Hard Core Law

“An extra shot of insulin from his pump. You calculate, it injects.” The female agent shrugged. “I read and prepare for my cases.”

Josh hated diabetes.

Bryce stayed by the kitchen door. He’d driven Josh and wouldn’t leave until he had confirmation of orders that the two of them had already discussed. Unofficial orders when no one had been listening. Ranger headquarters had someone on the way to relieve him as Company F commander. Whoever was now in charge would make certain every rule was followed to the letter and that personnel kept their actions impeccable.

“Everyone is working off the assumption that the Tenoreno family is behind this. Right?” he asked McCaffrey, finally stating what everyone thought.

The FBI agents’ reactions were about what he expected. No one would confirm. They zipped their lips tight and avoided eye contact. But their actions were all the confirmation he needed.

The Mafia family connection was the reason the FBI had been called as soon as Josh had received the news. He’d rather have his Company in charge, but the conflict of interest was too great.

Bryce stood in the doorway and shook his head, warning him not to push the issue. They’d talked through the short list of pros and cons about confronting anyone called in to handle the kidnapping.

The more they forced the issue, the less likely the FBI would be inclined to share information. It could all blow up in his face. But it was like a big bright red button with a flashing neon sign that said Do Not Push.

The longer the agents avoided answering, the brighter the button blinked, tempting him to hit it.

“The Tenoreno family?”

Tracey was the only one left who didn’t know who they were. She needed to know what faced them because she was certain to be used by the Mafia-like family. No one wanted to explain so it was up to him to bring her up to speed.

Two hours and thirty-eight minutes after Tracey was found unconscious on a sidewalk, his phone rang. Brooks & Dunn’s “Put a Girl in It” blasted through the kitchen.

“That’s my ringtone for Tracey. They’re using her phone. It’s the kidnappers.”

* * *

EVERYONE STARED AT the phone. Only one person moved. Agent Barlow pulled a headset onto her ears, clicked or pushed buttons, then pointed to Agent McCaffrey. It really was like being a part of a scripted movie. Tracey could only watch.

“You know what to do, Josh. Try to keep them on the line as long as possible,” Agent McCaffrey said.

Tracey cupped her hands over her mouth to stop the words she wanted to scream. They would only antagonize the kidnappers and would probably get her dragged from the room. She needed to hear what those masked men were about to say.

Agent Barlow clicked on Josh’s cell.

“This is Parker.” Josh’s fingers curled into fists.

“You won’t hear from us again as long as you’re working with the FBI.” The line went dead.

“No. Wait!” Josh hammered his hand against the wood tabletop. But his face told her he knew it was no use.

“What just happened? Shouldn’t they let us know how to get in touch with them?” Tracey looked around the room, wanting answers. What did this mean? “You do have a plan, right?”

Agent McCaffrey clasped Josh’s shoulder, then patted it—while staring into Tracey’s eyes. “That’s what we expected.”

Everyone’s stare turned to Agent Barlow, who shook her head. “Nothing. We’ve been monitoring for Miss Cassidy’s phone, they fired it up, made the call and probably pulled the battery again.”

“So we’re back to square one.” Agent Lanning tapped on the window, silently bringing attention to the suits monitoring the outside of the house.

“We have instructions.” Josh stared at the only other ranger left in the house—Bryce.

Tracey was confused. It was as if they were speaking in some sort of code. Or maybe they were stating something obvious and the concussion was keeping her from recognizing it. The others shook their heads.

“You don’t want to do that, Josh.” Agent McCaffrey kept his cool. He clearly didn’t want whatever Josh had just silently communicated to Bryce. “This case is going to be difficult—”

“It’s not a case. They’re my kids.” Josh hit his chest with his fist. “Mine.”

“You need our resources.” Barlow dropped the headphones on the table.

“I need you to leave. I’ve told you that from the beginning.” Josh stood. Calmly this time, without tipping the chair to the floor. “I’ve played along for the past couple of hours hoping it’s not what we thought, but it is. These guys aren’t going to play games. They either get what they want or they kill—”

“You can’t do this,” Barlow said.

The agent seemed a little dramatic, but what did Tracey know?

“Yes, I can. It’s my right to refuse your help.” Josh gestured for Tracey to lead the way to the back staircase.

“Look...” Agent McCaffrey lowered his voice. “We’ll admit that the kidnapping involves Tenoreno. We assume these men are going to ask you to do something illegal. You’re better off if we stay.”

“I haven’t done anything illegal. You need to go.” Josh took the Texas Ranger Star he was so proud of and dropped it in the agent’s open palm. “Bryce. You know what to do.”

Josh caught Tracey under her elbow and led her up the staircase. They went to the kids’ bedroom, where he shut the door.

“What is Bryce going to do?”

“First thing is to get my badge back. I shouldn’t have given it to McCaffrey. But the agent wanted it for show in case the kidnappers are watching. I’ll surrender it to the new Company commander if they ask me to resign, not before. Then he’ll get everyone out of the house. Before the FBI arrived, we assumed we knew who was behind the kidnapping. There’s really no other motive. It’s not like I have a ton of money to pay a ransom.”

Tracey winced, but Josh was looking out the window and couldn’t have seen. The twins’ kidnapping didn’t have anything to do with her. The man said it has to be someone he loves. He meant someone Josh loves. Right?

“What if...” She hesitated to ask, to broach the subject that this entire incident might be her fault. She cleared her throat. “What are you going to do without the FBI’s help?”

“Get things done. Bryce has already arranged for friends in the Waco PD to watch the agents who will be watching us.” He quirked a brow at his cleverness, sitting on the footstool between the twin beds.

His wife’s parents had chosen that stool to match a rocker Gwen had never gotten to hold her children in. She’d been too weak. It’s where Josh refused to sit. The stool was as close as he’d get. The chair was where Tracey had rocked the babies to sleep.

“Have you told Gwen’s parents?”

“There’s nothing they could do. McCaffrey thinks it’s better to wait.”

“The FBI will be following us when we leave the house.” He stood again, wiping his palms on his jeans. “They’ll wait for me to issue an order to my men. I’d be breaking the law since I’ve been asked to step away from my command. Then they’ll swoop back in like vultures and take control of things.”

“Will you?”

“What? Leave? Don’t worry.” He straightened books on the shelf. “When I do, I’ll make sure someone’s here with you. Bryce will be close. I won’t leave you alone.”

“No. That’s not what I’m talking about. Will you break the law?”

He gawked at her with a blank look of incredulousness. Either surprised that she’d asked, insulting his ranger integrity. Or surprised that she questioned...