Her Texas Ranger Hero (14 page)

“He showed her a picture of him, so she knew the threat was real and signed the contract. She doesn't know where the man moved her. She was never left alone for a second. The next thing she knew, another man was in charge of her here and told her she had to work at the orphanage to earn extra money. But he kept her wages. She tried to run away, but he beat her.”

Luckey leaned forward. “Ask her for a description of the man who first kidnapped her.”

Ally did his bidding. Shan shook her head and muttered a string of words Ally translated. “She only remembers he had funny hair.”

“What does that mean?”

“That he wasn't Chinese, but he spoke Xiang.”

Funny hair? Could she have meant blond? The analogy to the Komodo dragon's split yellow tongue, written in the secret language, flashed through Luckey's mind. With Shan's revelation, certain information he'd gathered was beginning to come together. “Ask her if she associated any kind of smell with him. This is very important.”

Another conversation ensued. Shan nodded. Ally looked at him. “She said he smelled like the grumpy old farmer who supplied leeks for one of the markets on their street in Loudi.”

Leeks. A white vegetable like onions and...garlic.

Luckey got excited over the details she'd provided. “What about the man who's been handling her here in Austin?”

Ally got an answer from her. “He's Chinese.”

“Does he speak Xiang, too?”

The answer came back. “No. Mandarin.”

Just then the front door bell rang. Luckey hurried to answer it and, as expected, found a female agent from the trafficking division who spoke Chinese there. He accompanied her inside and introduced her to Shan before turning to Ally. “Tell Shan I'm going to headquarters with her and Agent Chen, where we'll make her comfortable. After she's been processed, you can all visit her.”

Ally quickly conveyed his words to Shan, who got up from the couch. She hugged her before they all walked to the front door.

In an aside to Ally, Luckey said, “I'll phone you as soon as I can about Saturday.”

She nodded, but it killed her to see him go. “Make it soon.”

Once they were gone, she turned to her parents. “I need to get to the university. When I come home later we'll talk.”

No doubt they were dismayed by her swift departure, but Ally needed to keep busy or she'd go crazy, until she could be with Luckey again.

Chapter Nine

By late afternoon, Luckey and Agent Chen had talked to all but one of the fifteen female victims who'd been brought into the security housing area for debriefing. Their conversations had been recorded and would be printed out for the files.

He'd heard a different story from each one as far as where they'd come from and their individual circumstances. But one thing remained constant: they'd been kidnapped in their mid to late teens and locked up like animals. They were told nothing and had no hope of escape. He couldn't wait to go to the jail and interrogate the men who'd been arrested. But he had one more victim to visit.

A different female agent met him at the door. “This girl is from Jakarta, Indonesia.”

Luckey's pulse picked up speed. They went inside. He told the agent what questions he wanted her to ask the girl. Soon he got an answer that solidified the theory he'd been forming.

“She said the man who first kidnapped her was waiting for her when she was the last one off their school bus to attend a gymnastics meet.”

“Can she describe the man?”

The agent translated his question, then told him, “She says he smelled like a pigsty.”

“Has she been around pigsties?”

“She says her grandfather was a pig farmer. Their family had to help deworm the animals with garlic and wormwood.”

Luckey reared his head back. “Ask her to tell us anything else she remembers about her kidnapper.”

The response came in a minute. “He spoke Indonesian, but he was big like a lot of American men.”

“Does she mean fat?”

Another question. Another answer. “No. He had a tall, muscular build.”

“Did she see his face?”

More conversation Luckey couldn't understand. “No, just his hair.”

“What color was it?”

He waited for the answer. “Like the brass sculptures on the church.”

Bingo!

Her captor had to be the head of this particular trafficking ring. All Luckey had to do now was find him and nail him.

“I know who I'm looking for,” he announced, elated, when he saw Vic coming out of TJ's office a half hour later. “How did the raid go?”

Vic's black eyes flashed. “Your plan to arrest the man out in the car for stalking worked like magic and opened up the worst can of worms you ever saw. The spa has been shut down and the men arrested. They're still being interrogated.”

“No one's given up the name of the mastermind yet?”

“They will. I just got out of a meeting with the boss to let him know what's been happening. He's wanted to clean up that area of downtown for years. This is a big win for the department, thanks to you.”

No. It was thanks to Ally. “I couldn't have done this without your help, Vic. There'll be more wins when we catch this fork-tongued dragon.”

His friend squinted at him. “Forked tongue? Is that a secret code or something?”

“A secret code from a secret language. Come down to my office while I check my emails and I'll explain. First, though, I need to call Ally.”

“While you do that I'll get us some coffee and doughnuts.”

