Ranger Faith (Texas Ranger Heroes #4) - Lynn Shannon Page 0,41
Kathy was killed. He’s not our man.”
“And John?”
“Also home alone. But he doesn’t have a black truck registered in his name and he consented to a search of his home. We didn’t find anything.” Claire frowned. “Henry, however, owns a black Ford truck. His wife may have been terrified because she put two and two together yesterday during your questioning.”
Bennett nodded. “She figured out her husband was the one who killed Alice, along with Derrick.”
“After you left, she may have confronted him. It set off a chain reaction. I’m afraid Jackie’s life may be in danger. Or she may already be dead.”
“Have you gotten a search warrant for Henry’s house?”
“I don’t have any direct evidence tying Henry to these murders. No fingerprints, no DNA, and no witnesses. All I have at the moment is that he owns a black truck and took a surprise vacation. It’s suspicious, but not enough to convince a judge to give me a search warrant for Henry’s house. I’ve put a BOLO out on Henry’s truck and his wife’s sedan—”
“Wait, they took two cars?” Emilia frowned. “That’s weird.”
“I agree, but both vehicles are missing from the carport. Every available law enforcement officer in the state is looking for the Stillmans as well as Gretchen.”
Nothing about this was making sense to Emilia. Henry had been so convincing about turning his life around. Had he fooled her? It certainly seemed that way. And hadn’t she almost had a panic attack in Henry’s house? She’d excused it as a momentary blip, but it might’ve been something more. Maybe her subconscious was signaling to her that Henry had been the other man in the cabin on the night she escaped.
Emilia took the photograph from Bennett. Gretchen’s smile was bright, her dark eyes sparkling. A cross hung around her neck. Only twenty-six years old. Her family must be worried sick, with good reason. Gretchen was in the hands of a madman.
“We’re on a ticking clock.” Emilia’s voice was hollow, even to her own ears. “If we don’t find Gretchen in the next twenty-four hours, she’ll be dead.”
Bennett placed a hand on Emilia’s elbow as she navigated the walkway up to Marcy Nelson’s home. “You should be at the ranch, in bed, which is exactly what the doctor ordered. I can interview Alice’s grandmother on my own.”
“Her house is on the way. It’s silly to drive to the ranch only to turn around and come back.” Emilia punched the doorbell. “Gretchen doesn’t have that kind of time. We need evidence linking Henry to these murders. Alice’s grandmother may be the key.”
Bennett smothered his irritation. Emilia was only doing her job. He knew that. But her complexion was pale and she was still unsteady on her feet. Concussions weren’t something to play around with. Not to mention there was a killer hunting her.
Henry Stillman. The man had fooled Bennett by talking about overcoming his addiction, turning his life around with Christ. Perhaps that was the point. Henry could hide in plain sight by appealing to people’s sense of compassion and passing himself off as a man of faith. He wouldn’t be the first killer to have done so.
Emilia pressed the doorbell again, and it warbled out a tune. Shuffling came from inside the house and a voice called out. “Coming. I’m coming.”
Moments later, the door swung open, revealing an elderly woman. Her beehive hairdo added height to her petite frame. She blinked at them from behind oversized glasses. “May I help you?”
“Yes, Mrs. Nelson, I’m Texas Ranger Bennett—”
“Oh, of course, dear.” She stepped back and opened the door wider. “Joanna’s boy. I know your mother well from her work at the soup kitchen. Please come in.”
Bennett stepped over the threshold and removed his hat. He’d combed his hair and cleaned himself up as best as he could at the hospital, but dried mud still clung to his boots. He slid them off and left them at the door. The inside of Marcy’s home was immaculate, and he didn’t want to ruin the white carpet.
He half listened as Emilia introduced herself. Marcy escorted them into the living room.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when you first came by a few days ago. I was visiting my sister in Florida. She’s just moved and has been after me to join her. I lost my husband two years ago to cancer. She’s worried I’m lonely.” Marcy paused to take a breath. “Can I get either of you anything? I have coffee or tea.”
“No, ma’am.” Bennett