Taking Aim (9 page)

“Then we’ll shoot your knees and leave you out there for the
four-legged coyotes to clean up.” Jacie waved the gun. “Enough excuses.”

Zach fought the smile. Jacie was getting into her tough-girl
role, maybe a little too much. She was tough, but Zach knew the real woman
beneath the attitude. She wouldn’t shoot.

Zach, on the other hand, wouldn’t suffer a stubborn fool. If
the man knew something, Zach would shoot one digit at a time until he got the
information out of him. He wouldn’t let Tracie go through what Toni had
suffered. Not if he could help it.

He drove the rest of the way to the Raging Bull without
speaking another word, his mind running through the task at hand. Hopefully, the
FBI and DEA would prove some kind of help storming the cave. Zach couldn’t do it
on his own. Not as heavily fortified as the Los Lobos had proved by shooting
down the helicopter. Assuming the Los Lobos had done the shooting.

An operations tent had been set up in a field beside the barn
on the Raging Bull Ranch. A phalanx of rental cars and dark SUVs lined the fence
railing, where people milled about, pressing handheld radios to their ears.

Zach pulled into the front drive, weaving through the cars to
find a place to park among the government vehicles.

Hank met them with a frown denting his forehead. “Glad you made
it.”

Jacie let herself out of her side of the truck. She handed Zach
the gun. “I think he’ll behave as long as he’s surrounded.”

Zach took the Glock. “Thanks.” Then he turned to Hank. “What’s
the latest?”

“The FBI and DEA have joined forces in the search and rescue
efforts. They have boots on the ground and birds in the air in Wild Horse
Canyon, tracking from the point where you found the four-by-four and the dead
members of La Familia.”

Jacie stepped up to Hank. “Any sign of my sister?”

Hank shook his head. “Sorry. None.”

Her shoulders sagged for a moment, then she straightened and
turned to Zach. “Well, then, what are we waiting for?”

Hank stared from Zach to Jacie and then to the man standing
behind them. “You two find out something?”

“Yeah.” Zach jerked his head toward their informant. “This is
the man who told Tracie about the op going down in the canyon.”

Hank’s eyebrows dipped. “What’s he doing here?”

“He knows where the Los Lobos hole up in a cave in the canyon
when they’re making a drug run.” Zach gave the informant a pointed look. “He’s
going to show us where that is.”

Juan grumbled, “If I don’t, you’ll blow my knees off.”

Hank laughed and pounded Zach on the back. “A man after my own
heart.”

“Not man.” Zach jerked his head toward Jacie. “Woman. She’s the
one who threatened to blow his knees apart and, what was it you said?”

“Leave me for the four-legged coyotes to finish off.” Juan
glared at Jacie. “She’s an animal.”

Jacie shrugged and repeated her mantra. “I want my sister
back.”

Hank hooked Zach’s elbow and he led him away from Juan. “Are
you going to let the operations center know what you found?”

Zach sucked in a breath and let it out. “I don’t know.”

Jacie joined them. “Don’t. We don’t know who is bad in the
group, possibly in both agencies, given the two DEA agents weren’t on
orders.”

“Probably a wise decision.” Hank nodded. “However, going up
against Los Lobos alone is suicide.”

“Not if they don’t see you.” Zach glanced at Jacie. “Which
means I can’t allow you to go.”

“Like hell you can’t.” Jacie stuck a finger into his chest.
“Look, mister, that’s my sister out there. I’m going to get her back. And I know
those canyons better than any of you.”

“I’ll have to trust our friend there to get me in and out at
night. I’m sure he’s had practice.”

“You’re waiting until dark?” Jacie asked.

“Can’t go any sooner without alerting Los Lobos and the team of
rescuers.” Zach glanced toward the western sky, where the sun made its way
toward the horizon. It would be dark before long and the air rescue units would
be called in, as would the ground teams.

“Are you sure you don’t want to let the FBI and DEA know what
we found out?” Hank asked.

Zach raised his eyebrows. “What exactly do we know?”

“Los Lobos
have a cave hideout in
the canyon,” Jacie offered. “Not that I’m condoning asking for FBI or DEA help
on this.”

“Do we know for certain they do or is Juan leading us on?” Zach
shot back at her.

Jacie swallowed hard on a rising knot forming around her vocal
cords. “My sister might be in that cave.”

