Christmas Bodyguard (2 page)

“Does she know she's in danger?”

“Until an hour ago I didn't know, myself. I haven't told her yet. I will this afternoon after school, when I introduce you.”

“So what exactly do you want me to do?”

“Not let my daughter out of your sight. I want you to stay in the room next to hers at the ranch, escort her to school and back home until the person is caught.” He plowed his hand through his medium-length black hair. “I'm curtailing
her activities, which won't sit well with her, but with the security at Dawson Academy and you there, she'll be okay and more likely to accept the other restrictions.”

“Who would have a grudge against your daughter?”

“I don't know. She's sixteen and popular at school. She's a cheerleader and has lots of friends.”

“Have you considered that the person is really after you?”

That nerve in his jawline jerked again. “Yes. I think it's possible that someone wants to get to me through my daughter, and I'm looking into that. But first and foremost I have to know my daughter will be safe.”

“That will be my top priority.”

“It will be your
only
one.”

His intense stare might have made a lesser person back off, but she'd learned painfully she had to stand her ground, especially in her profession. “You said you live on a ranch near Silver Chase. Which one?”

“The Rocking Horse, two miles before the end of the road on the left. Abbey gave it that name when we moved out there. She was five years old then.” For just a split second a faraway look entered his eyes as though he was remembering how it had been when his daughter was five.

“What time do you want me at the ranch, Mr. Caulder?”

“Call me Slade. We'll be living in the same house.” When she nodded, he continued. “I'll pick Abbey up from school at three and be home by three forty-five. I'll let my mother-in-law know you'll be there by two. Mary can show you around before Abbey and I get there.” He rose in one fluid motion.

She came to her feet, too. “One more question. How secure is your ranch?”

“Not very. It's a working ranch so people come and go. I have ten full-time cowhands. Jake Coleman, my foreman, has a house on my property, and five of the other men live in a bunkhouse near the barn. The rest live in town. They have all been with me for at least two years, and several of them are very good shots, but they would never hurt Abbey. More likely, they'd protect her with their skills. I have a fence around my property and a gate with a security code. There is a camera on the entrance at the gate, a security system in the home and some security lights around the property, motion sensitive.” He paused, drew in a deep breath and added, “I'm having an expert look at it today. If it needs something more, then I'll get it. Whatever it takes.”

Obviously money wasn't a problem for Mr. Slade Caulder. She'd heard the name before but couldn't place where. Maybe from the news. Or maybe Kyra mentioned him. But as soon as he left, she intended to find out more about her new client. It always paid to know as much as she could about who hired her—as well as any opponent she might be up against.

“I'll be there by two.” Elizabeth held out her hand to shake his.

When his palm touched hers, warmth radiated up her arm. She nearly snatched her hand away. His firm grip indicated a self-assured man who liked to be in control. A man who wouldn't take no for an answer. An image of her father danced through her thoughts for a few seconds, driving all warmth from her. A quiver snaked down her spine, and she stepped back, pulling her hand away.

“Until then.” His long strides ate up the distance to the door.

As he left the office, Kyra returned and made her way to her desk. “I'm sure you have a few questions.”

“I've heard his name before. Who is he?”

“He's the founder of Digital Drive, Inc.”

Elizabeth nodded. No wonder she recognized the name—his company was a huge, world-wide organization. “You seem to know him pretty well.”

Kyra waved her hand toward the chair in front of her. “I knew Slade's wife years ago. She died five years ago, right about the time I left the Dallas police force. She had a long, hard battle with ovarian cancer. After she died, I kept in touch with Slade. A few times he has sent friends my way.”

“Given his position, it's more likely he has the enemy, not his daughter.”

“Probably. I've given him a few suggestions on how to protect himself. One being that he work from the ranch to minimize his exposure. Another being Joshua.”

“For the security assessment?”

“Yes, but I also suggested Joshua guard Slade. You and Joshua would work well together.”

