Son of Texas. Linda Warren

      She met his grin with one of her own. “Lencha’s a colorful person. Some people call her a witch, but she’s not. She just knows how to cure a lot of ailments with remedies from her grandmother. I’m not sure about the evil stuff, and my mother wasn’t, either. My mom loved her dearly, but said Lencha liked to put on a show.”

      Unable to resist, he tucked a stray tendril behind her ear. “Get reacquainted with Lencha and try not to worry.”

      A pained expression came over her face. “I don’t remember Eric and I should. Why…”

      “Belle…Josie, please, don’t stress over it. It’s all going to come back to you.” He had the hardest time calling her Josie, but he was trying.

      “I suppose.”

      “See you in a little while.” He walked out the door, turning into an investigating ranger, instead of a man whose heart was dangerously close to breaking.

      THE POLICE BUILDING was easy to find, a redbrick structure on the end of Main Street with two police cars parked in the side lot. He went in through the front door into a reception room. A green-eyed blonde, somewhere in her thirties, sat at a small desk, answering phone calls.

      She hung up. “May I help you?”

      “Caleb McCain, Texas Ranger. I’m here to see Chief Fry.”

      “Oh, oh.” She pointed to a door. “He’s the first door on the right.”

      “Thank you.”

      He walked into a larger room with several more desks. Two police officers dressed in traditional blue were working there. One was blond and Caleb knew he had to be Eric. A hard knot formed in his stomach as he knocked on the appointed door. When he heard an answer, he went in.

      A balding man in a starched white shirt was writing in a file at his desk. He raised his head as Caleb entered.

      “What can I do for you?” The chief laid down his pen.

      Caleb walked forward with his hand outstretched. “Caleb McCain, Texas Ranger. I’m working a case and could use some help.”

      Dennis stood and shook his hand. In his forties, medium height with a slight pouch, Dennis had a friendly smile.

      “Chadwick is the ranger in this county so you must be from another area. Have a seat.”

      Caleb settled his frame into a vinyl chair. “Yes, I am. I’ve notified Chadwick that I’m in the area.” Rangers were respectful of each other’s territory and they worked well together. There was nothing stronger than the ranger bond and brotherhood. Caleb had had a long talk with Chadwick before leaving Austin and if he needed any help all he had to do was call him.

      Dennis eased into his chair, the springs creaking from the weight. “What can I help you with?”

      Caleb pulled a small photo of Josie from his pocket, one that Gertie had taken. He pushed it across the desk, watching the man’s face. “Do you know this woman?”

      “Well, I’ll be damned. That’s Josie Marie Beckett. She used to be on the police force.” Dennis leaned back, a sly grin on his face. “But you knew that, didn’t you, Ranger McCain?”

      Caleb retrieved the photo and slipped it back into his pocket. It was the only photo he had of Belle and he wasn’t parting with it. “Yes. I knew she worked here. I’m trying to find out what happened to her.”

      “I’d sure as hell like to know, too. Damn good officer. She called me at home and said she had to leave and that she was sorry. We haven’t seen hide nor hair of her since.”

      “Did you try to find her?”

      “Boone was in here every day demanding results. We sent out bulletins and checked the house in Corpus. Nothing. Josie had a big blowup with the Becketts and I guess she just didn’t want to be found.” He leaned forward. “So Boone’s got the Rangers involved. I hope you find her. It’ll get a lot of people off my back, including Lencha Peabody and her curses and her spells.”