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

She looked up at him through clear blue eyes dominating a flushed face. “It takes two, Ranger Vance. I was right there with you and crossed a line I swore I wouldn’t. But I’ll tell you this. I enjoyed it.”

An honest woman. He smiled, loving her candor. “It was even more exciting for me than watching you round the third can in Bandera and fly straight down the alley.”

After running his hands through her hair, Cy could see he’d disheveled it. She smoothed a few strands off her forehead. “It’s past my bedtime, so I’ll say good-night.”

“I need to keep your phone,” he said before she reached for it. Kellie nodded, then stood up and hurried out of the living room.

No sooner had she disappeared up the stairs than Vic called. Cy pulled out his phone and clicked on. “Did you get in to interrogate our prisoner?”

“Yes, but he’s not going to give up any information. These guys are real pros, but I have other news you need to see and sent it to your email. I sent the same email to the agents back east who are working on this case.”

“How soon can you get here?”

“I’m walking toward the front of Kellie’s town house now.”

“I’ll let you in.”

In a few minutes they sat at the kitchen table. Cy handed him Kellie’s phone. “Take a look at the message from the sender named Trixie. Dan took a picture of me and Kellie in the car backing out of the garage earlier today.”

Vic studied the photo and read the text. He shot Cy a glance. “The loss of his twin has unhinged him.”

“Yup. He’s starting to take daring risks and is damn good at knowing how to terrorize Kellie. I assume he’s armed with a rifle in order to take care of me and Trixie. Then he’ll go back to his preferred method to kill Kellie.”

“We’ve got to find him quick.”

“Did Janene ever track down that IP address?”

“No. It has her stumped for the moment, but I’ve received information on the identical-twin birth records from both cities.”

“I want to see those, but first let’s talk about the photo. Dan was obviously hiding behind the fence this afternoon in order to take it. No doubt he was hidden in the same place when we took his brother out to the van. I’m thinking he’s using one of the town houses.”

“So am I,” Vic broke in. “I’ll phone TJ right now to get us a warrant.”

They could read each other’s minds. “We’ll need backup so we can do a thorough search of every town house on this street and the town houses on the other side of the alley. Our lunatic is hiding out here somewhere ready to strike. We need to nab him fast.”

“Agreed.”

While Vic got on the phone with their captain, Cy opened the email Vic had sent. He studied the statistics for identical twin boys born in hospitals in 1986 when the populations of both areas were smaller. The sum from both cities equaled ten sets, six from Charleston, four from Virginia Beach. Hopefully, the agents at the other end could track down the parents from birth records and make an ID that would help them form a correct profile of the brothers.

Vic ended the call. “TJ’s getting the warrant as we speak. He’s sending Luckey to guard Kellie so you and I can do the search with the crew. As soon as he gets here, we’ll start.”

Cy’s thoughts were whirling. “I need to tell Kellie about the change in plans.” Since he had her phone, he needed to tell her in person. “Be right back.” He got out of the chair and hurried up the stairs with her cell phone.

“Kellie?” he called to her before rapping on her door.

“Yes?” she answered immediately.

“I have to leave for a little while with Vic. But I won’t go until Luckey gets here. He’s one of my closest friends in the Rangers.”

“One of the Sons of the Forty, you mean?”

“Yes. He’ll guard you with his life.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

“I’m leaving your phone on the floor outside your door in case you need it. If the stalker calls, let it ring through to your voice mail. I’ve just put Luckey’s phone number in your list of contacts. He’ll answer if y

ou call him. Try to go back to sleep if you can, and I’ll see you in the morning.”