Her Texas Ranger Hero (13 page)

Ally started for the door, but Luckey pulled her back. “Not until I have more of this.” He found her mouth and kissed her until they were both swaying. “Later we're going to have a long talk about the rest of our lives. How does that sound?”

“I—I agree we need to talk.” Her voice faltered. He didn't know if he liked her response, but she'd turned to open the door. Luckey followed her inside to their family room. “Go ahead and set things up. I'll get my parents.”

Within a few minutes the four of them had congregated around the computer screen. After a warm greeting from her parents, Luckey inserted the flash drive. “Just watch everything, then we'll talk.”

The videos were self-explanatory. When they were finished, he glanced at Ally, who looked horrified. Her mother and father eyed each other in silence. Luckey removed the flash drive.

“As you can see, this woman is caught without hope. It's my opinion she's doing extra work at the orphanage to make more money for the man who owns her. Not all victims have another avenue for money. No doubt she was brought into the spa with the promise of work. The going salary is usually $30,000. But they can never buy themselves out of the contract they sign.

“She could provide us with a lot of information if we handle this carefully. How did she get here? Where is she from? Does she have family? Who did this to her? I don't know that she would be able to shed any light on the murders, but maybe she knows someone at the spa who could give us crucial information. Naturally, we'll free her and relocate her to a safe life without causing any notoriety to the orphanage.”

Ally's father got to his feet. “How will you get information from her?”

“One of the men at the bureau who speaks Mandarin will go undercover at the spa to procure her services. He'll get her alone and tell her we're going to free her from her situation, but we'd like information. After she's safe, we'll learn all we can from her and raid the place. The whole ring will be arrested and we'll free the other women they've kept in bondage.”

“Do it, Luckey!” Ally's mother cried. “I'm devastated for Shan, who has to work under such ghastly circumstances before coming to work at the orphanage every day. She's such a lovely girl and so sweet with the children. All these women need to be freed.”

Larry nodded. “Nothing would make us happier. Anything we can do to help, just let us know.”

“You already have, by giving me a copy of the orphanage records.”

“Thank you for what you've done and are prepared to do, Luckey,” Ally's father said sincerely. “I know you'll keep us informed. Come on, Bea.”

Luckey watched them exit the den, leaving him alone with the woman he loved. She sat on the edge of the couch with her hands clasped. “We have to talk, Luckey.”

“I know you're anxious to hear the details about Mike's death.”

“Only if you want to tell me.” She got to her feet. “But that's not what's on my mind. I've been thinking about Shan. If another Ranger could get rid of the man waiting outside the orphanage tomorrow, I'd drive over and convince her to come to the ranch with me. If you were here waiting, you could ask her all the questions you want and I'd provide the translation.”

He shook his head, but she kept on talking. “The proof she'll provide will enable you to arrest those evil men and close down the spa. You've got videos. With the women freed, you'll probably be able to gather a lot of information needed to make inroads in the trafficking situation here in Texas. You know it's a perfect plan. You need me to do this.” Her lavender eyes were begging him.

“I refuse to let you sacrifice yourself like that,” he said through gritted teeth.

“I lived under scrutiny of the MSS authorities for fifteen years. My whole family did. What if I want to do this for all these girls? I'll ask my teaching assistant to cover my classes tomorrow. Think about it. Shan doesn't trust any man, but she knows and trusts me. We've become friends. When I tell her what's going on, she'll do as I say.”

Damn if Ally wasn't making perfect sense.

* * *

“I
F
ONE
OF
your undercover officers approaches her at the spa, she'll be too suspicious and it won't go well. It could put another Ranger in needless danger. I've always wanted to help. Now's my chance to get involved. You
have
to use me, Luckey. To quote you, the sooner the better. While you think about it, I'm going to get the sandwiches I made for us. I'll only be a minute.”

The second she left the room, Luckey phoned TJ and ran the whole thing by him.

