Page 96 of The Texas Ranger: Saddled Up
Clark winced. “They wanted me out of the way. I know too much.” He coughed and it sounded wet.
Bear felt the heat of the fresh blood soak the fabric. “Talk to me. Tell me who would do this.” The only thing left was the truth so Bear could make sure the shooter paid for this.
“Bentley’s manager. It was all—all a design. Pulling out of the race. They’re trying to set me up. They want Fletcher to be the hero. They needed me gone.” Clark’s hand dropped from his lap to his side. His head swayed some.
“I’m going to get you an ambulance.” He pulled out his phone.
“Don’t. Bother. No service. Dead anyway.” He crooked his finger. “Come.” Bear leaned in, straining to hear the man. “Her. Next. Tonight.”
Bear pulled back looking down at the dying man. “Are you saying Aasia is next?”
A weak pained laugh rattled in his throat. “I never liked her, but we were both dancing with the devil. She must live to bring him down.”
His body twitched. His eyes lifted to stare upward.
Bear looked down at the screen of his phone. Clark had been telling the truth. He had no bars of service.
Clark’s head rolled.
A gasp sounded from deep within his throat.
“Stay with me, Clark.” But Bear knew his words were useless.
Clark coughed and blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
His stomach spasmed.
Fuck.
“Damn it!” Bear pressed harder, his hands now slick with blood.
“Floor. Board.” Clark said through clenched teeth.
“What floorboard?” Bear snapped.
Clark’s eyelids drooped.
Bear shook Clark’s shoulder. “Stay with me!”
“Kitchen,” he rasped. “Ledger. Names. Proof.”
Clark’s eyes widened, panic flashed over his now-blue features.
Rain poured down the man’s weathered features.
His last gasp for breath echoed through the shadows. His body went limp.
Bear shook his head as he closed the man’s eyelids then stood, dropping the soaked towel on the floor inside the cabin as he went into the kitchen and scrubbed the blood from his hands. His mind wandered to the night Texas Heat was ambushed and shot. All the blood left behind when they were taken away by ambulance. Bear wanted nothing more than to bring down the people responsible for nearly taking out half his team.
Aasia was in danger.
He had to get to her before it was too late.
He looked down at the battered planked floor.
He searched furiously for loose boards.
Then he came to one.
