Lone Rider by Lauren Bach

to close the gash but had earned him something beyond measure: Bogen’s trust.
    For the first few months after joining, Dallas handled petty stuff: stolen cars and truckloads of stolen cigarettes. Bogen immediately recognized Dallas ’ shrewd ability to turn a higher profit , and he quickly moved up the ranks.
                  At that moment Bogen stood, clearing his throat. The barn grew quiet.
    “Everyone knows the people we work for have been nervous the past several months. They’ve had a few close calls.” 
                  “They’ve always been nervous,” Duke shouted. “Afraid we’ll take over.”
                  Bogen waited until most of the laughter subsided. “The bottom line is, we’ve got orders to shut down temporarily . Normally I wouldn’t comply, but this time my gut tells me to listen. And everyone here knows I’ve got pretty good instincts.”
                  The decision to comply with Sanchez’s order surprised Dallas . It wasn’t like Bogen to back down in a situation like this. Dallas had expected a confrontation between Sanchez and Bogen -- a token act of defiance if nothing else. But to roll over and play dead? Why the sudden change of heart?
    Several of the men grumbled, urging Bogen to reconsider.
                  Dallas noticed that Snake remained uncharacteristically quiet. That was odd , too. Snake never kept his opinions to himself. Dallas ’ senses went on alert. What was going on? Something had happened between the time Bogen and Dallas had discussed Sanchez last night and now. The question was what?
    He thought back to his suspicions that Tess hid something. Either he was growing paranoid , or everyone else knew something he didn’t. And if not everyone, then certainly Bogen, Snake , and Tess.
                  “I suggest you stick close to camp for the next week or so, until this blows over ,” Bogen said.  “ I’m sending Haynes and Eddie to stock up on supplies. If anyone needs something, see them.”
                  Bogen looked briefly at Dallas , then continued. “Everyone’s curious to see Haynes’ new acquisition. Too bad. He’s not sharing.”  With Bogen’s word it was official. Tess was Dallas ’ .
                  Several men hooted lewd encouragements, which Dallas ignored. Snake dropped his beer can and strode off. But not before shooting Dallas a venomous look.
                  The exchange left Dallas feeling uneasy. Snake would cause trouble the first chance he got. Dallas needed to get Tess out of the way, as soon as possible, but without casting suspicion on himself.
                  The problem was how.
    *    *    *
                    “Her name is Tess Marsh, age twenty-six. She’s one of the Marsh heirs.”
                  The man on the other end of the phone in Washington , D.C. , Dallas ’ FBI supervisor, Barry Neilson, whistled. “How the hell did they get her?”
                  Dallas was parked near the drugstore, talking on his cellular phone. Eddie had made a beeline for the local pool hall when Dallas mentioned stopping to pick up supplies for Tess. Dallas figured he had fifteen minutes at the most.
                  He quickly explained the circumstances leading to Tess’ abduction. “Bogen doesn’t realize who he’s got. And I think I’ve convinced her to keep her identity secret. But if Bogen finds out, her life won’t mean squat. He’ll bury her rat her than take risks with a high- profile name. I want her out, Barry. Now.”
                  Barry grunted. “That’ll be tricky, especially since she’s in your care. She disappears; all eyes turn to you. And we’re close, buddy. The signal’s coming in strong.”
    The signal was one of several homing devices Dallas had planted on Sanchez’s beloved pet greyhounds. The animals went