“What in the hell tipped you off about the Chinese girl at the orphanage?” After Luckey told him why he'd gone there in the first place, his boss asked, “Do you see any holes in Dr. Duncan's idea?”

“In all honesty, no, but as we're both well aware, the best-laid plans can go wrong.”

“Do her parents know?”

“Not yet. They'd have to be told.”

“I doubt they'll go along with it.”

Luckey closed his eyes tightly. “Probably not.”

“You don't think the man driving the Chinese woman back and forth is tailed by a backup?”

“That was the first thing I asked the guys to watch for. They saw no signs.”

“You know what, Davis? You have such scary instincts, all I can say is I'm glad you're on our side.” Luckey smiled to himself. “However you want to handle it, go ahead, and round up the help you need. Vic is between cases. I'll ask him to get things in place for the victims to go into protective custody. Get that spa closed down and there's another citation waiting for you.”

Luckey heard the click as Ally came into the den with a tray of sandwiches and clam chowder. “What would you like to drink?”

“Do you have coffee?”

“I can hear a long night behind that request. Be right back.”

Nothing escaped Ally. She returned fast and they settled down in front of the coffee table to eat.

“Thanks for this. I didn't eat after I woke up today.”

“That's what I thought.” Her eyes searched his as she bit into a roast beef sandwich. “So what's it going to be? Do I call my assistant or not?”

Ally, Ally...
He ate a whole sandwich before he said, “You'd have to tell your parents first.”

“I already did, when I went to the kitchen. Mom's all for it. Dad doesn't like it, but he knows I'd do it anyway, so he gave me his blessing, as long as I follow your instructions to the letter.”

“You're so incredible.” Luckey finished the chowder and took a drink of his coffee. “That was delicious, by the way.”

Her anxious gaze played over him. “Next you're going to say you hate to eat and run, but there it is.”

Luckey leaned closer and kissed her. “I don't want to leave you, but if we're going to put this plan in action, I have to start things moving. Don't get up, Ally. I'll see myself out and call you within two hours.” He reached for the flash drive and hurried out of the house to his car.

On the way to his house, he phoned Vic. “Luckey Davis,” his friend said when he picked up. “TJ just informed me you need help on your case. I'm your man.”

“Now I know my plan is going to work. I'll need you first thing in the morning. Let me explain what's going on...”

* * *

A
LLY
SAT
OUTSIDE
the ranch house in her car Thursday morning and waited for Luckey's call, adrenaline pumping through her body. The phone rang at 8:20 a.m. She picked up. “Luckey?”

“Go ahead and drive to the orphanage. Shan was dropped off on cue. Her handler has been arrested thanks to Vic. Park where you usually do, along the side. You're being followed by one of the crew, so don't be alarmed. I'll know your progress every step of the way. Be careful.”

“You, too, Luckey.”

“Always. I'll see you and Shan at your house.”

Ally hung up and headed for the orphanage. In case she had to persuade Shan, she'd brought the six sheets of paper with the Nüshu writing in her purse. Before getting out of the car, she said a prayer that this was going to work.

There were always three workers on duty at any given time, plus the cook and her assistant. One of them answered the doorbell to let her in. She talked with everyone like she usually did, until she found Shan in one of the bedrooms helping two of the children get dressed.

The bruises on her arms should have been noticeable before, but Ally hadn't been looking. Now she saw that there were bruises on her legs, as well. Shan had been beaten. Who knew how many times?

Ally played with the children and helped Shan accompany them to the kitchen for their breakfast. “While they're eating,” she said, “I'd like to talk to you, Shan. Let's go back to the bedroom.”

The young woman nodded and followed her. Ally shut the door and sank down on one of the twin beds. She motioned for Shan to sit on the one across from her.

“Shan? Can you read the Nüshu language?”

She blinked. “No.”

“But you know about it.”

“Yes. A secret language.”

“That's right. I have an example of it in my purse.” Ally pulled out the papers and showed them to her. “I'm going to translate what these words say. They were written in blood on the cheongsam of a dead Chinese girl found in Austin two weeks ago.”