Luckey sank down in his chair and phoned her.

She answered on the second ring. “I was hoping it was you!”

“Where are you, Ally?”

“I just got home from the university. What's happening?”

“The spa has been closed down and the men arrested. But the big news is I've identified the guy responsible for this trafficking ring. I'm positive he's the one who kidnapped the victim in the morgue. Ally, it's looking more and more like she may be Yu Tan.”

“Oh, Luckey...”

“There's more. He also kidnapped Shan and one of the other girls we picked up at the spa. She's Indonesian. I just came back from talking to her. With the information I got from the three women, I have the description I need to go after this pervert.”

“Were we right when we thought the victim at the morgue had written an important clue?”

“Absolutely, and she provided more than one. We're now looking for a tall, muscular American with brass-colored hair, who speaks Indonesian, Xiang and Mandarin, smells of garlic and holds awards in gymnastics and kung fu. I'm going to get him, Ally. Give me until Saturday, then I'm all yours. I'll call you tomorrow night to arrange a definite time to come and pick you up.”

“I'll be ready.”

“Take care. You're the most important person in my life.”

As he hung up, Vic walked into the office with the coffee and doughnuts. He darted Luckey a meaningful glance. “Guess I don't need to ask how things are going between you two. Jeremy wants you to bring Ally over to the house. She has received my son's seal of approval.”

“She's got mine, too, Vic. All I have to do is solve this case so I can concentrate on the two of us.”

“I hear you.”

“Take a look at these rap sheets. After what I know now, I think the last one is the ringleader.”

Vic walked around the desk and studied them. He read the last one aloud.

“‘Robert D. Martin, known to hold a US and Chinese passport, is sought for the armed robbery of eight million dollars from a security company in Las Vegas. He took two security employees hostage at gunpoint, handcuffed them and injected them with a poison, killing them. Fled to China and is still at large. Fluent in Xiang. Has awards in kung fu and gymnastics. Aliases are: Dino Morten, Bobo Marten, Sid Marteen, Momo Demott, Angelo Martin. Carries a .32 caliber pistol.'”

Vic lifted his head. “I think you're right about this one.”

“Cy helped me compare these rap sheets to the list of names we got from the express mail services. I feel in my bones this has to be the guy, but I haven't tied his name to any aliases yet.” Luckey told him about the Komodo dragon analogy and the residue of DMSO on the sleeve of the victim.

His friend's black brows lifted. “You figured all that out from the secret writing?”

“With Ally's help.”

“Maybe she's in the wrong field of work.”

“If Dr. Duncan had been anywhere except at her office that day, we would never have met. I don't even want to think about it.”

“What more can I do to help? Use me before the boss calls me in on another case.”

“You pulled off today's sting with your usual finesse. I'll never be able to repay you. Now go on home and be with your family. Tonight I'll be making phone calls here and overseas, trying to zero in on this guy.”

“You're sure?”

“Positive.”

“If something comes up and you need me, I'm only a call away.”

Luckey knew that. He watched his friend walk out the door before he started scrolling through his latest emails. Good! The one from Las Vegas had come through. He opened it and called the phone number given to him by the police department for a Lieutenant Hayes.

“Hayes speaking.”

“Lieutenant? This is Ranger Davis from Austin, Texas. You're the one who investigated the case involving Robert Martin?”

“No. That was Lieutenant Torelli. He passed away a year ago.” Luckey frowned. “But I've looked up the file on Robert Martin for you and can see he's still at large,” Hayes continued. “Do you want me to send you a copy?”

“Please. He's responsible for a human trafficking ring out of China. I need to find him ASAP.”

“I'll send it now.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Anything to help.”

Once he'd received the file compiled by Lieutenant Hayes, Luckey read through it carefully. Several pieces of news leaped out at him. Martin was the adopted son of a Caucasian mother, Anna Martin, a gymnast from Freeport, Texas, and a Chinese father, Sima Wang, who was a sports facilitator from Beijing. Through Wang, Martin had a Chinese passport. The family had traveled back and forth to mainland China, and then one day none of them were heard from again. Years later the news broke that after committing the robbery and deaths of the guards by DMSO injections in Las Vegas, Nevada, Martin had evaded arrest. It was presumed he'd fled to China under one of his many aliases.

Luckey was puzzled. Who were the birth parents? Why was the child given the adoptive mother's last name? What happened to the adoptive mother and father? It didn't sound like an ordinary adoption. Something was fishy from the get-go.

