Sarah Armstrong: Blood Lines Part 14

"You dont have to feed everyone, Mom," I a.s.sured her. "The captain will send out for food. He doesnt expect you to do this."

"Theyre our guests, Sarah," she said. "Besides, you know this helps me settle down when things are, well, stressful."

"Okay," I said. "Hand me a cranberry m.u.f.fin, and Ill put on fresh coffee. I have no doubt that if weve accomplished nothing else, youve done enough work here to get nominated as Ranger Mother of the Year."

"Theres an award like that?" Mom said. She looked at me, and then broke into a nearly hysterical laugh. I slipped my arms around her and gave her a long hug.

"I love you, Mom," I said.

"I love you, too, dear," she answered, but then she frowned, a look I knew only too well. Mom was far from happy. "Sometimes being your mother brings adventure into my life. I have lady friends who yearn for excitement, but a lot of this Id pa.s.s on if anyone gave me the option."

"That I cant argue," I said. "But well have the superstar out of here this morning and you can go back to baking cheesecake for the paying customers."

"Sounds good," she said, but then she thought about that and said, "You know, I do feel sorry for that girl. Where will she go?"

I wasnt surprised. Moms heart was always a bit too soft. Plus, I didnt have an answer. The captain walked in and it appeared he did, but not one I was going to like. "Weve kind of hit a wall there, Mrs. Potts," he said. "Agent Garrity and I have been working on it all night. That kids face is too well known. Were afraid to move her. Someones bound to spot her, and once that happens, the paparazzi will swoop in and we dont have a heartbeats chance of hiding her. Sarahs decision to bring her here was a good one. Its our best option."

That wasnt what I wanted to hear. "Captain, may I talk to you in the living room?" I asked. He nodded and followed. David was still in the room, and I didnt mince words. "You cant keep that kid here. Absolutely not. This was a stopgap measure to cover last night. Nothing more. Having her here puts Mom and Maggie in danger. Ca.s.sidy Collins needs to leave."

"We understand that, Sarah," David said. He looked tired and worried. "But the captains telling you the truth. Weve talked with everyone at the FBI and ranger headquarters who could help, and theyve all come up dry. We dont have a safe house we can get her to without her being noticed. Its too risky. Her face is too well known. If we move her, someone is going to recognize that kid. We cant take that chance."

"Youre not listening to me," I said. "I will not have my family in harms way. Its not an option."

"Now hold on, Sarah," the captain said, putting up his hands as if blocking a blow. "Were not suggesting you do that. Weve come up with another alternative."

"Another alternative, other than sending that smart-mouthed kid somewhere else? You expect me to believe theres another option, one that doesnt put my family in jeopardy?"

"Yes," David urged. "Give the captain a chance."

Doubtful, I put my hands on my hips and waited. "Okay," I said. "Youve got my full attention."

"Were moving Maggie and your mother to another location," the captain said. "All the arrangements are already made. Theyre getting a vacation, kind of, all at the taxpayers expense."

"Tomorrow is Monday. Maggie has school, and Mom has the ranch to run," I said. "Where are you planning to send them? Disney World?"

"Just through tomorrow evening, Sarah, and this will all be over. Collins will be on her way back to California," he said. "Right after the girl performs at the rodeo."

Now that really threw me. I couldnt believe anyone thought Collins would be appearing in Houston anytime soon. "You think anyone will come to see that kid at the rodeo, knowing some whack job might show up and try to kill her?" I asked. "After what happened in Dallas? It must be all over the newspapers."

"It is," David said. "And on the Internet. But Collinss public relations machine stepped in and spun it, started rumors that what happened was part of Collinss act, a publicity stunt to get the kids in the audience stirred up. It worked so well that a Houston radio station started a 'Find Ca.s.sidy Collins Contest with tickets to her rodeo concert tomorrow night as the prize. Unfortunately, that wasnt exactly what we were hoping for. We didnt particularly want teenagers all over Houston looking for the kid, hoping to be the first to post her location online."

"The PR folks convinced the press that this whole thing is a game?" I scoffed. "How could anyone believe that, when she ran off the stage and didnt finish the act?"

