The Texas Ranger's Nanny

Shaken by the feelings coming from deep inside her while he was suffering unimaginable pain, she slowly eased herself out of his arms and stepped away. Since she’d been hired, she’d experienced too many emotions toward Jeremy and his father, and her emotions were now taking over. Consuming her. Tonight it was impossible to separate her feelings for Jeremy from the man who’d fathered him.

“Thank you for looking after the horses, Claire. Let’s go back inside.” He closed the barn doors behind them and they walked toward the house. Night had fallen. She shuddered to think of Jeremy out there somewhere, alone and terrified. Her mind wouldn’t let her entertain the possibility that he wasn’t alive. She could only imagine Vic’s thoughts right now.

“What else can we do? Give me a job, any job, and I’ll do it.”

“It’s a waiting game at the moment,” Vic said as they went into the den, where he kept his computer. “Kit phoned back to let me know that no school district trucks were missing. It has to mean Leroy hid my son in the back of his truck, but where he took him is anyone’s guess. If—”

“Don’t say it, Vic. You’ll find him alive. I know you will.”

“You’re right. I’m expecting a phone call from headquarters to keep me briefed on any results from the Amber Alert. And before long, I should hear from Kit, who’s getting a warrant from the judge to search Bennett’s apartment.”

“Do you want me to keep you company, or would you rather be alone?”

His eyes swerved to her. “I’m thankful you’re here.”

Secretly glad he didn’t mind her presence, she sat down in one of the leather chairs. “Have you told your sister-in-law?”

“No.”

“What about Clint?” He was close to his second cousin.

He sat in the chair at his desk. “I’ll give them both a call right now. The Amber Alert will shock them if they see it first. Thank you for—”

Just then his phone rang again. He wasn’t on for long before he clicked off and jumped to his feet. “I’m heading over to Leroy’s apartment. Kit got the warrant. Don’t worry about your safety. The surveillance team will be watching you on a constant basis. I don’t know when I’ll be back. Take care, Claire.”

She got up and walked him to the front door. “I’m sure you’ll find something that will help.”

“We’ve got to!” he called over his shoulder on the way to his car.

Her heart ached for him. His baby boy was missing. No parent was ever prepared for news like that, but if anyone could solve this case, Vic could. He was Jeremy’s superhero.

Once Vic’s car disappeared from view, she went to her bedroom to check her email. Claire had been on several job interviews already, but didn’t think she would hear back from anyone this soon. But she needed something—anything—to do to keep busy until she heard from Vic.

He’d set up a desk for her in her bedroom, where she could study on her laptop. Since the day he’d hired her, no one could have been more thoughtful and considerate than Vic. The single-floor ranch style house was spacious with four bedrooms, a large kitchen, dining room and a den, where Vic kept an office. A family room off the vaulted living room contained an entertainment center with comfy couches and chairs. She’d fallen in love with the house, but tonight there was no Jeremy inside, and the place felt like a tomb.

Through bleary eyes she checked her inbox for new messages. To her surprise, two of the companies she’d applied to had responded to her. She opened the first one.

Dear Ms. Ames:

We would like you to come in for a second interview for the toxicologist/analytical chemist position at the new reference lab in the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown area. As explained to you earlier, the lab is seeking a candidate for the day shift with experience in developing methods for urine toxicology drug testing on a wide menu of analytes. We have set up an interview with you on Friday, May 27, at 1:00 p.m. with the head of the new lab. The salary range of $75,000–$110,000 is negotiable based on experience. Please respond ASAP.

She closed it and scrolled down to the email from Landry Scientific in Houston.

Dear Ms. Ames:

A staff member from Landry Scientific will be meeting with you on Thursday, May 26, at 11:00 a.m. for your second interview. The thrust of your work will be to conduct research, analysis, synthesis and experimentation on polymeric substances, for such purposes as product and process development and application, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and improvement of analytical methodologies. We are offering further incentives in terms of paying for additional schooling. The salary of $70,000 is negotiable based on experience and education. Please let us know if the meeting date and time are not convenient for you.

Claire buried her face in her hands. Pleased as she was at receiving this news, with Jeremy missing she couldn’t think about more interviews right now. She could hardly breathe for the pain.

