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Texas Ranger Justice #4
Trail of Lies
Melora Hudson punched in her alarm code to turn the security system off, then tossed her keys on the kitchen counter. All she wanted to do was sink into a chair and drink a cup of hot tea after her exhausting week. But as she moved toward the kettle on the stove, a sound—something hitting the tiled floor—came from the living room and froze her in mid-stride. Tension whipped through her. Until her cat shot through the doorway and launched himself into her arms.
"Okay, Patches, what have you gotten into this time?"
His cry—like a baby's—protested her scolding.
Melora cuddled the fifteen-pound white cat against her chest and started for the living room. Just what she needed—another broken lamp or, like the last time, a crystal vase. As she approached the entrance, she mentally prepared for the devastation, realizing she could never get rid of the animal because her daughter loved Patches. And so did she.
A few steps into the room, Melora stopped, scanning the large expanse for any sign of what had made the crashing noise.
The desk chair was overturned at the far end. Strange. How had Patches done that? She placed the large cat on the tiled floor and headed across the room. Nothing he did should surprise her anymore. She began to pick up the chair while Patches weaved in and out of her legs, but stopped. Her nape prickled; unease streaked down her spine. The quiet of the house, usually a balm, was now ominous. She glanced toward the study. She wasn't alone.
That thought bolted her to the floor for a few precious seconds before she whirled and ran toward the back porch off the great room. Halfway to the exit, she noticed the lock wasn't turned right.
The door was unlocked. Alarm squeezed her chest.
She peered sideways and spied a wiry, medium-sized man wearing a black ski mask barreling toward her. Pushing herself faster, she reached for the knob. Two feet away.
He tackled her. The impact of the cool tiles knocked the breath from her, pain radiating through her. His body trapped her beneath him. All the fear from that break-in two years ago came to the foreground.
She twisted and bucked, trying to shove him off her. She drew in a gulp of air. Finally, her protest ripped from her throat and ricocheted off the tall ceilings, filling the room with her terror.
He slapped her across the face. "Shut up."
Texas Ranger Daniel Boone Riley turned his white Ford 150 truck down the road that led to the Hudson's house in Lone Star Estates where many wealthy San Antonians lived. He should know. His family mansion wasn't but a mile from here.
He'd seen Melora Hudson, the widow, at her husband's funeral a couple of days before. A picture of a five-foot, six-inch, willowy woman materialized in his mind. While she'd stood at the gravesite, her red hair with golden highlights had caught the sun's rays, accentuating the long curls about her beautiful face—a solemn face, appropriate for a funeral. Until he'd locked gazes with her for a few seconds and something akin to fear had flashed into her sea-green eyes. She'd immediately looked away, but he'd seen the apprehension.
What did she know about her husband's death? What was she hiding?
He was here to find out. He'd spent the last few days learning everything he could about the woman. Although Axle Hudson had been murdered two years ago and his body only found last month and not identified until the previous week, the man's death was tied to the recent murder of Captain Gregory Pike of the Texas Rangers' Company D. Daniel would stop at nothing to discover that link. Gregory had been a good friend as well as his boss. There was no way any Ranger in Company D would allow his murder to go unsolved—even though few leads had been uncovered in the month since Greg's death. They knew his murder was connected to an elusive group of people called the Lions of Texas who dealt in illegal activities—drugs among them. Had Axle Hudson been involved in drug dealing? One of many questions Daniel wanted answered.
He parked his truck in front of the large, Spanish-style house with stucco accents and a tile roof. It fit into its surroundings and shouted wealth—typical of what he'd known of Axle Hudson, a flamboyant playboy who had finally married Melora Madison, the niece of prominent businessman Tyler Madison, in a wedding that had been the event of the social season in San Antonio six years ago.
As he strode toward the porch, a scream rent the air. A woman's scream coming from the house. He pulled his Wilson Combat pistol from his waist holster and rushed toward the porch. When he tried the handle, the door was locked. He took a few steps back, started to lift his leg to kick the heavy solid door and realized he wouldn't be able to budge it.
