And there wouldve been no Texas without both groups, Kelsey remarked.
His smile deepened. Santa Anna miscalculated. He thought that his no quarter given policy would scare off the revolutionaries. Instead, Remember the Alamo! became a battle cry. Soon after, the massacre at Goliad occurred. Santa Anna had everyone there executed, and the war became one of revenge as well as Texan independence. Of course, if theyd lost, the whole thing wouldve been described as the Mexicans putting down an uprising by a group of rebels.
But Texas did gain its independence and then became part of the United States, Kelsey said. I appreciate what youve told me. Im really interested in history.
Me, too. I just want it to be history and not fiction.
Youre a Ranger and obviously Native American, she said. Whats your history?
Very typical of Texasa real mix. My fathers a quarter Apache and three-fourths Anglo. My mothers half Norwegian and half Comanche. Theyre both all-Texan. And all-American. And theyre alive and well and living happily in Montana now.
Didnt the Texas Rangers spend a lot of years battling the Comanches? she asked.
Yes, he said. But they also learned from them. He eased back a little as he spoke, leaning against the bench as he watched the young people around him seek to learn about the past. A Comanche warrior could ride at breakneck speedwhile clinging to the side of his horse with his shield, bow and quiver. He could fire off twelve arrows while a Ranger was trying to reload his rifle. To fight the Comanche, the Rangers had to learn how to do the sameor something equivalent and their fights led to some real renovations in weapons. He turned to face her. I like to think Ive learned from all my ancestors, including the Vikings, he added with a grin.
Why not? she said, shrugging comically.
OBrien. Are you Irish? he asked.
Like you, Im mostly all-American mutt, but yes, my dads family immigrated from Ireland.
And you come from the Sunshine State. Do you miss it?
No, she said. Okay, a little. But Im at the Longhorn, as you know, and Sandys an old friend. I have a cousin here, too. Sean Cameron. But hes
He straightened. Sean Cameron is your cousin? he asked.
Well, a Sean Cameron is my cousin.
He works for a company called Magic on Demand?
Yes. You know him?
He nodded, staring at her.
How?
Hes been a consultant for us a few times. I havent seen him in quite a while, but one Halloween we had a murder in a haunted house, and he was brought in. He helped the crime-scene people dig through the fake gore and get down to the real evidence. Logan was quiet for a minute.
Oh, she murmured. Did you always want to be a Texas Ranger? she asked, changing the subject.
He nodded. My dad was a Ranger, he said. What about you?
I always wanted to be a Marshal, she told him. I knew it from when I was in high school.
He slouched down on the bench, thoughtful as he studied the tourists coming and going. Most people would say you dont look the part, he said.
What am I supposed to look like?
John Wayne, maybe.
She laughed. Didnt he play a Texas Ranger once? He was definitely here at the Alamo in one of his movies.
He turned to her, but as he did, he saw someone behind her and frowned.
She turned around, as well, and saw a man. He was the only person in their vicinity and he was dressed in costume, a big wide-brimmed hat, buckskins and boots. She assumed he had to be a member of the little group whod just reenacted the scene between the men at the Alamo. He obviously knew Logan Raintree and wanted to speak to him, while Raintree looked as if he wanted the man to disappear.
What was his problem? Logan Raintree was being downright rude, and in her opinion, there was no excuse for that kind of behavior.
Hello. She smiled, hoping to compensate for her companions lack of courtesy.
She was startled when Raintree stood abruptly and even the costumed stranger took a step back.
Who are you talking to? Raintree asked suspiciously.
Kelsey stared at him as if hed lost his mind. She stood, too, and said pointedly, The gentleman youre ignoring. She turned back to look at the man in costume, but he was gone.
When she turned toward Logan Raintree again, his expression had hardened, and he seemed to have withdrawn from her.
You saw a man? he demanded.
Of course I saw him, she said. He wanted to talk to you, and you acted like he was a martian or something.
As she frowned at him, both of them standing near the chapel of the Alamo, she heard an intense whirring sound.
Birds.
Black birdscrows. Settling down, all around them.
Ill see you at the morgue tomorrow, Logan Raintree said, and he began to walk away, his footsteps moving through the sudden sea of birds, scattering them in all directions.
Chapter Four
A murder could be easier to solve than the case of a missing person, Kelsey reflected. When a body was discovered, there was a chance to collect evidence andusuallya trail to follow. When a person had simply disappeared, you had to assume someone must have seen something, but finding that someone was often next to impossible.
The files theyd been given contained all the known information about Vanessa Johnston, who was last seen purchasing gas at a station near the county line.