“Uncle Joshua is the best.”

“I know.” Kyra's eyes twinkled. “I worked for him for many years.”

Her uncle had been a police captain on the Dallas force until his retirement a year ago, at the age of fifty-five. He was the one who had recommended her to Kyra as a bodyguard. If it hadn't been for her uncle/mentor, she didn't know where she would be today. He'd helped her pick up the pieces of her life when she'd hit rock bottom five years ago after her husband left her for another woman.

“What kind of man is Slade Caulder?” Elizabeth finally asked when she found her employer staring at her with a question in her gaze. She didn't journey back into the past often. The memories hadn't been pleasant ones.

“He works too much, more so since Catherine died. He
loved her very much, and I suspect it was his way of dealing with her death.”

Avoidance? She'd become good at that, too. For a moment she felt a connection to her client. “What about Abbey?”

“She's precocious. Looks just like her mother and has Catherine's soft heart. But you'll have your hands full keeping tabs on her.”

“What kind of relationship does Abbey have with her father?”

“It used to be a close one when Catherine was alive, but I haven't been around them together much in the past few years. She's a teenager, not an easy time to curtail a person's life when they don't want much to do with adults.”

“He mentioned his mother-in-law. Did he say her name is Mary? Does she live with them?”

“Yes, Mary Bradley. And yes, she came to help when Catherine was sick and stayed on after her daughter's death. Slade has mentioned to me how indebted he is to Mary for staying.”

“What's she like?”

“Prim, proper, kind. I used to attend the same church as she did until she moved to the ranch. She is deeply faithful, like Catherine was.”

Elizabeth was glad to hear that. It was Kyra and Joshua who had shown her the way of the Lord. Now she didn't know how she'd lived without her faith. But then, her first twenty-five years hadn't been what she called living. She'd just existed.

Elizabeth pushed to her feet. “I'd better head home and pack.”

“As usual, call if you need any assistance. This assignment is special to me.”

She smiled. “They all are to me.”

 

An hour later, after contacting Joshua Walker, Slade sat at his desk at DDI, trying to clear it of everything of importance. He intended to work from home until this was resolved. Yes, he had a bodyguard for Abbey, but it was hard for him to turn something like his daughter's safety totally over to another. He needed to be around, to help protect her.

His secretary, Ramona, entered with a stack of folders and set them in front of him. “These are the files from personnel you requested. Anything else you want me to do?”

“I'll have a videoconference tomorrow at eleven o'clock with the department managers. Let them know. Also, scan the Wilson contracts when they come in and send them to me. I'll go over them from home.”

“I'm taking my lunch break unless you want me to skip it and stay.”

“No. Go. I'll be here when you get back. I'm not leaving until two-forty.”

His secretary started to turn away but stopped. “If you need me to come to the ranch and work, I will.”

“I might. Hopefully I won't be there long.”

Once Ramona shut his door, Slade lounged back in his chair and swiveled it around to look at the tall buildings surrounding his headquarters in North Dallas. Ever since the wreck, his life had been whirling out of control. It was a lot like how he'd felt when Catherine died. He didn't want to go back to that time. He'd almost totally lost it. The only things that had kept him going ahead were his work and his daughter.

He shut his eyes, taking a few minutes to compose himself. The coming weeks would be hard, especially with the extra people in his house. They were only a few weeks
from Christmas, which was supposed to be about family. Having strangers around would be awkward. He was a private person who didn't relish the intrusion.

A picture of the woman he'd hired to guard his daughter teased him. He still couldn't believe she was a bodyguard. The vision of long auburn hair hooked behind her ears, eyes the color of a pine forest, delicate features and a petite frame mocked that. She should be protected, not the other way around.

The ringing of his private line yanked him from his thoughts. He snapped his eyes open and snatched up the line, hoping it wasn't something wrong at the ranch. “Slade here.”

A long pause, then a mechanical-sounding voice came over the line. “Do you know where your daughter is?”

