Her Texas Ranger Hero (5 page)

“As I told you, Soo-Lin and I met and became friends at the university. Any news passed back and forth had to be done in person, either at school, my parents' home or when I traveled to her home in Yongzhou. When I went there on vacation, I didn't contact my parents at all during my stay in order to avoid a paper or electronic trail. The MSS is always looking for subversive chatter.”

Luckey marveled over her family's ability to function under such difficult conditions. “That couldn't have been easy.”

“I got used to it. But when our family came back to the States, it meant I had to resort to using my father in order to correspond with her. He's constantly sending classified material to the new ambassador and receiving classified information back through the diplomatic pouch. When Soo-Lin has a letter for me, she takes the train to Changsha and leaves it with a trusted professor at the university who became our good friend.

“He comes from an old, venerable family. One of his sons works at the American Embassy in Beijing and facilitates our exchange of mail now that I'm in the States. What he does is put Soo-Lin's letters in the diplomatic pouch for my father. If I've sent a letter in the pouch, he gives it to his grandfather, who passes it off to Soo-Lin when she visits the university. Father reminded me we have to be careful after what happened to the artist Ai Weiwei.”

Luckey stirred in the chair. “I read he was detained for months and interrogated fifty times for being openly critical of the Chinese government's stance on democracy and human rights. I remember hearing that the officers watched him in his sleep, their faces inches from his.”

She nodded. “He was finally released but is still under their watch. His story is common. Even though our family is back in the States, because of my mother's work against trafficking we have to be extra careful. But we're willing to take the risk. Yesterday my dad flew in from DC and brought Soo-Lin's latest letter to me. You won't be able to read it, so I'll translate the important part for you.”

Ally withdrew it from her purse and started reading. As Luckey listened, he was reminded of what Dr. Wolff told him about the latest body in the morgue. He'd said the young woman was likely either a ballerina or a gymnast. More than ever Luckey recognized the implications and understood the horror her friend's news had raised in Ally's mind. He dealt with the dark side of life every day. But now this case had become personal, because it directly affected this woman's life, a woman who had already impacted him in a profound way.

He sat forward. “You were right to bring this to me.”

She stared at him through those beautiful, shadowed eyes. “Do I have your permission to tell my parents about this? They have no idea you came to see me at the university. But they love Soo-Lin and her family. When they read what's in this letter, my father won't wait to do something about it.”

“That's what has me worried, Ally. Would you set up a time when I can meet with you and your parents?”

“Yes,” she said softly. Before he could blink, she got up from the chair and hurried over to the door. Before exiting it, she said, “I'll drive home now. I'll phone you when it's arranged. Thank you, Luckey.” Her voice throbbed.

After she'd disappeared, Cy strolled into his office. “I can tell from the look on your face you're a goner. No wonder. She's gorgeous.”

Luckey tightened his jaw. “Her family is involved in a risky activity that could endanger their close friends in China.”

“I haven't been assigned another case yet. Anything I can do to help?”

“Okay, come with me while I go talk to TJ. This case has just taken on a life of its own.”

Chapter Three

When Ally got back she found her mother in the kitchen starting dinner. It was three thirty.

“Hi, darling. Where have you been? We drove over to see your uncle Nick. When we got home, you weren't here. I thought you didn't have to go to the university for a while.”

“I went out, but not to the campus. Mom, I have something to tell you and Dad. Where is he?”

“Out talking to Hank about getting the horses vaccinated.”

“It's that time of year,” Ally said, but her mind was on Luckey. “Mom? Do you have any special plans tonight?”

“No. Your father wants peace and quiet. We just want our family to be together. I'm fixing a salad and his favorite baked beans. We'll barbecue some steaks.”

“Would you mind if I invited someone to join us?”

Her mother pondered the question. “You're being very mysterious, rushing in here all out of breath. It must be a man to have created this unusual behavior in you.”

“He's not just any man. His name is James Davis, but he goes by the nickname Luckey. He's a Texas Ranger,” she said, feeling her face burn. It was embarrassing, because her mother could always see through her.

“Let me guess. Tall? Handsome? Honorable? Nothing but silver bullets in his gun and a black domino mask made from his brother's vest?”

“Mom...!”
She tried to give her mother an incredulous look, but couldn't hide the grin on her face.

“So I'm right.”

“Except for the mask, and maybe the bullets.”

“Do you think I could ever forget your childhood hero? The Lone Ranger was your obsession when you were little.” She smiled. “All right. No more teasing. How did you meet this paragon?”

“He came to my office yesterday looking for help with a case he was working on. He thinks talking to you and Dad would be very useful. But before I say any more, I need to call him. Maybe he won't be able to come this evening. Be right back.” She dashed up to her room and phoned his cell.

He answered on the third ring. “Ally?”

“Hello again. I hope I'm not interrupting anything.”

“Not at all. I just got out of a meeting with my boss and am headed home.”

