The Texas Ranger's Bride (Lone Star Lawmen 1)

“As I said, if this helps me trace the stalker’s steps, it could uncover valuable information. It’s like putting a puzzle together. Every piece I find forms the picture. If I’m on the wrong trail, we’ll head over to Standard Computer Services. Maybe they sent out a technician to the WPRA who resembles our stalker.”

Once Cy had parked the car, he took her arm and they entered the business. The store was filled with janitorial supplies. He flashed his credentials in front of the man at the counter.

“I need to speak to the owner.”

“Just a minute.” The man made a phone call. “A Texas Ranger is out here needing to talk to you.”

When he hung up, he told them to walk around the counter and through the closed door to the back office. The middle-aged owner got up from his seat behind the desk and shook their hands. Cy wasted no time pulling out another paper and showing it to the owner.

“Have you ever hired either of these men to work for you? It could have been as far back as six months to a year ago. I’m following up a lead on a case. I understand your company cleans the offices of the WPR Association.”

“That’s right.” The other man studied the mug shots before shaking his head. “I’m the only person who hires and assigns the work for my employees. I’ve never seen these men.”

“What if one of your employees took a friend along while he or she worked?”

“That’s against the rules, but I’ll talk to my crews. Can I keep this paper?”

“I want you to. I’ll write my work number on it in case you have information for me. Thank you.”

Cy put an arm around Kellie’s back as they left the office. It felt so natural, she didn’t think about it until they’d reached the car. While he looked up the address for the computer company on his phone, she glanced at the striking man behind the wheel. She wondered if he could be aware of her in the same way she was of him. When she’d introduced him as her husband to Olivia, she’d felt a sense of pride. Because you’re attracted to him, Kellie, and you’re getting too comfortable around him.

He started the car and drove to another part of the city, where he parked in the lot next to the building reserved for Standard Computer Services.

“Cy? If you want, I’ll wait here while you go inside.”

His head turned to her, impaling her with those dark blue eyes. “Until I arrest the stalker, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

The way he said it caused a shiver to run through her body. “I just thought—”

“It’s my job to keep you safe,” he broke in. “I brought you to Colorado to introduce me to Olivia. There’s no way I’d leave you sitting alone in this car.”

Of course he wouldn’t! A killer was after her.

She undid the seat belt and got out of the car before he could come around to help her. For a minute she’d been so concentrated on him and so worried he sensed her attraction to him, she’d said something that had probably made him question her mental capacities. Get a grip, Kellie.

He accompanied her inside the building. When he made inquiries, one of the guys working the counter showed them to the manager’s office. It was like déjà vu. After introductions, Cy asked the manager to search through their work orders for the WPR Association going back a year.

“This will take me a minute.”

“That’s all right. I want you to be thorough.” While they waited, Cy pulled another paper out of his pocket.

“It looks like we’ve sent our technicians out there four different times.”

“Tell me the dates.”

Kellie heard him mention January, April, June and July.

“Do you send one technician at a time?”

“Almost always.”

Cy handed him the paper. “Have either of these men worked for your company within the last year? Take your time.”

The manager took it from him. Within seconds he looked up at Cy. “This one with the longer hair. His name was Denny Denham.” Kellie let out a soft gasp. “He applied for work in April, but only stayed until the end of June.”

“Denny Denham has many aliases. He’s on the FBI’s most wanted list and killed a woman.” The manager dropped his jaw in shock.

Kellie’s heart thudded painfully. Cy’s hunch had paid off. At this point she was in awe of his genius.