Free Trouble With the Law by Becky McGraw

like someone was out there in the boonies listening.  But he trusted Seth, and his friend was still a detective.  Trace knew he could and would keep things to himself.
    “Interesting .  So, why do you need help if you’re with the feds?” There was wariness in his friend’s voice and it set Trace’s teeth on edge too.
    “C’mon man .  Don’t be pissy with me.  I’m in a fix and need somewhere to hide out for a few days.  Just meet me somewhere and I’ll tell you what’s going on.”
    “This have something to do with the call we just got from the ranch? Two FBI agents are down and some perp is too?”
    Oh, shit .  “What did you hear?”
    “Something about an FBI undercover op being blown to hell.  They’re doing an early takedown.  That woman Susan Whatshername from Dallas isn’t a happy camper.  She called the Chief and almost ripped his ass off.”
    “Carlos got sho t that’s why she isn’t happy.” Carlos didn’t just get shot.  Trace had shot him, accidentally of course, but Trace was sure that didn’t make a difference to Susan.
    “Who the hell is Carlos?” Seth asked.
    “An agent on assignment there.  And her boyfriend.” Trace was sure that Susan would want to put a bullet in him for that too.
    “Who shot him?”
    “I did,” Trace admitted with a sigh.  “I was taking down a bad guy and he was standing behind him.  Bullet went through, and hit him in the chest.  I hope he was wearing a vest, but I don’t think so.  There was blood, but I couldn’t stop to help.”
    “Why the hell not?” Seth asked angrily.
    “Because I have Ronnie Winters with me and they drugged her.  They were about to rape her, so I got her out of there.”
    “Ronnie Winters? The Shark Lady?” Seth said with a snort.
    “Yeah, she came out there nosing around, and Ray Brown stripped her naked and chained her up.  It was a bad scene.”
    “Hell, I’d have liked to be there,” Seth said with a laugh .  “That woman has balls of steel under those mini-skirts she wears.  I always wanted to see them.”
    A growl escaped Trace .  “Cut it out, Seth.  Just help me.”
    Seth sighed .  “Meet me at the bullpen.  You can stay with my sister for a few days.  But you better not cause trouble for her.”
    “I won’t .  If shit goes south, I’ll leave.” It looked like that was the only direction things were headed.  Trace just hoped he could buy himself a couple of days to get Ronnie back on her feet.  He’d figure out then if he could leave her on her own and run, or if she would have to go with him.
    Trace glanced at Ronnie and saw she was unconscious again .  Her arms hung over the sides of the bench and her head lolled to the side.  There was no way he could meet Seth at the ballpark where they used to have the department league games.  Where he and Seth had coached their team, when Trace was one of them.  When he wore blue instead of prison orange.  "I can't come to you, Seth.  Ronnie can't travel on my bike.  Can you bring your pickup and come to get me?"
    After another heavy sigh, Seth said, "I guess so man .  You're gonna owe me."
    "I already do .  More than you know," Trace replied then gave him directions to their location.  Trace pocketed his phone, hid the bike behind a tree, then sat beside Ronnie who had started shaking again.  He pulled her across his lap and held her tightly to his chest.  All he could do now was wait.  And hope Ray Brown's men didn't find them before Seth did.

 
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
    "You can put her in the bed in the middle room," Seth's sister , Sarah, told Trace.  He followed her down the hallway and waited while she opened the door. 
    Striding to the bed, he reached down and threw back the covers, then gently eased Ronnie down into the bed.  About half an hour ago, Ronnie had started talking out of her head about all kinds of things and he was even more worried now.  Seth took one look at her and he was worried too.  Trace threw the