The man who might know who killed her father.
After a few moments, Ben and Gisella walked over to the couch, blocking Corinnas view as the unidentified man was wheeled out. She dropped her gaze to her clenched hands. Her mind replayed the last images she had of her father. His body sprawled across the floor, blood staining the shirt shed ironed for him that morning. His dear face frozen in death. A shudder ripped through her.
Gisella remained standing while Ben sat beside Corinna on the couch, crowding her space. His big, strong hands engulfed her slender, delicate ones, making her feel so small and helpless. She didnt like the feeling at all, but at the moment, didnt have the power to fight against it.
You cant stay here, Ben said.
Do you really think the person who shot at me might come back?
I dont want to take any chances, he said. He cant know for sure you didnt see him.
She hated the thought of being run out of her house. She wished she could be strong enough to stay. Butnot tonight. Her father had been killed here. His blood still stained the carpet. Her blood was splattered on the door. She wondered if shed ever be able to enter the study again.
Grief twisted her insides, making her ache way worse than any wound to her arm could. Theres living quarters in the barn out back. Ill stay there.
From the way his lips flattened into a grim line, she could tell he wasnt hip to her plan. It would be better if you stayed somewhere else. Gisella has offered her house.
No. I wouldnt want to bother anyone, even another Ranger. Just the thought of the sympathy and hovering that her friends would do, made her recoil. She didnt like to be coddled. She straightened her shoulders. Im staying. This is my home. Ill not be run off. Someone needs to tend to the animals. Besides, how would anyone know I was in the barn?
Disapproval flashed in his eyes. I dont think this is a good idea.
Not your call, Ben.
His mouth pressed into a grim line. Then Ill have SAPD post a guard outside.
Fine. She appreciated his concern and caution, though she doubted it would be needed. Ill need to pack a few things to take out there with me.
He pulled her to her feet and walked her toward her room, keeping his body between her line of vision and the study. Once they reached her room, he backed away with a nod, his face grim.
Gisella stepped into the room. What can I do to help?
Bring my father back to life. The thought flittered across Corinnas mind. But no one could do that.
Her hands curled into fists. Anger roared through her like a lion on the chase.
Her soul cried out to God, Why? Why did You let him die, too?
Her faith in God had been rocked when her mother had died. She hadnt understood why God had allowed the sickness to overtake her. Why, if God was the great physician, hadnt He answered her prayers and healed her?
Her father had assured her God did love her. That God was good. That sickness was a part of the human condition. Words that didnt offer comfort to a twelve-year-old girl.
Her father had also told her to remember shed see her mother again one day in Heaven. Corinna had clung to that thought. And as long as God kept her father safe, she could cling to Him, too.
But now her father was dead.
God had turned His back on her prayers. God had never loved her. She didnt even know if there really was a Heaven. She had nothing to cling to anymore. Her faith had been shaken to the core.
The barns living quarters consisted of a loft space with a pullout sleeper sofa, TV, table and chair. Ben had stayed in the loft on numerous occasions when hed first met Greg and had needed a place to stay until he could afford his apartment. A small refrigerator sat in one corner and a wood stove with a pipe chimney took up space in the middle of the loft.
As Ben lit the stove to warm up the loft, he said, I really wish youd reconsider staying here.
She arched an eyebrow at him. He figured she was going for haughty, but all he saw was a woman close to the breaking point.
This is my home. My life. I get to decide. I can understand your concern, really, I can. But youve taken precautions. There isnt anything more you can do.
Even though hed made arrangements to have a guard posted on the property, he had a bad feeling about leaving Corinna here. He couldnt take chances with Gregs daughters life. She was his responsibility now. He would protect her, be there for her and guide her as best he could.
As best shed let him.
He didnt doubt that once the shock wore off, Corinnas icy superiority would return to replace the vulnerability in her pretty eyes.
And short of hauling her in for some trumped-up charge, he really had no say in where she stayed.
Before leaving, he made sure she had her cell phone and his number on speed dial in case of an emergency.
Ill be fine. Shed moved to stand at the top of the loft stairs, her arms crossed over her chest, looking as if she were trying to contain her grief. You go do what you need to do to find my fathers killer and dont worry about me.
Easier said than accomplished. But he left her in the barn and headed to the house. Back inside the study, Bens gaze fell on the dark crimson spot tarnishing the thick rug.