Daniel needed an entrance into the house other than the sturdy front door. Swiveling to the right, he jogged toward the side, placing a call to the sheriff for back up. He found a flimsier door next to the three-car garage and put all his st...
"Okay, Patches, what have you gotten into this time?"
His cry—like a baby's—protested her scolding.
Melora cuddled the fifteen-pound white cat against her chest and started for the living room. Just what she needed—another broken lamp or, like the last time, a crystal vase. As she approached the entrance, she mentally prepared for the devastation, realizing she could never get rid of the animal because her daughter loved Patches. And so did she.
A few steps into the room, Melora stopped, scanning the large expanse for any sign of what had made the crashing noise.
The desk chair was overturned at the far end. Strange. How had Patches done that? She placed the large cat on the tiled floor and headed across the room. Nothing he did should surprise her anymore. She began to pick up the chair while Patches weaved in and out of her legs, but stopped. Her nape prickled; unease streaked down her spine. The quiet of the house, usually a balm, was now ominous. She glanced toward the study. She wasn't alone.
That thought bolted her to the floor for a few precious seconds before she whirled and ran toward the back porch off the great room. Halfway to the exit, she noticed the lock wasn't turned right.
The door was unlocked. Alarm squeezed her chest.
She peered sideways and spied a wiry, medium-sized man wearing a black ski mask barreling toward her. Pushing herself faster, she reached for the knob. Two feet away.
He tackled her. The impact of the cool tiles knocked the breath from her, pain radiating through her. His body trapped her beneath him. All the fear from that break-in two years ago came to the foreground.
She twisted and bucked, trying to shove him off her. She drew in a gulp of air. Finally, her protest ripped from her throat and ricocheted off the tall ceilings, filling the room with her terror.
He slapped her across the face. "Shut up."
Texas Ranger Daniel Boone Riley turned his white Ford 150 truck down the road that led to the Hudson's house in Lone Star Estates where many wealthy San Antonians lived. He should know. His family mansion wasn't but a mile from here.
He'd seen Melora Hudson, the widow, at her husband's funeral a couple of days before. A picture of a five-foot, six-inch, willowy woman materialized in his mind. While she'd stood at the gravesite, her red hair with golden highlights had caught the sun's rays, accentuating the long curls about her beautiful face—a solemn face, appropriate for a funeral. Until he'd locked gazes with her for a few seconds and something akin to fear had flashed into her sea-green eyes. She'd immediately looked away, but he'd seen the apprehension.
What did she know about her husband's death? What was she hiding?
He was here to find out. He'd spent the last few days learning everything he could about the woman. Although Axle Hudson had been murdered two years ago and his body only found last month and not identified until the previous week, the man's death was tied to the recent murder of Captain Gregory Pike of the Texas Rangers' Company D. Daniel would stop at nothing to discover that link. Gregory had been a good friend as well as his boss. There was no way any Ranger in Company D would allow his murder to go unsolved—even though few leads had been uncovered in the month since Greg's death. They knew his murder was connected to an elusive group of people called the Lions of Texas who dealt in illegal activities—drugs among them. Had Axle Hudson been involved in drug dealing? One of many questions Daniel wanted answered.
He parked his truck in front of the large, Spanish-style house with stucco accents and a tile roof. It fit into its surroundings and shouted wealth—typical of what he'd known of Axle Hudson, a flamboyant playboy who had finally married Melora Madison, the niece of prominent businessman Tyler Madison, in a wedding that had been the event of the social season in San Antonio six years ago.
As he strode toward the porch, a scream rent the air. A woman's scream coming from the house. He pulled his Wilson Combat pistol from his waist holster and rushed toward the porch. When he tried the handle, the door was locked. He took a few steps back, started to lift his leg to kick the heavy solid door and realized he wouldn't be able to budge it.
Daniel needed an entrance into the house other than the sturdy front door. Swiveling to the right, he jogged toward the side, placing a call to the sheriff for back up. He found a flimsier door next to the three-car garage and put all his st...