“If she is, we’ll need more than just you and me to bring her
out. We need to recon and see what we’re up against.”

“Right.” Jacie’s back stiffened. “You said ‘we.’”

“I really meant me.” Zach pointed at the Hispanic lounging
against his truck. “Juan is only showing me where. I’d go it alone if I knew
where. As it is, I don’t trust Juan any farther than I can throw him.”

“All the more reason to take me,” Jacie insisted. “I can watch
your back.”

Hank laid a hand on Jacie’s arm. “Zach’s right.”

“Oh, please, you can’t take sides. You put him on this case to
help me, not replace me.”

“He’s trained to do this stuff. You’ll only—”

Jacie held up her hand. “Slow him down, right? And what do you
expect me to do while you go fight the terrorists? Stay home and knit?” She
waved at her dusty clothes. “I’m not the stay-at-home kinda gal, in case you
haven’t noticed.”

Zach grinned. “No, you’re not.” His smile died.

“You can stay and lurk around the operations tent with the FBI
and DEA and see what they’ve come up with,” Hank suggested. “Maybe you can
figure out who our mole is in the bureau.”

Jacie snorted. “Like I’d have a clue.”

Zach turned to Hank. “I’ll need a couple horses.”

“I’ll have my foreman set you up. For now, get to the kitchen
and grab a bite to eat. You might need it, if you get lost in the canyon.”

“Good point. I’ll be sure to take a flare with me.”

Jacie stood with a frown drawing her eyebrows close, her arms
crossed. “Glad you two can joke about this.”

“Come on, you could use some food too.” Zach hooked her arm and
urged her toward the house, calling over his shoulder, “Juan.”

Juan sneered at him.

“If you want food, join us.”

For a moment Juan remained stubbornly leaning against the
truck. Then he pushed away and followed in a deliberately slow swagger.

* * *

J
ACIE
SAT
THROUGH
a
meal quickly prepared by Hank’s housekeeper. She could barely swallow, her
throat muscles clenching each time she thought of her sister and how long she’d
been held captive by notoriously vicious gangsters. She tried not to think about
it, but her only other thoughts strayed to Zach and what he was about to
undertake.

Riding horseback through the canyon was treacherous enough
during the day. At night it was deadly. If Juan didn’t know exactly where he was
going, they could end up lost and another rescue mission for the local
authorities.

As dusk descended, dread threatened to weigh Jacie down.

She walked with Zach and Juan to the barn and stood back as
Zach tied a saddlebag loaded with provisions onto the back of his saddle.

Juan’s gloomy countenance didn’t help to ease Jacie’s mind.

“Well, that’s it.” Zach patted the horse’s hindquarters and led
him toward the rear entrance to the barn.

Jacie walked alongside him, her head bent. “I don’t like
this.”

“I know.” Zach faced her and tipped her chin with his finger.
“We’ll do our best to locate your sister and get back here as quickly as
possible. Maybe even before sunup.”

“What if you get in trouble?” She stared into his face, wishing
he’d reconsider and take her along. “What if you’re hurt?”

He smiled, his hand cupping her cheek. “Worried about me?”

Jacie stiffened and had a retort ready on her lips, but stopped
short of delivering it when she realized she was worried about him. “I haven’t
known you long, but damn it, I am worried about you. I kinda got used to having
you around.” Her hand covered the one he’d used to cup her cheek and she pulled
it lower, pressing a kiss into his palm.

“Stay safe for me, will you?” His eyes dark in the dim lighting
from the overhead bulbs, he leaned close and captured her lips in a
soul-stealing kiss.

For what felt as long as a lifetime and as short as a moment at
once, the world around Jacie faded away, leaving just her and Zach.

Their tongues connected, thrusting and caressing.

When Zach broke away, he smoothed his hand over her hair. “Stay
here. I trust Hank to keep you safe.”

She laughed, the sound lacking any humor. “I’m not the one who
needs to worry about being safe.”

Zach smiled, chucked her beneath her chin and strode out of the
barn, leading his horse.

The men had agreed not to mount, but to lead their horses
quietly away from the barn, walking close to the animals so as not to be spotted
by the agencies working the case.

The activity at the operations tent increased with the search
teams reporting in.

During all the confusion of agents and law enforcement personal
converging, no one seemed to notice the two horses walking across the pasture.
Eventually the two faded into the distance.

