Silent Pursuit Read online

  Once again the call was routed.

  The sheriff answered on the second ring.

  By the time Ian hung up, he felt as if he had a few answers. He made his way over to Gina, who had begun searching the room while he talked with the sheriff.

  “Hey.”

  She turned, brow raised. “Yeah?”

  “Is there a fax machine around here?”

  “No. Mina wasn’t very high-tech. Whenever Mario came to visit, he brought his laptop. Why?”

  Conflicted about what he needed to do and what he wanted to do, he walked over to Gina and pulled his gun from his shoulder holster. “Here. Do you know how to use this?”

  She looked up from the drawer she’d been searching through and took it from him. “Yes, Joseph taught all us girls how to use a gun when he finished going through the academy. Ian, what’s going on? What did the sheriff tell you?”

  “I’m going to have to ride into town. I called to ask if he’d had any strangers in town that really stood out. He did a little investigating for me and said his buddy who owns the diner remembered a man who’d come in asking a lot of questions yesterday. He said the guy was abrupt to the point of being rude when he didn’t the answers he was looking for. The owner did a little search on his security videos and managed to come up with one of this guy. He’d sent it to the sheriff. I’ve got to go look at it.”

  “Oh, so that’s why you wanted a fax machine.”

  “Yeah, so he could send me some still prints from the video. He could send them to my phone, but he said he didn’t think they’d come through. They’re kind of grainy.”

  “Can’t someone drive it out here?”

  He shook his head. “I asked.” He stepped forward and cupped her chin. “I don’t want to leave you, but you can’t come with me.”

  Biting her lip, she nodded. “I know. I can’t take a chance that someone I know—or who knows me—will see me and know I’m here. If they come back and start showing my picture around, I’m toast.”

  “Exactly.” Using his thumb, he gently pried her bottom lip from her top teeth. He sucked in a deep breath and stepped back. “I’ll be as fast as I can. Joseph’s on the way. He’s about twenty minutes out.”

  She gripped the gun and made sure the safety was on. “What if you need this?

  “I can take care of myself.” He leaned over and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Let’s figure this out and end it with us on the winning side.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Ian moved toward the door. “I’ll be back shortly.”

  Ear tuned to any noises that might foretell of impending danger, Gina paced the spotless kitchen floor, wondering where she should search next.

  Mario had sent her here. To the house that he knew she loved. She fingered the gun, praying she wouldn’t have a need for it. The fact that Joseph was on the way offered her some comfort. She hated the thought of Ian having to fight off these very skilled…assassins was the word that came to mind, and she shivered in spite of the warming temperatures inside the house.

  Closing her eyes, she tried to picture where Mario would have hidden something.

  Nothing came to mind.

  She’d have to do a methodical search through the house, possibly the barn. Starting in the kitchen, she went through every drawer, every nook and cranny. She even knocked on the wood and listened for a hollow sound, indicating Mario had gotten creative and designed a hiding place.

  No luck.

  The search did bring forth memory after memory, and she found herself alternating between smiling and tearing up. Mina, Mario’s grandmother, had been such a feisty woman—and a champion of the underdog. Which is why she’d taken in her two needy grandchildren at the age of sixty.

  Gina moved into the next room, the den. Mr. Carswell had certainly earned his money. He’d done a fantastic job of keeping the place clean. Not a speck of dust anywhere.

  Then an awful thought hit her.

  Was it possible that Mr. Carswell could have found whatever it was these guys were after? Possibly unknowingly? Could he have found it and thrown it out? Was she searching for something that wasn’t even there?

  Sick dread curled in her stomach.

  How would she ever know? It wasn’t as if she could ask the man if he’d come across anything. She didn’t even know what to ask about. A paper? A computer disc? A flash drive? A picture? Who knew?

  Disheartened, she continued her search of the den—and came across Mina’s Bible on the end table next to the oversize recliner.

  How that woman had loved the Lord. Gina put it aside, promising herself she’d take the time to go through it later.

