Cowboy In The Crossfire(48)

"Let's join our on-site reporter for today's latest news story. An arrest warrant has been issued for Amanda Hawthorne. Ms. Hawthorne has been implicated in the murder of her brother, Austin police detective Vince Hawthorne, as well as a car theft and assault on a police officer. She is traveling with her son, Ethan Hawthorne, and Sheriff Blake Redmond of Carder, Texas." Blake cursed as his picture appeared beside Amanda's. "Sheriff Redmond, who was fired from the Austin Police Department under suspicious circumstances, has been identified as a person of interest. Both are considered armed and extremely dangerous. Please do not approach them if you see them. Contact local authorities."

Amanda met Blake's gaze. "This is not good."

"It's worse than that." Blake rubbed the bridge of his nose. "They've just given the entire state the right to shoot us on sight. They either know we don't have the evidence or they decided we aren't worth keeping alive."

"What about Ethan. Surely..."

Blake glanced at her son, the boy's innocent smile as he played with Leo raking across his heart. "Collateral damage. They won't have to worry about his testifying."

She ran to her son and pulled him into her arms. "What are we going to do?"

"We stay put until we hear from Logan, and we work on the password."

"You're squishing me, Mommy." Ethan squirmed out of his mother's arms and tugged on Blake's shirt. "I'm still hungry."

After shrugging into his shearling coat, Blake pulled his Stetson down over his eyes and tucked the Glock into the back of his jeans. "I'm going to find something to eat." He knelt beside Ethan. "Then, buddy, you and I are going to have a talk. Okay? You ready to be my deputy? Help me catch the bad guys?"

Ethan nodded, his face curious but cautious.

"It'll be okay, Ethan. Trust me."

"But the news," Amanda muttered as she followed him to the door. "You can't risk going out there."

"The story just aired. I'll be low-key, but we need some supplies. Before long, neither of us will be able to go out again." He placed his granddad's .45 at the top of the closet. "Just in case. I'll be back soon. Don't leave the hotel room."

She nodded and he looked back at her. If they didn't catch a break in the case soon, Blake didn't want to think about what their next step would have to be.

*

ETHAN SAT CROSS-LEGGED in front of the television, scratching Leo's ears. Amanda had tried to talk to him about the night Vince died, but he just shook his head and clamped his lips together. He didn't feel safe without Blake here. Neither did she.

Amanda paced around the room, unable to settle anywhere and paused in front of the television.

"Mommy, you're in my way."

"Sorry, honey." She scooted to the side and glanced at her watch. Blake should be back soon.

A rhythmic knock sounded at the door.

She peered through the peephole and caught sight of Blake's Stetson before unlocking the chain. "I thought you took the key."

The door shoved in, slamming her against the wall. Her head snapped back, and her skull exploded with pain.

Two men in ski masks barreled into the room.

"Ethan! Run!"

Amanda struggled free from behind the door just as the smaller man grabbed Ethan. He screamed and Leo leaped at the man's arm, growling as he clamped down. With a curse, the larger man kicked the dog, forcing him to let go. The man shoved his boot against Leo's side, and he hit the corner of the dresser with a yelp, slumping to the ground, still.

She had to get to the gun. Amanda raced toward the closet. The large man grabbed her by the waist just as she slid open the door.

"Oh no, you don't."

He twisted her around and threw her on the bed. Amanda let her momentum carry her onto the bed, then she rolled to the other side.

"Don't hurt my mommy!" Ethan screamed. He kicked and squirmed in the man's arms, clawing at the four-leaf clover patch on the man's elbow. She jumped on the intruder's back, gripping his hands to pry Ethan loose from his hold.

The kidnapper cursed as meaty hands clutched her arms and yanked her off the smaller man's back. Desperate, Amanda whirled around and tore off the big man's ski mask. She dragged her fingernails down his cheek drawing blood. He cried out and, with a quick move, pinned her against the wall. He slapped her, and her jaw exploded in pain.

"Put the kid in the trunk," he ordered the other man, his voice soft and oh so cold. "I have some unfinished business to take care of."

He smiled at her, his eyes malevolent with purpose.

"Ethan!" she screamed as he was carried out the door, hollering and crying for her. "Don't take my son!"

The smaller man looked back, hesitated, but then Ethan yelled even louder. Frantically, the kidnapper looked right, then left and disappeared out the hotel room door, shoving it closed.

Ethan was gone.

She was alone with the dead-eyed man.

Oh, God. She had to get out of here. She had to get to Ethan.

"Damn it. You took my knee out. You shot me." He put a hand to his bleeding cheek. "You shouldn't have done that," he said softly. "You're going to pay."

The bear of a man momentarily eased his grip, and Amanda raced for the door. He just laughed and grabbed her by the hair, tugging until the pain made her eyes water. He shoved her on the bed and sat on her legs.