Texas Hunt (10 page)

“Yes. The first was Shane fifteen years ago and then the new boy last year. Kramer, among others, was most likely scouting kids for Alcorn or whoever is in charge. They like them younger, though, so it could be an illegal adoption ring. Taking Shane might've been this guy being greedy, taking for himself when he was supposed to keep his eyes on the prize. And that wouldn't have sat well with Alcorn.”

“And then this guy ends up fried and they find a kid in his house. Sounds pretty damn sewn up to me.”

“Until Samantha's father decides to come forward with what he knows and then Alcorn goes after her,” Brody said.

“Plus, I can imagine that Alcorn wouldn't put up with anyone taking kids in his own backyard,” Ryan agreed. “I'm guessing Shane reminded this guy of his kid and that's why he couldn't resist?”

“Me, too. And he could've been keeping an eye on Shane for a couple of years. I mean, we all went to that festival every year. Kramer was part of the cleanup crew. So he'd been watching Shane and then, and this is where Rebecca blames herself, he follows us out that night while we were playing a game,” Brody said.

“That, I remember. She yelled at him and he took off. I thought she had him when she went after him or I would've helped.”

“We all would've,” Brody said, shaking his head. The guilt still fresh in both of their minds based on Brody's change in demeanor. “She'll never forgive herself for what happened to him next.”

Ryan knew that Brody was referring to her and Shane's kidnapping. She'd escaped, gotten lost in the woods near Mason Ridge Lake, and Shane had disappeared for fifteen years. They'd only just reunited. Since Shane had been shipped overseas on active military duty, the family still didn't have all the answers about what had happened to him. No one knew what had happened to him after the kidnapping, only that he was safe. Everyone was just relieved to have finally found him.

“There was no way a twelve-year-old could've known what was going to happen next,” Ryan said.

“You and I know that to be true. I'm not so sure Rebecca will ever see it that way. Being the older sister, she always felt responsible for him.”

Ryan could relate to that emotion. Even though he was the younger of the Hunt brothers, he'd always looked after his older brother, Justin. Especially when Justin had taken a wrong turn as a teenager and had gone down a path of drinking and experimenting with drugs.

“Speaking of family, how's Rebecca's mother holding up?” Ryan asked.

“She's been doing better ever since they found Shane. Rebecca said she thought half of her mother's sickness over the years was related to having a broken heart after Shane disappeared.”

“I bet. After seeing what they went through, after what Dylan went through when Maribel was taken, I can only imagine the heartache losing a child would bring. Maybe that family can finally heal.” The Mason Ridge Abductor had taken so much from the town, the people.

“Rebecca never gave up and that's the only reason they found him.”

“It's a shame one man can take away so much from so many.” Ryan shook his head.

Brody's cell rang. He fished it out and glanced at the screen. “I better take this. It's Rebecca.”

Ryan watched as Dylan pulled up and parked, leaving Brody to his call.

“Good to see you, man,” Ryan said to Dylan as the two embraced in a bear hug.

“Maribel was just asking about you.”

“How's baby Bel doing?” He'd bought the biggest stuffed bear he could find when she'd been returned from the kidnappers who had taken her a few weeks ago.

“This is the first time she's allowed me to leave the house since the whole ordeal.” Anger flashed in his eyes as Dylan shook his head. “Her pediatrician said she'll get better over time.”

Ryan's hands fisted despite the good news. “You find out what all happened to her?”

“Lucky for those bastards, they didn't touch a hair on her head,” Dylan said through clenched teeth. Maribel coming into Dylan's life a year ago had turned the man's life completely upside down. Ryan shouldn't be shocked at the changes in his friend, except that Dylan had walked the line closest to ending up in juvenile detention save for Justin.

The military had helped Dylan clean up his act. He'd served his country, gone to war and come back stronger. And he was a devoted father. His relationship with Samantha seemed to be getting serious quickly. If anyone deserved happiness, it was Dylan.

“Having a daughter changed you in a good way,” Ryan said.

