a man your size holding a gun on more than one occasion. Do you want me to show you how?”
One dark eyebrow rose. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“Why do you think your daughter is in danger?” Elizabeth kept her gaze glued to his, determined not to be the first one to look away.
“It started three days ago when we were in an accident. My daughter was driving when we had a blowout going sixty miles an hour. She’s still learning to drive and couldn’t handle the car. We ended up in a ditch. Next time I teach someone to drive, the first thing on my list will be what to do during a blowout.”
Elizabeth sat forward, clasping her hands loosely together, and asked, “Someone caused your blowout?”
“I didn’t know it at the time, but when my mechanic was going over my car after the wreck, he discovered what he thought looked like a bullet hole by the whitewall. He notified the sheriff and me. Sheriff McCain agrees the blowout was caused by a bullet.”
“Where was this wreck?”
“Not far from my ranch, near Silver Chase toward the end of Highway 156.”
“Could it have been a hunter?” Elizabeth asked, although unease settled across her shoulders.
“At first I thought, maybe. None of us who live out that way allow hunting on our ranches but occasionally someone will try anyway. The sheriff told me it’s hard to shoot a tire out. It would have to be either a lucky shot or someone very skilled.”
“Like a sniper?”
He nodded.
The uneasy sensation spread down her spine. “What made you decide that it wasn’t a hunter?”
Slade slanted his glance toward Kyra for a few seconds before returning the intense look to Elizabeth. The power behind his expression jiggled her nerves. This man was used to getting exactly what he wanted. Did he have a lot of enemies out there? Someone who would want to harm him through his child?
“This morning I went into my office. I hadn’t been into work since the accident. Abbey had to stay overnight at the hospital for observation and had a rough day or two, but today she insisted on going back to school. I took her and went to work. In my mail, I received a photo of Abbey cut into pieces.”
“Do you have it?”
“The police have it. I phoned Captain Ted Dickerson immediately after I informed the school of the threat. The principal called in extra guards until I could get something in place.”
Kyra stood. “I want to contact Captain Dickerson and let him know you have hired us to watch Abbey.” Her employer headed toward the exit and left Elizabeth alone with Slade.
“Where does Abbey go to school?” Elizabeth asked when the door clicked closed.
“Dawson Academy. It’s a private school with more than adequate security. When I called, they said she was fine. After that, I came here. There’s only so much the police or sheriff can do. I aim to protect my daughter no matter how much it costs.”
“What kind of photo of her was destroyed? A school one? A recent one?”
Slade clamped his jaw together so tightly that a nerve twitched. “Recent. It was a picture of her cheering at a basketball game. The person who took it was probably only a couple of yards away.” He leaned forward and his neutral expression became fierce, his eyes hard like smoky ice. “Which means the person was close to my daughter.”
“While I can’t prevent people from taking pictures, I can keep an eye out for anyone who is suspicious and stop them from gaining access to Abbey.” She held his look. If someone wanted a person harmed, it was usually possible. But there were things that could be done to lessen the chance. She intended to take those precautions. “I am very good at my job. How will Abbey feel about having me follow her around?”
He blew a harsh breath out. “That’s the problem. She’s headstrong and independent. I think she would more likely accept you rather than a man guarding her, but I’m not going to kid you. She still won’t like it, even though you’re a woman and young-looking.” His glance strayed over her, resting for a few extra seconds on her heels.
“Does she know she’s in danger?”
“Until an hour ago I didn’t know, myself. I haven’t told her yet. I will this afternoon after school, when I introduce you.”
“So what exactly do you want me to do?”
“Not let my daughter out of your sight. I want you to stay in the room next to hers at the ranch, escort her to school and back home until the person is caught.” He plowed his hand through his medium-length black hair. “I’m curtailing her activities, which won’t sit well with her, but with the security at Dawson Academy and you there, she’ll be okay and more likely to accept the other restrictions.”
“Who would have a grudge against your daughter?”
“I don’t know. She’s sixteen and popular at school. She’s a cheerleader and has lots of friends.”
“Have you considered that the person is really after you?”
That nerve in his jawline jerked again. “Yes. I think it’s possible that someone wants to get to me through my daughter, and I’m looking into that. But first and foremost I have to know my daughter will be safe.”
“That will be my top priority.”
“It will be your only one.”
His intense stare might have made a lesser person back off, but she’d learned painfully she had to stand her ground, especially in her profession. “You said you live on a ranch near Silver Chase. Which one?”
“The Rocking Horse, two miles before the end of the road on the left. Abbey gave it that name when we moved out there. She was five years old then.” For just a split second a faraway look entered his eyes as though he was remembering how it had been when his daughter was five.
“What time do you want me at the ranch, Mr. Caulder?”
“Call me Slade. We’ll be living in the same house.” When she nodded, he continued. “I’ll pick Abbey up from school at three and be home by three forty-five. I’ll let my mother-in-law know you’ll be there by two. Mary can show you around before Abbey and I get there.” He rose in one fluid motion.
She came to her feet, too. “One more question. How secure is your ranch?”
“Not very. It’s a working ranch so people come and go. I have ten full-time cowhands. Jake Coleman, my foreman, has a house on my property, and five of the other men live in a bunkhouse near the barn. The rest live in town. They have all been with me for at least two years, and several of them are very good shots, but they would never hurt Abbey. More likely, they’d protect her with their skills. I have a fence around my property and a gate with a security code. There is a camera on the entrance at the gate, a security system in the home and some security lights around the property, motion sensitive.” He paused, drew in a deep breath and added, “I’m having an expert look at it today. If it needs something more, then I’ll get it. Whatever it takes.”
Obviously