Too distraught to focus on anything, she closed her email and got ready for bed. While Vic was out actively pursuing the criminal who was responsible for Jeremy’s disappearance, she was home, dying inside and unable to help.

Vic expected her to stay here. What if, by some miracle, the lowlife dropped Jeremy off somewhere and he was able to contact her? She had to stay put, but it was going to be the longest, most agonizing night of her life.

* * *

WITH KIT HELPING VIC, they scoured Leroy’s empty apartment for clues, but there was nothing, not even a waste basket. After seeing the warrant, the manager had let them in.

“Does Bennett owe you money?” Vic asked.

“No, sir. He paid me cash up front for two months.”

Vic exchanged glances with his partner. “So you knew he was leaving today?”

“That’s right.”

“Did you require a cleaning deposit?”

“Yes. He covered that, too.”

“You knew he’d been in prison?”

“A lot of guys have served time. He said he had a job at a school as a custodian. As long as they pay me, I don’t care.”

“Did he tell you anything about where he might be going?”

“I asked, but he said it was none of my damn business.”

“The woman across the hall said he drove an older blue pickup truck.”

“Yeah.”

“Anything you noticed about it besides the dents?

“Like what?”

“Anything that would make it different from another truck just like it.”

“Um, I do remember one thing. There was an oval decal on the back window with a crazy word like duda printed on it. Are you through with me? I’ve got to get back to my apartment. I’ve got dinner on the stove.”

“Go ahead.”

The second he walked away, Vic phoned headquarters to report the decal. After he hung up, Kit said, “I’ve learned that Jamison Lowell was the person who hired Leroy. He’s no longer working for the school district office, but I have the guy’s address.”

Vic clenched his jaw. “Let’s go find him.”

Kit followed him to East Austin and they pulled up in front of a rambler home with a tidy yard. After walking to the front door, Vic rang the bell and they waited. When no one answered, he rang it again. This was like déjà vu.

“Stay there and keep trying. I’ll run next door to the neighbor’s house and find out what I can.” Kit took off. Vic walked around the house and used his flashlight to look in the windows. The place was empty.

When he could hear voices from next door, he hurried over to join Kit, who introduced him to an older couple.

“These people here say that the Lowells moved last week. They don’t know where, but figure they wanted to be near their only daughter, who’s married and lives in Colorado.”

“Do you know where in Colorado?” Vic pressed.

The woman pondered the question. “I’m pretty sure the daughter and her husband live in Vail. They do a lot of skiing.”

“Do you know their last name?”

“I think it might be Preston,” the husband said.

“Do you know what kind of car the Prestons have? Maybe from when they visited the Lowells?”

“A blue, four-door Passat.”

“Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.”

“I hope the Lowells aren’t in any trouble. They’re such nice people. He worked with the school district you know. We hated to see them move.”

“Sudden, was it?” Vic stared at both of them.

The man nodded. “Yes, but then we didn’t know that much about their family.”

“I don’t see a for sale sign on the lawn.”

“Not yet.”

Vic reached for his wallet and handed them his business card. “Please call my office when you find out the name of the Realtor selling the house.”

“We will. Good night.”

Once they were back at their cars, Vic pounded his fist against his windshield. “This has been organized for several months, Kit. I never saw this coming. Jeremy could be anywhere. He—”

“We’ll find him,” Kit broke in. “I’ll follow you home and contact the Vail police. They’ll do a search for a family with the last name Preston. We’ve got the make of the car. As for you, you need to get some rest. When we get to your place we’ll talk strategy until you’re too tired to think and can sleep.”

“I’ll never be able to sleep, not while my son is missing.”

“Then take a sleeping pill—otherwise you won’t be good for anything. Take a shower first. It’ll help you relax.”

Once at Vic’s house, Vic told Kit to help himself to some coffee and started down the hall. He stopped at Jeremy’s bedroom. It was unearthly still. Jeremy was gone. Pain attacked Vic’s whole body. He sagged against the doorjamb for a minute and let out the sobs that kept coming.

God in heaven, preserve his life. Help me find him.