S
lade clenched the receiver. “You'll regret ever having messed with me and my family.”

Click.

His gut churned.
Leave my daughter alone. Come after me instead, coward.
The words—ones he'd wanted to tell the person on the other end of the line—shouted through his mind.

He slammed down the phone, then almost immediately grabbed it back up and punched the number for his security chief. After telling him about the call, Slade said, “See if that number can be traced. I need information. Now.”

When he finished talking with him, Slade dialed the numbers for Dawson Academy. Four rings later—an eternity—a woman in the main office answered. “This is Slade Caulder. I need my daughter located and brought to the office. There has been another threat. I'm coming to pick her up.”

“Yes, sir.”

He surged to his feet as he replaced the receiver in its cradle. Scooping up the files and some other papers he needed, he shoved them into his briefcase and strode toward the door. To keep his free hand from shaking, Slade squeezed it into a tight fist and stabbed the down button on
the elevator with his knuckle. When he got his hands on the person behind this, he would regret ever threatening his daughter.

 

The scent of coffee wafted to Elizabeth as she entered her uncle's house, the place she called home when she stayed in Dallas. Bosco, her terrier mix, raced from the kitchen, jumping up on her, his tail wagging. His greeting never changed whether she was gone hours or weeks. She scooped him up and cradled him against her, barely able to confine his wiggling body.

Ah, it was good to be home—even if she was turning around and leaving today.

Again, she drew in the coffee aroma, savoring the smell that lured her toward the kitchen, where she knew Uncle Joshua always had a pot on the stove. Coffee was a mainstay for them both, especially when she was working. Right now, she needed a lot. Kyra had called her into the office before she'd had her usual four cups in the morning.

Uncle Joshua sat at the table with his mug and a Sudoku puzzle in front of him. He glanced up when she crossed to the coffeepot and poured herself some of the dark brew. “I was hoping I could talk to you before I had to leave, Beth.”

Joshua was the only one who called her that. Every time she heard him say Beth she was reminded of how important she was to her uncle—and how important he was to her. He'd saved her life and pulled her back from the edge of despair. After her ex-husband had left, she'd had to grow up fast. And then when she'd been mugged, it had been a wake-up call, forcing her to see that she needed to take control of her life. Joshua had shown her how to do that. It was Joshua who showed her how to stand on her
own two feet, and she hadn't depended on another person since then.

“I heard from Kyra you're working for Slade Caulder, too.” After setting Bosco on the tile floor, Elizabeth poured some coffee in her mug and cradled it between her palms.

“Yeah, I just got off the phone with him about half an hour ago. I've agreed to be his bodyguard and do a security assessment. I'm due out at the ranch in an hour. He said his daughter might be in danger, too. Are you going to be her bodyguard?”

Elizabeth plopped into the chair across from her uncle and took a long sip of the hot drink while Bosco leaped into her lap and curled into a ball. “Yes. It looks like we'll be working together for the first time.”

“Is that gonna bother you?” Her uncle's hazel eyes bore into her over the rim of his mug.

“No, why should it?”

He shrugged. “I thought my presence might make you nervous. If that's the case, I'll bow out and refer Mr. Caulder to someone else. It's not like I'm wanting for work.”

Chuckling, she scratched her dog behind his ears. “You're busier now that you're retired than when you were a police captain.”

He grinned. “Must be my charm.”

“More like your connections and skills. If you can make Slade's house a fortress, it'll sure make my job easier. I'll feel like I'm on vacation.”

“Already on first name basis with the man?” A gleam appeared in his eyes.

“The man asked me to call him Slade. That's all.”

Her uncle held up his hand. “Hold on there, little one. You're mighty touchy this morning.”

“One cup of coffee this morning wasn't enough.”

“Oh, then that explains it, since it's almost noon. Drink up and I'll fix you a sandwich. I imagine you have to be at the ranch today, too.”