Hearing his deep voice sent a thrill through her. “I talked to my mother and told her you'd been to see me at the university on an investigation. She has no idea why, but when I told her you wanted to talk to her and Dad, she said you're welcome to come over this evening for dinner. We're having steaks on the patio. Very casual and low-key. But if tonight isn't good for you, I'm sure we can arrange another time that's more convenient.”

“The timing couldn't be better,” he said without hesitation. A big smile broke out on her face. “When would you like me to be there?”

“Is six all right? My dad likes to eat early when he's home.”

“I'm salivating already.”

Her stomach flipped over. “Good.”

“Where do you live?”

Ally gave him the address on Crystal Mountain Road.

“The gray stone-and-wood ranch house sitting at the top of the canyon?”

“You've seen it?”

“From a helicopter. You live in prime horse country.”

“The Duncans have been ranching people for three generations. My dad was a cowboy who married my cowgirl mom before he went into the marines.”

“How did he end up being ambassador to China?”

“The commandant requested two marine officers to be assigned to the navy's program for the study of Chinese, a project originally developed in the early 1900s. He ended up studying with several Chinese tutors. His Mandarin was so good that he was called in to work for US Intelligence and one thing led to another. But he's planning to retire and be a full-time rancher again at the end of the summer.”

“I look forward to talking to him. See you in a little while.”

Ally removed her leather cord, she headed for the bathroom to shower. After toweling off, she dressed in jeans and a navy crewneck sweater. She slipped on her tan wedge sandals. This wasn't a real date. Luckey was working a case, but her heart didn't know the difference, because he was coming to the ranch and she could hardly wait to see him again.

After giving her hair a quick brush and applying a coat of pink gloss lipstick, she was ready. She pulled the letter from Soo-Lin out of her purse, went downstairs and found her parents out on the patio off the kitchen, drinking iced tea. Her dad had stretched out on a lounger in his cowboy boots.

“Sorry I took so long. What a great help I am!” Ally saw that her mom had already brought out the food and plates to the serving table.

“Don't worry about it.”

“You look lovely,” her father said. “I understand we're expecting a Texas Ranger for dinner.”

“Yes. I told him to be here at six. But before he gets here, you and Mom should see this.”

Ally handed her dad the letter and watched his face darken as he read it. Wordlessly, he handed it to her mother, who was proficient in Chinese, too. She started to read it. “Poor Soo-Lin. I know how much she wanted a baby.”

“It breaks my heart, but the other news is even sadder. Keep reading.”

After a minute, her mother cried out, “Oh, no—not Yu Tan!”

“Horrible, isn't it?” Ally said. “But I don't believe the story about her running off with a man.”

“Neither do I,” her father muttered.

“Because Luckey sought me out at the university yesterday needing help on a case involving female trafficking, I showed him this letter today.”

Her father sat up with a grim look on his face. “Why would you do that?”

“Please don't be upset, Dad. Oh—there's the doorbell. I'll let him tell you the whole story.”

Her mother jumped up from her chair. “But not before we eat. Larry? Will you start the steaks?”

Ally walked through the house. The second she opened the door and saw Luckey dressed in a black sport shirt and gray chinos, her legs turned to mush. “You made it. Come in.”

“It's gorgeous country up here.” His dark brown eyes enveloped her as he said it, sending a curl of warmth through her body. Only then did she notice the file folder under his arm.

“Follow me. We're out on the patio.”

Ally made introductions and her mother handed Luckey a glass of iced tea. They chatted about casual things before filling their plates and seating themselves around the wrought-iron table to eat.

“These beans are out of this world, Mrs. Duncan,” he said, causing her mom to beam.

“Thank you. It's an old family recipe.”

“Is that steak done the way you like it, Luckey?” Ally's father asked.

“It's perfect.”

“We've never had a Texas Ranger for dinner before. You've made my daughter's night,” he added. “When she was a little girl, she was crazy about the Lone Ranger.”

Oh, no.

Luckey's gaze swerved to hers. “Is that right?”

“We bought her a pony she named Silver. She must have had half a dozen black masks.” Her dad was on a roll. “I think there are still a couple of them out in the tack room left over from the good old days.”

“Those I've got to see,” Luckey said.

Ally cleared her throat, eager to change the subject. “Luckey? Why don't you tell my parents why you came to my office yesterday?”

With those words, the atmosphere around the table changed. Luckey got up from the table to get the file folder he'd left on one of the loungers. After he sat down again, he passed around the pages with the photos of the Chinese writing and explained where they'd come from.

For the next twenty minutes he discussed the case he'd been assigned and the information he'd gleaned from forensics. Her parents didn't say a word. They were too busy absorbing everything he was telling them.