Both Greg and the other man were gone. Greg to the morgue, the mystery guy to the hospital with Marvel and Daniel riding along. The two Rangers had instructions to stick close to the man in case he awoke and also to provide protection.
Ben didnt want the assassin trying to finish the job before they could get information out of the man who might hold the key to Gregs murder.
Ranger Anderson Michaels stepped to Bens side, his thunderous expression reflecting the rage gathering steam inside Ben. No weapon. No fingerprints, no shoe prints outside, either.
Ben grunted in response. A professional hit. Do you know what case Greg was working?
No. Care to enlighten me?
Seems he didnt share it with any of us. Must have been a new case.
Anderson gave him a quick glance. You didnt know? Thats sowrong.
Ben shrugged back the hurt trying to worm its way into his consciousness.
Yes, its wrong, Trevor remarked as he joined them just inside the doorway of the study. Tall and lanky with blond hair graying at the temples, his blue eyes were hard as ice. The captain shouldve kept us in the loop. He was too much of a one-man show.
Ben fisted his hands and slowly turned to face Trevor. Do not ever besmirch the captain again.
Trevor held up his hands, palms facing out. Hey, Im just telling it like it is. Pike was a good captain, but he kept too much too close to the vest. Were a team, remember?
Yeah, I remember. Ben rolled the tension from his shoulders as he tried not to see the truth in Trevors words. Greg had kept information from the team on occasion.
One incident in particular came to mind. There had been a string of jewelry store heists across the state. Somehow, Greg had had a lead on one of the thieves. Hed staked out the guys house. Alone.
Hed captured the man and then called in the bust. A stash of jewels had been found on the premises and the thief turned on his cohorts.
The situation had ended well. But it could have gone terribly wrong. Greg had gone against protocol, risking his life and the investigation. His defense was that hed worked alone to minimize the chances the guy would get spooked and flee.
This time, Gregs holding back had cost him his life.
I want a thorough search of the house, Ben said, loud enough for them all to hear. There has to be some clue as to why Greg was killed.
On it, Anderson said and moved away.
Ben didnt have to give further instruction. The team knew what to do.
Ben ignored Trevors sharp glance. Though they shared the rank of lieutenant, Trevor had transferred over from Company A last year, so he was fairly new to the team. He hadnt been with the company nearly as long as Ben and, therefore, hadnt earned the respect and loyalty needed to lead the team. Having a short temper hadnt won him any points, either. Ben wondered if the man was as tightly wound with his wife and daughters as he was with his comrades.
Ben had met Trevors wife, Sarah Donovan, once, at the Christmas party last year. A quiet, pretty lady who had seemed to prefer to stay in the background than have attention centered on her. Ben had liked her. The verdict was still out on Trevor.
Several hours later, their search of the house hadnt revealed anything. Still no closer to knowing what was going on, Ben left the crime scene techs to finish up at the Pike home and secured an SAPD officer to stand watch near the barn.
Ben headed to the hospital. Hopefully, their mysterious victim had awoken and could shed some light on the nights events. He drove through the quiet streets of San Antonio, noting that on this late September night there was little traffic and the hospital parking lot was nearly empty.
After stopping by the administration desk where he was given directions, Ben made his way to the fourth floor. Daniel and Marvel stood guard in front of the closed door of their victims room.
Hey, Ben, Daniel greeted him.
Has he awakened? Ben asked.
Daniels eyes looked troubled. No. Doc says the guys in a coma. He cant predict when or if hell come out of it.
Not the news Ben wanted to hear. Disappointment fed his anger. Ill contact SAPD and get around-the-clock guards on this guy. Until then, you two okay to stay?
Marvel nodded. I dont have anyone waiting at home for me, so yeah, I can stay.
No hot dates tonight? Daniel teased.
Marvel grinned, even white teeth flashing against his chocolate skin. Nope. Free agent these days. But I do have my eye on a little filly I met in the park.
Marvel was a real ladies man, but so far no woman had captured the marathon runners heart. How about you, Daniel? You good to stay the night?
Daniel shrugged. Whatever it takes.
Ben nodded, knowing he could always count on the Ranger. Daniel came from wealth but chose to live a life dedicated to serving justice. A life that sometimes came with a price. For Daniel, that had been the loss of his marriage and estrangement from his son.
