"Texas Lightning" PART TWO

"You wanted to speak with me, Walker?" Trent ceased his walk in front of Ranger Walker's desk at half-past three as was the time Carlos had indicated.

"Yeah." Walker's reverie was stolen as Trent spoke up.

"Sorry about that." Trent chuckled, easing his hands out of his pocket as he took a seat in front of Walker's desk.

Walker grinned. "Don't even give it thought." His grin faded. "I've just been researching on something regarding the governor to help Carlos out."

"Speaking of Carlos…" Trent glanced around with a smile lacing his lips. "Where is he at? Am I early?"

Walker set down the file in his hands. "He won't be joining us, Trent."

"Oh?"

"And unfortunately, I'm not allowed to reveal why."

"C'mon, Walker." Trent chuckled. "Doesn't being a PI give me certain privileges?"

Walker smiled. "Unfortunately not in the governor's eyes."

"Oh…I see." Trent's smile faded as he nodded. "What does Carlos have to do with the governor?"

Walker playfully glared at his protégé with a faint smile.

"Sorry." Trent shook his head…a soft laugh following. "So…Where does that leave me?"

Ranger Walker drew in a deep breath before speaking. He stood to his feet, rounding his desk as he started forward. "Follow me."

The twosome arrived at the Ranger gym moments later to find a young man hard at work on the punch bag hanging from the ceiling in the far corner of the vast room. His eyes glinted with the spark of a fighter as beads of sweat poured from his brow.

"Mark!" Ranger Walker called to the young man as they made their way around the large boxing ring.

The young man ceased his intense workout, turning around to face Walker. He slipped off his bulky gloves and removed the mouthpiece from his sweaty lips. He grinned, "Hey, Ranger Walker! Hey…I meant to say thanks for letting me use the Ranger gym while the one down at the center is being remodeled."

"No problem. Mark, I'd like you to meet a friend and fellow black-belt…Trent Malloy. Trent, this is Mark Wimbourne."

Mark eagerly extended his hand to Trent of which Trent heartily accepted. "Nice to meet you, Trent."

"Likewise," Trent greeted with a smile.

"Mark here is wanting to learn more karate skills. He's a good boxer. But he told me he'd like to add some karate. I told him I knew just the person he should speak to."

Trent pointed to Walker. "Mark, believe me. This man is a better teacher than I'll ever be."

Mark chuckled. "You come highly recommended, Trent." Mark nodded towards Walker. "I trust Ranger Walker's judgment fully."

"If you say so," Trent surrendered with a light laugh.

"Trent, would you mind taking Mark by your dojo sometime and teaching him a few things?"

Trent smiled. "Absolutely. I'd love to. And we can even set him up for a few classes while we're there."

"No." Mark was quick and his voice defensive.

"Okay. Um…" Trent shifted his gaze to Walker, unsure of why the young man was so defensive.

Walker looked onward to Mark with reassuring eyes. "You can trust Trent, Mark. I promise."

Mark wasn't so convinced. Yet he regretted having been so rude. "I—I'm sorry. Mr. Malloy."

"Trent…" Trent smiled. "Call me Trent. And that's quite alright. Everyone can be a bit nervous at the thought of doing something new."

"Yeah…I suppose that's my problem."

Trent grinned and slapped the young man on the back in a brotherly fashion. "Now…What do you say we get going?"

"Right now?"

"Why not?"

Mark forced a smile as he cautiously agreed and followed alongside Trent out of the Ranger gym, heading for Trent's Stingray that waited by the curb.

"So…" Trent began, accelerating the car forward and into the street. "How did you meet Ranger Walker?"

Mark fought the desire to ignore his new friend. "I, um, I met him down at the center in Deep Elm. I was planning on joining up with the Falcons. But Walker…He, uh, he helped me make a better choice." Mark turned his head away and gazed at the passing scenery, trying not to continue the conversation any longer.

"That's great." Trent grinned as he returned his focus to the road before them in search of Thunder Karate. He glanced over at the young man only once more and still remained unconvinced that Mark was being as straightforward as he presented himself to be.

