Saving Hope: Men of the Texas Rangers Book 1 Read online

  “We’ll know more after the autopsy is done. But it’s a definite possibility, especially since she was found near your van that was probably taken by Rose. So if this isn’t Rose, do you have any idea where she is? What connection Rose would have with Lillian Harris? How did Lillian end up dead not far from your van that you think Rose took?”

  “No idea where she is, but this fits what Rose’s roommate told me about that night Rose left.”

  “What happened?” He took his phone and slipped it back onto his belt.

  “Rose got a call late. Her roommate, Cynthia, got the impression the person Rose was talking to was in trouble.”

  “Do the girls have phones in their room?”

  “No. There’s one they can use in the rec room and some have cells—usually prepaid ones, which are more affordable for them. They like the freedom of having one. Some of the girls have part-time jobs. Rose was one of them. She’d started working at a fast-food restaurant across from the park last month. We start bank accounts for the girls with jobs, but allow them to hold out a part of their paycheck for their own use. The first thing Rose bought with her money was a GoPhone. She was so proud she had saved up for it.”

  “Besides going to work, where else did Rose go while she was here?”

  “She went to church with me on Sundays. The students go on outings on the weekends and sometimes during the week if it has to do with their schoolwork. We have several accredited teachers here associated with the school my church runs. These girls are working for their GED or a high school diploma. Their program is tailored for each girl’s individual needs. The same with any medical or counseling needs. Some attend counseling sessions here, and we have a nurse on staff. Others go to see people in private practice we have agreements with. Rose refused to go to talk with anyone outside here.”

  “So, she’s usually with someone associated with Beacon of Hope except at work?”

  “Yeah. I have three staff members besides myself who are available to supervise the outings. There are a few businesses where the girls can work, all places where I know the manager. They are all within a couple of blocks of here. This isn’t a prison. I don’t want the girls to feel like it is. As they progress through the program, they are given more freedom and opportunities.” The intensity pouring off Wyatt Sheridan made her feel she had to justify everything they did at Beacon of Hope. “We’re here to help the girls, not make them feel like criminals. They’re the victims.”

  “Which restaurant?”

  “The Ultimate Burger.”

  He wrote something down on his pad. “I’d like to talk to Cynthia.”

  “She isn’t here right now. She’s on one of those outings I mentioned. They aren’t due back for another hour.”

  “Then I’ll go to Rose’s job and talk with the people there. I’ll come back to interview Rose’s roommate. If there’s anyone who Rose is close to, I’d like to talk to them too.”

  “Cynthia should be back by three.”

  “I’ll be here then.” He stood. “Do you have a photo of Rose?”

  “I can run one off.”

  “Send it to my email address. I’d like to have it on my cell.” He took out a business card and wrote on the back of it, then handed it to Kate.

  She glanced at the address then at him. “Then you’re going to look into Rose’s disappearance?”

  “Yes. If Rose was the one who took your van, there definitely is some kind of connection.”

  Hope took root inside her. Maybe Rose had a chance. Please, Lord, help us get to Rose before something happens to her like Lillian Harris.

  Kate followed the Texas Ranger toward the door. “I think Rose is in trouble. I’m so afraid her pimp found her, and she’s right back where she was six months ago.” Or dead. That thought sent a shudder down her length. “I’ll help you anyway I can.”

  After opening the door, Wyatt turned back and tipped his hat, some of the severity easing from his expression. One corner of his mouth tilted up. “I appreciate that, ma’am.”

  “Kate, please.”

  “I’ll be back—Kate.”

  Rose struggled to clear her mind, but her thoughts wandered around in a circle, a fog wanting to drag her down again into the void. Slowly, sensations came back to her, followed by clarity. The suffocating scent of mold and dust. The roughness touching her skin. The dryness of her mouth. Her last memory before she succumbed to whatever King had given her.

  Her eyes inched open. Blackness surrounded Rose like a tomb. So dark she couldn’t see her hand a few inches from her face. The damp coolness of the stone pressed into her back. Her jaw ached. She grazed her finger across it and winced. Rolling to the side, she pulled her legs up and hugged them to her chest. Tears welled up in her and flooded her eyes.

  The Deprivation Room.

  How long have I been here?

  Wet tracks streamed down her face. He’ll keep me here until he breaks me or—she wouldn’t think of the alternative.

  I’m not letting you win, King.

  Then she scanned the inky wall enveloping her, and fear stole her next breath and the one after that. An invisible band about her chest contracted. Her fear morphed into terror, threatening to send her over the edge.

  Can’t let it.

  What would Kate do?

  Thinking about Beacon of Hope and Kate calmed some of the panic. She wouldn’t die friendless. Kate cared.

  Why didn’t I ask her for help? Why did I think I could rescue Lily alone?

  Because I’ve always been alone.

  Fresh tears jammed her throat when she remembered her friend on the bed, forced to lure Rose to Nowhere Motel. Lily is blaming herself. King will use that to control her even more.

  Shoving herself to a sitting position, Rose reached out until her fingertips encountered the rough texture of the wall. Then she began inching along the perimeter, stopping only when she felt the smooth surface of the door. After trying to open it, she examined the handle and lock.