“At two.” She swallowed several more sips of the best coffee in Texas.

Joshua withdrew some turkey, Swiss cheese and lettuce from his refrigerator. “I think this will be a hard case. A ranch isn't the easiest place to secure, especially with people coming and going. That'll keep us on our toes. Might be a 24/7 job.”

She grinned, giving him a wink. “I'm tough. I can take it.”

Joshua studied her for a long moment. “Yes, you can now. You've come a long way.”

“Thanks to you.”

“That's what family is for, to help.” Her uncle slapped together two turkey sandwiches.

“It is?”

His long strides covered the distance to the table quickly. He sat his large frame in the chair opposite hers and slid her plate across to her, then bowed his head and blessed the food.

His mouth twisted in a frown as he stared at her. “I should have realized Walt would mess up being a father. I should have been there for you.” Elizabeth knew Joshua still felt guilty for the years of estrangement from his brother that had kept him from building a relationship with his niece sooner.

“You were when it meant the most to me.” Elizabeth pinched off a small bite of turkey and gave it to Bosco before putting him on the floor.

“I have a lot to make up for.”

“No, you don't. My dad was a lousy father, but I made it. I'm fine now. That's what counts.” After another swallow of
the caffeine-laden brew, she added, “I thought we decided long ago not to talk about the past. It's over with, and there's nothing we can do about it.”

Joshua picked up his sandwich. “When you were in Phoenix, did you see him?”

“No. That's the way he wants it.”
So did she.
Her father's dominance all through her childhood had smothered her. She'd never been able to please him, and he'd made it clear she was a disappointment to him. He'd put her down so much that when Bryan started doing the same thing, she'd struggled to retain a sense of herself.

“Ever since your mother died, Walt has gotten worse.”

“I don't need my father. I don't need anyone.”

“Everyone needs someone. God didn't make us to go through life alone.” After taking a bite of his food, he washed it down with some coffee.

She wasn't really alone. She had Joshua and, more important, the Lord, because Joshua had led her to Him. Another thing she was grateful to her uncle for. “I'm starved. I missed your cooking when I was gone,” she said, wanting to change the subject of conversation. Her father was in her past. She only looked forward now.

“I get the hint.”

She savored her sandwich. The past ten weeks on assignment protecting a woman who was always on some weird diet had caused her to drop five pounds—five she didn't need to lose. She was glad her usual clients were children.

She'd nearly finished her lunch when her cell rang. Bosco barked at the sound, sitting nearby and staring at her bag. Leaping to her feet, she retrieved her phone and answered it.

“This is Slade. I'm heading to Dawson Academy because I received another threat to Abbey at the office. A call on
my private line. The school just phoned to tell me that they can't locate Abbey. It's lunchtime, and the students are scattered all over campus outside. I know she could be there somewhere, but I called Captain Dickerson to update him on the situation. He's sending someone to meet me at the school.” Worry drenched his every word.

The beat of her heart slowed to a thud. “I'm not far away. I'll be there in fifteen minutes.”

As she slipped the cell into her pocket, she picked up her purse and started toward the front of the house.

“What's wrong?” Joshua followed with her dog at his heels.

“Abbey's missing at school.”

“I'd better come, too.”

At the door she pivoted and petted Bosco goodbye. “No, get to the ranch and make it safe. I'm hoping it's nothing. It's lunchtime and a beautiful day. When I went to school, we spread out all over campus for lunch. I gather from what Slade said that Dawson Academy is the same way.” She began to turn away but paused. “Oh, and will you pack a bag for me? Once we locate Abbey, I'll be glued to her like she's my new best friend.”

“Will do.”

Elizabeth hurried toward her car.
Lord, don't let anything happen to Slade's daughter. Please protect her.

 

Slade pulled up to the school behind a patrol car and hopped out. He jogged to catch up with the two officers heading up the steps to the front entrance.

At the double doors into the school he said, “I'm Abbey Caulder's father, Slade Caulder. Thanks for coming.”

