The Texas Ranger's Family (Lone Star Lawmen 3)

“Good morning. How did you sleep?”

“Fine. You must have loved being in your bed.”

“I did. Listen, I’ll be by later today to get all my things, but I’ll phone you when I’m on my way. How’s the cherub?”

“She’s in her high chair making a big mess of her breakfast.”

He chuckled. “Sounds like she’s in top form.” Natalie didn’t mention whether she’d asked for him, and he resisted inquiring. “Thanks for those sandwiches. They saved my life last night. I discovered that no matter how delicious they are, man can’t live on brownies alone.”

She let out a little laugh. “Are you at work?”

“Yes. I’m about to go into a big meeting with the boss.” He refrained from telling her to give Amy a hug from him. “Have a good day, Natalie. If you need me for any reason, just call.”

“I’ll remember. Stay safe, Ranger Saunders.”

He hung up, not liking the formality. If what had happened between them last night was an aberration on her part, he didn’t want to know about it. He’d left her house with an ache that had stayed with him, and she was the only person who could take it away.

Half a dozen Rangers were seated in TJ’s office when he walked in. Cy had already arrived. Kit took a place next to Ranger Rodriguez.

“I’ve assembled you men to brief you on our manhunt for Alonzo Morales, responsible for the twenty-eight-million-dollar mortgage fraud that stole funds from nine banks. He’s been on the Most Wanted list for eight years.

“Due to the brilliant work of Rangers Saunders and Vance, Morales’s sister, Juanita, a known felon also on the Most Wanted list, was arrested last night driving to Austin from Denver. We’re convinced that either she or Alonzo killed Harold Park, but she’s not talking, having worked two cons—the Empire mortgage fraud case and the LifeSpan accounting fraud case.

“We believe Morales is in the Austin area searching for the four-hundred-thousand dollars, a percentage of the eight million embezzled by Park that’s missing from the pharmaceutical corporation. We have to assume that he’s armed and dangerous.

“You’ve all been given photos and rap sheets. His pictures are everywhere in Texas as well as the western states. Stay alert and report anything you hear to me, Saunders or Vance. That’s all.”

Everyone filed out except Kit.

“Captain? I wanted to inform you that I’m no longer staying at the Harris home undercover. Now that Juanita is jailed, one danger has been removed. So I’m having Mrs. Harris guarded outside the house by around-the-clock surveillance until we catch Morales.”

“Smart move to free yourself up,” TJ responded.

Kit averted his eyes. “Yes, sir.”

Kit left the room to go back to his office. He needed to talk to the attorney in charge of Gladys Park’s finances. If by any chance Harold had been in touch with his grandmother before his death, Kit would find out. He also wanted the attorney to know Gladys had a living relative, little Amy Harris.

When he reached the office of Farbes and Lowell and told the secretary he was calling on behalf of the Texas Rangers, Mr. Farbes came right on the line.

After Kit explained his business, the man sounded shocked. “You mean to tell me Harold Park married and had a child?”

“Yes.”

“This is amazing. Joseph Park

was a very successful architect and kept a considerable sum of money in trust, which he left to his wife. After his death she drew up her own will. Upon her death she asked that any money was to pass to their descendants or, in the absence of any living descendants, to their favorite charity.

“Since Harold was never found, my offices were preparing that charitable donation, but it hasn’t yet taken place. I would need to fly to Austin and meet the mother of Harold’s child. Depending on verification of birth records, that money could be put in trust for her.”

Excitement for Natalie swept through Kit. “I’ll email you all the pertinent information after we get off the phone. How soon can Mrs. Harris expect to hear from you?”

“I’ll contact her within the week, Ranger Saunders.”

“Thank you. She’ll be waiting for your call.”

Kit hung up, dazed by the turn of events. He couldn’t wait to tell Natalie.

After he sent the necessary documentation to the attorney, he phoned Natalie and explained he was coming over to pick up his bedroll and toiletries.