  A thought flashed into her mind. She slid her hand into her back pocket and discovered the small, flat pouch with her tools she’d used on Kate’s desk. Hope shot a dose of adrenaline through her.

  She knelt on the hard stone floor and felt around until she managed to insert her homemade pick into the lock. Her arms shook as she held her tools up working on her escape. Hunger gnawed her stomach and weakened her, but she would do this if it was the last thing she did.

  I won’t go back to my old life.

  Frustration caused her to hurry her movements. One of her tools slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground. She patted the stone nearby. Nothing.

  No! She began sweeping both her arms over the floor. It’s got to be here. Her fingers touched something long and thin.

  She dropped her head against the cold stone, waiting for her heart to slow its rapid beating. Thank you, Lord.

  When she went back to the door, this time she drew in several calming breaths and then proceeded methodically. The sound of the lock tumblers clicking filled her with renewed hope. She shoved her tools into her back pocket then inched the door open. A bright glow blinded her. She closed her eyes, then eased her lids up little by little until she’d adjusted to the light.

  Across from her, shelving made of wood planks lined the wall. Off to the side a staircase offered her the way out. Rose pushed out into the basement room, but a sensory overload bombarded her and she stumbled.

  4

  August in Texas. There was one word to describe it. Hot. Wyatt opened the door into Ultimate Burger, and a blast of cool air surrounded him, beckoning him inside. The aroma of grilled hamburger meat reminded him he hadn’t eaten lunch yet, even though it was nearly three.

  After a quick scan to assess where the exits were and how many people were in the restaurant, he approached the counter and looked over the menu plastered above him on the wall. “I’ll take a number two with a sweet tea.”

  The teenage girl, probably sixteen or seventeen,
behind the cash register punched the appropriate buttons and said, “That’ll be five dollars and seventy-two cents.” She peered up at him, a certain dullness to her eyes and a slowness of movement proclaiming her boredom. “Anything else?”

  “No.” He paid for his order. “Is the manager here?”

  She twisted around and called out, “Gloria. Someone’s here to see ya.” With a glance over her shoulder at his chest, she added, “Police.”

  Behind him the only two customers in the place scraped their chairs back, dumped their trash in the big container by the door, and left. As they did, four young people—three girls and one boy—came into the restaurant and sauntered toward the counter.

  “Can I help you?”

  Wyatt sidled to the left to let the group order and shifted so he faced them, but could still glimpse the older lady who must be the manager. “Gloria?”

  She nodded while her gaze strayed to the three girls and one boy. A frown pinched her thin lips together.

  “Is there a problem?” he asked in a low voice, tossing his head slightly in the direction of the group.

  The manager leaned toward him, still staring at the young people. “They’re troublemakers. Come in here to get cool and hardly buy anything, but stay for a long time. Can you do anything about that?”

  “What kind of trouble have they caused?”

  “Loud. Laughing. I think they’re making fun of me.”

  “If they do anything illegal, I’ll do something about it. I need to ask you about one of your employees.”

  “Rose Garland. I can’t believe the police are doing anything about her being gone.”

  “Why?”

  “You know—because of what she was.”

  The accusing tone in the manager’s voice nettled Wyatt. He straightened and retrieved a card from his wallet. “Rose is missing. She may be in trouble. I need to know if anything recently happened here concerning Rose. Did someone she might not have wanted to talk to come in here?”

  “You’re worried about her? She can obviously take care of herself while you can’t do anything about these hooligans who like to loiter here.”

  “Have you said anything to them about leaving after they finish their sodas?” He slid his glance to the group sauntering toward a table by the front plateglass window.

  “Well, no. Look at them. Tattoos all over them, their hair spiked. One of the girls wears a dog collar and the boy is so large. I’m not dumb.”

  Wyatt counted to ten slowly in his mind then said, “So nothing out of the ordinary has happened with Rose lately?”

  “No. She used to talk to them.”

  “How did Rose interact with them?”

  “Like she was their new best friend. The grubbier a person was, the more Rose responded to them.”

  Wyatt slipped his card toward the manager. “Why did you hire her?”

  “Because I was told to. My boss likes to feel like he’s doing something good for the community and help the girls from Beacon of Hope. That and he likes the lady that runs the place.”

  “Is he around?”

  “Him? Come here? Maybe once a month to check up. Otherwise, I don’t see him.”

  “So he doesn’t know Rose?”

  “No, he pretty much gives Kate Winslow free rein to suggest who she thinks is good for a job here. I tell you, I’m not one bit surprised that Rose went back to her old life. She only makes minimum wage here. Not much to live on.”

  “Thank you. If you think of anything else, please call me.” He touched the brim of his cowboy hat then headed toward the group of teens.

  Their laughter vied with the sounds of his footsteps. The boy stopped talking and gave him the once over, catalogued, appraised, and dismissed. Wyatt continued his trek as the rest of them fell silent and stared at him.

  “I understand y’all like to come in here a lot.” Wyatt hovered near the young man, who sat with shoulders hunched, head now dropped forward, eyes downcast.

  Silence greeted his opening remark. Hostile looks pierced him. One girl, the tallest and very thin, narrowed her gaze on his silver star.