“It'd be impossible not to keep things in perspective every time I look into those green eyes. Seeing the world the way she does has taught me that the earth is an amazing place even though there is still evil in it.”

“Evil that needs to be eradicated.” Ryan nodded toward the funeral home.

“She really doesn't believe her father had an accident?” Dylan asked.

“Nope. There's no proof, but she says she knew her father wasn't drinking.”

“Her word is all I need. She knew him better than anyone else. With his background, it'll be harder to convince the rest of the town,” Dylan said matter-of-factly.

“She doesn't think anyone else will believe her,” Ryan said. “It's her word against everyone's preconceived notion about her father.”

“I can see where that would be a problem. People get an idea of who you are and it's hard to change that perception.”

Ryan nodded his agreement. Both of them had lived it.

“You look good...happy,” Ryan said. He'd never get over the changes in Dylan. Good changes. Changes that had Ryan thinking that if his friend could do it, then why not him? Maybe when this ordeal was over he'd recommit himself to dating. If he was being honest he'd admit to slacking off in the meeting-new-people department. The women he'd met so far could too easily be shoved into one of two categories, too boring or too greedy.

Then again, maybe he wasn't trying hard enough. Weren't those the words of the last woman he'd been interested in? When was that? Six months ago? Seven?

Sticking that thought on the shelf, Ryan motioned for Brody to join them.

“What did Rebecca say?” Ryan asked Brody as he rejoined the conversation.

“Said that Judge Matheson set bail for Alcorn,” Brody said with disgusted grunt.

“Which he'll easily make,” Ryan agreed. “That jerk will be right back out on the streets.”

“What jerk?” Lisa asked.

* * *

“C
HARLES
A
LCORN
.” Ryan's voice had an apologetic quality.

Anger burned through her at the thought that her father was dead and yet Alcorn was about to be free again. That entire family could burn if anyone asked her opinion. She'd gladly supply the match.

“The service will start in fifteen minutes,” Lisa said, deciding that her family was the only thing she wanted to focus on at the moment.

“Did you want to wait for the others?” Ryan asked, scanning the almost-empty lot.

“This is probably it,” she replied, masking the hurt in her voice. Of all the years her father lived in Mason Ridge, he hadn't made many real friends.

“Rebecca and Samantha are almost here,” Brody supplied.

As if on cue, a sedan came down the highway, turned onto the lane and then into the parking lot.

Lori popped out the funeral home door. “Lisa, we need you.”

“Okay,” she shouted back, and then turned to Ryan, “See you in a few minutes?”

He nodded.

She was surprised when a second car turned into the parking lot and then a third. The fourth came as she walked inside the building.

“Who's out there?” Lori asked.

“Some of the old gang I used to hang around with when we were kids.” That accounted for a few of the people. She had no idea who else was showing up. Maybe her father hadn't lived such a small life after all.

“Everything okay in here?” Lisa asked. Being inside the funeral home again sent a chill down her spine. She tried to ignore it as another emotion overwhelmed her. How was she supposed to say goodbye to her father?

“I'll be back. I need fresh air,” she said. It was hard to breathe.

“Sure,” Lori said, distracted with Grayson.

Lisa knew she was most likely being overly optimistic thinking that her father had friends. He worked and spent time on his small farm, trying to beat the dry soil and unpredictable Texas weather by growing a few vegetables in his garden. He'd always prided himself on his herbs. The vegetables had been finicky. Even so, every summer he'd bring in bell and banana peppers, the easiest things to grow in Texas, and cut them up to cook with eggs. Scallions had been reliable for him, too. The rest was hit or miss. He'd had some luck with cucumbers but none at all with squash.

Those were the happy memories she'd take with her and cherish.

The others, the ones involving him drinking and doing stupid things, she'd find a way to let go of and find peace. All in all, her father had tried to be a decent man. Did he fall short? Yeah. But then didn't everyone at some point in their life?

Saying goodbye to her father was going to be just as miserable as she'd expected it to be.

Pushing the door open to outside, sunlight hit her in the face. She put her hand up to protect her eyes from the bright light. She needed to go somewhere quiet to get a handle on her emotions before facing everyone again. She needed a minute to herself.