Shan listened while Ally read the words the young woman had written. With each sentence, tears filled Shan's eyes, until they ran down her cheeks and she bowed her head.

“You're one of the many young women who have been kidnapped and brought to this country. The police have videos of the man who has enslaved you, bringing you to work and taking you back to the spa every night. If you'll come with me right now, I'll take you to my house, where the man you saw me with last week will talk to you.

“He's a Texas Ranger and will take you and the other young women to safety, where you'll never have to worry again. My father will arrange for another helper to replace you here. By tonight the spa will be closed down and the men involved put in prison. It's your choice if you want freedom. I'm going out to my car. I'll wait fifteen minutes, then I'll be gone. I'm here to help you, but you have to want it.”

Ally sent up more prayers as she left the orphanage and walked out to her car. She didn't know what was going to happen. Shan had to be frightened out of her mind.

After fifteen minutes had passed Ally decided the young woman wasn't going to come. She started the car, but as she put it in gear, Shan came running out of the house. She opened the door and got into the front seat.

Ally squeezed her hand. “You're very brave, Shan. In ten minutes you're going to be free.”

Knowing that her handler had been taken care of by the Rangers, she backed out of the driveway and they took off for the ranch. Behind her she could see the car tailing her, and fought tears to think Shan was one of the lucky few who was able to escape. There were years—probably a lifetime—of rehabilitation ahead of her, but she would now be able to live her own life. Depending on where she'd been kidnapped in China, maybe she could return and be united with her loved ones. Maybe not.

When Ally saw Luckey standing on the porch with her parents, her heart jumped into her throat. She hadn't seen his vehicle. Someone from the bureau must have driven him over. “You're safe now, Shan. Let us take care of you.”

The three of them moved toward the car. Ally's mom drew Shan out and put her arms around her. Speaking to her in Chinese, she walked her up the steps into the house.

Her father hugged Ally hard. “My brave girl. Thank God you're safe.”

“Shan's the brave one.”

Over his shoulder her gaze fused with Luckey's. After her father let her go and went into the house, Luckey enveloped her in his arms. “You're a sight for sore eyes,” he murmured.

“It worked!” she cried softly.

He kissed her face and hair. “How did you convince her so fast?”

“I showed her the secret writing and translated what was written. That got to her.”

“You're brilliant and wonderful and so many things, I don't know where to begin.” For a minute the world stood still as his mouth closed over hers and they attempted to express their feelings for each other. Ally groaned when at last he pulled away from her. “We're going to spend all Saturday together,” he whispered against her lips. “But until then I'll be wrapped up in business.”

“I know that's what you have to do.”

“A crew of special agents will be coming to get Shan in a minute, but I'd like to learn what I can from her before they arrive.”

Ally met his lips one more time in an explosive response of need. She couldn't bear to let him go, but she had to. He eased her away, but kept hold of her hand as they walked inside the house. The others were in the living room. Ally took a seat on the couch next to Shan and her mother. Luckey found a chair near her father, opposite them.

Beatrice reached in front of Shan to grasp Ally's hand. “We've found out Shan lived in Loudi.”

Ally's gaze shot to Luckey. “That's only about a hundred miles from Changsha.”

“Ask her to tell you what happened.”

Once Shan had finished explaining in Mandarin, Ally translated what the young woman had revealed. “Her parents ran a flower shop and lived above it with her younger brother. She was seventeen when someone grabbed her from behind while she was leaving her gymnastics class after school.”

Luckey's jaw hardened. “She's from Hunan Province, too, and is a gymnast. Her story sounds like what happened to Yu Tan.”

“That's what I'm thinking. All Shan remembers is that when she woke up, it was in a horrible place where men used her and she couldn't get away. She was moved around for a long time. One Chinese man told her he would take her to America and get her a good job, but she'd have to pay him back by working. If she didn't cooperate, he'd hurt her brother.