Brushing a hand across his face, he straightened and began to walk toward his room at the end of the hall. As he passed Claire’s room, he noticed that she’d left the door open and her bedside lamp was on.

“Claire?”

“I’m here.” She opened the door wider. “I heard you come in.”

Her feminine silhouette was framed by the soft light. The gold strands in her hair gleamed among the copper. She wore the same kind of pajamas Jeremy wore with superheroes on them. A fragrance like peaches wafted past him. She must have washed her hair while he’d been gone. Jeremy loved this woman.

He cleared his throat. “Kit came home with me. I’m going to shower, and then we’re going to work out a plan to find Jeremy.”

“I’m glad Kit is with you. I’ll make you both something to eat.”

Grateful she was here, he headed for his bedroom. When he emerged ten minutes later, he found her in the kitchen wearing a navy blue bathrobe over her pajamas. She’d made waffles and sausage. Kit was putting food away like he’d never had a meal before.

Vic walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. “I owe you big time, Kit.”

He looked up. “I’m still trying to pay you back for all the times you had my back. Your nanny is taking great care of me. These waffles are the best. Don’t tell me you can’t eat. You have to eat. Jeremy needs you.”

“He does,” Claire’s voice echoed. Vic raised his eyes to hers. She was a beautiful woman even without makeup. Those gray eyes of hers begged him to eat and take care of himself.

Making up his mind he said, “I’ll take whatever Kit is having.”

A smile broke out on her face. “Coming right up.” They ate every waffle she put on their plates. “If you’re full, why not go in the living room so you can lie down on the couch.”

Claire smiled at Kit, who got up first and urged Vic to follow him. He’d refused to take a sleeping pill. She was hoping that with some good food inside him, fatigue would take over and he’d fall asleep.

“I’m going to stretch out, too.” Kit sat down in one of the fat leather chairs and put his feet up on the ottoman.

Vic had come to the table barefoot. She could see his eyelids drooping when he lay down on the couch wearing sweats and a T-shirt. He had to be exhausted.

Before long, both men were asleep. She took her cell phone out of her pocket and snapped a picture of them. If she had it blown up and framed, the plaque beneath would say “Two of the Famous Four Texas Rangers at rest.”

When Jeremy was found—and he would be found, Claire had made up her mind about that—she’d present this precious gift for him to treasure. She’d tell him this was the shape his father was in after searching for him nonstop all day and night. That was how much he loved him.

Claire sat in the chair matching the one Kit occupied and looped her arms around her raised knees to watch over them. She didn’t know when she fell asleep, but the ringing of someone’s cell phone woke her up. Her watch said ten after six in the morning.

Vic jackknifed into a sitting position and answered his phone. At this point Kit had awakened and stood up. She overheard Vic say the name TJ. He was talking to the head of the Rangers.

When he disconnected, he sprang to his feet. “The police caught up with Leroy at an all-night bar in Buda.”

“Buda? It’s not that far away. Thank heaven!” she cried.

“Amen to that. Leroy’s truck was parked outside. The logo the apartment building manager told us about helped find him fast. That clue saved the day. He thought it said ‘duda’ or something close. The officers have taken him into custody at the jail downtown. Guess who was with him?”

“The two guys who got in the fight with him at the park.”

“You’re right on the money, Kit. They were hauled in for questioning, too. Let’s go. I’ll get changed and meet you outside.”

After he disappeared, Claire turned to Kit. “Can I come with you?”

“I know how much you love Jeremy, but this is a police matter.”

“But I feel responsible.”

“In what way?”

“The second I didn’t see Jeremy, I should have run right in the school instead of waiting in the car for a few more minutes.”

“That wouldn’t have made any difference, Claire. This kidnapping was planned down to the second. You shouldn’t feel any guilt, but I guess it’s human nature.”

“It is,” she said. “I can’t stay here and just wait and wait.”

He studied her for a moment. “Maybe you can’t come with us, but if you drive down to the city jail, I’ll tell them to let you in. You can talk to Vic after he’s through vetting Leroy.”

“Thank you, Kit.” She smiled at him gratefully and raced to her bedroom to get dressed.