Walking out back, she noticed the small white chapel.

Inside, there was a small alter with a tray of candles, three rows of hand-carved wooden pews and a stained-glass window to allow in some light. The place could hold a maximum of a dozen people.

She kneeled in front of the alter as tears streamed down her face.

The door to the small chapel opened. A burst of light followed. She looked up expecting to see Ryan and got a shock instead.

Beckett Alcorn stepped inside.

Chapter Eleven

“What are you doing here?” Lisa shot to her feet and took a step back until she was against the altar, hating how shaky her voice was as the door closed behind Beckett. No. This was her father's funeral and Beckett Alcorn didn't get to take that away from her. Not this time. She took a few steps toward him, and then poked her finger in his chest. “Get out!”

His hands came up in surrender. “I just came to—”

Another burst of light and Ryan, Dylan and Brody filed in. The trio flanked Beckett.

Ryan put his hand out, signaling the others to stop as though he sensed Lisa needed to be the one to stand up to Beckett.

Lisa had been standing on shaky ground as it was, but seeing her friends, seeing Ryan, gave her full confidence. Her father was dead and she knew in her heart that Beckett had to be involved, even if she couldn't prove it yet.

“Your father is a scumbag who deserves to be behind bars for the rest of his life,” she said to Beckett, shooting daggers at him with her eyes.

Beckett sneered, seemingly aware that he was outmatched.

“And he will be.”

“My father is innocent. His lawyer will prove it and the jury will see it,” Beckett countered.

“By the time I'm done with you, you'll be in the cell next to him,” she bit out, poking him again until he took a step backward.

The move caused him to run into Ryan, who stood his ground.

For a split second, fear shot across Beckett's black eyes.

“What do you think you're going to do?” he sneered. “Lay a hand on me and I'll have all of you arrested.”

If Lisa heard correctly, Ryan just growled at Beckett. That couldn't be a good sign.

“Like I said already, get out.”

Defeated, Beckett turned, but Ryan didn't budge from his athletic stance. Instead, he and Brody held ground, blocking the door. His fists clenched, he looked ready to go if anyone said the word.

The last thing she needed was Ryan, or any of the guys, for that matter, in jail. Any one of them acted on the threat bouncing off them in waves and Beckett would temporarily gain the upper hand. His father's lawyer had already filed a motion to have his case moved to Dallas County, saying he'd never get a fair trial in Mason Ridge, not with all the news coverage surrounding the case. Lisa had heard criminals liked having their cases tried in Dallas because it was harder to get a conviction there.

Beckett must also have realized their hands were tied, because his demeanor changed. He stood tall when he pushed past Ryan, who didn't budge. Brody had to allow Beckett passage.

Lori burst in as Beckett sauntered out. “I've been looking all over for you, Lisa. We're ready to start.”

Walking from the chapel to the funeral home's viewing room, Lisa watched Beckett climb into his expensive SUV.

He spit gravel from his tires as he pulled out of the parking lot.

She smiled her satisfaction on the inside. It felt good to stand up to that jerk. He wasn't so big after all. In fact, when she really thought about it, she was a hell of a lot tougher than him. She'd survived being molested by him at a young age.

Despite looking over her shoulder for years, she'd managed to put herself through college and become a teacher, a job she loved. She'd thwarted his attack and his plans to silence her.

When she really thought about it, what had he done? He'd intimidated someone weaker than himself. He'd forced himself on a little girl. No, sir, he wasn't such a big, scary man after all.

Sure, she still had the emotional scars to prove the damage from the past. However, Lisa's fear of Beckett Alcorn ended today. All she had to do was come up with a way to keep her sister and Grayson safe.

Lisa shelved that thought as she walked into the service.

A few townspeople were there. Their postman of twenty years stopped by to pay his respects, as did the town's butcher. A few others came. They were all workingmen, like her father, who lived quiet lives.

Her heart swelled as she thought that there were a few other kindred spirits in town.