##

"Admit it, mom. We're lost." Tommy hung his head low as he let his arms droop by his sides. He circled around the rented SUV, his sleeved arm brushing against the front silver structures as he crossed to the other side which faced miles and miles of nothing but woods. He stared at the vastness for a short moment…the quiet filling his ears.

"No we're not." Tandy's bottom lip sagged as she followed her brother, leaving her mother with Katheryn by the driver's side door.

"Yes…We are." Tommy crossed his arms and sighed aloud. The pin-drop silence echoed the cold winds around them as he looked off down the road in front of them. Nothing but lengthening two-lane road that continued for miles and miles. He turned and looked behind him. The same.

"Let's see here…" Mrs. Malloy's eyes narrowed upon the map in her hands as she gently relaxed against the parked black Suburban at her side.

Katheryn stood before her with arms crossed, ready to aid in way possible. She glanced at her wristwatch. Four o'clock. It would be getting dark soon, and Carlos promised to call. She knew she'd miss his call. The only cell phone reception they expected to have was at the resort that awaited them. Then they'd plan to hike up to a cabin about fifteen miles south of the place after one night's stay. It was a pretty place Miss Cahill had reported. Secluded. Away from the hustle and bustle of life with a view of mountains unlike any other. But apparently it would have to wait.

"We traveled Highway 80 until we came to…" She squinted harder, surrendering soon after and handing the map to Katheryn. "Hon, can you make out what that says?"

Katheryn took up the map and squinted also. It appeared that some of Tandy's jelly donut had met its fate with the needed map. "I can't tell. But…from what I can see…" She raised her eyes to meet with Mrs. Malloy's concerned mien. "I think we missed a turn at…Kimball Junction."

Tommy overheard the conclusion and slowly made his way back around. "I told you it was right not left."

"What's that son?" Mrs. Malloy queried.

Tommy's aggravated sigh waned as he spoke. "When we took the exit off Highway 80, we should have taken a right not a left."

"Why didn't you speak up?" Katheryn questioned the young man.

Tommy's aggravation continued to swell as he outstretched his arms in explanation. "Because at the time…I was battling a flying jelly donut that was being waved in my face." He glared at Tandy who had inched her way back to the little group.

Tandy's face showed a little girl begging for mercy as she looked into her mother's eyes.

Mrs. Malloy sighed, glancing around them. "Well then, let's get back on the road."

A sudden bellowing growl emanated from nearby woods, stilling everyone there in their tracks.

Tommy swallowed. "That was close."

"Yeah." Katheryn's eyes searched the woods beyond as her feet remained planted on the road's asphalt. "A little too close."

"Get in the car now, kids. Now, please." Mrs. Malloy stifled her fears as she urged her children onward.

The youngest Malloys did as they were told, leaving Tommy and Katheryn as they continued to hear a subtle rustle in the trees.

"That's just snow melting right?" Katheryn chuckled dryly.

"I hope so." Mrs. Malloy remarked softly, placing her hand on the driver's side handle, opening the door and climbing aboard the vehicle with no desire to exit until they reached the resort.

Katheryn and Tommy followed soon after, glancing over their shoulders at the unseen menace…protectively in search of whatever had loomed nearby in search of them.

##

Carlos cautiously deposited his duffle bag on the delicate bed before him. The entire room seemed to glisten as historic relics from history gone by looked his way from every which angle. It was intimidating somewhat. To think that he had been honored to be offered such a room…in the governor's mansion at that. It was nearly unthinkable. Carlos sighed as he took it all in. From the canopied bed to the paintings and the bust sculpture of Sam Houston that he could only guess could cost millions.

Carlos neared the sun-bathed windows and drew away the thin curtain that remained. He squinted as the sun hit his eyes, looking over the manicured lawn before him. He grinned slyly and turned back to the bed, unzipping the bag and drawing out a few needed items but keeping the majority of them inside. No use getting comfortable, he had reminded himself.

