Ranger Protector

“You ask and he ends up dead. That’s where we start, with that connection.”

“Come on. He wouldn’t kill himself and frame me for the murder. This situation has to be connected to a different case. I mean, they had someone who looked like me. Wouldn’t that take time, preparation?”

“Just a tall, fairly good-looking woman and a wig.”

“You think it’s that easy to imitate me?” She gave herself the once-over, sort of waiting for him to do the same.

He accommodated her, appreciating every molecule. But in the end, he knew he was right. “They don’t need anything elaborate. If there’s one thing I know, eyewitness accounts are never completely accurate. All these guys had to do was get a woman who looked similar.”

“And they’ve already gotten rid of her...along with my house.” She covered her face. “That’s awful. I’m thinking about my house, and two people are dead. That poor woman. And whatever Harry Knight was involved with...he didn’t deserve to die.”

“It’s okay to be human, Megan, and think about yourself in all this mess. If you don’t, we won’t determine how to get you out of it.”

She scooted off the tailgate and rubbed her arms. There was an easier way to get her warm. He’d never been one of those guys who thought about sex every six minutes.

With Megan...he might slide into the norm.

“Looks like this is what I’ll be wearing in lockup.” She slid the backs of her fingers down her sides. “We should probably get going.”

Jack slammed the tailgate, then checked his watch. He’d only lasted three.

Chapter Five (#u3177eef3-570c-5a9a-a437-e5f7a829ba13)

“That’s the sixth time you’ve called your partner. Is he always this elusive?” Megan didn’t think her voice was shaking, but the nervous flutter in her throat verified how uncertain she was about what to do. She had to move forward. Waiting did no one any good.

The possibilities in her mind wouldn’t stop whirring around like unpredictable fire. One thought led to another, then another. But sooner than later she landed on the poor, poor, pitiful me side of things and had to shake the thoughts away.

“He’s probably busy.”

“What?”

Jack set his cell on the dash. “You asked about my partner.”

“Oh, right.” Concentrate on something else. “Your sister doesn’t seem to like him much.”

“She thinks he persuaded me to leave Liberty Hill. And she’s stuck working for my dad instead of me.”

“Then why not blame you? Seems like there’s more to that story.”

“Nope. That’s about all there is.” Jack dipped his chin, cleared his throat nervously and pressed his lips together.

His phone rang and he answered using the hands-free device. “Sorry I didn’t call sooner, Mrs. D. But I’ve had something come up and can’t make any of the homecoming meeting.”

“Little Jack, there is no excuse for this. Your father assured me that you’d handle the parade next Saturday. It’s huge this year, with over twenty floats. You need to be here instead of sending your sister as a surrogate.”

“She’s perfectly capable. The parade isn’t that—”

“If I remember correctly, young man, you were taught not to interrupt. So let me finish.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Jack tapped the steering wheel with his thumbs.

Megan covered her mouth to hide her chuckle. The older woman had just chastised Jack when she was the one interrupting. He raised his eyebrows and sighed. The man does have restraint.

“How long will it take for you to get back? It will throw off my agenda, but we could move the parade to the end of the meeting.”

“I really do apologize, but I’ve been called out of town. Gillie will be there. She’ll pass along anything that I need to do. I should be back in a couple of days.”

“Jack MacKinnon Jr., I can’t believe you’re shirking your volunteer responsibilities.” His next-door neighbor kept talking.

Or preaching. Megan tried not to laugh. She pressed her fingers into her lips, practically holding the giggles inside. Surprised that one phone call could clear her mind of the multiple “why me” traps.

“I really am sorry, Mrs. D. I’d be there if my job hadn’t needed me. Gotta go.” He clicked the cell off. “Small town. You can laugh now.”

“Sorry. It’s obviously important to her.”

“Homecoming in Texas. Damn straight. Former state champs. This year’s team heads to playoffs if they win this week. Yeah, it’s important to a lot of people. But not as important as keeping you safe.”

If she remembered correctly, they weren’t too far from the Rangers’ headquarters. All he had to do was dump her there and she’d be someone else’s problem. But he insisted on staying with her. She should thank Jack for his help and get her mind ready for an interrogation.

But what about? Did she need to find a lawyer before they went inside? Would she be able to sort through this mistake—because it was definitely a mistake—with the Rangers?

“Do you have other cases that might relate to the unusual fires or have someone with a grudge?”

The levity was gone. Serious Texas Ranger was back behind the wheel.

“I have twenty-seven open cases on my desk. Hundreds more that I’ve filed away. How am I supposed to determine which one is involved with a murder I didn’t commit? Especially without access to my files.”

He slowed the truck, dropping his arm across the back of the seat and letting his fingers touch her shoulder.

“Megan—”

“Please don’t tell me that everything will work out.”

“We’re being followed.”

“What?” She jerked her head around to look out the back window. His fingers blocked her movement, keeping her facing him. “You’ve got to be kidding. How would they know where we are?”

“No, no, just look at me. It’s a black SUV, dark windows. There’s an identical one three cars ahead.”

“No chance they’re law enforcement?” She identified both of the vehicles and decided the answer was a big fat no. “Call it in. You can do that, right?”

Jack’s free hand was already headed to his phone. She kept alternating her peripheral vision from the SUV she could see in the side mirror to the one slowing down in front. Slowing down with just one car between them.

“...that’s right. I’m bringing in Megan Harper, who voluntarily surrendered. We’re being followed, maybe ambushed. Sure, I’ll stay on the line.”

“The one in front has cracked its windows. Is that bad? Are they trying to shoot us?”

“Hang on.”