The room was small but had adequate space for them. A large picture of her father sat in front of his urn. His wishes were for him to be cremated and spread over his land, the land he loved so much. A simple man who'd lived a simple life. A good man when he wasn't drinking, which caused him to do things he later regretted. A man who'd let her sit on his lap every evening while he read the newspaper.

He'd come from a large family of nine in the Houston area. There were two girls and seven boys. He'd been the oldest, so he'd gone to work instead of high school to help put food on the table for the family. He'd been great with his hands. The handyman jobs he was able to pick up when he was sober kept the bills paid. She and her sister had had to live with their relatives a few times when times were lean or when he fell off the wagon.

As a child, Lisa had been heartbroken to have to leave Mason Ridge when her father was having one of his “episodes” as Aunt Jane liked to call them. Too many times in the middle of the night, a relative would pluck her and her sister out of bed and take them to live with them until her dad got straightened out again. He always did. Said it was for his girls.

Her dad was a mess, but she loved him. And she'd never doubted his love for her. Maybe that was why she had been able to forgive him.

When the room emptied save for Lisa, her sister and their friends, she knew it was time to say goodbye. But how would she do that? How would she say a final good-night to the man who'd tucked her into bed more nights than she could count? A man easy to love despite his many weaknesses. The one who'd put her to bed with a kiss on the forehead before tucking in her sheets.

A sob tore from her throat before she could suppress it. She dropped to her knees in front of the table holding his urn.

Good night, Daddy.

“Everyone out!” came a frantic voice. She recognized it as the attendant's. “Now! Go!”

“What's going on?” Lisa asked as she was being pulled to her feet. She glanced up in time to see Ryan's face, the determination in his features to get her the heck out of there. His hands were underneath her arms and he was practically carrying her as he raced toward the nearest exit.

“We gotta get outside,” he said, his tone stern and focused.

“My sist—”

“Is fine,” he said.

She glanced over in time to see Lori and Grayson being helped out by Dylan and Brody.

“What's going on?” Dylan asked.

All Lisa heard clearly next was the word
bomb
.

The few people still inside were scattering toward exits. Doors slammed against walls as a wave of panic rippled through the room.

Her pulse kicked up to her throat, thumping wildly.

“I can run,” she said to Ryan as he half carried her out of the building. “It'll be faster.”

He nodded, let her legs down a little more until she could gain traction. Then he gripped her hand.

She kept pace, pushing until her chest and legs burned. Her lungs clawed for air as she and Ryan ran through the thicket.

Everyone had taken off in different directions and Lisa had lost visual contact with her sister.

Was that why Beckett had shown up? Had he meant to distract them so one of his thugs could plant a bomb in the building, taking out Lisa and what was left of her family?

“Cover your ears.” Ryan slowed down when they could no longer see the building through the thick trees.

Lisa folded over onto the ground just in time for the blast. The earth shook underneath her.

Ryan took a step for balance and grabbed on to a tree trunk.

“We're far enough away. We're okay,” he said.

“Where are Lori and Grayson?” Panic filled Lisa's chest. She hopped to her feet, her fight, freeze or flight instinct having been triggered as her brain tried to process what had just happened.

Ryan's cell was already to his ear by the time she regained her bearings and looked at him.

“Come on, Brody. Answer the phone,” he said. “It's gone into voice mail.”

“Lori,” Lisa shouted.

“Don't do that. Don't yell. Beckett or his people might be in the woods, waiting to finish the job.”

She started back in the direction they'd just come from. He caught her by the arm.

“We can't go back,” he said. “In fact, we need to get the hell out of here. We'll have to wait for Brody or Dylan to make contact.”

For the first time, Lisa saw panic in Ryan's expression. “I can't leave without them, Ryan. What if they're hurt? What if my sister needs me?” Shock and horror filled her, making it hard to breathe.

“You're scared and I get that. Believe me when I say that I'm freaked out, too. I saw Lori with Brody and Grayson with Dylan. We have to trust that they'll take them to a safe spot.”

“Wouldn't Brody answer the phone if everything was okay?” Just thinking about the possibility of her family and friends lying hurt somewhere in a field was enough to kick off another wave of anxiety.

