As Jacie disappeared around the corner of the ranch house, Zach started after her. Jacie, unskilled in the art of spying and tactics, wouldnt last two minutes going up against a drug cartel.
His footsteps sped up until he was jogging. Since he was on the outside looking in, he might discover who the mole was in the FBI, the man whod sacrificed his own people to line his pockets with blood money.
Jacie had almost reached Hank when Zach caught up with her. Wait.
The woman kept walking. Why should I? I told you, I dont need you or anyone else to help me find my sister.
He snagged her arm and spun her toward him. Look. Despite what youre saying, you wont last two minutes out there. The cartel employs trained killers. What kind of training have you had in shooting and dodging bullets?
Her shoulders were thrown back, her chin held high. Im a damned good shot.
At game. Ever shot a person?
Her eyes narrowed. Not before tonight.
You have to be willing to shoot before youre shot.
Ill do whatever it takes to find my sister and bring her back alive. She swallowed hard, her chin rising even higher. Even if it means killing a man to do it. And I might just start with you if you dont let go of me.
He dropped his hold. You were also right that I have issues. I wont go into it, but they involved the cartel. Ive been on both sides of the border. I know what to expect.
So? You just said you wouldnt help me.
He sucked in a breath and let it out slowly before capturing her gaze with a steady one of his own. Though I think the effort is futile, Ill help you find your sister.
Jacie snorted. No, thanks. She turned away and would have walked off.
Zach grabbed her hand and steeled himself to reveal a piece of his soul he hadnt revealed to anyone. I watched someone I cared for tortured and killed by the Los Lobos Cartel. Its not something I want to do again. I promise to do my best to find your sister before she meets the same fate.
Jacies eyes flared wide, then narrowed again. How do I know you wont flip out on me again?
Im a good agent. He paused. I was a good agent. I know when to focus and Im driven to get the job done.
Then why did you quit the FBI?
For the same reason your sister asked for help from Hank. I was betrayed by someone on the inside. My partner paid with blood. If I can find your sister and, in the process, find the mole, my partner will not have died in vain.
Jacies eyes narrowed even more and she chewed on her bottom lip. Finally she stuck out her hand. Okay, then. Lets go find my sister.
JACIE SHOOK ZACHS hand, her fingers tingling where they touched his. She wasnt completely convinced Zach was her man, and she didnt like the way her pulse quickened when he was near, but she didnt have a whole lot of choices. Going searching for the people responsible for her sisters abduction would be hard enough on her own. Hell, it would be impossible. Having a former FBI agent on her side would be a step in the right direction. He might still have connections and contacts.
Hank led the county sheriff over to join them. Zach, this is Sheriff Fulmer from Wild Oak Canyon. Hell be working with the FBI and DEA on this case.
Zach shook the sheriffs hand.
Jacie refused to, knowing the mans track record since hed taken office a year ago. He tended to look the other way rather than stop the flow of drugs through his county. When will the DEA and FBI be sending someone out to assist? And hopefully take over the operation.
I spoke to the regional director of the FBI a few minutes ago. Theyre as concerned as you are to get your sister back. As for the DEA agents, the county coroner and the state crime lab are on their way out as we speak. If you could show me where the bodies are, Ill cordon off the crime scene until they arrive.
My foreman will take you out there, Hank said. If I need to sign any statements, let me know.
From what Mr. Derringer says, Ill need a full statement from you, Ms. Kosart, as youre the only eyewitness.
Ill provide one in the morning. Right now I need to get back to the Big Elk Ranch and notify my employer of the situation and check on the horses. She hadnt even thought once about the horses since Tracie had been taken. Now she focused on them to keep from going crazy with inaction.
Im going with you. Zach glanced at Hank. Im in.
Hank nodded, ignoring the raised eyebrows of the sheriff. Keep me informed, will ya? was all he said; then he turned his attention to the sheriff. Scott, my foreman, and I will show you where we found the two agents. He led the officer away.
Give me a minute while I get my keys. Zach pointed toward a black four-wheel-drive pickup standing in the circular drive. You can wait by my truck.
Okay, but hurry. Im worried about the horses. Jacie was worried about a lot more than just the horses, but she trudged toward the vehicle, taking her time, while Zach ducked into the ranch house.
Jacie recognized the truck as a model produced a couple of years before. It wasnt new, but it shone like a new truck with only a thin layer of dust coating the shiny wax finish. The man had some issues, but taking care of what was his wasnt one of them.
He returned in two minutes, carrying a small duffel bag in one hand, wearing a black cowboy hat and a light leather jacket. When it flapped open, the black leather of a shoulder holster was revealed with a pistol nestled inside.
Jacie had spent her life around men and guns, working for the Big Elk Ranch. Leading hunting parties required a thorough knowledge of how to shoot, clean and unjam weapons of all shapes and sizes. Knowing Zach carried a pistol and was former FBI gave her a small sense of comfort that she wasnt the only one who could handle a gun going forward in the search for her sister.
Before he reached her he clicked the door lock release.
Jacie climbed into the truck and buckled herself into the passenger seat.
Zach stashed the bag in the backseat and settled behind the steering wheel. Youll have to tell me where to go. Im new around here.
She gave him the directions and sat back, staring ahead where the headlights illuminated the road, keeping an eye out for the wildlife that skirted the shoulders looking for something to eat. Too many times shed had near misses with the local deer.
In her peripheral vision, she watched the way Zach handled the truck with ease, his fingers gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary, his face set in grim lines. She wanted to know more about him; what made his eyes so dark and caused the shadows beneath? Had his experience with the cartel left such an indelible mark he couldnt separate that chapter of his life with a possible future?
Toni was your partner? she asked.
The fingers on the steering wheel tightened until the knuckles turned white. For a long moment Zach didnt answer.
About the time Jacie gave up on getting a response, he spoke.
Yes, Toni was my partner.
Im sorry. You two must have been close. Jacie dragged her gaze from the pain reflected from his eyes. Did he leave behind a family?
She wasnt married. Her father was her only relative.