“Your work fighting the trafficking program hasn't gone unnoticed, Mrs. Duncan. Your name came up at a conference I attended a month ago, praising your efforts.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“Ally tells me she's helped you when she could. That's why she brought Soo-Lin's letter to me. When I read about the disappearance of the young woman who hoped to be an Olympic gymnast one day, it reminded me of something Dr. Wolff told me at the morgue. He said the victim's body indicated she was probably either a dancer or a gymnast.”

A gasp escaped Ally. She eyed her parents, who looked equally stunned.

“I'm not assuming that the dead girl is the girl your family knows. If I showed all of you her picture, would you recognize her?”

“No,” Ally said at once. “It's been nine years since we were at the wedding. She was only seven at the time. But if Soo-Lin saw the photo you have, I'm sure she would know one way or the other.”

“That's good to know, and we can explore that avenue later.” He eyed her parents. “Ally examined the dress and described the special elements to me. She said it had probably been made rather than bought for a girl of the higher class. If I could find out where that material came from, I might be able to discover who bought it and had the dress made. That could lead me to the girl's parents.”

“And you could unite them with their child,” Beatrice said. “What a blessing it would be if you could do that.”

Luckey eyed Ally. “Do you know if the Tan girl learned the Nüshu language?”

She shook her head. “But Soo-Lin would know.”

Ally's father got up from the table and walked around for a minute. “Dad? What are you thinking?”

He turned to them. “I'm thinking I need to make another trip to China.”

“No, Larry. You're not the ambassador anymore and another visit would be monitored the second you get off the plane in Beijing.”

“Mom's right, Dad. But
I
could make a quick trip to Yongzhou to see Soo-Lin.”

“Absolutely not,” her father said sternly.

“Then with Luckey's permission, we could send that swatch in a letter to Soo-Lin in the usual way.”

Her father shook his head. “Having learned about all this, we mustn't put your teacher or his son in any more danger. It puts the embassy itself at risk. I shouldn't have allowed it to continue after we left China. So, no more using the diplomatic pouch. For the time being you'll have to stop corresponding with Soo-Lin. If Yu Tan was indeed kidnapped, I don't want the lives of the Tan family further jeopardized until there can be an investigation.”

Ally felt sick. “How long do I have to wait to write her back?”

“At least until fall, when I'm no longer working for the government. Then we'll see if we can find a different way to contact her.”

“If I may say something,” Luckey interjected. He'd gotten to his feet with the file he'd brought. “I need to leave, but before I go let me assure you I have my own methods to track down the material. It's not my only lead and I have other ideas I'm working on. I'm confident I'll be able to find out the name of the girl in the morgue and inform her parents, if they can be found. If it should turn out the girl is Yu Tan—”

“Then her father will say she didn't dishonor their family,” Ally interrupted, with bitterness in her voice. “That will mean more to him than the fact that she was murdered.”

Her mother stood up and started clearing the table. “There are too many Chinese girls missing from their families. Bless you for the part you're playing in this, Ranger Davis.”

“Amen,” her husband said, and shook Luckey's hand.

“It's been an honor to meet all of you. Thank you for the delicious dinner.”

The night was ending.

Ally took a deep breath. “I'll see you out.” Her heart sank to her feet as she and Luckey walked through the ranch house to the front door. After she opened it, he turned to her. “Despite the tragic circumstances we talked about tonight, I had a great time.”

“So did I,” she said.

His eyes danced over her features. “I'll be in touch soon. Good night, Ally.”

“Good night.”

She closed the door, not ready to see him walk away, but there was nothing she could do about it. Needing an outlet, she returned to the kitchen to help her parents do the dishes. Her father smiled at her. “Your Ranger is the reason they're still legendary.”

“He's even more handsome than your childhood movie idol,” her mom added.

“I'm afraid he's not
my
Ranger, but I agree he's pretty amazing.” She finished loading the dishwasher. “While you're both still up, there's something else I need to tell you. The case he's working on involves more than one victim.”

Both of them looked surprised.

“He told me that the bodies of three other young women, Chinese and Indonesian, have been dumped on the streets of Austin over the last ten months.”

“Ally!”
her mother gasped.

“The one wearing the cheongsam was killed a week ago. When the police couldn't find the person or persons responsible, they turned it over to the Texas Rangers and Luckey was assigned. It's his opinion that the crimes are related and the women were possibly murdered by the same killer or ring of killers. Since he has access to the paperwork from the morgue, here's what I'm thinking.

“Mom? Could I make a copy of the list of missing girls we assembled in China and give it to him? With his special resources, he could check the photographs in your files against the photos of the victims in the morgue. I know it's iffy, but maybe it will help him. What do you think? I trust him with my life.”

Her parents looked at each other, and her father nodded. “It would be a start in the right direction.”

“Tell you what, darling. Let's go to the den and I'll print out what we have on the computer for you to give to him,” Beatrice offered.

Ally had never loved them as much as she did in that moment. “Thank you so much!” she said, kissing them both on the cheek.