“You have a small lump, but it’s not bleeding.”
“It hardly hurts now.” Vic watched Kit’s expression while his vitals were taken.
“You’re in amazingly good shape.” On that note, the medic handed them both a bottle of water.
They both drank thirstily before Kit asked, “That stone you gave Jori—was it valuable?”
“No.”
“I can see what you mean about him. He was just trying to make it in this world.”
“We’ll turn the recording over for evidence. TJ is going to be elated.”
Kit looked excited. “We know someone on Waters’s payroll commandeered the Forest Service chopper. With leads galore, there’s going to be a huge investigation. Jori was the key that made it all happen. The sting paid off. Waters and Fisher never saw you coming until it was too late.”
“Once again I lucked out,” he said as the door of the ambulance opened. Vic saw the sheriff deliver the suitcase.
“I’ll return the gun to its owner. Great job you Rangers did today. The casino has been closed and the management is in custody pending a thorough investigation. A lot of shady business has gone on there.”
That meant Ruban was no longer a threat. Vic couldn’t wait to interrogate him. “That’s music to our ears. We couldn’t have done this without your department’s help.”
“You rest now. You’re being driven back to the inn in Luckenbach to meet up with your crew.”
“Thanks, Sheriff.”
“Thank you.”
Soon they were on their way. Vic sat on the side of the bed to talk strategy with Kit. So many loose ends to clean up kept them occupied until they reached the hotel. Vic thanked the paramedics and got out of the ambulance, taking his suitcase with him. Kit followed with the vest. The long wig dangled from his other hand. He started to head for the surveillance van when he heard a voice he’d know anywhere. “Dad!”
Vic swung around to see his son come running toward him. Claire was right behind him. What a glorious sight. But they both stopped short before reaching him.
“What did you do to your face?”
“You should see him in this wig. Here, Vic. Put it on and show them.” Kit handed it to him.
At this point he was speechless and did as Kit said.
“Whoa, Dad—”
Kit was grinning. “Jeremy? Claire? Allow me to introduce you to Eskaminzim, a spokesman for the Lipan Apache tribe. He’s better known as Big Mouth.”
Claire walked all the way around him, eyeing him with stars in her eyes. “Big Mouth, huh? I think I like you even better than I liked Jim. You kind of resemble your famous ancestor Victorio Eskaminzim.”
His heart was giving him fits. “How did you know to come here?”
“Your son makes a terrific spy. When we read your note and knew you’d gone undercover on a sting, he called Clint and found out you were in the other room with Sandra. When it was all over the news about a shooting outside the casino, we decided we couldn’t wait, so we drove ninety miles an hour to get here and talk to Clint. And here you are...” Her voice cracked with emotion.
“Here I am.” He rushed toward them and wrapped his arms around both of them, hugging them so hard Jeremy let out a yelp.
“What’s the matter?”
“Your hair’s in my face and I can’t breathe.”
Kit burst into laughter.
Claire looked up at Vic with those divine gray eyes pouring out her love for him. “You can get your hair in my face anytime,” she whispered for his ears alone.
Chapter Ten