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“Then take a sleeping pill—otherwise you won’t be good for anything. Take a shower first. It’ll help you relax.”
Once at Vic’s house, Vic told Kit to help himself to some coffee and started down the hall. He stopped at Jeremy’s bedroom. It was unearthly still. Jeremy was gone. Pain attacked Vic’s whole body. He sagged against the doorjamb for a minute and let out the sobs that kept coming.
God in heaven, preserve his life. Help me find him.
Brushing a hand across his face, he straightened and began to walk toward his room at the end of the hall. As he passed Claire’s room, he noticed that she’d left the door open and her bedside lamp was on.
“Claire?”
“I’m here.” She opened the door wider. “I heard you come in.”
Her feminine silhouette was framed by the soft light. The gold strands in her hair gleamed among the copper. She wore the same kind of pajamas Jeremy wore with sup
erheroes on them. A fragrance like peaches wafted past him. She must have washed her hair while he’d been gone. Jeremy loved this woman.
He cleared his throat. “Kit came home with me. I’m going to shower, and then we’re going to work out a plan to find Jeremy.”
“I’m glad Kit is with you. I’ll make you both something to eat.”
Grateful she was here, he headed for his bedroom. When he emerged ten minutes later, he found her in the kitchen wearing a navy blue bathrobe over her pajamas. She’d made waffles and sausage. Kit was putting food away like he’d never had a meal before.
Vic walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. “I owe you big time, Kit.”
He looked up. “I’m still trying to pay you back for all the times you had my back. Your nanny is taking great care of me. These waffles are the best. Don’t tell me you can’t eat. You have to eat. Jeremy needs you.”
“He does,” Claire’s voice echoed. Vic raised his eyes to hers. She was a beautiful woman even without makeup. Those gray eyes of hers begged him to eat and take care of himself.
Making up his mind he said, “I’ll take whatever Kit is having.”
A smile broke out on her face. “Coming right up.” They ate every waffle she put on their plates. “If you’re full, why not go in the living room so you can lie down on the couch.”
Claire smiled at Kit, who got up first and urged Vic to follow him. He’d refused to take a sleeping pill. She was hoping that with some good food inside him, fatigue would take over and he’d fall asleep.
“I’m going to stretch out, too.” Kit sat down in one of the fat leather chairs and put his feet up on the ottoman.
Vic had come to the table barefoot. She could see his eyelids drooping when he lay down on the couch wearing sweats and a T-shirt. He had to be exhausted.
Before long, both men were asleep. She took her cell phone out of her pocket and snapped a picture of them. If she had it blown up and framed, the plaque beneath would say “Two of the Famous Four Texas Rangers at rest.”
When Jeremy was found—and he would be found, Claire had made up her mind about that—she’d present this precious gift for him to treasure. She’d tell him this was the shape his father was in after searching for him nonstop all day and night. That was how much he loved him.
Claire sat in the chair matching the one Kit occupied and looped her arms around her raised knees to watch over them. She didn’t know when she fell asleep, but the ringing of someone’s cell phone woke her up. Her watch said ten after six in the morning.
Vic jackknifed into a sitting position and answered his phone. At this point Kit had awakened and stood up. She overheard Vic say the name TJ. He was talking to the head of the Rangers.
When he disconnected, he sprang to his feet. “The police caught up with Leroy at an all-night bar in Buda.”
“Buda? It’s not that far away. Thank heaven!” she cried.
“Amen to that. Leroy’s truck was parked outside. The logo the apartment building manager told us about helped find him fast. That clue saved the day. He thought it said ‘duda’ or something close. The officers have taken him into custody at the jail downtown. Guess who was with him?”
“The two guys who got in the fight with him at the park.”
“You’re right on the money, Kit. They were hauled in for questioning, too. Let’s go. I’ll get changed and meet you outside.”
After he disappeared, Claire turned to Kit. “Can I come with you?”
“I know how much you love Jeremy, but this is a police matter.”