"Well, we caught a break. It all happened near the end of her performance. The timing worked," David said. "With a little prodding from her spin guys, yeah, her fans and the press believe it was all a ruse, just an exciting way to get Collins off the stage and start a worldwide publicity campaign."

"Okay, so the fans will come. I understand. But you cant think that kids going to perform? After last night?" I asked.

"Were hoping to have the SOB in custody by the time the kids supposed to walk on the stage at the rodeo," David said. "If that doesnt happen, we need her to perform to draw him out in the open. Our plan is to use Collinss rodeo performance to lure him and were hoping h.e.l.l drop his guard. This time, well be prepared."

"What are you going to do that we didnt do in Dallas?" I asked.

At this point, it appeared neither one of the two men wanted to take the lead. I had a feeling they didnt want to admit they hadnt planned that far in advance. "Weve got a mess of people looking into that," the captain said. "When the time comes, well be ready."

"Thats fine, but dont involve my family," I protested. "I want that girl out of here this morning. I wont disrupt Maggie and Mom. I cant. Not after last year."

"Its okay, Mom," a small voice said behind me. When I turned around, Maggie stood listening, and I figured shed heard much of the argument. "If Ca.s.sidy Collins needs help, Gram and I can move for a couple of days. Only thing is, Captain, I cant go to Florida, even if it is Disney World. I need to take Warrior and Emma Lou with me."

"No, Maggie," David said. He shook his head, and moved toward her, reached out and put his hands on my daughters slim shoulders. She looked up at him, as he smiled rea.s.suringly down at her. "Im sorry, but theres no way you can take the horses," he said. "Thats just not possible."

An injured look flashed across her young face, and David didnt appear surprised. He must have understood that for Maggie, leaving Warrior was unthinkable. "I know this is difficult, but were in a bad situation. Our priority is to keep Ca.s.sidy Collins and you and your grandmother safe," he explained. "The best way to do that is what weve worked out for the next couple of days, keeping Ca.s.sidy here on the ranch and checking you and your grandmother into a suite at a downtown hotel. Youll be registered under a.s.sumed names, as our guests, until Ca.s.sidy Collins leaves for California."

"But what about Warrior? He needs us right now," Maggie said. "Hes so little."

"Most of the rangers helping out on the ranch have horses, and theyll help your mom watch over him. And in a pinch, we can call Doc Larson," David said, his manner calm. "Maggie, its really for the best. Warrior is so young, barely two days old. You wouldnt want to risk moving him, would you?"

"David, I dont think this is a good idea," I interrupted.

"No. Hes right, Mom," Maggie said, being very brave. She looked up at David again, this time with a sad acceptance. "Youll all be here to take care of the horses. Itll be okay. And the hotel could be fun. Gram and I could get room service and watch television and movies."

"Tomorrow morning, youll call her school and tell them Maggies sick," the captain said. "We can get her teachers to give us her books and the days a.s.signments. Tuesday morning, sh.e.l.l be back in cla.s.s."

"Its all right with me, too," Mom said, standing in the doorway. "That Collins girl needs help, Sarah. Maggie and I will be all right. Frieda will help you look after the horses."

"Frieda should go to the hotel, too," the captain said. "Its safest if shes with you and Maggie at the hotel."

"Are you sure?" I asked Maggie, and then looked over at Mom. "Are you positive youre both okay with this?"

"Im sure," Maggie said. "I dont want anything to happen to Ca.s.sidy. I really dont. And I trust you and Mr. Garrity to take care of Warrior."

"Im sure, too, Sarah," Mom said.

"Its settled then," the captain said. "Can you be ready to go in an hour?"

"Ill get the car packed," Mom said.

"No, the chopper is still out in the pasture. Itll take you," he said. "Just pack your bags. Well tell Frieda to pack hers, and well fly you out of here, so were sure youre not followed. Youll land in downtown Houston, and therell be a limo waiting. Were hoping to spoil you ladies a bit, to try to make up for the inconvenience."

"Whatll I tell Bobby?" Mom asked. "We were going to the barbecue cook-off again this afternoon."

"Call and tell him you had to go visit a sick relative, Mrs. Potts," the captain suggested. "Its safer if no one knows where you are. We booked a large, three-bedroom suite, and youll have two officers with you at all times. Were not taking any chances."

