Linda Warren - A Texas Hero

“You mean we could be out here overnight?”

“Yes.” He got to his feet. “I’m guessing this is an old deer-hunter’s cabin that hasn’t been used for a while. The gully is probably a creek that dried up from the drought. But I’m hoping the hunters had access to another water supply. I’ll take a look around.”

He walked toward the shack and she had the urge to run after him. But she knew he wouldn’t leave her here. Strange, how she was so sure of that. She leaned her head against the tree and wondered if her father had been notified. Her heart ached at what he must be going through. He was strong, though, and would take care of Chloe. She was sure of that. Just like she was sure Ethan James would get them out of this nightmare.

The hot sun bore down like a furnace and she guessed it had to be midmorning by now. She’d left the house in such a hurry earlier that she’d forgotten her watch. In the afternoon the sun would be unbearable, and they would not be able to survive without water.

She was tired and thirsty and a feeling of lethargy washed over her. If she closed her eyes, she’d wake up in her apartment holding Chloe and watching SpongeBob SquarePants. The morning would all be a bad dream. Because men like Ethan James only appeared in women’s fantasies. They didn’t exist in real life.

* * *

“YOU KNEW WE had plans for the day. Why did you agree to keep Chloe?”

Everett Baines looked up from his paper into the furious face of his wife. “Abby needed help and I’m her father. I will always be there for her.”

“But we had plans.”

“Picking out new patio furniture? We can do that tomorrow or the next day.”

“You always put them before me—your wife.”

“Gayle, I’m not having this conversation with you again.” He picked up his coffee cup. “I’m going to watch cartoons with my granddaughter.”

“I’m still going shopping.”

“Fine. Buy whatever you want.” He walked into the den, placed his cup on the end table, and picked up his granddaughter from the sofa. Abby had her dressed in pink shorts, a pink-and-white halter top, white sandals and pink bows in her blond hair. Chloe clutched Baby, her favorite doll.

“Is Daddy coming, Grandpa?” she asked.

“No, sweetiepie. Your mom will pick you up.”

“’Kay.”

Everett had offered to pay for a top-notch lawyer, but Abby always refused. Because of Gayle. This time he wasn’t taking no for an answer. Doug’s lawyer controlled the situation and the visitation set out in the divorce papers. Which meant nothing to Doug, who did as he pleased. When Abby complained, the lawyers talked but nothing changed. That wasn’t acceptable anymore.

Sitting in his chair, he cradled Chloe close. She looked so much like Abby had at that age, blond curls and big blue eyes. Thank God she didn’t look anything like her father.

“Aren’t you going to feed her breakfast?” Gayle asked from behind him. “Abby lets her eat all that sugary cereal. It’s not good for her.”

“Go shopping, Gayle, before I lose my temper.”

The doorbell rang before she could get in a retort. “I’ll get it,” Gayle said. “Maybe it’s Doug for Chloe and then we can have our weekend back.”

He hated to tell her but he wasn’t going shopping under any circumstances. Abby’s last words were for him not to let Doug have Chloe. And he would honor her wishes. Doug needed to be taught a lesson.

Two tall men with Stetsons in their hands walked into the den. One had a gun on his belt as well as a badge. A cop. Something was wrong.

“Everett, these men would like to talk to you.”

He got to his feet, holding Chloe.

“I’ll take Chloe and fix her something to eat,” Gayle offered.

“You don’t have to do that,” he replied, but didn’t object as she took the little girl from him.

“Have a seat.” He waved a hand toward the sofa and resumed his. “What’s this about?”

The men sat, but it was a moment before either spoke. “It’s about your daughter, Mr. Baines,” the one with the badge told him.

“Abby.” He scooted to the edge of his seat, the hollowness in his stomach telling him it was something bad. “She’s at work.”

“That’s why we’re here. I’m Ross Logan with the Austin Police Department and this is Levi Coyote, a private investigator.”

He shook his head. “What does this have to do with my daughter?”

“I don’t know how else to say this, sir, but the bank where your daughter works was robbed this morning.”

“Oh, God! My d-daughter. Where’s my daughter?”

“She was taken hostage.”

“What!” His chest tightened in pain and he leaned back, clutching it.

Both men were on their feet.

“Mr. Baines, are you okay?” Ross asked.

“Everett!” Gayle screamed.

He gathered himself and sat up. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. I’m calling your doctor,” Gayle insisted.

“Do not call my doctor,” he warned. “It’s just the shock.”

“Do you have heart problems, Mr. Baines?” Levi asked.

“No. I had a spell one time, but the doctor said it was anxiety. I have a lot of stress in my life.”

“Maybe you should get checked out,” Ross suggested.

“No. Tell me what happened.”

The detective hesitated.

“Tell me.”

Gayle handed him a glass of water. He took a sip and placed the glass by his coffee.

“The silent alarm went off at 8:14 a.m. this morning. Officers arrived at 8:17 a.m. to find the door unlocked and Frank Harmon on the floor in the vault.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’s had a massive heart attack and is at the hospital. We haven’t gotten an update on his condition, but he’s critical.”

“Good God.”

“Your daughter’s purse and phone were on the floor of the vault. We’re assuming that’s where she pushed the alarm.”

“Oh, what she must have gone through.” Everett put his head in his hands.

“Does your daughter know Ethan James?”

Everett raised his head. “No. I don’t recognize the name. Who is he?”

“His truck was found at the bank.”

“So he’s involved with the robbery?”

“No, sir,” Ross replied. “He’s my partner and a detective. His wallet and phone were in his truck, but he’s nowhere to be found.”

He frowned. “What does this mean?”

“We’re thinking Ethan and Ms. Bauman were taken as hostages.”

“Why would the robbers do that? I’ve been in banking all of my adult life and robbers are not known for taking hostages. It’s excess baggage and slows them down.”

“We’re not sure about that, but we’ll known more soon.”

He looked them in the eye. “Oh, but you do know, don’t you? My daughter is very beautiful and they took her for dire reasons.”

They didn’t dispute that and his blood ran cold.

“Mr. Baines, Ethan is with her and if anyone can get her out of that situation, he can. He’s a former marine, tough and smart.”

“I admire your confidence, Mr. Logan, but...”

Levi squatted in front of him. “Ethan and I grew up together and I know him well enough to say he will sacrifice his life to save your daughter’s. Hang on to that. Be positive. We’ll keep you posted and notify you the moment we locate them.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that. Could I please have a number to call to get updates?”

Ross scribbled something on a business card and handed it to him. “That’s my cell.”

“Thank you.”

“The investigators are going through the digital video from the surveillance cameras. We’re hoping to get an ID of the vehicle they used or anything that can point us in the right direction. We’ll be in contact.” They walked toward the foyer, but Ross turned back. “We found Douglas Bauman’s cell number in your daughter’s purse. He didn’t answer our call and we didn’t leave a message.”