talked to them about a couple of options. The county sheriff doesn’t have that kind of person power to plant one of his deputies out in front of their house twenty-four hours a day. We suggested they leave and go somewhere unknown until Bannock is caught.”
“Not much of a choice,” Chase growled, scowling.
North shrugged. “They could go into witness protection. And so could Ms. Taylor.”
“That’s a radical step,” Chase challenged strongly, giving Cari a concerned look.
Dan sat up in his chair. “Look, we need to surveil. That’s the first step. Cari? I’d urge you to stay on Chase’s ranch and not go anywhere near town until we can apprehend Bannock. And for sure, that is our goal. It’s a game of patience. We don’t know if this is just a visit with Hauptman and his group, or if he’s cementing permanent ties and a relationship with them, and he’s planning to remain in this area. Until we do”—he leveled a serious look at her—“we can’t afford to have you identified. Neither myself nor Agent North believes your cover was broken. If you need something in town? I’m sure Chase will make it happen.”
“I will,” Chase agreed grimly.
Cari sat up, her heart beginning a rapid beat. “Dan? What if I left the area? What if I went somewhere else and hid out?”
Instantly, Chase said, “You have the best protection right here, Cari. With me. With the ranch. There’s no way Bannock or any of these wannabe white male racists, are getting onto Three Bars. You are as safe as you can possibly be with us.”
Her heart tugged in her chest. She heard the barely held emotion in his gruff tone. Giving him a look of apology, she said, “These are questions I have to ask. I know you want me to stay, but by doing so, I’m putting you and all your employees, and your mother, Mary, in danger.”
Dan gave her a sympathetic look. “At this point, no matter where you go to hide, Dirk might find you. We know he’s an ace hacker, a black hat. Both Agent North and myself believe he’s hacked into his parents’ computers and cell phones. We believe he is looking for you. Frankly”—he opened his hand—“sometimes it’s better to be under the enemy’s nose than trying to hide from him. It’s stressful as hell, and we all realize it. But for you to leave the ranch right now, when you have the entire employee population on your side, extra sets of eyes and ears, I believe you’re as safe as you can be under the circumstances.”
She sat back, feeling like a balloon that has just been popped and is deflating. “I don’t want to put anyone at risk just because of me, Dan. I—I couldn’t live with that.”
“The only other option available to you,” Agent North said, “is going into the witness protection program. And if you do that? You can never be in touch with your parents again. Your whole life changes. Completely and forever.”
Stubbornly shaking her head, Cari said strongly, “I’ll never give up my career. And I’ll never cut ties with my mother.”
Shrugging, North said, “Well, your options are limited, then.”
Chase reached out, gripping her hand. “I want you on my ranch. I can protect you there. My wranglers, for the most part, are ex-military. They’re vets. They know and understand warfare, especially asymmetrical warfare like this is with Bannock right now. Your best defense, Cari, is a strong offense, and you have it here at Three Bars.” He released her hand, giving her a pleading look. “You have an army of people who have your back. If you leave, if you try to disappear and go somewhere else? We can’t protect you.”
“Right now,” Dan rasped, holding her gaze, “we are your best course of action. If that changes, we’ll be the first to let you know. Chase used to be a sniper, constantly working in enemy territory. He knows the drill. Right now, I think you need to take a couple of slow, deep breaths, settle in with the stress that I know is surrounding you, and trust the people who honestly do have your back.”
Cari nodded, forcing away the tears in her eyes. She didn’t want them to fall. She hated that most men thought a woman’s tears were a sign of weakness, when they were not. “So, stick close to home,” she said.
Dan nodded. “And let’s say, if this thing drags on, because it all hinges on what