“Dylan has survived much worse. If he's not picking up, then I have to believe he's been separated from his phone and that's not necessarily bad. He'll take good care of Grayson. If I was out here alone with one other person, I'd want it to be him. You know his background.”

Ryan was making excellent points. And that should ease her mounting panic. It didn't. Until she put eyes on her sister and nephew, Lisa's blood pressure would stay through the roof.

“Since we don't know where Beckett is, we need to stay on the move,” Ryan said.

“Are you sure we can't go back and check the funeral home? The dust has to have cleared by now.”

“That's the last place I want you to be,” he said emphatically.

Beckett Alcorn wanted Lisa silenced. If he had his way, it would be permanent. She got that. She wouldn't argue with Ryan.

“Where should we go?” she asked, resigned to the reality that she'd have to wait for word on her sister and nephew.

“Let's keep moving until I get my bearings. I'm not sure where we ended up. Do you need help walking?” He held his free hand out.

“No. I'm okay.” That wasn't entirely true. Although she was grateful to be alive and prayed like everything no one else was hurt.

“I can use the GPS on my phone to help figure out where we are. Then we'll get a read on what's close by,” Ryan said, heading the opposite direction from where they started.

If Beckett wanted to take them down, it would be easier for him to do now. He'd managed to separate Lisa from her sister. She had no idea how many men he had surrounding the area, waiting.

Ryan stopped, staring at the screen on his device.

“Looks like we need to head east to get to the main road.” He paused. “But then Beckett's people could be waiting there.”

“What about the sheriff? They have to believe something happened now,” Lisa said.

“You're ready to file a complaint against Beckett? To tell them he's the one who attacked you last week?”

“I think I have to, don't you? I mean, I didn't want to say anything before because I was trying to protect my sister and Grayson. Now I realize we'll never be safe until he's behind bars. Maybe not even then, with his family's money. It isn't like a conviction will stick.” Frustration ate through her. “I feel like I'm right back at square one. Damned if I do. Damned if I don't.”

“It's not the same thing now.”

“What makes you say that?”

“You didn't have all of us before,” he said, taking her hand in his, spreading warmth through her. “I promise that I'm not going to let that jerk hurt you or your family. We'll have to be more careful now that we know what he's capable of. I know the others will pitch in to help. We won't let up until you can walk around without looking over your shoulder.”

Lisa had to admit she had never felt this strong, not since Beckett had stolen her power when she was twelve. Well, guess what? She was no longer a scared kid. She realized she'd been acting like one by caving to his threats, but taking action made her feel strong again.

And her horrible secret had a shelf life. By keeping silent all these years, she'd fed the monster.

Tonight, when they were safe and alone, she would tell Ryan everything.

* * *

R
YAN
'
S
RINGTONE
SOUNDED
with his phone still in his hand. He immediately checked caller ID. “It's Dylan.”

“I'm here with Lisa,” he said. Lisa moved closer so she could hear.

“Thank goodness you're all right,” Dylan said. “Grayson's fine. I didn't realize you'd called a few minutes ago until I got him settled down. Are the others with you?”

“No.” He looked at Lisa, whose eyes closed. “It's just me and Lisa.”

“We all scattered pretty good. I'm sure everyone will meet up.” Dylan sounded confident and Ryan hoped that provided some measure of comfort for Lisa.

“Where's a good place for that?” Ryan asked.

“My place isn't too far from here. Plus, I have baby supplies. Where are you guys? Maybe we can make the walk together.”

Ryan supplied their coordinates from the GPS on his phone.

“That's not far at all. I'll swing by and get you, and then we'll head to my place.”

Sirens sounded in the distance. No doubt, the cavalry was about to arrive.

“We'll have to call the sheriff and let him know where we're headed,” Ryan said.

“Good idea. Normally, I wouldn't leave a crime scene but in this case we should be okay. I'll give the sheriff a call and let him know our plans.” With Dylan's security business, it was good for him to keep the lines of communication open with local law enforcement. His connections should prove a benefit.