Christmas Justice (Carder Texas Connections #7)(48)

His new partner shook his head. “The deputy would have been collateral damage. Plus, I saw movement inside through that front window.”

“So what?”

“The boss doesn’t want too many bodies that can’t be explained. I need to be able to take them out quick, and we have to move in and grab them...or they need to disappear.”

“I didn’t hear that order.”

“Well, I was told when I was brought on board to keep every job out of the papers and low-key. Killing a bunch of people in a sheriff’s office will make the news. Trust me, that’s how the boss wants it.”

“Then how do you expect to get the job done?” Shep asked. This new guy was really starting to bug him. And his accent irritated the hell out of Shep.

“I’ve got an explosive in the back of the truck that makes C-4 look like Play-Doh. Nothing for forensics to find. We follow them, get them together, blow the car and leave. It’ll burn so hot nothing is left. It’s cleaner. And we get rid of them all at once.”

Shep drummed his fingers on the dash. “Explosives. That’s why the boss brought you in. Léon, I may like your style after all.”

“Then we’re in agreement.” Léon peered through his binoculars. “Hmm...looks like we won’t have to make Strickland disappear. Our friendly neighborhood deputy’s hiding the body.”

“Maybe he’s taking it to the morgue.”

Léon shook his head. “Wrapped the guy in a blanket and dumped him in a pickup. They’re getting rid of the body.”

“One less task for us to finish.”

“One more reason to do this job right, because I refuse to be made into an example of my new boss’s desire for perfection.”

*

HONDO’S MOTEL ROOMS were simple, but comfortable. Laurel took a long, slow breath, but her nerves refused to settle. At least the chaos from outside had disappeared.

The group of CTC operatives who had arrived had taken over the motel and the sheriff’s office and pretty much secured the entire town. No one went in or out without CTC knowing it.

They’d searched for the man who’d shot Strickland, but the only lead was an unfamiliar black Escalade that had raced out of town. An expensive car carrying a sniper with a good eye.

They’d be back.

Laurel couldn’t feel completely safe, even with the armed guards at the door. The two men originally tailing her might be dead, but they’d been replaced. Someone wanted her, Molly and Garrett dead, not to mention they still hadn’t heard from her father.

Laurel shifted backward and let her spine rest against the bed’s headboard. Molly crawled into her lap, resting against her chest. With a sigh, Laurel hummed the addictive ant song Garrett had sung the night before.

Everything around this room seemed peaceful and safe, but Laurel could feel the tension knotting at the back of her neck. Her gut urged her to run, but she had nowhere to go.

She had to trust Garrett and his friends.

Molly picked at Mr. Houdini, rocking him slightly. She’d gone way too quiet after the latest attack. Would Molly ever be the same? Laurel knew she wouldn’t.

Molly snuggled closer and squeezed her lion tightly, playing with its collar.

A knock sounded at the door. Molly jerked in Laurel’s arms as the door opened. Laurel palmed her SIG and aimed it at the woman with black hair who stood on the motel’s porch. Behind her, Laurel recognized one of the CTC operatives standing guard.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“Raven Adams, Daniel’s wife. May I come in?”

The man Garrett trusted so much. One more leap of faith.

Laurel nodded and lowered the SIG, but kept it within reach.

A large reddish-colored dog panted beside Raven. “How about my furry friend, Trouble?” She tilted her head toward her canine companion.

Molly straightened a bit in Laurel’s lap and stared closely at the dog, which seemed to smile.

“Come in,” Laurel said.

The moment Raven crossed the threshold, Trouble bounded toward Molly, but he didn’t jump on the bed. He simply tilted his head and stared at the little girl, then put his big head down on the bed and looked up at Molly with sad brown eyes.

“Your dog’s name is Trouble?” Laurel asked.

Raven smiled. “It’s a long story. He gets more people out of trouble than into trouble, though.”

Molly bit her lip and scooted off of Laurel’s lap. “Can I pet him?”

“He’d like that,” Raven said. “He especially likes getting his ears rubbed.”

Molly reached out a tentative hand and patted Trouble’s head. The dog’s tail thumped.

“He likes me,” Molly said. She moved her fingers to his ears and scratched. The big dog leaned into her and practically groaned with pleasure.

Molly slid off the bed. “He’s big.” Her lion in one arm, she wrapped her other around the big dog and hugged him. “I like you.”

Raven held up a bag. “Have you had some of Hondo’s cookies? He likes you a lot, Molly, so he gave me a few cookies just for you.”

Molly’s ears perked up even as she rubbed Trouble’s nose. “Chocolate chip?”

“Is there another kind of cookie?” Raven opened the bag and passed a cookie to Molly. “Daniel and I wanted to invite Molly to take a ride on a plane and visit my house. I have a swing set in the backyard. It’s too big for my little girls, but it might be just Molly’s size.”