Among the items he selected was his cellular phone…He picked it up with one hand and then reached back into the bag to find the slip of paper he had scribbled Katheryn's number on...At least the number of the resort they would be staying at before their camping adventure.

A mature male voice sounded from the other end. "This is Sammy of the Adventure Scape Resort and Hotel speaking. How may I be of service to you?"

"Yes," Carlos paced the room slowly as he spoke, admiring the one painting of the Alamo before him as he ceased his step. "Can you please forward me to the Malloy's room?"

"Most certainly." The elderly gentleman looked over the ledger. A few moments of silence followed. "Um, I'm sorry, young man. But the Malloys have not arrived here yet."

Carlos' creased his forehead and glanced at his wristwatch. "I see." His concern showed on his face as he realized they should have been there well before he called. Carlos had even figured Katheryn might be cross with him for calling late. But he had been unable to find a moment to himself until now. After all, he had not planned this diversion from the usual whatsoever. He planned to explain it all once he heard Katheryn's voice. "Thank you, sir. I'm sorry to have taken up your time."

"That's quite alright." The elder gentleman smiled.

"I will call again later. Thank you again." Carlos then hung up, sighing sharply as he fought the instincts that welled up within him. He was starting to get like Trent and Walker when it came to sensing things. He shook it off and softly tossed the phone onto the bedding just as a shadow fell over the open doorway. He turned…For some reason he was a bit more jumpy today. "Oh…Good evening, Sullivan."

"Good evening." Sullivan invited himself into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him carefully. "I wanted to take a moment and brief you on a small matter."

"Sure." Carlos smiled jovially, putting aside any ill thoughts he had conjured about Sullivan on the trip to Austin. It was not hard to come up with them.

"The governor has another intention for visiting Dallas that is none of your affair. Neither is it mine. Therefore…If he happens to mention anything to you…ignore him."

"Wait a second…" Carlos arched a brow. "Then how do you know about it if he doesn't want you to know about it?"

Sullivan scoffed…a smile tempting him at points. "I have my ways. Now play it cool, detective." With that, Sullivan turned to go, stopping short as he put his hand on the door handle. "Oh, and detective, I'd watch my back if I were you." He opened the door wide, easing into the hall and turning back. "The governor would like to see you now."

Carlos was too busy processing the threat that seemed to pour from the mouth of Sullivan to realize what Sullivan had said last. Still the words sunk in, causing him to finish up what personal time he had salvaged out of the last ten minutes and get a move on to meet with the governor. He still couldn't believe it. Why him? No use asking dumb questions, Carlos concluded as he eased into the hall himself. Yet caution stopped him. He quickly diverted back into the room, drawing his weapon from the duffle and slipping it below his overcoat and into his slack's back waist at the base of his back. He let his shirt and coat fall over it as he moved back into the hall, tracing the short distance to the stairs and descending them.

A beautiful little girl greeted him at the foot of the rounded staircase, having gazed up and watched him come down with amazement in her eyes as she gripped a cabbage patch doll in her arms. Her blonde pigtails softly hung at the sides of her head, brushing against her reddened cheeks as she watched the stranger before her with deepened interest.

"Well, hello there." Carlos gave the little girl a toothy grin and patted her on the head. He continued onward a few steps only to know that the feet behind him was following the same trail. He stopped…and turned around. He bent down low, squatting down to her level. Carlos smiled yet again. "Say…What are you and your doll doing following a stranger around, huh?"

The girl hid a sneaky smile behind her doll.

"That's what I thought." Carlos then rose back to his full height.

"Sally Anne!" A feminine voice called, rushing down the stairs toward him.

Carlos glanced upward to see a woman in her forties earnestly in search for someone.

The lady reached the first floor and soon caught of glimpse of the little girl by Carlos and rushed to her side, squatting in midstride as she looked the girl in her bright blue eyes. "Oh, Sally Anne, don't you run that far from momma. You hear?"

The girl nodded slowly and penitently.

The woman rose to full height and face Carlos with caution. "And you must be the detective Sullivan told us was coming."

