Body of Evidence (15 page)

“H
oney, the morning feedings are all finished so you go on into Austin with Anderson. You're allowed to take a day off now and then and this is important.”

Jennifer looked at her mother, not so sure about Suzanne's advice. Her mother had been here two whole days and already Jennifer could sense that this time Suzanne meant business. Suzanne had been waiting early the morning after she arrived to go with Jennifer and Anderson to bury Roscoe.

With a peach-colored dawn rising and a sweet mist of dew covering the crimson and deep yellow trees and woods, Anderson had carried Roscoe's carefully wrapped body down a hill between the house and the barn, to be buried underneath a towering live oak.

“It was one of his favorite spots,” Jennifer told her mother and Anderson after they'd buried the big dog.

Anderson had placed rocks over the grave and Suzanne set a pot of glistening burgundy and yellow mums against the tree's broad trunk. “Just until we can get him a proper headstone made.”

Later, she'd insisted on helping Jennifer and Anderson with the feedings, especially the horses. Anderson
had discreetly excused himself to do some paperwork, leaving mother and daughter alone in the stables, where a temporary wall had been built between the gutted barn and what was left of the horse stalls. It had been nice to spend a few hours with her mother, working side by side just like the old days.

Having her mother here helped with her grief over losing Roscoe. While she mourned the loss of her old friend, Jennifer knew enough about animals to understand Roscoe had been ready to go. So she tried to block out how he'd died and instead thanked God that Roscoe had been in her life and had come to her rescue in such a valiant way.

Going into Austin to the main Ranger headquarters located inside the Texas Department of Public Safety to look at mug shots of criminals would sure take her mind off her grief.

Suzanne tapped her on the hand. “Jenny, you've had a rough time of it lately. You need a break. You hear? I know this trip won't be pleasant but at least you'll get away from this place for a while.”

Jennifer handed her mother a glass of water, then leaned back against the kitchen counter. “But you got here a few days ago and I didn't work yesterday. I'll be even more behind if I take today off, too.”

Suzanne straightened her floral scarf around her neck, her eyes on Jennifer. “I can do your job. I still remember how things work around here. Jacob will be here at his regular time and the morning volunteers are already busy doing their chores. Becky even called and said she'd ride over after she gets off work, so the whole day is covered. Go with Anderson and do what needs
to be done. I'll fix a light supper for y'all and Becky, so you can visit with her, too. That way you and Anderson can go over things in private and figure out how to put all of this behind you.”

Jennifer didn't relish going over mug shots, but the sooner she got that done, the closer they'd be to ending this. Anderson had been in and out the last couple of days, tying up loose ends and filing reports. Maybe if they got away from the compound, they could both examine their feelings for each other. After everything that had happened, she wasn't sure what she was feeling. They could at least go back over the details of this case.

“Are you sure you don't mind, Mom?”

“I told you I don't,” Suzanne replied. “I'm not going anywhere in a hurry, so we'll have plenty of time to catch up.”

Jennifer paced the floor for a minute, then whirled. “Okay. But only because I want this to be over and done. I don't want you or my volunteers in danger.”

Suzanne shuffled some papers on the desk. “I wish I'd been here with you.”

“It's okay,” Jennifer said, taking her mother's hand in hers. “You came when I called and that's important to me.” Then she lowered her head. “I should have called you more.”

Suzanne pulled her close. “Oh, honey, me, too. I've been so selfish. I know we kept in touch, but we never really talked about the kind of things mothers and daughters need to talk about.” She stood back, wiping at her eyes. “Now that's enough. I'm here and things are
gonna change. Go put on a pretty dress and try to have some fun after you visit the Ranger office, okay?”

Jennifer didn't waste any time. Calling Anderson on her cell, she waited, wondering what she would wear.

“Hello?”

Her heart gained speed at that deep voice in her ear.

“I'll go to Austin with you. Whatever it takes.”

