Travis Justice by Colleen Shannon

“I’m going to the gym to spar in the ring. Text me if you get the go-ahead from HR and I’ll show up at the office first thing in the morning to sign everything.”
    * * *
    Inside Ernie’s kitchen, Ernie and Hana crouched over his laptop, reviewing all the news info they could Google about the Buckhorn Estate double murders. When they were done, they both plopped down into Ernie’s plush armchairs in the attached, spacious living room.
    Ernie fired up his pipe. Hana inhaled tentatively, relieved when she smelled only the sweet scent of expensive tobacco. Above all, she had to stay clearheaded. Besides, she didn’t really like illegal drugs, not even marijuana or prescription-strength painkillers. She’d tried them all while dating Kai, but they only dulled her passions and made them more unmanageable when she came back from the high.
    Finally Ernie tapped out his pipe into a crystal ashtray. “You think Kai did it?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    Ernie frowned. “Surely Kai’s too smart for that. He has to know offing someone at that level in the Texas Rangers will bring enormous retribution down on him.”
    â€œYes, but if he implicates one of the other gangs in the process, he wipes out a major competitor and disrupts the state-level leadership of the various task forces trying to stop the Asian gangs from further infiltration. To tie up their resources at the least, because I’m pretty sure he’s expecting a massive shipment. It may be a distraction tactic and this will be the only murder.”
    â€œWouldn’t he start with the DEA instead of the Rangers?”
    â€œThey may be next on his agenda. If I know him, his true goal is chaos, especially if he keeps moving up the chain of command.” Hana took a deep breath. “And plants some of the blame on me. After I get the sword I’m expendable.”
    Ernie put his pipe down, the words obviously distasteful in his mouth. “Hana, it makes me sick to my stomach to say this, but you need to go to the authorities. If you help them intercept this shipment, they’ll know you’re on the right side of the law and you’ll be safe. Plus, if another murder occurs, obviously you’d be in their custody.”
    Hana looked away. “And Jiji? Takeo? You know they’ll probably throw me in jail until they figure out whether my intel is any good. I can’t afford any delay, Ernie. If you saw my grandfather . . .”
    Ernie stood. “As usual, you refuse to be sensible. One thing at a time. Let’s pull up some plans on this warehouse.”

Chapter 4
    T wo days later, after his swearing-in to his newly created position of Chief of Personal Security, Texas Department of Public Safety Executive Offices, Austin, Texas, Zach was trying to get used to the typical Ranger uniform-not-uniform. Like his dad, he wore a crisp white shirt, jeans, tie, and Stetson as he stood at attention at the closed door in the governor’s mansion. Zach was in the process of vetting applicants to the newly created department he headed, but for now he was it. Where his father went, he went. Almost all of John’s meetings these days were with other high-level officials, so Zach was in protective mode for everyone in the room.
    The governor’s office had been renovated a number of years back with extensive security measures installed. However, he still warily eyed the hallway outside the ornate salon that was used mostly as a conference room. He appraised every entrance and exit for the umpteenth time before he relaxed slightly. More security personnel patrolled the grounds and exterior, so they should be fine.
    The low rumble of male voices behind the door occasionally grew heated. He knew they were discussing the most recent developments in the Asian gang incursion into Austin. The operational heads of the central Texas DEA, the FBI, and the Austin Chief of Police were all at this