"Okay," Mom said. "Ill call Bobby right away."

"No," the captain said. "Not from the ranch. From here on out, no one uses the house phone or your old cell phones. We have new cell phones for all of you, just for the duration."

Mom looked at me, alarmed. "Well, is that really necessary? Cant I make a few phone calls?"

"Not if were doing this, Mom," I said. "You and Maggie are under guard and secluded until its over. Just call Bobby on the new cell phone and give him that number as your contact. Dont call him on any other phones, including from your hotel room, and dont tell him where you are."

Mom nodded. "Okay," she said. "If itll help that girl, its okay."

"One more thing, Mom. You need to call Strings and tell him to stay away, that Maggies illness, whatever it is, is contagious," I said. Maggie looked for a moment like she was going to protest, but then stopped. "If we dont, h.e.l.l drop in like usual, and h.e.l.l know something is going on."

"Okay," Mom said. "Ill do that, too."

"Were getting Sarah a new phone, too, one you can safely call her on," the captain said. "She wont be answering her old one until this is over, and we dont figure sh.e.l.l do well not hearing from the two of you, even for two days."

"Thats a smart decision," I said. "Even a day could be a problem."

"We need to move quickly, while its still early and most folks are asleep," the captain said. "We dont want anyone to notice the helicopter taking off from the ranch."

The captain gave Maggie, Mom, and Frieda an hour to pack, but they were ready in thirty minutes. Everyone was gathered at the chopper in the pasture but Maggie, and the luggage was loaded, just a few small bags.

"Wheres that granddaughter of mine?" Mom asked.

"Ill get her," I said. I didnt have to guess. I knew where shed be. When I walked in the shed, Maggie was patting Warrior with Emma Lou watching.

"Its time, Maggie," I said. "Everyones waiting."

"Okay," Maggie said, her voice cracking ever so slightly.

"Ill do my best to watch over him. I promise," I said. "And if anything at all looks wrong, Ill call Doc Larson ASAP."

"Yeah," she said, hugging me. "I know you will, Mom. Im not worried."

"Then come on, Magpie," I said. "Youve got an adventure ahead. Your first helicopter ride!"

Maggie smiled, while I fought back a wave of overwhelming anxiety, one I knew nothing but finding Argus and getting my family safely home could ease.

Twenty-three.

Yuck, look at all that fat and sugar," Ca.s.sidy Collins said when she finally made her way downstairs about eleven that morning, sizing up Moms baking binge still covering the kitchen. Even a squad of rangers and state troopers hadnt polished it all off. "Thanks, but I dont eat sweets. Someone needs to hit Starbucks. I want my usual, a venti, nonfat vanilla latte, two shots, extra hot."

"Not exactly health food," I commented. Without looking up from the report I was reading, a faxed rundown on what Dallas P.D. discovered by searching the American Airlines Center the night before-basically nothing-I said, "Theres coffee in the pot on the counter. Shouldnt be too bad. Its just four or five hours old. And theres milk in the refrigerator, unless my mom used it all baking. We dont buy skim. Sorry."

Collins put her hands on her hips. She wore one of my old T-shirts as a nightgown. It came down past her hips with dont mess with mad cowgirls stenciled across the chest. It was a gift from Bill, wrapped in a bow and handed to me the morning after our first argument.

"Hey, Lady Cop. You listening?" the kid said, clearly questioning my sanity. "I need a Starbucks."

"I heard you," I said. "Im just not doing anything about it. Theres coffee on the counter. If you want some, help yourself. Ive got horses to check on."

"Horses? Am I on a farm?" she said, her words dripping in distaste. "Is that where you live?"

I sighed. Last night the kid clung to me like a raft in a shipwreck. Sadly, it appeared that her humility washed away in daylight. "Kind of. Youre on a horse ranch, and, yes, this is my home," I said, perturbed. "My daughter and mother were uprooted out of here early this morning so that you could stay, to keep you safe. There are more than a dozen state troopers and rangers patrolling the property to protect you whod rather be at home with their families or at church this beautiful Sunday morning. Some havent slept since they were rousted out of their beds last night to rush here to help. Perhaps you could stop grousing and appreciate the sacrifices everyone is making on your behalf, so we can make this as pleasant as possible?"