Jacie remained in the shadows, every nerve ending screaming for
her to follow.

Chapter Nine

Hank appeared at Jacie’s side. “I asked Ben Harding to accompany you until Zach returns from the canyon.”

“Thanks, but I don’t need a babysitter.” Jacie glanced one last time into the darkness. “What I need is a ride back to the Big Elk Ranch. Zach didn’t leave me his truck keys.”

Hank shook his head. “Zach wanted you to stay here where you’ll be safe.”

“From what?” Jacie raised her hand. “I didn’t get kidnapped. I’m not the one being tortured. No one is after me. Unless you know something I don’t.”

Hank smiled. “You and your sister are very much alike. When she came to me for help, she didn’t mince words and didn’t stand for any fluff.” He patted her arm. “Ben should be here in less than fifteen minutes. As soon as he arrives, I’ll have him take you back to the Big Elk.”

“Thank you.” Guilt forced Jacie to add, “I’m sorry I bit your head off.”

Hank’s smile disappeared. “I understand. It’s hard to lose someone you love. Even harder to know that they might still be alive.”

Jacie had heard about Hank’s wife and son disappearing a couple of years before. She laid a hand on his arm. “Still nothing about your family?”

“Nothing.”

“Mr. Derringer, Grant Lehmann’s here to speak with you,” Hank’s foreman called out.

“If you’ll excuse me. Lehmann’s an old friend and a regional director of the FBI.”

“Good, maybe he can get things moving on finding my sister.”

Hank left her standing in the barn’s rear doorway.

Jacie wandered over to the operations tent and peeked in.

Agents and sheriff’s deputies were finishing up with their reports. Everyone said the same thing. No sign of Tracie Kosart, or anyone else for that matter. The ground-tracking team had followed the trail until it disappeared. They suspected the kidnappers knew enough to drag a branch or something from the back of their vehicles to smooth away their tire tracks.

“Stopping in?”

The voice behind her made Jacie jump. She spun to face Bruce Masterson, wearing black chinos, a black polo shirt and a headset looped over his head, currently pushed back from his ears.

He held out a hand, inviting her to precede him into the portable ops center. “You look so much like your sister it takes me aback every time I see you.”

Jacie stepped beneath the lights strung out between tent poles before responding, “That happens with identical twins.” She halted just inside and faced him, something gnawing at her since she’d first called him. “I have a question for you.”

He grinned. “Shoot.”

“You sounded surprised to hear that Tracie had come to see me. Why? I thought you two were living together.” Jacie tilted her head to the side. “Wouldn’t you know when she’d left and where she was headed? Or have your living arrangements changed since the engagement?”

The man shrugged. “She left without telling me. I assumed she was called out on a job.”

“Were you two having a fight or anything?”

Bruce shook his head. “No. At least not one I was involved in.”

“She didn’t leave a note?”

“No. Her suitcase was gone, so I assumed she was on assignment. It was too late to call the office and double-check.” Bruce fiddled with the headset, staring over Jacie’s shoulder. He waved at someone behind Jacie. “I have to admit I was a little worried, but happy to hear from you to know she was with you. Until you told me she’d been kidnapped. I had to beg to get special permission to join the search and rescue mission.”

His answers sounded legit; still, Jacie couldn’t imagine her organized sister taking off without informing her fiancé of her whereabouts. Jacie had opened her mouth to say just that when a voice called out her name. She turned, looking for the source.

Bruce glanced around the tent. “Where’d your boyfriend go?”

Jacie hesitated, the truth the first thing that wanted to pop out of her mouth. She bit down hard on her tongue and thought before answering. “He got called away on business.”

“I thought I just saw him here. Isn’t it late to be called in to work?”

“Apparently he didn’t think so. He headed into...El Paso to find a business center.”

“Is he coming back?”

“Um, yes. Of course.” Jacie sent a silent prayer that what she’d said wasn’t yet another untruth.

Zach would be back, and hopefully with news of her sister. In the meantime, she had to wait.

“What exactly does your boyfriend do?”

Irritation flared in Jacie. She didn’t like lying, but Bruce’s barrage of questions left her no choice. “I’m not exactly sure. I think he’s into security work, something high-tech. When he talks about it, I glaze over.”

