Page 47 of The Cowboy Texas Ranger's Very Special Agent

His heart fell when his worst fears were realized. The room was empty. He checked the pools and restaurant just to be sure, but Vic was gone.

He called his captain again as he headed back to his truck. “Sir, she’s not here. Can you have her ASAC track her phone? And I want to ask Maddie to do the same thing, boss.”

“Go ahead. Let me know what you find out.”

He called Maddie and quickly explained the situation. After giving her the number, he said, “I don’t know how long Vic’s been gone. She could be anywhere, Maddie.”

“I’m on it. Don’t worry. I’ll call you as soon as I have anything.”

He climbed into his truck and started the engine. He didn’t go anywhere, though. Without a direction, it was pointless to head out. As he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, his mind whirled with visions of what might be happening to Vic. He grew nauseous as he thought of someone hitting her in her face again.Please God, protect Vic. Don’t let her die.

Ten minutes later, Maddie called. “I have good news, Cal. Vic’s phone is still in El Paso, and it’s stationary.” She gave him the address. It was in a disreputable part of town.

“Thank you, Maddie. You’re the best!” He ended the call and called his captain. “I think she’s being held by the cartel.” He gave him the address. “Can you organize some backup so that I can go in and get her?”

“Of course. Let me call her ASAC, and you’ll have Rangers with you too. I’ll call you back when I have it set up.”

“Hurry, Cap. This isn’t good.”

“Don’t worry, Cal, I know.”

He put the address into his GPS and headed that way, planning to stop about five blocks out while he waited for backup. But what was happening with Vic? A shudder went through him. The thought of her getting hurt again was killing him. He wiped the sweat from his brow and turned the AC on high, even though it was already cool in the truck.

Why hadn’t he gone after her? He should have tried to dissuade her from leaving while she was waiting for that taxi. Maybe she would have reconsidered, even though she’d been furious.

Dammit. He should have stayed outside the hotel. He could have closed his eyes for a bit if he’d gotten sleepy. Then he could have helped with whatever went down.

He sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. He couldn’t lose his edge. Not while Vic was depending on him.

His boss called back and gave him a street address. “That’s a convenience store not far from the house. DEA and two of our men will meet you there in”—he paused—“less than twenty minutes.”

“Got it. Thanks, Captain.”

Cal pulled away from the curb and headed for that location. Pulse racing, he considered how the scenario might play out. Really, it depended on how many responded from the DEA.

Fifteen minutes after he arrived, two black Suburbans rolled up. Cal got out of his truck and walked over to the lead vehicle.

The window rolled down, and Cal said, “My guys should be here any minute.”

The agent nodded. “We need to roll. Vic’s in real trouble. We came prepared to breach the door.”

Just then a truck pulled into the lot. It was the two Rangers.

Cal went over to talk to them. “You ready?”

The driver stuck his hand out the window, and Cal shook it. “We’re ready, Cal.” He handed Cal a Kevlar vest. “Cap sends his best.”

Cal smiled. “Thanks.”

Then he backed up a step. “Follow me. We’ll park a few houses down from the address and go in on foot.”

The Ranger nodded.

“You all take the back of the house. The rest of us will handle the front.”

The Ranger nodded again and rolled up the window.

Cal shared his plan with the DEA agents and then got into his truck. His heart was beating hard. This was it.

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