Carlos grinned. "Yes, ma'am." He extended his hand cordially for a handshake. "Detective Carlos Sandoval with the Dallas Police Department."

Accepting Carlos' handshake warily, the woman quickly scooped up Sally Anne into her arms, issuing a forced smile as she turned back towards the staircase. "Well, it was nice to meet you." The twosome disappeared onto the staircase.

"Likewise." Carlos' forehead wrinkled as deep thought overcame him. A rude mien seemed to be common in these parts. He sincerely hoped the governor himself held himself with a bit more regard than the others of his own household.

##

Mrs. Malloy closed the driver's side door of the Suburban firmly behind her as she strode away from the large SUV, gazing over the vast resort before her with Tandy by her side. The boys soon found their way out of the vehicle and neared their mother and sister while Katheryn also strode away from the vehicle and joined the group in front of the SUV.

After a few brief seconds of admiration, the little group continued inside to the lodge that served as the main office. Its broad logs and tall ceilings invited them right in. And the crackling fire inside the fireplace just inside was a welcome warmth to the chill outside.

"Well hello there." An older gentleman in his mid-sixties greeted them with a smile from behind the counter. "You must be the Malloy family."

Tommy arched a brow as he stopped at the desk and folded his arms. His suspicion rose. "How did you know?"

"Well, son, there's not a soul left on the registry that was scheduled to arrive today except a Malloy family." He ended his explanation with a hearty Santa-like laugh before turning to Mrs. Malloy. "I'll need you to sign a few things, ma'am."

"Sure thing." Mrs. Malloy grinned and picked up the writing pen fashioned after an Indian arrowhead.

The gentleman sauntered over to the other side of the counter to retrieve the necessary papers. As he returned, he seemed to be remember something important. He set the papers in front of Mrs. Malloy and indicated the few places that required her signature. She set to signing them as the kind man returned to speaking to the group as a whole. "You know, a young man called here not thirty minutes ago asking for you all. Didn't leave a name though. Just said he'd call again later. I figured I should let you all know."

Katheryn stepped up to the counter with a smile. "Thank you, sir. I…I mean…We appreciate it. Very much."

She stepped back next to Tommy who currently was having difficulty stifling a grin while he kept his head bowed and his hands stowed away in his jeans' pockets. He leaned in to Katheryn. "You know…You never did tell us about your date with Carlos."

"What's there to tell?"

"Oh, nothing I guess." Tommy rocked on his heels.

Katheryn thought back to that day in her mind for a brief moment since Tommy had brought it up. A smile crept onto her face as she recalled the little note that waited for her when she and Carlos had arrived at the table Butch had so kindly reserved for them in a private corner of his bar. The little piece of paper had read, "I suppose it's no use hiding behind the guise of a secret admirer any more. Here's to a good evening tonight and many more like it to come in the future. Sincerely, Carlos."

She still had that note tucked gently away in the back cover of her Bible. A small glance at it every morning when she did her devotions had since garnered a prayer of thanks for Carlos in a different way than she had prayed before.

"Alright, Mrs. Malloy. Here are two room keys for one night in our lodge."

Katheryn shook away her reverie in time to take one of the keys from Mrs. Malloy as she handed it to her.

"Will you be needing anything else, ma'am?"

"No, sir. I believe that's all for the time being." Mrs. Malloy smiled her thanks as she took a step back from the counter.

"Wonderful. Then please do enjoy your stay, folks."

"We intend to!" Mrs. Malloy grinned and directed the littlest of her charges toward the door. "We've got some unloading to do."

Tommy sighed. "Tell me about it."

Katheryn could only smile over the exchange as she followed them all back outside to the SUV as she remained simply thankful to be on this wonderful vacation in a most beautiful location in Utah.

The crimson tide of the sun meeting the earth had already commenced. Its paled winter rays sheltered itself against the snow-capped mountains as she tucked behind them for the night. It would be getting dark rather quickly now. And rest was the thing needed for the tired troops to be ready for an adventurous day to come on the morrow.