It took her only a minute to pull on some jeans and a knit top. She slipped on her walking sandals. After brushing her hair, she grabbed her purse and ran through the house to the door behind the kitchen. It led to the garage.

After she’d activated the remote, she backed out and took off for downtown Austin. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a van parked a few houses away and knew it was the surveillance team. Before long she realized they were following her. Those were Vic’s instructions.

I love him. I love his son.

She knew where to find the jail. One day several months ago, she’d humored Jeremy by driving him to see it. Claire had so many memories of him.

After making sure her car door was locked, she walked to the entrance, where an officer met her.

“Can I see some ID?”

She pulled her license from her wallet and showed it to him.

“You’re Ms. Ames. Ranger Saunders said to let you in. You can sit in the lounge to wait for him.” He checked the contents of her purse and gave it back to her.

“Thank you.”

When she opened the door, the cold blast of A/C was welcome. Vic probably wouldn’t like it that she’d come, but she couldn’t stand to sit in the house and do nothing. Kit understood that. A dozen or so others were also waiting in the lounge. But they were here to visit inmates and had to wait until it was their turn.

It was a whole other world down here. Claire shuddered. This was the dark side of life Vic had to deal with day in and day out. But to face the man who’d kidnapped Jeremy had to be something else altogether. She’d never seen Vic’s dark side. She didn’t believe he had one. But this morning he was going to be tested.

Claire decided it was a good thing she wasn’t the one in that jail cell with Leroy. The urge to strangle that monster with her bare hands was so strong she wasn’t sure she’d be able to contain it.

Chapter Three

Vic stood in the corner while two guards brought Leroy into the room, his arms behind his back, hands and ankles shackled. His attorney walked in behind them. Kit stood in the hall on the other side of the one-way glass to watch what was going on. Later he’d interrogate Leroy’s friends one at a time.

The school custodian had been put in a black-and-white-striped shirt and pants. The guards pulled out a chair in front of the small table in the bare room and helped him into it. Vic nodded to them and they left. The attorney took a seat in the chair next to him. Vic didn’t recognize him.

Curious, he walked around behind Leroy and peeked at the green eye tattooed to his inner left arm. It was ghoulish. Leroy sat there with his head down. White-hot fury was building inside of Vic and threatening to take over, but he had to remember that this wreck of a human being was his only route to Jeremy. Vic went back to the other side of the table.

“Is my son still alive?”

No answer.

“I want to know who paid you money to kidnap my son. You’ve committed a federal crime. If you tell me where you’ve hidden him and I find him alive, then you’ll only have to serve twenty-five years in prison instead of life.” He stared at the attorney. “Tell him what I just said so he’ll believe it.”

“We’ve already talked. My client wants a jury trial, no plea bargain.”

Someone was paying big dollars for Leroy’s defense. Had they bought the judge, too? “If you’re going for a verdict of insanity, it won’t stick. Otherwise you wouldn’t have been hired at the school.” Vic leaned over the table with his hands on the top. “A jury will convict you and throw away the key.”

“My client will take his chances.”

His jaw hardened. “Even if you know my son’s friend is going to be put on the stand? He’ll testify that you tried to entice him and Jeremy into the custodian’s closet outside his classroom to see your other tattoos.” Vic’s anger was kindled. “Speak up now while I’m still in the mood to listen.”

Leroy sat there like a vegetable, infuriating Vic until he saw red. He lunged across the table and grabbed his shoulders. “Talk to me you worthless coward—”

“Ranger Malone?” He heard Kit’s voice, but he was still so livid, he couldn’t think. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

The interruption got through to Vic, forcing him to release Leroy. On legs that felt as heavy as water, he moved past Kit into the hall.

His friend shut the door. “Hey, bud. I want to beat the crap out of him, too, but when you grabbed the prisoner, you gave his attorney ammunition against you. I wager he’ll inform the captain what happened in there and he won’t sugarcoat it. Come on. Let’s get you out of here. You need to go home. Claire’s outside in the waiting room. She’ll follow you.”

His head jerked around. “What’s she doing here?”

“She wants answers badly, too. Before we left the house she told me she felt guilty because she waited too long to go inside the school when Jeremy didn’t come out right away.”

