to the second floor where her two children were. She still hadn’t talked with them about their dad wanting to be in their life because she didn’t know what to say. But she didn’t want them finding out by overhearing their grandmother talking about Harris. “Let’s go outside on the patio. Steven and Ashley don’t know.”

  Her mother’s mouth pinched into a frown. “I told you he was a big mistake.”

  Sadie started for the back of her house. “I know.” Whether she liked it or not she was tied to Harris because of the children. Changing her last name back to Thompson hadn’t changed that fact. She had to deal with it—somehow.

  Out on the patio, Sadie breathed in the fall air and relished its crispness with a hint of burning wood. She didn’t want to have this conversation with her mother. She would only hear about how she’d messed up her life getting involved with Harris in high school. “How’s Dad?”

  “Furious when he saw Harris. I was afraid he’d go over and have words with him. Instead, we cut our lunch short and left.”

  “Does Dad know you came over?”

  “It was his suggestion. He wants the man gone from Summerton.”

  But her dad wouldn’t come see her himself. He hadn’t spoken to her other than a few civil words in the company of others since she’d left fourteen years ago with Harris. Her father saw his grandchildren, especially Steven, but when he did, it was away from her and her house. “I do, too, but from what Harris said to me earlier, that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. He wants to be in Steven and Ashley’s life.”

  “No, he can’t!”

  “Please, Mom, I don’t want the neighbors to overhear our conversation.” Nor her children. She peered up at Ashley’s window above the patio. Maybe this wasn’t the best place to talk with her mother about her ex-husband. “Let’s walk.” Her house backed up to the woods. She strolled that way, hoping her mother would follow.

  She did, even in her high heels that sank into the soft ground. “What are you going to do?”

  “Fight Harris on seeing the kids.”

  “That’ll work. I doubt he cares anyway. He abandoned you and them when they were three months old. What kind of man does that when you were trying to raise twins?”

  “He’s working for Jeffrey Livingston. He told me he’d use his employer’s services if he had to.”

  “Jeffrey is an excellent attorney. That’s not good. Why now? It’s been years since Harris left.”

  Thirteen, long, difficult years. Sadie stopped at the edge of the woods. “I don’t know. But I don’t have a good feeling about it. Harris is a schemer. He says he’s changed, but I don’t think that’s possible.”

  “You changed.”

  “Mom! How can you say that? I was never like Harris.”

  One of her perfectly shaped eyebrows rose. “You weren’t? From my perspective, you were wild and loved going against your father and me. But I’ve forgiven you. Your father hasn’t. You were his little girl. He hasn’t been able to get over his disappointment.”

  Wild? Because she thought she loved a guy who her parents didn’t approve of. They hadn’t even given him a chance. She’d seen Harris struggle against people’s perception of his father. Having a dad in prison had made it tough on him. She’d thought she could keep him on the right track. Everything was fine until she discovered she was pregnant and eighteen with a husband who didn’t want children. Ever.

  “Give your father time now that you’re back in Summerton. Remember he’s the one who suggested I speak with you about Harris being in town. That’s a start, hon.” Her mom patted Sadie’s arm as if she were a young girl again. “So what are you going to do about Harris?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I need to consult an attorney.” Where she’d get the money was a whole other question.

  “I would have said talk to Jeffrey Livingston, but since Harris works for him that’s out. Too bad. He’s a cutthroat.”

  “I know. The best in town.”

  “There’s a new lawyer that moved to Summerton about six months ago. She brought her dog to the clinic a couple of times. I’ve heard good things about her.”

  “Who?”

  “Colleen Stover.”

  “She goes to my church.”

  “Then you know her.”

  “No, but I’ll make an appointment to see her.”

  Her mother’s dark eyes brightened. “Maybe you can get a restraining order against Harris.”

  “I doubt it. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”

  “Yet.” Her mother crossed the backyard toward the patio. “Tell your kids today. Otherwise, they’ll find out some other way, and that won’t be good.”

  “I know. I will when you leave. Give Dad my love.”

  Her mom looked sideways at her, stopped, and embraced her. “Oh, baby, I’m sorry he’s so stubborn.” She stepped back and framed Sadie’s face. “You’re a good child, honey. He’ll realize that sooner or later.”

  “When, Mom? I’ve been back for over a year.” Her throat thick-ened, but she refused to shed any tears over what happened in the past. She’d spent too many nights crying herself to sleep. She wouldn’t now.

  “Dad invited Steven to go hunting in November. You know how particular he can be about who g
oes along with him on his ‘yearly trek into the wilderness’.”

  “I never could understand a vet hunting deer. Just doesn’t seem right.”

  “Your father is a man of contradictions.” She kissed Sadie’s cheek then strolled toward the side of the house. “Go tell Steven and Ashley. I’ll call you later.”

  She waited until her mother disappeared from view then opened the back door and went into the kitchen.

  Steven stood in the middle of the room with a glare on his face. “Tell me what?”

  Lexie clamped her hand over her mouth to keep her scream inside. She’d talked with Kelly twenty minutes ago. Her gaze panning the warehouse, she hastened to her friend and knelt behind her. With a quaking hand, she rolled her over, jostling her. When she did, Kelly’s eyes popped open.

  Lexie squealed. “I thought you were dead.”

  Tears crowded Kelly’s gaze. “He’s dead, I think.” She struggled to sit up.

  Lexie helped her friend. “Who?”

  “Jared. I can’t find him anywhere.”

  “That doesn’t mean he’s dead. Kelly, what happened last night? You’re acting weird.”

  “Jared brought me to a party.”

  “Here in a warehouse?” Lexie’s stomach churned, not like earlier but from all the nauseating smells bombarding her from every direction. “What kind of party?” Her gaze latched onto vomit a few yards away. She quickly averted her eyes before she tried to empty her already empty stomach.

  Kelly dropped her head into her hands.

  Silence reigned—except for the sound of dripping water somewhere at the other end of the warehouse. Plop. Plop. The noise nipped at Lexie’s frayed nerves.

  “Kelly, what have you done?” A chill sent goose bumps down her body. More than anything Lexie wanted to run.

  Sobs shook Kelly’s shoulders.

  Lexie clasped her friend. “You’re worrying me.”

  Kelly lifted her head, tears streaking down her pale face. “I only wanted him to like me.”

  “Jared? But he does. Didn’t he tell you last week he loved you? Why did he leave you?”

  “I told you. I think he’s dead.”