She forced a fake smile. To handle the guilt, she told herself she was on an undercover mission and the lies were only to protect herself and her partner. Not that Zach considered himself her partner. Still, no one, other than herself and Hank, needed to know he was out scouting the canyon for the Los Lobos cave. Not even Tracie’s fiancé, who for some reason Tracie hadn’t seen fit to inform of her plans.

A man wearing a black cowboy hat ducked beneath the tent. “Jacie?” It had to be the guy Hank had promised, Ben Harding.

Jacie raised her hand, relieved she didn’t have to answer any more of Bruce’s questions. “I suppose that’s my ride.”

Bruce frowned. “Headed back to the Big Elk? And here I thought you’d stick around awhile.”

“I’m of no use here.”

“I wouldn’t say that. It’s like having Tracie here.” Bruce slid a finger along Jacie’s cheek. “You two are so much alike.”

Jacie frowned. Zach had just touched her cheek before he’d left, and this man was wiping away that warm fuzzy feeling she’d gotten the first time.

An icky sensation crept into Jacie’s gut. Was Bruce coming on to her? She shook her head. No. She was reading too much into his touch and comment. “We’re only alike physically. We’re completely different when it comes to tastes, likes and dislikes.” She added a little emphasis to the last statement as if telling Bruce
back off, you’re not my type.

The cowboy stepped through the crowd and stopped beside Jacie. “I take it you’re Jacie?”

She gave him a tight smile, relieved he’d come to take her away. “That’s me. Let’s go.” Jacie hooked his arm and led him out of the tent. Okay, if she was honest with herself, she dragged the unsuspecting man out.

Once outside in the darkness of night, Ben laughed. “Hey, what’s the rush?”

“I’m not a secret agent and my sister’s boyfriend was asking questions about Zach and where he was.” She slowed to a stop and gave her rescuer a smile. “Sorry, that was rude of me.” Jacie stuck out a hand. “I’m Jacie Kosart.”

The cowboy removed his hat and took her hand. “Ben Harding. Nice to meet you. I understand I’m here to take over for Zach while he’s busy.”

Jacie’s hand dropped to her side and she continued toward the makeshift parking lot. “No, you’re just here to take me to the Big Elk Ranch, where I live.”

“Oh, that’s not what I had understood from Hank.”

“Apparently Hank worries about the wrong people. Which vehicle did you drive?”

Still carrying his hat, Ben scratched his head. “Hank’s a pretty smart guy. The dark gray pickup on the very end.” He pointed to the one.

Jacie lengthened her stride, eager to be on her way before anyone waylaid her with unwanted questions. “Maybe so, but I’m not the one who’s missing. I don’t need a babysitter and I told him as much.”

Ben chuckled. “Okay, then. Let’s get you home.”

“Thank you.” Jacie climbed into the passenger seat and leaned back, her mind miles away from the interior of the truck, far across the Texas landscape, near the edge of the canyon with Zach and Juan. She hoped Zach kept a close eye on his informant.

Jacie hadn’t trusted the guy and worried he’d try something, injuring Zach or setting him up to take a fall with Los Lobos.

Ben drove the length of the Raging Bull Ranch driveway before speaking again. “Which way?”

Jacie gave him the directions.

“Hank tells me it’s your sister lost in the canyon. I’m sorry.”

“Not lost...kidnapped.”

“Right.” Ben nodded. “I don’t know much about Zach, but from what I’ve learned about Hank, he’s a good judge of character. If he’s assigned Zach to help find your sister, I’m sure he’ll get the job done.”

“Thanks. I just wish he’d taken me.”

“Hank says you work as a trail guide at the Big Elk. I can see where that would come in handy out in the canyon. Why didn’t he take you?”

“Zach gave me some crap about stealth. I think he’s crazy going in alone.”

“He’s trained as an FBI agent. He knows the risks. And from what I’ve heard, he’s not afraid to take them.”

“As long as he doesn’t get himself killed.”

“There is that.” Ben glanced across at her, his eyes reflecting the light from the dash. “He knows the stakes and he signed on anyway. I guess most FBI or law enforcement types understand there’s always a chance you might not make it back from a mission.”

Jacie sat up straighter. “Not helping.”

Ben chuckled. “Sorry. I forgot your sister was—is—FBI.”

“Yeah, she is and I’m not.” Jacie turned sideways, facing Ben. “What is it that drives someone into a job like that? Are they adrenaline junkies or something?”