“Well, now, that's the best news I've heard all day. I'll be there in about an hour. How's that?”

“I'll be ready.”

“Oh, and I wanted you to know the sheriff is keeping the deputy posted out there for the rest of the week. Just as a precaution.”

“I'm glad to hear that. I didn't want to leave everyone here without some sort of human security.”

“Consider it done. I'll see you soon, but remember…I can't really discuss my business at the capitol.”

“Got it.” She hung up, holding a hand to her throat. She and Anderson had been forced together on the compound, but this would be the first time they'd left the property together. That scared her into action. Hair, makeup, something pretty to wear. And shoes—real shoes, not work boots. Even if she had an ugly task to perform, Anderson had included lunch in the trip.

How would they both act, away from the scene of the crime? Would he be completely official and professional? Should she maintain some sort of decorum and distance? Honestly, the grisly way they'd met made her wonder if they'd ever have any sort of future together.

That and the tenacious devotion Anderson had to his job.

 

Anderson smiled over at Jennifer, taking in her pretty blue sweater and cute knee-length denim tiered skirt, worn with dark tights and tall brown boots. Tall brown boots with tall skinny heels. How did women walk in those things, anyway?

“You sure clean up nice.”

“Thanks.” She looked shy and unsure, but she was here in his truck, at least. Even if the woman was clutching her purse with white knuckles. Did he make her that nervous? Or was it this investigation and her fear of possibly seeing the face of the man who'd attacked her?

Reaching across to her, he said, “Hey, it's okay. Let's just relax. The end is in sight.”

“I'm trying.” She'd worn her hair down. It shimmered and bounced each time the truck jostled over the interstate toward Austin. “I'm glad things have settled down some. I mean, at least the destruction and digging can stop now. That you've found what they were looking for.”

Her eyes went dark even as she spoke those words.

“Still missing Roscoe?” he asked, wishing he could take away her pain.

She bobbed her head. “I keep looking at his empty bed but I don't have the heart to put it out of sight yet. It's gonna be hard, after Mom leaves and…when you leave.”

Anderson thought the same thing. “I might leave the compound, Jennifer, but I am not leaving you.”

“I bet you say that to all the people you serve and protect.”

“No, ma'am, I do not. Mainly because not all of them have pretty brown eyes and hair that looks like dark silk.” He grimaced. “That sounded so corny, didn't it?”

She laughed, her smile crinkling her cheeks enough to show off two sweet dimples. “Lame, but nice to hear. And I don't smell like straw and animal, I hope.”

“You smell like a bouquet,” he said, sniffing the air near her. “But you're way too far over on that side of the truck.”

She laughed again. “I'll stay over here for now, Ranger-man. I don't want to distract you.”

He cut his eyes toward her. “Like I said, you've been doing that since the first day I saw you.”

She leaned her head back on the seat. “That seems like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?”

He nodded, then took an exit ramp off I-35 and headed to the left. “Yep. A lot has happened since that day.”

One thing being, he'd finally found someone who made him stop and think about something besides his work. But he was still trying to figure how that would play out.

“Any word on who was buried on my property?”

That brought him back to the here and now. “No. We'll go to headquarters first and get the mug shots out of the way. They might have heard something from the crime lab by now.”

Anderson thought about Senator Huffington. Levi had agreed to meet him at the senator's office so they could question him together. “You can stroll around the
grounds and check out the cafeteria and gift shop, but stay close, okay?”

“Just the grounds? I planned to walk around SoCo.”

“Sorry, you need to stay on the capitol grounds. Too many variables on South Congress. When I'm out of my meeting, we'll walk to the restaurant I mentioned. It's not far from the capitol and it's in the SoCo district.”

“All right. I can't wait to get a latte and take in some of the shops.”

He pulled into a nondescript but modern-looking building. “We're here. Don't be nervous. Everyone's working on this investigation so any information is important.”

She swallowed and opened her door. Anderson came around and helped her out of the truck.