When the uniforms show, youre free to leave. Well convene in the morning at the office. Ben pressed his lips together as a wave of sorrow hit. He wouldnt be seeing Greg tomorrow. Not ever again.
Daniel put his hand on Bens shoulder. Well find the guy who did this.
Ben wished he had the same confidence echoing in Daniels voice. He cleared his throat, forcing back his emotions. Yeah. Call if anything develops.
The sound of rubber-soled shoes on linoleum disturbed the quiet hallway. Ben turned to see a white-coated man in his mid-thirties approaching.
Doctor Vargas, Daniel said below his breath.
Ben stepped forward. The doctor came to a stop.
Gentlemen, I see youre still here, the doctor said in a thick Spanish accent.
Ben stuck out his hand. Ranger Fritz.
Doctor Ramon Vargas. They shook hands.
Well be arranging an around-the-clock guard detail for the man in this room, Ben said.
The doctors dark eyebrows rose. I thought he was a victim, not a criminal.
We dont know what he is at this point. And until he wakes up, were sticking close. Ben glanced at the door. Id like to see him.
Im sure youre aware hes unconscious, the doctor stated with a slight rebuff in his tone.
I understand, Ben said, his voice mild, but he held the mans gaze, making it clear hed have his way.
Doctor Vargas inclined his head. Of course. Always willing to cooperate with the authorities.
Something in the doctors voice snagged Bens attention. But the congenial expression on the mans face belied any antagonism. Shrugging it off as trauma from the nights events, Ben entered the hospital room.
The man lying on the bed was a Caucasian male, with shaggy black hair, pale skin. He looked to be about five foot ten in height with an average build. There was a slight scar under his left eye. No tattoos on his arms, which rested on the blanket covering his body. IVs and monitors were hooked up to the guy. He looked like he was peacefully sleeping.
Somewhere Ben had heard that people in comas could hear what was going on around them. Maybe hed wake up if Ben talked to him. It was worth a shot.
Because at the moment, this man was the key to finding Corinnas fathers murderer.
Ben moved to stand next to the bed and leaned in close. I dont know if you can hear me or not. My names Ben Fritz. Im with the Texas Rangers. You should wake up now and tell us what happened.
Ben waited. The man didnt stir. Disappointment spiraled through him. Maybe it was too soon.
I told you he was unconscious, Doctor Vargas said from the foot of the bed.
So you did. Any idea when hell wake up?
The doctor gave him a droll look. Im not a psychic, Ranger Fritz. When his mind and body are ready to heal, they will.
Ben nodded. I pray its sooner rather than later.
The doctor inclined his head and left the room. Ben followed him out.
Keep me posted, he said to Daniel and Marvel before leaving the hospital.
Fifteen minutes later Ben arrived at his apartment complex outside downtown San Antonio in the northern suburb of Hollywood Park. His one-bedroom apartment was on the second floor in the back overlooking the pool and hot tub. On cool evenings like this it was quiet, but in the summers, when the children were out of school, the noise level rose to deafening decibels. Ben didnt mind.
He rather liked the sound of kids having fun as they played in the curved swimming pool and visited in the common area. Happy noises that stirred hope of one day having a family, a wife and children of his own. His dismal upbringingorphaned by the drug trade at five and then bouncing around foster homescould have squashed that dream, not to mention his occupationbut the hope of a family of his own still thrived.
Tonight, only the gurgle of the hot tub floated on the cool air as he made his way up the stairs. He entered his dark apartment and went to his bedroom to sit on the edge of the double bed. His numbed feelings slowly gave way to the grief and anguish of finding his captain murdered. Ben slipped from the bed to land on his knees.
Welling grief, sorrow and anger expanded in his chest until he thought he might explode. Silent sobs wracked his body. His heart throbbed with pain.
I dont understand, Lord. Why did this happen?
Silence met his cry.
Ben dropped his face into his hands and wept for the man who had been the closest thing to a real, loving father that Ben had ever known. Greg had taken the time to teach Ben not only about law enforcement, specifically being a Ranger, but had taught him how to be a man. To be kind and fair yet never back down from the principles that they lived by. Greg had included Ben in his and Corinnas family circle, small as it was.