“The captain filled us in on what has been going on with the threats,” the older police officer said. “I'm Sergeant Gibson.”

Slade entered the school behind the sergeant with the other policeman taking up the rear. After explaining who he was to the security guard and getting a laminated visitor badge, Slade quickly made his way toward the office to the right. The first thing he noticed when he came into the room was all the activity. The principal, Mr. Hartley, was on his cell, a frown on his face, nodding.

Slade headed for the man, whose expression indicated that Abbey hadn't been found yet. Slade's heart pounded so hard he felt breathless. When the man clicked off, he asked, “Have you found Abbey?” Fear caused a raspy edge in his voice.

The principal glanced at the officers, then directed his attention to Slade. “No. The security guards and some of the teachers are searching the grounds and having the students come inside early. They should be heading to their next class. The teachers have been informed and have returned to their classrooms.”

“Have you made an announcement over the PA system?”

“No. Most of the students aren't in the building yet. They were spread out because of lunch.”

Anger and frustration surged through Slade. He gritted his teeth and started to count to ten. He made it to three. “Make an announcement for Abbey to come to the office. Maybe she's in the building by now.”

The man paled. “I'll do that, then make another one in five minutes.” He moved toward the counter to the left.

“Slade, have they found Abbey?”

He spun around and saw Elizabeth threading her way toward him through the crowd in the office. The sight of her brought a momentary wave of relief. “No.”

The announcement instructing Abbey Caulder to report to the main office blasted through the building.

When Mr. Hartley returned, Slade said, “I would like to search, too, with Ms. Walker here.” He gestured toward Elizabeth, who stood next to him.

“Fine. Our assistant principal can accompany you.” Mr. Hartley waved toward a middle-aged woman who joined them. “Mr. Caulder and Ms. Walker will join the search for Abbey. Please accommodate them any way you can.”

Sergeant Gibson stepped forward. “In the meantime, I want to talk to the head of your security, Abbey's last-hour teacher and any of her friends you can locate.”

Slade followed the assistant principal out of the office, aware of Elizabeth a few feet behind him. If anything happened to Abbey… The thought chilled him. Exigency spurred him to quicken his pace as swarms of students began entering the building, jamming the hallway.

“Let's check her next class first,” the assistant principal said and headed down a corridor to the left.

Slade scanned the faces of the kids. A sense of urgency charged the air. Slade kept surveying the people as he passed them. No Abbey. Each passing girl that wasn't his daughter made his heart pound a shade faster, hammering him with a fear he'd never experienced before: of losing his child. He forced air into his oxygen-starved lungs.

The assistant principal stopped at a classroom and spoke to a teacher standing at the door as students filed inside.

The instructor shook her head, then peered at him. “Abbey hasn't come inside yet. I've asked a few of her friends if they have seen her, and no one has.”

“Thanks.” He barely got the word out between parched lips.

Sweat beaded his brow. The press of people all around him prodded the fear forward to dominate all physical responses. He surveyed the students near him. His gaze
latched on to Abbey's best friend zigzagging through the crowd.

“Lily, I need to talk to you,” he shouted over the noise of the teens in the hallway.

The sixteen-year-old looked wide-eyed from him to Elizabeth, then to the assistant principal. “Mr. C, why are they looking for Abbey?”

“I came to pick up Abbey. Do you know where she is?”

Her eyebrows knitted together. “Is something wrong? The security guards are looking for her, and now we're having to come in early.”

“She's needed at home right now.”
And maybe for the rest of her life. I don't want to let her out of my sight.
His heart continued to throb against his chest.

“We were supposed to meet for lunch in our usual place, but she didn't show up. Has something happened at home?”

For a few seconds, words clogged his throat. He swallowed several times before he could speak again. “When was the last time you spoke with her?” he asked, ignoring Lily's question because he didn't really have a good answer.

“Right before our last class. I have algebra. She has English.”