 

A few minutes later, Jennifer was sitting in a ranger conference room going through book after book of mug shots. She'd met some of the other Rangers but the faces and names all merged inside her head.

“Any luck?” Anderson asked, stopping his paperwork to glance over at her. “You want something to drink?”

“No and no,” she said, the tension mounting inside her head each time she turned the pages. “I don't think he's here, Anderson.”

“We can bring in a forensic artist,” he said. “Cade is going to do that with the skeleton we found. Her name is Paige Bryant. You'd like her.”

“I'm not sure I'm up to that today, unless you think it's necessary.”

He looked down at his watch. “I don't have time to set it up, anyway. I have to meet Levi at the capitol. But…keep that in mind for the future.”

After going through several more books, she'd given up and let out a sigh. Part of her had hoped for a match.

“I'm sorry,” Anderson said, glancing over at Jennifer.

“Why are you apologizing? I'm the one who couldn't identify that man.”

“It's okay. You didn't get a very good look.”

“No, I was too busy trying to stay alive. But I remember his eyes. I remember the hatred I saw there.”

“C'mon,” he said. “Let's get out of here.”

He escorted her past all the curious faces and out the door without another word.

 

Anderson had wanted their time together to take her mind off losing Roscoe and everything else that had happened. And he'd prayed for another break in this case. Since nothing had panned out at headquarters, he'd have to focus on the business card he'd found inside the dirty jacket. He had a bad feeling that the honorable senator might not be so honorable after all. Could Huffington be involved with the Lions?

Levi McDonnell met Anderson in the Capitol Rotunda, shaking hands with him over the Six Flags of Texas seal embedded on the floor. France, Spain, Mexico, the United States, the Confederacy and the Republic of Texas flags all circled the round seal that depicted the Alamo and other aspects of Texas history.

“How ya doing?” Levi asked, his jet black hair glistening underneath the lights. “How's Jennifer?”

“We're both hanging in there,” Anderson replied. “She couldn't find a match on her attacker. She's here but I told her to stay near the gift shop and cafeteria. I'm taking her for lunch after we talk to the senator.”

“He knows we're coming,” Levi said, leading the way to the elevators and the senator's office on the third floor. “But he has no idea why we're coming.”

“Oh, I just bet he does,” Anderson replied. “I'm guessing he won't talk even if he does know something.”

“Good guess,” Levi retorted as they stepped off the elevator.

After they'd announced themselves and shown their IDs to the senator's assistant, they were led to his swank office.

“Gentlemen,” Senator Fred Huffington said, getting up to come around his desk and shake their hands. “It ain't every day I get a request to talk to two distinguished Texas Rangers. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Anderson thought the man was laying it on a bit thick with the good ol' boy talk, but he played along. “Same here, Senator. We rarely come into the inner sanctuary of the President Pro Tem of the Texas Senate. Nice view.”

The senator's smile faltered just a tad but he kept it pasted on his handsome face anyway. “It has its perks. Let's get on with it, then. I'm due for a vote this afternoon.”

Levi and Anderson sat down and explained the situation about the intruder and the business card, bringing him up to speed on the drug trafficking they were
investigating without mentioning the Lions. “And so, sir, do you have any idea how that man could have got your card?”

Anderson watched for signs of recognition, for some sort of clue. But the statesman was as cool as the wind blowing against the capitol's big pink limestone walls. Either he was a practiced liar or he didn't have any inkling of the cartel or the man who'd tried to get to the body.

The senator sat on the edge of his desk, his hands clasped. “Honestly, gentlemen, I have no idea. I hand out cards to constituents all the time.” He shrugged as if to say “and that's that.”

“Have you been to any gatherings recently where a mixed crowd might be? We have reason to believe this man is an illegal.” Levi centered his brown eyes on the senator while he gave the description Anderson had included in his report. “Maybe you met him at an outdoors function, not a fancy dinner.”