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
35 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Daley
208 books498 followersMargaret Daley, an award-winning author of seventy-six books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 17, 2020
I have enjoyed this series of 6 books concerning the Texas Rangers and I look forward to reading the last two. I found the second book at a little free library not realizing at the time it was part of a series and I would now want to read the other books in the series, I was lucky to have found them at the library.
March 6, 2019
Texas Ranger Justice
Great book. Wonderful Author...This is a great series. If you love a great clean suspense series you need to read this one. I have read the first 4 and can't wait to read the last two. Wonderful.
Great book. Wonderful Author...This is a great series. If you love a great clean suspense series you need to read this one. I have read the first 4 and can't wait to read the last two. Wonderful.
July 28, 2017
While I like that Daniel and Melora had previous knowledge of each other, I wish Daley would have fleshed out Daniel's relationship with his son more. It was wrapped up too easily.
September 27, 2017
Great characters, the action kept coming. Even though this is the fourth book in the series, and the only one I read, I could still follow the story.
March 6, 2021
Loved it!
November 5, 2021
Love wins
Liked this book a lot, good plot and characters. Also good examples of complicated family dynamics. I would recommend this book.
Liked this book a lot, good plot and characters. Also good examples of complicated family dynamics. I would recommend this book.
August 5, 2022
Book. Love Inspired Suspense. Texas Ranger’s Husband killed body recovered two years later. Her life and daughter threatened.
April 29, 2014
Melora Hudson's husband Axle disappeared 2 years ago.
His body has just been discovered.
The Lions of Texas want the secrets he took to his grave to remain hidden. They want his flash drive, which wasn't found on his body.
What had Axle been involved in?
What made him cross the Lions of Texas?
Where could he have hidden the flash drive?
Ranger Daniel Boone Riley arrives to ask questions about her husband ~ and ends up staying to protect Melora & her young daughter Kaitlyn.
I liked this continuation in the Texas Ranger Justice continuity ~ & I love the fact this series is based on the Texas Rangers :).
You really do need to read these books in order as each book, while a story on its own, also has a plot which runs & develops through all the 6 books, building up to the grand finale in book 6. This means that you will not only want to read this book, but also the other 5 in the series! So if you are looking for a one off story to read, then this is not the book for you. However, if you are short of reading material & want a series to get you going, then you might want to try out this series.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
His body has just been discovered.
The Lions of Texas want the secrets he took to his grave to remain hidden. They want his flash drive, which wasn't found on his body.
What had Axle been involved in?
What made him cross the Lions of Texas?
Where could he have hidden the flash drive?
Ranger Daniel Boone Riley arrives to ask questions about her husband ~ and ends up staying to protect Melora & her young daughter Kaitlyn.
I liked this continuation in the Texas Ranger Justice continuity ~ & I love the fact this series is based on the Texas Rangers :).
You really do need to read these books in order as each book, while a story on its own, also has a plot which runs & develops through all the 6 books, building up to the grand finale in book 6. This means that you will not only want to read this book, but also the other 5 in the series! So if you are looking for a one off story to read, then this is not the book for you. However, if you are short of reading material & want a series to get you going, then you might want to try out this series.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
November 15, 2011
Trail of Lies by Margaret Daley Book 4 of Texas Ranger Justice Series
Daniel Boone Riley grew up on the wealthy side of town. As an only son his father wanted him to follow in his steps. His father loved the history of Texas and with the retelling of it, the life of the Texas Rangers is what intrigued young Daniel, and he chose that path against is father's wishes. That choice cost him deeply. A relationship with his father, his marriage and his son. And right now, protecting someone like Melora Hudson and her young daughter, Kaitlyn, seemed right to him. They had just found that the body found at the animal rescue was Axle Hudson, Melora's husband. As Daniel works to get this beautiful widow to trust and confide in him, he reminds himself he failed as a husband and father once before, his heart did not listen.
Melora Hudson was finding that everyone around her betrayed her and now she had to protect her daughter. Two years ago she was threatened after a break-in to be quiet, now it is starting all over. A man has just broke into her home and told her if she does not hand over what they want, or if she went to the cops, her daughter would suffer for it. She does her best to persuade the handsome Ranger that interrupted that it was just a robbery gone wrong, but he would not relent. She had to get him to stay away. In the end, she had to trust Daniel to help her, this Ranger was not budging.