  “I could use your help,” he said with a smile. “Y’all look like you’re aware of things going on around here.”

  The tall girl blinked, her attention swinging to the teen across from her. Finally, she peered back at him. “You aren’t here to throw us out?”

  “No, why should I?”

  The boy raised his head. “Because she doesn’t like us.” He fluttered his hand toward the manager, who glared at the group.

  “Nope. Y’all aren’t doing anything wrong.”

  “What kind of help do ya need?” the tall girl asked and sipped her soda.

  “Do you know Rose Garland?”

  A couple of them shook their heads.

  But the boy’s brows slashed together. “The girl who works here? Long blond hair, pretty?”

  “Yes.”

  “She isn’t here. I haven’t seen her in a couple of days. Usually she’s here by now.” The teenage boy cupped his hands around his drink.

  “Yeah, Cal. You’re right,” the girl across from the tall one said, “She told me she was working as much as she could so she could get a car one day.”

  “Have you noticed anything unusual concerning her? Talking to someone who wasn’t a customer? Upset about something?”

  Cal frowned, his body tensing. “Why? Is she in trouble?”

  “She’s missing.”

  “A runaway?” The tall girl slurped the last of her soda.

  “No, I think someone’s taken her. That’s why I’m asking around so anything you can tell me even if it doesn’t seem important might help me find her.”

  Quiet blanketed the group as they peered at each other.

  “Something happened?” Wyatt pulled up a chair and sat, wanting to make it clear he was staying until they told him.

  Cal hung his head while he ran his forefinger and thumb up and down his straw. “Nothing here. From what we saw, she worked hard then left. A white van came and picked her up when she got off work. At least the times I’ve seen her leave.”

  The word but dangled in the air between Cal and Wyatt. “But something happened somewhere else?”

  “One day her ride was late, and a young girl I’ve seen in the park sometimes caught Rose’s attention. Rose ran across the street into the park and hugged the girl. They talked a few minutes. When Rose saw the van coming down the street, she grabbed hold of the girl’s hand. But the girl yanked herself away. She started to hurry away, but Rose stopped her and pleaded with her. When the girl shook her head, Rose gave her something.”

  Wyatt held Cal’s gaze. “What?”

  “Don’t know. A piece of paper I think. It was hard to tell. I was on the other side of the road in the park by that time.”

  “What did the girl look like?”

  “Red hair. Pale. She didn’t look too good.”

  Lillian? “Have you seen the girl before that or since?”

  “A couple of times in the park. I think she’s . . .” Cal averted his gaze and stared at the tall teen catty-corner from him.

  “You think what?”

  “We think she and a couple of others are turning tricks in the park,” the tall girl said.

  “Why do you think that?” Although the thought didn’t surprise Wyatt, he wanted to know what made the group come to that conclusion.

  She looked at him as though he were crazy. “The way they acted, and the fact the men and the girls would disappear for a while.”

  “Have you seen any of them lately?”

  The teens shook their heads, except for Cal who said, “This has happened before. A group of girls come for a week or two, then leave.”

  “Is it ever the same ones?”

  Cal cocked his head to the side. “No, not that I’ve seen. You might ask around.”

  Wyatt rose and took out four business cards. “If any of you remember anything else or see anything happening in the p
ark that I might be interested in, please give me a call. I think Rose is in a lot of trouble and needs help.” He studied each teen for a few seconds before he started for the door.

  Cal caught up with him halfway across the restaurant. “You really think Rose is in trouble?”

  “Yep.”

  “The others don’t know this, but I talked with Rose the next day about the redhead in the park. Rose got upset at me and told me to mind my own business. Later I saw her crying in back of this place.”

  “Did you say anything to her then?”

  “No. She made it clear she didn’t want my help. Shut me down real fast.”

  “How was she after that toward you?”

  “I didn’t see her after that. She hasn’t been to work since that day.”

  “Personally, I’m glad you didn’t mind your own business. Thanks.”

  After going back to the counter for his food, Wyatt exited the Ultimate Burger and stared across the street at the park. The sun streamed down on him, baking him in the heat of the day. When the glare of its rays off the windshield and chrome of the nearby cars blinded him, he reached into his pocket and slipped on his sunglasses then crossed to his truck.

  His cell rang as he climbed into the cab. He noticed the number and smiled. “Hi, honey.”

  “Dad, you should be home by now. I need to leave soon for the rodeo.”

  He’d forgotten. He shouldn’t have, but whenever a child was involved in a case, he lost track of time. “I’ll be a little late. I got caught in Dallas. Can you get Nana to take you to the rodeo?”

  Her heavy sigh came through the line loud and clear. “Again?”

  “I promise I’ll be there to see your competition. Can you go ask her? I know she was going too.”

  “Fine. She’s in her bedroom getting rid of all her bird-watching things.”

  “The binoculars?”

  “Well, that and the books she bought, as well as that outfit Chuck had her buy. You know the one that was camouflaged so she would blend in. I wouldn’t be surprised if she cuts it up into little rags to use while cleaning. She hated that.”

  “So Chuck and her are over for good?” he asked as he heard a knock on wood.