“That’s absurd.”

“It is, but like I told her, it’s a human reaction to an impossible situation. I’m still waiting to interrogate the two guys brought in with Leroy. When I find out anything, I’ll phone you. Now do what you have to do to stay out of trouble and go home.”

“I can’t do that.”

“You have to.”

He raked a hand through his hair. “If it were your son...”

“If it were my son, then you’d be the one telling me to get a grip and go home.”

“But I’m heading up this case!”

Kit shook his head. “Before I left headquarters the captain told me to keep an eye on you. He’s asking someone else to take over the investigation. You’re too close to it. Get out of here before the attorney sees you and files battery charges against you.”

Vic knew his friend was speaking the truth, but his agony over what had happened to his son had affected his ability to control himself. If he’d had time alone in there with that creep, there’d be nothing left of Leroy. This was a living nightmare.

“Are you ready?” Kit murmured.

No. He’d never be ready while Jeremy was out there suffering, but this was one time when he needed to follow someone else’s counsel. There was no one he trusted more than Kit.

After taking a deep breath, he followed him down the hall to the door that led to the lounge.

Claire saw him immediately and hurried over to him. The worry lines on her lovely face reminded him he wasn’t the only one in pain over Jeremy’s disappearance. “I wish I had any new information, Claire. For now all we can do is go home. Kit’s going to call me after he’s questioned the other two prisoners brought in with Leroy. We’re investigating several leads I’ll tell you about after we get back to the house.”

They left the jail and he walked her to her car. “Drive safely. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

“Is there anything I can do for you? Any shopping?” Her heart was in her eyes.

“If there is, I can’t think of what.”

“Then I’ll see you at home.”

He watched her drive away before he strode over to his car and got in. He put his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes for a minute. Never in his life had he come close to feeling like he did when he put his hands on Leroy. For a few seconds he’d lost complete awareness of his surroundings. If it hadn’t been for Kit watching his back, he’d have beaten that lowlife to a pulp before realizing what he’d done.

Temporary insanity. That’s what the defense called momentary madness. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought he could be capable of forgetting the oath he’d taken to uphold the law. He ached for his son. But he’d compounded that ache by trying to take vengeance into his own hands. No jury, no trial. He’d been the executioner while his prisoner couldn’t fight back.

What he’d done would never bring his son home. It would take him a long time to forgive himself for what had almost happened. He heard a horn honk and sat forward. It was Kit, waving to him before he drove off.

Humbled by the other Ranger’s friendship during the darkest time of Vic’s despair, he started the engine and left for home. As he pulled into the driveway, his cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID. It was TJ.

Vic dreaded the phone conversation they were about to have, but he had to answer it.

He clicked On. “TJ?”

“It’s a damn shame about your son, but I still have to do my job. I just got off the phone with the DA who’s going to prosecute Leroy’s case. You overstepped your bounds at the jail. Though I’ve taken you off the case, I haven’t suspended you. As for now, you’re on vacation. I suggest you get some counseling with the department psychiatrist.”

He knew the captain was cutting him slack by not suspending him, but he’d never felt so helpless in his life. “Yes, sir. Have you put Kit in charge?”

“Kit’s too close to you. I’ve put Ranger Rodriguez on it. He’ll be objective.”

Vic groaned.

“I’m a father and can only imagine how I would feel and react if my son or daughter had been kidnapped. But there are still consequences to pay. After some therapy you can report for duty. I need you back on the force ASAP. I want you to call the psychiatric unit today and set up some appointments with the doctor you used before.”

TJ meant Dr. Marshall, the psychiatrist who’d helped Vic deal with his grief after the tornado struck.

“We need you, Vic. You’re one of our best and that’s not lip service. We’re all sending up prayers that your son will be returned to you soon.”

Vic knew that. “Thanks, TJ.”

Rodriguez was a good Ranger, but his instincts weren’t quick like Vic’s closest buddies. TJ’s choice to head up this case was made on purpose because like Kit, he knew that Vic’s other friends, Cy and Luckey, were too close to Vic to be objective. Vic got it, but he didn’t like it.