Elle James - Taking Aim

JACIE SHOOK ZACH’S hand, her fingers tingling where they touched his. She wasn’t completely convinced Zach was her man, and she didn’t like the way her pulse quickened when he was near, but she didn’t have a whole lot of choices. Going searching for the people responsible for her sister’s abduction would be hard enough on her own…. Hell, it would be impossible. Having a former FBI agent on her side would be a step in the right direction. He might still have connections and contacts.

Hank led the county sheriff over to join them. “Zach, this is Sheriff Fulmer from Wild Oak Canyon. He’ll be working with the FBI and DEA on this case.”

Zach shook the sheriff’s hand.

Jacie refused to, knowing the man’s track record since he’d taken office a year ago. He tended to look the other way rather than stop the flow of drugs through his county. “When will the DEA and FBI be sending someone out to assist?” And hopefully take over the operation.

“I spoke to the regional director of the FBI a few minutes ago. They’re as concerned as you are to get your sister back. As for the DEA agents, the county coroner and the state crime lab are on their way out as we speak. If you could show me where the bodies are, I’ll cordon off the crime scene until they arrive.”

“My foreman will take you out there,” Hank said. “If I need to sign any statements, let me know.”

“From what Mr. Derringer says, I’ll need a full statement from you, Ms. Kosart, as you’re the only eyewitness.”

“I’ll provide one in the morning. Right now I need to get back to the Big Elk Ranch and notify my employer of the situation and check on the horses.” She hadn’t even thought once about the horses since Tracie had been taken. Now she focused on them to keep from going crazy with inaction.

“I’m going with you.” Zach glanced at Hank. “I’m in.”

Hank nodded, ignoring the raised eyebrows of the sheriff. “Keep me informed, will ya?” was all he said; then he turned his attention to the sheriff. “Scott, my foreman, and I will show you where we found the two agents.” He led the officer away.

“Give me a minute while I get my keys.” Zach pointed toward a black four-wheel-drive pickup standing in the circular drive. “You can wait by my truck.”

“Okay, but hurry. I’m worried about the horses.” Jacie was worried about a lot more than just the horses, but she trudged toward the vehicle, taking her time, while Zach ducked into the ranch house.

Jacie recognized the truck as a model produced a couple of years before. It wasn’t new, but it shone like a new truck with only a thin layer of dust coating the shiny wax finish. The man had some issues, but taking care of what was his wasn’t one of them.

He returned in two minutes, carrying a small duffel bag in one hand, wearing a black cowboy hat and a light leather jacket. When it flapped open, the black leather of a shoulder holster was revealed with a pistol nestled inside.

Jacie had spent her life around men and guns, working for the Big Elk Ranch. Leading hunting parties required a thorough knowledge of how to shoot, clean and unjam weapons of all shapes and sizes. Knowing Zach carried a pistol and was former FBI gave her a small sense of comfort that she wasn’t the only one who could handle a gun going forward in the search for her sister.

Before he reached her he clicked the door lock release.

Jacie climbed into the truck and buckled herself into the passenger seat.

Zach stashed the bag in the backseat and settled behind the steering wheel. “You’ll have to tell me where to go. I’m new around here.”

She gave him the directions and sat back, staring ahead where the headlights illuminated the road, keeping an eye out for the wildlife that skirted the shoulders looking for something to eat. Too many times she’d had near misses with the local deer.

In her peripheral vision, she watched the way Zach handled the truck with ease, his fingers gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary, his face set in grim lines. She wanted to know more about him; what made his eyes so dark and caused the shadows beneath? Had his experience with the cartel left such an indelible mark he couldn’t separate that chapter of his life with a possible future?

“Toni was your partner?” she asked.

The fingers on the steering wheel tightened until the knuckles turned white. For a long moment Zach didn’t answer.

About the time Jacie gave up on getting a response, he spoke.

“Yes, Toni was my partner.”

“I’m sorry. You two must have been close.” Jacie dragged her gaze from the pain reflected from his eyes. “Did he leave behind a family?”

“ She wasn’t married. Her father was her only relative.”

Interesting. So his partner had been female. Which would explain his reluctance to go after another female when he’d failed the first. Jacie chewed on that bit of information. “Were you in love with her?”

As soon as the question left her lips, Jacie could have smacked herself. The man was torn up enough about losing his partner. Bringing it up had to be killing him. Her curiosity didn’t warrant grilling him about his past. “I’m sorry, this must be painful. I’ll shut up.”

“Yes.”

“Yes that you want me to shut up or yes that you loved her?”

His lips twitched, the movement softening his features to almost human. “Both.”

Jacie sat back, her gaze back on the road, her chest tightening. “Turn left at the next road.”

Zach nodded.

“Did she know you loved her?” Jacie closed her eyes. “That was too personal. You don’t have to answer. I’m sorry. While Tracie went into the FBI, I knew I couldn’t because I can’t keep my mouth shut unless I’m out hunting.”

“Pretend you’re hunting.” Zach turned where she’d indicated. “And no. She didn’t know.” He pulled up to a closed gate attached to six-foot-high fencing. “Game ranch?”

“That’s what I do. I didn’t go to Quantico or study to be a doctor. I got my marketing degree from the University of Texas and came back here to work as a hunting party coordinator, a fancy title for trail guide. It allows me to be where I love to be, outside, and working with horses and people.” She couldn’t help the defensive tone in her voice.

“I’m not judging.”

“I love my sister and I’m so proud of her, but part of me feels as though I didn’t push hard enough, that I’m not living up to my potential. I went on trail rides while my sister ran off to be an FBI agent working for the good of her country.”

“And look what it got her.” Zach’s lips thinned. “Betrayal by that country she’s fighting for.”

“I don’t believe that. One bad apple, and all that, doesn’t mean everyone will turn traitor. I still believe in the FBI and the other branches of service dedicated to protecting our freedom. And I’m sure Tracie feels the same. If she knew there was a mole in the organization, she didn’t run from it, she went looking for it. Especially since she asked Hank for help.”

Zach nodded toward the gate. “I take it the gate doesn’t open without a remote.”

Jacie’s face heated. She slipped from the truck and ran to the gate, punching in a code, triggering the automatic gate opener arm to swing out.

Jacie climbed back into the truck and sat quietly as Zach drove the winding road that led to the lodge at the Big Elk Ranch.

The lights shone bright, unusual for the earliest hours of the morning.

Before the vehicle came to a halt, Richard Giddings leaped off the porch and opened the passenger door to the pickup. “Oh, thank God.” The tall man with the slightly graying temples reached out. His hands circled her waist and he lifted Jacie to the ground. “I’d been so worried about you. When your hunting party never returned, I had everyone out looking until midnight. When Derringer called to say you were on your way, I was relieved and sick all at once.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her toward the house. He’d taken a couple of steps before he stopped and stared down into her eyes. “I’m so sorry about your sister.”