  A few minutes later, she heard the crunch of a car on gravel. With her pulse speeding up a bit, she raced to the window and nudged the curtain aside a few centimeters.

  Ian.

  Relief made her knees weak. She hadn’t realized she’d been so worried. Rushing to the door, she flung it open just as he stepped onto the porch. “Did you get the information you needed?”

  “Yeah, I think so. I learned quite a bit.”

  She pulled him into the den. “I’ve been searching but so far nothing. You might as well fill me in on what you learned.”

  “I recognized a man on the tape.”

  She stilled. “Who?”

  “Robbie Stillman.”

  “Who’s that? A guy from the unit? I don’t recognize his name.”

  “He was kicked out for dishonorable conduct about a month after he replaced me.”

  “And he’s trying to kill me?”

  “Looks that way. I thought that might be him when Mr. Carswell described the tattoo on his hand.”

  She slumped into the nearest chair. “So…Mario was right—there was a traitor in the unit.”

  “Well, he’s not technically in the unit, but yeah, at least one traitor.”

  Lifting teary eyes to his, she said, “You think he was working with someone else?”

  “Unfortunately, I do.”

  “Who?”

  “I don’t know. There wasn’t anyone else in the video. Just Robbie. And he was definitely looking for you.”

  Her eyes went wide. “And?”

  “He’s been all over town, asking questions, causing quite a stir.”

  “Is he still here?”

  “No, I never saw him. Apparently he cleared out sometime last night.”

  “To come burn down my brother’s apartment?” she whispered.

  “Maybe. My guess is he wasn’t working alone, though.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Just a gut feeling. The sheriff said another stranger had been in town, too, but he didn’t have a picture of him. I bet they split up to ask questions. Robbie just happened to get caught on tape.”

  “Do you think he—they—know we’re here?”

  “Either they don’t know we’re here yet or they know and are forming a plan of attack.”

  “So, what do we do?”

  “Be ready.”

  And keep searching. They had to stop running at some point, and Ian figured now was as good as any. Mario had led them to this house. They couldn’t leave until they’d found whatever was valuable enough to kill for.

  He had a feeling it was information on the guys chasing them but had no idea what kind or on whom. Gina pulled several books from the bookcase and started flipping through them, setting each one aside when she finished.

  His phone rang. An unlisted number. Tensing, he flipped open the cell. “Masterson here.”

  “Hey, Ian, it’s been a long time.”

  It took a moment for the voice to register. “Well, well, if it isn’t Bandit McGuire. How’d you get this number?”

  Gina stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. He waved her back to work and wandered into the kitchen. He wasn’t sure he wanted her to hear his end of the conversation yet. She frowned at him but went back to work.

  Bandit and Mario had been tight friends up u
ntil Bandit had seemed to disappear from the face of the earth. “Jase gave it to me. I heard you were looking into Mario’s activities right before he died.”

  “Yeah, I am.” Who’d told Bandit that? Why hadn’t anyone mentioned talking to the man? Was he still deep undercover? Instead of voicing those questions, he asked, “Why? You know something?” He was keeping in touch with someone if he knew they were asking about Mario. With Jase? Mac? Ian didn’t like the suspicions rearing their heads.

  “Maybe. Jase saw Mario with some girl and snapped a few pictures of them together at some diner.”

  “Right. Mac told me about the pictures.”

  “Huh. Well, Jase found out who the girl was and passed that information on to me.”

  Anticipation curled through him, but he kept his demeanor calm. “Who was she?”

  “Celestina Rodriguez.”

  A slug in his gut wouldn’t have produced more shock. “The daughter of…”

  “Esteban Rodriguez. Yep.”

  “What was he doing with the daughter of the biggest gunrunner in South America? Was he crazy?”

  “Looks like it.”

  “Were they…romantically involved?” It made him sick to have to ask. Ian thought about Gina, innocent, unsuspecting, trusting.