Shed spoken briefly with a young cashier when she had gone in to buy coffee, saying she was excited about going to San Antonio, and then shed gotten back into her Honda and driven off. Neither she nor the car had been seen since.
Her cell phone records indicated that shed made no calls. Nor had she used her charge card again.
A car has to show up somewhere, Kelsey murmured aloud to herself.
There was a tap on her door. She was in bedhaving moved into Room 207and she rose up, leaning against her pillow.
Kelsey? Sandy called.
Come on in, Kelsey said.
She hadnt had a chance to speak with Sandy since shed gotten back; the inn was now full, and thered been a number of bartenders and waitresses in the busy downstairs area, along with the singer who was reprising old tunes with a piano player. The saloon had been bustling. Shed been glad, since she wasnt ready to share anything about her day. Yet.
When shed returned, however, Corey Simmons had been waiting for her, hoping to buy her a drink. Shed declined. Sandy had packed up his belongings, brought them to Kelseys room, then packed up Kelseys stuff. He wanted to thank her, hed said rather sheepishly, for moving into Room 207.
When shed returned, however, Corey Simmons had been waiting for her, hoping to buy her a drink. Shed declined. Sandy had packed up his belongings, brought them to Kelseys room, then packed up Kelseys stuff. He wanted to thank her, hed said rather sheepishly, for moving into Room 207.
Hey, just wanted to make sure youre okay in here, Sandy told her, stepping inside. Sandy was wearing an apron, since shed pitched in with the serving downstairs.
Kelsey smiled. Im fine, absolutely fine. Nothings going to happen to me in this room, she assured Sandy.
Sandy let out a soft sigh. Well, thank you. You were wonderful. I can hardly believe Corey decided to stay here.
Well, you know, if the inns filling up and someone else wants this room, I can always go to another hotel, Kelsey told her.
No! Youre staying right here. Im not renting this room to macho men, cowboys or hunters. Im keeping things calm. I have to make a living on this place!
Okay, then, not to worry. Ill stay, and Ill be just fine, Kelsey said again.
So, how did your day go? Whats up? What was the big meeting about?
WellIve been asked to join the FBI, Kelsey said.
Really? Wow! I didnt know the FBI went out and asked people to join it! Dont they have an application process and training, and all that?
I imagine thats the usual case.
Wow. You must be special!
Kelsey shrugged one shoulder. I dont know about that.
Why?
Pardon?
Why you? I mean, honestly, I think thats amazing! Sandy said.
I am a United States Marshal, Kelsey reminded her. I have all the training that went along with that, and theyre both federal agencies.
Even with Sandy, she didnt want to talk about the reasons. And, in fact, those reasons hadnt actually been discussed. Oddly enough, it hadnt been necessary. Theyd all understood.
I dont really know, she lied.
Sandy came in and perched on the foot of her bed. What are you going to do? she asked.
Im not sure yet, she said evasively. Sandy, forgive me, but Im not at liberty to discuss any of this yet.
Oh, Im sorry! Of course not. Id just love it, though, if you moved to Texas. I mean, I know you love your home and all, but Texas is a great state.
Kelsey made a point of casually closing the folder shed been reading, then sat up straighter in bed. Ill make a decision by tomorrow.
And you can live right here! Sandy said excitedly.
Kelsey laughed. Dont worry, the scuttlebutt about the room will die out. Or you can bring in one of those ghost expedition groups. Either way, youll get lots of business. But Ill probably stay for a while. So, thank you.
This is great, Sandy said happily, as if it was all settled. I know Sean is off working now, but you have a cousin here. And you have me. Itll be like home.
Im sure it will. Despite herself, Kelsey yawned.
Sandy stood quickly. Okay, well, Ill let you get some sleep. But Im so thrilled youre going to be here! Yay! She walked to the door. Good night.
Good night. Thanks, Sandy.
When Sandy had gone, Kelsey got out of bed and went to the door. She hadnt thought to lock it earlier; now she did.
She looked at the files again, but she really was tired. Facts, figures and faces were beginning to swim before her eyes. She left the bathroom light on, but turned off the others, set the files on the bedside table and slipped back into bed.
She shouldve realized she wasnt going to sleep well that night .
At first she felt as if shed been disturbed by the sound of someone whispering. It was annoying, but not enough to completely wake her. Then she began to see it all again. The room changing, ever so slightly. The Oriental divider by the bathroom door.
She noticed something different about the darkness with the glow of just the bathroom light.
No, there was a gas lamp burning.