"You want grateful? Thats their job," she challenged. Her eyes were rimmed in black eyeliner, and stage makeup from the night before was smeared across her face. I thought about the mess that must wait on my pillowcase. Maybe I should have hauled out a cot for the kid and slept in my own bed. She didnt appear particularly appreciative. "Isnt that what cops do? They protect people?"

"We dont move our families out of their homes to put folks up. So this is above and beyond. And Im not pleased with the situation," I warned. "So if I were you, Id try to get along. Otherwise, I might decide youre not worth the trouble, and send you packing."

I stared at the kid for what must have seemed an eternity. She squirmed a bit, and then said, "This is c.r.a.p, Sarah. You think I want to be here?"

"No, I dont. But last night, you sure didnt want to go anywhere else, particularly home. One more thing, as far as youre concerned, my name is Lieutenant Armstrong," I said, thinking about how my mother would have reacted to the superstar kids behavior, if she were here to see it. I had no doubt that by now Mom would have had Ca.s.sidy Collins scrubbing out the stable. That would have been worth watching. "My family and friends call me Sarah. Youre not either one."

"Yeah, well," she said.

"Yeah, well, who?"

"Lieutenant Armstrong," she said, clipping off each syllable. Unfazed, she sneered back at me. I figured there was no sense wasting my time with the kid. I planned to put it to good use. If no one else had bothered to, I was teaching the brat manners.

"Ill be in the shed, checking the horses," I said. "Then, Miss Collins, were going to sit down together, and youre going to answer all my questions. Every single one. I need to know everything, absolutely everything about you and this lowlife whos stalking you, so we can figure out who this Argus is, stop him, and get you the h.e.l.l out of my life and my home."

This time the kid smiled. "Great," she said, contemptuously. "Believe me, this dump is no Ritz-Carlton."

"Very true. This place is better. This is my home," I said. "And unfortunately, its your only safe place. But keep in mind, no one can force me to allow you to stay here. If I get too ticked off, youre on your way."

Outside, the sun was high and the sky a pale blue dotted with cotton-ball clouds. I brushed both the horses down, and then decided to give them a few hours in the front pasture. It wasnt a long walk, but the colt was slow, picking his way on the uneven earth. David showed up, and I thought I must look a sight. Id showered and washed my hair, tied it back in a ponytail, thrown on jeans and a T-shirt, but that was it. I had too much to do to fuss over my looks, even if he was on the premises. Besides, hed done everything but file a restraining order to keep me away. It no longer seemed to matter.

"Im sorry about this, Sarah," he said. "The captain and I did try. It was all anyone could figure out to do. It just didnt seem safe to move her."

"So you said," I answered. "Somehow having that kid around hasnt helped my disposition."

He laughed. "I can understand that," he said. He had on an old pair of Bills jeans and a denim work shirt, both of which hung loose on his athletic frame. My husband had been dead for two years, but I still hadnt given his clothes away. Another one of those things on my permanent to-do list. Maybe I just didnt have the heart for it.

"Here," I said. "If youre going to stand around gabbing, help me with the horses."

I handed him Emma Lous lead, and he nudged her along. She was lagging, waiting for her foal. Warrior was so tiny, I could have picked him up and carried him, but he needed the exercise to build strength in his wobbly legs. As we neared the gate, Ca.s.sidy walked up.

"Boy, thats the smallest horse Ive ever seen," she said.

"Hes just two days old and a preemie," I said. "Hes got some growing to do."

"Can I touch him?" she asked.

I looked at her, and figured it couldnt hurt. "Sure," I said, stopping our little parade to the pasture. "Gently."

The girl moved cautiously forward. She looked wary of the horses, probably never been near one before. Shed thrown on a pair of my shorts and a clean T-shirt Id left out for her. She had on her shoes from the concert the night before, navy blue flats with sequins. It made for a strange combination. As she sidled up to the foal, Emma Lou threw her head back and let loose a warning grunt, worried.

"Hold her," I told David. "Pull her in."

He did, and Collins got close enough to reach out one tentative hand to rub along the foals back. "Hes soft," she said. "Are all horses this soft?"