  “It sure looked like it, but if he was undercover, you never know what’s real and what’s not.”

  “Why did Jase take those pictures?”

  Bandit blew out a sigh at this. “He thought Mario was cheating on Gina and took the pictures just to…aw you know, Jase, he was being a jerk.”

  “Huh. A jerk or was he just looking out for a good woman?”

  The silence on the other end of the phone spoke volumes. Then Bandit cleared his throat and said, “Anyway, Mario was furious. Said he’d only seen her that once and threatened to kill Jase if he ever showed those pictures to anyone—especially Gina.”

  “Yeah, I know. Jase told me that, but he didn’t know who the girl was.”

  “I know you and Jase were good friends once upon a time, but watch your back with him. He’s trouble.”

  Sorrow gripped Ian. Had he trusted the wrong person? Could Jase have been responsible for Mario’s death? Revenge for a threat? It seemed too far-fetched, but he’d heard of worse.

  “What about Robbie Stillman? Have you heard anything from him in a while?”

  “No, but I know he and Jase are pretty tight. They worked a mission together about a month ago.”

  “Jase and Robbie? Really?” Why hadn’t Jase said anything about that? Doubts assaulted him from all sides. Who did he trust?

  “Anything else?” Ian desperately wanted to pull out his laptop and do some research on the Rodriguez family but wasn’t sure if it was safe. Whoever had tracked his movements from Nicholas’s house might have hacked into the machine, allowing that person to know whenever Ian booted it back up. And if that person had that information, Ian and Gina’s whereabouts could be compromised.

  “That’s it. You want me come give you some backup, man? From what Mac says, these dudes that are after you are dangerous. Why don’t you tell me where you are and let me come out there and help?”

  “Aren’t you working something undercover? Where’ve you been all this time?”

  “Yeah, I’m still undercover, but I can help out.” He didn’t offer any more information than that.

  Who did he trust? God, who do I trust?

  “Naw, I’ve got it under control. But I’ve got your number if I decide I need some help. Thanks, Bandit.”

  “Come on, Ian, you don’t have to be the lone wolf here. No sense in going solo when you got help right here.”

  Ian paused. It would be nice to have backup he could count on and yet…the whole story Bandit had just shared with him just wasn’t ringing true. Something was off. “I’ll call you if I need you.”

  He hung up. What held him back from accepting Bandit’s offer of help? Suspicions tugged at him once more. That phone call was just a little too convenient.

  And if what Bandit said was true, what had Mario been doing with a gunrunner’s daughter?

  “Who was that?”

  He spun to face Gina, who stood in the doorway to the kitchen, chewing her bottom lip. “A friend of mine who heard we were looking into what Mario was up to right before he died.”

  “And how did he know that?”

  “From the guys in the unit Mac talked to, I’m sure.”

  Skepticism crossed her pretty face. “And you trust what he has to say?”

  Ian hesitated. “I don’t…mistrust it…. I just want to verify it.”

  “Right.”

  He glanced away, the urge to pull her into his arms and bury his face in her hair nearly overwhelming. He wanted to protect her, tell her everything was all right. Promise he’d get her out of this alive.

  Instead, he swallowed hard and said, “I’m going to work on that. You keep searching, deal?”

  Her eyes softened. “Deal, Ian. Thank you.”

  “Do you still think I betrayed the unit, Gina?”

  The question popped from him before he could stop it. Startled, she tilted her head and eyed him. “No. I don’t guess I do. You must have had a good reason to do what you did. Mario sent me running to you for help, so that says a lot.”

  “Maybe I’ll be able to share my reasons for leaving with you one day.” Soon, he hoped. But first he had to make sure she was safe. And would live to be a ripe old age, not cut down before she had a chance to experience love, marriage, children…. He blinked and cut those thoughts off.

  “I’d like that.” She put her hands on his shoulders, stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. A blowtorch would have burned less.

  Then she turned and left the room.

