Travis Justice by Colleen Shannon Page A

meeting. They were trying to create their own joint-response team with shared intel and security protocols in case the assassins planned to strike again, but in Zach’s experience, these well-intentioned alliances seldom worked: Too many different priorities, budgets, and constituents, not to mention big egos all around.
    He was still considering that point when a familiar figure entered the hallway outside the meeting room. Ross Sinclair was accompanied by a tall, regal woman of indeterminate age whom Zach had never seen before. However, Ross had an easy manner with her, and she wore a visitor’s badge, so he knew she’d been vetted by gate security.
    â€œHey, Zach,” Ross said. “We have some new data I felt should be shared immediately, as it’s extremely timely. Do you know how much longer they’ll be?”
    Zach glanced at his watch. “The meeting was scheduled for an hour, but they’ve obviously run over.”
    Ross nodded. “Zach, this is Abigail Doyle, the forensics expert I mentioned to you. Abby, meet Zachary Travis, former Army Ranger, the new head of personal security for the executive officers of the DPS and Texas Rangers.”
    After Zach and Abigail shook hands, Ross added, “Abby has new information about Asian gang activities. She thinks part of the escalation is competition over control of the new designer drug that just hit the streets.”
    Abby hoisted her laptop bag over her shoulder as if it weighed heavily on her, in more ways than one.
    â€œI know we’re not scheduled to be in the meeting,” Ross said, “but I think everyone will want to see this evidence for themselves as it may impact their tactical response. As you know, your dad asked me to take a temporary assignment managing the various response teams until we catch these murderers. I brought Abigail in because she’s the best at putting together complex arrays of evidence.”
    Zach smiled slightly. “Yeah, he told me last night. How does Emm feel about you being away so long?”
    A twinkle turned Ross’s blue eyes even brighter. “A few weeks away is OK while she works on the new building in Amarillo. After that . . . well, I’d rather face the murderers single-handed than explain to her why I can’t come home when scheduled.”
    Zach nodded, smiling, while Ms. Doyle laughed as if she too knew Emm.
    Zach responded, “I’ll see if I can get their attention,” and knocked lightly on the heavy door. After a muffled “come in,” he walked inside. He was uncharacteristically nervous as, for the first time, he faced the heads of the major law-enforcement agencies investigating Asian gang activity in central Texas.
    As everyone looked curiously between him and his father, obviously knowing his background, Zach murmured in his dad’s ear. John Travis glanced inquiringly at his own boss, Chief Jeremy Porter. Nodding, Porter made a beckoning move with his hand.
    Zach ushered in Ross and Abigail, turning to walk out again, but Chief Porter called him back. “Stay for this, please, Zachary, as it may impact our protection detail. John was going to brief you after the meeting but this will save us all time.” The ghost of a smile crossed his tanned, lined face when Zach hesitated as if he didn’t want to desert his post. “Relax. If we’re not safe at the governor’s mansion, where would we be safe?”
    Nowhere , Zach wanted to retort, but of course he didn’t. He sat as indicated, but he still felt confined in the jeans and Stetson, especially laden with weapons as he was. He’d gotten one stipulation through all the bureaucracy: He was allowed to pick his own arms. After they were approved by the DPS he could even carry them at his discretion, government issue or not.
    His discretion was simple: 24/7 vigilance. Sleeping with his weapons near to hand. No more open windows, and at night his bedroom door