Tex’s wife,Melody, greeted Miguel and Julia and welcomed them to their home.
“You caught us on a quiet day,” Melody said with a smile. “Our eldest daughter is at college, and our youngest is at school.”
Miguel and Julia followed their hostess into the Keegans’ comfortable home.
“I’ve heard so much about you guys in Laguna Beach. It’s good to finally meet one of you.”
“Same here, Mrs. Keegan,” Miguel replied.
She waved a hand and continued to smile. “Melody, please.” She turned toward Julia. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Agent Washburn. I think your mother stands an excellent chance of becoming our next President.”
“Call me Julia. Thank you, Melody. We pray so.”
“Would you like something to drink before I take you to John? We have iced tea, soda, and water. I also have a freshpot of coffee. Or perhaps you’d like something stronger.” Melody winked.
“Coffee, please,” Miguel said.
“For me, too,” Julia added.
“All right. Come with me into the kitchen.”
Despite the cold temperature outside, the sun shining through the kitchen window filled it with warmth. But the emotional warmth permeating the room was far more powerful. It seeped into Miguel’s bones and sparked a sudden longing for home. Not a physical location like Laguna Beach. Buthome. A place where he was surrounded by his extensive family, all chattering in Spanish and English and laughing and eating. He’d been remiss by not making time to visit his parents while in D.C. When this was over, he promised himself he’d spend a week or two with them before reporting for his Secret Service duty.
If he survived.
Melody poured two cups of coffee, then led Miguel and Julia to Tex’s work area. The space amazed Miguel. Tex sat in an ergonomic chair that faced multiple monitors with real time images flashing on them. Boxes filled with every conceivable gadget lined metal shelves in neat rows. Each box was labeled with its contents.
Tex swiveled in his chair and rose stiffly to greet them. He wore his prosthetic leg and grimaced slightly before a smile broadened on his rugged face. Tex held out a hand and Miguel shook it. “Miguel, it’s good to see you again. And an honor to meet you, Julia.”
She shook his hand. “Likewise. Thank you for your service.”
Tex nodded.
“I’ll leave you to your business.” Melody glided nearer to Tex and kissed him sweetly on the mouth. “We’re having grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and creamy tomato and basil soup for lunch. You’ll stay and eat with us, won’t you, Miguel and Julia?”
They nodded. “Of course.”
When they were alone, Tex began briskly, “Tawny was the first test subject of my new subcutaneous tracker, and I’m thrilled it worked so well while she was undercover. But I don’t think you need that type of tracker.” He reached into a box sitting next to his keyboard and removed a pair of gold studs and an ordinary belt buckle. “These are old designs but effective. I also developed this.” Tex showed them a facsimile of a bank card with a microchip.
“The tracker is in the microchip,” Miguel guessed.
“Right. Carry it with you like an ordinary credit or debit card, in addition to wearing the earrings and belt buckle. Rest assured I’ll have eyes on you 24/7.”
“Speaking of,” Miguel responded, “have you been able to pick up the Andersons’ trail?”
“Yeah. A report came over the wire about an abandoned truck registered to Lake Forest Cemetery. It was recovered by state police in Alabama.”
“At least we know they’re headed south,” Julia commented.
Tex grinned. “We know more than that. It took some deep diving between me and Beth Turner, but our persistence paid off. There’s a house in McMullen, Alabama, that belongs to Julio Escobar.”
“My biological father?” The revelation surprised Julia.
“Under an alias, of course, but there’s no doubt about it. I have eyes on the property right now. Here, take a look.”
Tex keyed up the images. Julia leaned over his shoulder to get a better look at the house and surrounding property. “It appears abandoned.”
Weeds had taken over the yard, and the exterior paint on the house had faded long ago. Dirt and grime smudged the windows.