Ben shook his head, his gaze on the highway in front of him. “Maybe for some. For most, it’s a need to fight for truth and justice.”

Jacie snorted. “At the risk of your own life?”

His gaze captured hers for a moment. “Don’t tell me you wouldn’t give your life for your sister.”

“In a heartbeat. But she’s not giving her life for me, she’s sacrificing it for nameless, faceless people.”

“No, she’s sacrificing for the good of a lot of people. What about for the next child that could be molested if she didn’t fight to get the child molester off the streets? Or the families with small children or young teens that live in terror while a serial killer stalks their neighborhood? Those people have faces. They are real.”

Jacie slumped in her seat. “You’re right. I’m just mad she didn’t tell me everything when she came out here to supposedly visit. Now she’s got herself in a bind and Zach could well be walking into a trap.” She flung out her hands. “I hate not knowing and not doing anything.”

“Understandable. Just have faith he’ll be okay and we’ll find your sister.”

Jacie couldn’t leave it up to faith. She was a doer. By the time they arrived at the Big Elk Ranch, she’d worked herself up into a silent lather. No sooner had Ben pulled up in the parking lot of the lodge than she was out of the truck. “No need to stay, I’m just going to wait in my cabin until I hear from Zach or my sister.”

Ben’s brow furrowed. “If you’re sure you’ll be all right?”

“I will.” She waved. “Thanks, Ben.” Then she slammed the door and took off for her cabin. Wait in her cabin, ha!

She waited as long as it took for Ben to back up, turn around and head back the way he’d come, before she made a sharp turn toward the barn.

“Jacie?” Richard Giddings called out from the front porch of the lodge. “Is that you?”

Jacie swallowed her irritation and answered, “Yes, sir.”

“What’s been happening? I haven’t seen or heard from you since this morning.”

“Rich, I don’t have time to fill you in. I need to get back out there.”

He dropped down off the porch. “Out where?”

“The canyon.”

“At night?” Her boss shook his head and looked around her. “That’s insane. Where’s Zach?”

The secrecy of the mission Zach was on required Jacie to keep the truth from her boss, but she didn’t have to lie. “He had business to attend to.”

“All the more reason for you to stay put. No one in their right mind should be out in that canyon at night.”

Jacie stopped herself from snorting out loud. She couldn’t agree with him more, but she also wasn’t at liberty to say why. Not that she didn’t trust Richard with her life and that of her sister, but what if someone overheard their conversation? Someone who would inform Los Lobos they had a visitor on his way to spy on them?

“Tracie’s been gone over twenty-four hours.”

Richard pulled her into a big bear hug. “Then come up to the lodge and stay with me until Zach gets back.”

She considered it. But she’d rather go out to the canyon and follow Zach.

“No, you’re not going out to the canyon tonight. I won’t allow you to make use of any of the Big Elk assets to commit suicide.” Richard set her at arm’s length.

She stared up at him. “How do you know what I’m thinking?”

“As long as you’ve been working here, I think I’d know you by now. You’re a doer and it’s eating you up not to be doin’.” He slung one arm over her shoulders. “Now, are you coming to the lodge for a beer or going to your cabin to wait?”

“Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll sit it out in my cabin. I could use a shower.”

“Have it your way, but the offer remains open. I’m here if you need a shoulder.”

“Thanks.” Tears lodged in Jacie’s throat. This man had been more than good to her. He’d been the father she missed so badly, the friend she’d needed on more than one occasion. Jacie tamped down the urge to ride off into the canyon and did as Ben had suggested and had faith that Zach would return unharmed. And with news of her sister.

Jacie trudged toward her cottage. A quick glance behind her confirmed Richard remained where she’d left him, watching her as she made her way home.

Once inside, she went through the motions of stripping off her dirty clothes. In the corner, her sister’s suitcase lay on its side, just as she’d left it over a day ago.

Jacie dropped to her haunches and unzipped the case, feeling like a sneak looking through her sister’s things. Maybe buried among Tracie’s pajamas and blue jeans, she’d find a clue that would help her understand why she’d left Bruce without telling him and what she thought she’d find following the DEA agents into the canyon.

The suitcase was just like Tracie, neat and organized, each T-shirt folded precisely the same, the socks rolled military-style, a habit probably learned at Quantico.

Jacie unzipped a side pouch inside the suitcase and found Tracie’s wallet with her FBI identification and her cell phone.