Renegade Read Free Page A

ever had to endure what these two had when they’d gone in behind enemy lines. Marist had escaped. Cash had not.
    â€œRory told me all about you,” Gareth said, “before I realized who you were. Sit down, sit down! It’s good to see you again. You’re working in law enforcement now, I believe?”
    Cash nodded, dropping gracefully into a chair across the desk from the uniformed man, who was about his age, but taller and with a receding hairline. “I’m police chief of a small town in Texas.”
    â€œIt’s hard to give up the military life,” Gareth told him. “Icouldn’t. So I got this appointment, which was great for me. I love helping mold the soldiers of the future. Young Rory has a lot of potential, by the way,” he added. “He’s very intelligent, and not rattled by boys twice his size. Even the bullies leave him alone,” he chuckled.
    Cash grinned. “He’s not afraid to speak his mind, that’s for sure.”
    â€œAnd his sister,” Gareth said, with a long whistle. “If I weren’t a happily married man with two delightful children, I’d be crawling on my knees after Tippy Moore. She really is beautiful, and she loves that kid,” he volunteered. “When she first brought him here, she was scared to death. There had been some trouble with her mother, but she downplayed it. She showed me papers that gave her full custody of the boy, and she made sure we knew that we were never to let his mother get her hands on him. Or his so-called father.” He studied the other man closely. “I don’t guess you’d know why?”
    â€œI might,” Cash replied, “but I don’t share secrets.”
    â€œI remember,” Gareth replied, and with a grim smile. “You never broke under torture. I only knew one other guy who managed that, and he was SAS—the British Special Air Services.”
    â€œHe was in there with me,” Cash told him. “A hell of a guy. He went right back to his unit after we escaped, like nothing had ever happened.”
    â€œSo did you.”
    Cash didn’t like talking about it. He changed the subject. “How’s Rory doing academically?”
    â€œVery well. Top ten percent of his class,” he said. “He’s an officer, too.” He smiled. “You can always tell the ones who have leadership ability. It shows up early.”
    â€œIndeed it does.” He cocked his head. “No financial problems keeping him here?” he fished.
    The commandant sighed. “Not at the moment,” he said. “Although Tippy’s income is sporadic, you understand. There have been times when we’ve stretched due dates…”
    â€œIf there are ever other times, could you let me know, without telling Tippy?” He slipped a business card out of his wallet and slid it across the sleek wood of the desk to the commandant. “Think of me as part of Rory’s family.”
    Gareth was hesitant. “Grier, this is a hell of an expensive place,” he began. “On a policeman’s salary…”
    â€œLook in the parking lot at what I’m driving.”
    â€œThere are lots of cars out there,” the other man began, rising to go to the window.
    â€œYou’ll notice it.”
    There was a pause and a whistle when he saw the beautiful, red custom-made Jaguar. He turned to Cash. “That’s yours?”
    Cash nodded. “I paid cash for it,” he added deliberately.
    The other man let out a sigh. “Lucky devil. I drive an SUV.” He turned back to his desk. “I gather that special ops pays well.”
    â€œNo, it doesn’t,” Cash disagreed. “But I was heavily into other work before I did special ops,” he added. “And I don’t talk about it. Ever.”
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œNo harm done. It was a long time ago, but I invested wisely, as you see.” He smiled.