Tired and hungry, he left the office for home. After a visit to the barn, he made himself a meal and worked until late. He wrote down two addresses from the UPS carrier that had delivered cream to Freeport, the town Robert Martin's adoptive mother was from, neither of them Martin's aliases. The answers Luckey sought about the recipients and Martin's birth parents would have to wait until morning, when he planned to drive there and investigate.

In his gut he knew another clue was hiding that would bring him closer to capturing the sick man who'd destroyed so many lives. Luckey finally fell asleep with the knowledge that Saturday was coming and he'd soon be taking Ally home to meet his family.

* * *

A
LLY
DIDN
'
T
KNOW
you could love a whole family on sight, but after meeting the forty people gathered for Luckey's father's birthday in Dripping Springs, she sure felt as if she did.

Everyone was so nice and laid-back. Randy was more reserved, like his father, and had his darker hair. Luckey took a little more after his dark blonde mother, Melanie, who was outgoing and the sweetest, warmest person Ally had ever met. The woman had a charm she'd passed on to her son.

Everyone congregated around Luckey, especially Randy's kids and the children of his cousins, as he showed Ally the ranch on horseback. The whole family rode together and it was obvious they all loved their Texas Ranger, but she was way of ahead of them in that department.

A stream ran through a portion of their property. When their group reached an oasis-like area shaded by a grove of oak trees near the creek, they dismounted. A fabulous spread had been prepared ahead of time, with tables and chairs for everyone. Between three-legged and gunnysack races, with prizes for the winners, Ally had never laughed so hard or had so much fun.

Gifts appeared for the patriarch of the Davis family. To her surprise, Luckey gave his father a scarf exactly like the one she'd given Jeremy. “You're now an honorary Ranger, Dad,” he told him.

She'd bought his father a black domino mask. Luckey's shock was visible when his father opened her package. He put the mask on and tied the ends at the side of his head.

Randy grinned. “Good grief, Dad. You look like the real thing! Do you know something we don't? Is retirement already too hard on you?”

Everyone laughed. Luckey's hand slid to Ally's where they sat.

“No, no, no,” their mother called out. “Your father's days for saving the world are over. We're going on a long cruise.”

Randy's wife, Robin, shook her head. “He'll never last, Mom. Give him one day on board and he'll want to get off at the nearest port and head back to Texas.”

More laughter ensued. “She said a mouthful,” Luckey whispered to Ally. He rubbed her palm with his thumb. “Are you ready to take a ride with me? Alone?”

Her heart turned over. “You think your family will let us slip away?”

“Just watch.” He got up from the table. “I hate to have to do this, but I've received a message that means I have to get back to Austin.”

There was a collective protest.

“I love you all. Happy Birthday again, Dad.”

Ally followed Luckey as he walked over to his parents. They both got up and all four of them hugged. Ally eyed the older pair. “Thank you so much for this wonderful day,” she said.

Luckey's father smiled. “Come on over anytime, Ally. You'll always be welcome.”

Luckey's mother walked her over to her horse. “I've never seen my son so happy. Whatever you're doing, I'm very grateful.”

The wistful note in her voice caused Ally to swallow hard. “You've raised a wonderful son. I wish we could stay and help you clean up, but—”

Melanie shook her head. “If the day ever comes when Luckey actually stays for a whole party and is the last one to leave, I won't believe it. I married a restless man and I've gotten used to it.”

Ally had the suspicion his mother was telling her that Luckey was restless, too. But Ally had already learned that about him. His mom had to know why Luckey and his wife had divorced. Was Melanie afraid Ally wouldn't be able to handle it? Was this her way of warning her?

“Ally?” Luckey had come up behind her. “It's time to get going.”

“Thanks again,” she whispered to his mother, and mounted Silver. Luckey got on Persey and they started back to the house. She darted him a covert glance. “Did you really have to leave the party?”

“Yes. I want time alone with you.”

She took a risk. “You mean before you have to leave me in a little while?”

The answer was a long time in coming. “Yes. What did my mother tell you?”

Ally smiled to herself. “Something I already knew. I like your family a lot.”

“You'd blush if I told you what everyone thinks about you, but you have a hard time accepting a compliment, so I won't.”

“Am I that bad?”

“Worse.” They rode in silence for a bit.

“Have you learned anything more about the case?”

“I did when I went to Freeport yesterday, but before I tell you about that, are you ready to talk about how you felt when you heard Ranger Landrey had been killed?”

That was the subject they'd been avoiding until now. She took a deep breath. “You already know.”

“It wouldn't help to tell you a tragedy like that rarely occurs?”

“No. I wish it did.”

“Would that be the biggest reason you wouldn't want to marry me? Or do you have other reservations? Did Mom tell you I'm hard to live with?”