  His phone rang and he snatched it up. Another number he didn’t recognize. “Hello.”

  “Mr. Masterson?”

  “Yes. Who’s this?”

  “Jesse Carswell. You asked me to call you back if I saw that man who said he was a Realtor.”

  “Right, right. And you’ve seen him?”

  “Yup. He and another man just walked right past me and into the Rocking Porch Diner. They’re flashing some badges and pictures and asking about you two.”

  EIGHTEEN

  “Gina!”

  She jumped at Ian’s yell, dropping the vase she’d just turned upside down. Fortunately, it hit the cushion of the recliner and bounced. She caught it, settled it back in place and dashed toward the kitchen. Ian rounded the corner just as she did. He skidded to a halt, grabbed her upper arms and said, “Mr. Carswell called and said the guys were back in town. He recognized the car one of them was driving. Somehow I’ve got to figure out how to nab them and keep them from coming this way.”

  “But you can’t confront them alone!”

  “I’m not. I’m calling for backup.”

  “Who are you going to call? Who can you trust?”

  “I’ve already put a call in to the sheriff and told him those guys are trouble. Joseph and Catelyn were almost here but are going straight to the diner instead.” He cupped her cheek, studied her face a moment, then said, “I’m not going anywhere. There’s no way I’m leaving you alone.”

  “No, you need to go.”

  “The sheriff’s on the way. He’s supposed to call as soon as he can.”

  “But…what if Joseph needs help?” The thought of her brother and Catelyn facing down those men frightened her. Not that she didn’t have confidence in Joseph’s skills when it came to taking care of himself, but…

  He cut his eyes toward her. “You trying to get rid of me?”

  “No, I just can’t stand to think of those men in town, around innocent people. People I may have put in danger because I came here.” Tears filled her eyes and she blinked them away. “It’s my fault. Maybe I should have just tried to disappear instead of trying to find whatever it is Mario hid.”

  “No. Now, you know as well as I do that would have been even more dangerou
s. If they’re Rangers gone bad, they would have tracked you down. You played it smart and called me—so let me handle…”

  His phone rang once more, cutting him off. “Joseph, did you find them?”

  Gina resumed her search with a frantic panic. She had to find it. Whatever it was.

  She moved into the bedroom and tore it apart. The house was so big. Four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Plus the basement and the barn. There was no time to search every spot.

  Mario would have known this. Would have known she might be in a hurry and need to find whatever he hid. She closed her eyes and concentrated, picturing the letter he’d left her. She’d read it so many times she had it memorized. But nothing about it jumped out at her. Of course, the statement about “keep her close to your heart” hadn’t made an impression the first one hundred times through either.

  She headed for the office. She hadn’t searched there because she figured it would be too obvious. Surely, he wouldn’t hide something in his office. Then again…

  Ian came up behind her. “They’re not there.”

  “What happened?”

  “They were already gone when Joseph and Catelyn arrived. They’re searching for them right now.”

  “Do you think the guys after us are on their way here?” She felt tears of pure anger well up. Anger at Mario, anger at herself for her inability to figure out where he might have hid something, anger at the men chasing them. Just…anger.

  “I don’t know.” Jaw tight, he reached back to rub the back of his neck. “All right, I’m not leaving you and there’s nothing we can do about what’s going on in town. The best thing we can do is search this place and find what we need to get these guys off our tail—and in jail. I’m going to search the barn. That’ll cut some time off for you.”

  “Okay.” She swiped the tears with her palms, and he reached out to brush a cheek with a knuckle. He looked as though he wanted to say something else.

  Instead he said, “Keep your ears open. If you hear anything weird, get out of sight and punch in number one on your phone. I programmed it. Number one, then send and I’ll know you need me, all right?”

  She nodded. “All right.”

  “Then let’s get busy.”

  Gina watched him leave, said a quick prayer, then got to work. Nothing in the desk drawers. Nothing in the filing cabinets.