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

AFTER HIS FLIGHT from Brownsville to Austin on Saturday evening, Cy went straight to his house to get some much-needed sleep. So far the Ravelo case wasn’t opening up for him. If there were any family members still living there, Cy hadn’t found evidence of one. He’d been concentrating in the wrong place and would pursue his angle on Montoya’s tie-in to the robbery now that he was back.

Sunday morning he got up late and checked his laptop for emails. Nothing from Kellie, no phone calls. She had his cell-phone number, but it seemed she’d meant what she’d said two weeks ago. She didn’t want to love him. Damn if she wasn’t proving it by her silence.

He glanced at her rodeo schedule on the website, then read her latest entry on her blog. Last night she’d had another winning performance in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Two wins in two weeks. Without the specter of the stalkers, she was going ahead full steam on her road to a dazzling championship in Las Vegas.

In a dark mood and feeling empty, he left for the office. On Sundays it was fairly quiet around there and he’d be able to get through the paperwork that had been piling up while he’d been gone. Halfway through it, his cell rang. The caller ID said Bronco Parrish.

His heartbeat quickene

d and he clicked on immediately. “Mr. Parrish?”

“No. It’s Nadine Parrish.”

“Hello, Nadine. How are you?”

“I’ve been fine until just now.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry to bother you, Ranger Vance. Maybe it’s nothing, but I found something in Kellie’s mailbox. I went over to her town house this morning to check on things and water her plants. Maybe this isn’t important, but I thought you should know.”

He frowned. “What is it?”

“Besides her usual mail, there was another typewritten envelope with her address, but no return address. It’s postmarked two days ago. I brought the mail inside, but I haven’t opened it.”

“Are you still at her condo?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t touch it. I’ll be right over and park in front.”

Cy’s mind raced with possibilities as he left headquarters and drove to Kellie’s town house. Maybe it was simply a note from a friend, but something in his gut told him that wasn’t the case. He reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a pair of latex gloves from a box he kept there.

Nadine had opened the front door and was waiting for him. Judging by the lines on her face, she was worried. They’d all assumed this case was over. He hoped to heaven he was wrong about a third party being involved with the stalkers.

She gave him a hug he reciprocated. By tacit agreement they went into the kitchen and sat down at the table, where she’d left the mail. The white envelope stood out from the rest of the bills and ads.

“Let’s see what’s in here.” He put on the gloves and opened it.

You’re a little fresa who should have been eliminated a long time ago. No one wants a badass like you around in your skinny designer jeans.

This wasn’t the language that came from either stalker. The type was different. If he didn’t miss his guess, it was sent by a jealous female. Dan could have been using her, possibly her car. He lifted the typewritten note to his nose. There was a faint smell. Not perfume. Because it had been posted only two days ago, maybe residue lotion had clung to the paper. Kellie’s mom eyed him nervously.

“What do you think?”

He didn’t show her what was typed. “I’m not sure, but you were wise to call me. I’ll take this to headquarters. If you’re through here, I’d rather you didn’t come back until I’ve done an investigation. I’ll let you know when I deem it safe. Whatever you do, don’t tell Kellie. I understand she’s come in first at both rodeos so far. Let’s not throw her off track unless we have to. If I think she needs to know, I’ll get in contact with her.”

“I agree. Thank you so much for coming right over.”

After Nadine locked the front door, he walked her to her car then got into his own. On the way to the office, he phoned Vic, who’d put on his voice mail. Cy left him a message and asked if he’d meet him at headquarters if at all possible.

The second he got in his office, he opened the paper file on Kellie and searched through the evidence, but he didn’t see the report on the Sentra sedan. While he was studying the notepaper already in the file, Vic walked in.

“Hey, Vic—I’m sorry to bother you on a family day.”

“It’s all right. Jeremy is at his aunt’s house playing with his cousin Randy right now. For you to be here on Sunday meant your message was urgent. Have you gotten a break on the Ravelo case?”

“No. That’s why I’m back in Austin, but something else has come up and I’m afraid it could be serious. Here’s a pair of gloves.” Cy pulled them out of the box in his bottom drawer. “Take a look at this. Kellie’s mother found it with the mail when she went over to her town house this morning.”