The story is ongoing in trying to find who murdered Gregory Pike in book 1. They have now solved the second murder but not Greg's. The Lions of Texas went deep, they discover some members in this book but the story continues...
Daniel Boone Riley grew up on the wealthy side of town. As an only son his father wanted him to follow in his steps. His father loved the history of Texas and with the retelling of it, the life of the Texas Rangers is what intrigued young Daniel, and he chose that path against is father's wishes. That choice cost him deeply. A relationship with his father, his marriage and his son. And right now, protecting someone like Melora Hudson and her young daughter, Kaitlyn, seemed right to him. They had just found that the body found at the animal rescue was Axle Hudson, Melora's husband. As Daniel works to get this beautiful widow to trust and confide in him, he reminds himself he failed as a husband and father once before, his heart did not listen.
Melora Hudson was finding that everyone around her betrayed her and now she had to protect her daughter. Two years ago she was threatened after a break-in to be quiet, now it is starting all over. A man has just broke into her home and told her if she does not hand over what they want, or if she went to the cops, her daughter would suffer for it. She does her best to persuade the handsome Ranger that interrupted that it was just a robbery gone wrong, but he would not relent. She had to get him to stay away. In the end, she had to trust Daniel to help her, this Ranger was not budging.
The story is ongoing in trying to find who murdered Gregory Pike in book 1. They have now solved the second murder but not Greg's. The Lions of Texas went deep, they discover some members in this book but the story continues...
September 12, 2012
This was a pretty good story in the continuing mystery of who killed a Texas Ranger. This is book number 4 of 6 in the Texas Ranger Justice miniseries. There were some predictable parts but all in all a nice story with likeable characters. This six book mystery set started out a little slow for me but books 3 and 4 were very good. Looking forward to the conclusion of this series!
November 9, 2011
I've liked this series (Texas Ranger Justice) but this one was a little too obvious and made the main character look weak. How are we supposed to care about Melora at the end of this book. I don't want to give spoilers so I'll try not to say too much but she should have seen at least some of this coming!
July 17, 2012
Daniel and Melora already had knowledge of each other, so the misunderstandings in their early relationship are cleared up believably. However, Daniel has a troubled relationship with his teenaged son that isn't fleshed out as much as I'd like. The happy family image of Daniel, Melora, his son and her daughter came about a bit too easily.
August 26, 2013
This series, "Texas Ranger Justice" is fantastic! I won most of the books, and I just can't put them down! Constant action, great character dialogue and scenes, tender romance, and descriptions that put you in the scenes with the characters are just a few reasons that this author is one of my favorite Love Inspired Suspense authors.
March 29, 2016
Trail of Lies
Book four of the Texas Ranger Justice series. When Melora and Kaitlyn Hudson's lives are threatened after her missing husband's body is found in book three, Ranger Daniel Riley, is assigned to investigate. Having grown up in the same circles, Daniel is somewhat familiar with Melora, but they are going to end up getting to know each other much better.
Book four of the Texas Ranger Justice series. When Melora and Kaitlyn Hudson's lives are threatened after her missing husband's body is found in book three, Ranger Daniel Riley, is assigned to investigate. Having grown up in the same circles, Daniel is somewhat familiar with Melora, but they are going to end up getting to know each other much better.
August 15, 2012
These books are Ok for a quick read. while not the typical books I usually read I found them very enjoyable and will read more in the future. I made the mistake of reading them out of sequence. I have been reading them at DR office visits. Small and easy to cary in my handbag.
Read
January 25, 2015A very interesting story with plenty of intrigue. I like detective shows and this book reminded me of them. It was nice to see how their faith helped them through their trials. They remembered to pray. Prayers were answered.
March 24, 2011
this is really good, clean too. Loved it, keep me up reading last night. Wish I had the others in the series, daughter of texas, body of evidence, and face of danger.
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: Texas Ranger Justice
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: Texas Ranger Justice
June 6, 2012
LOVED IT!!!
MUST read!!!
MUST read!!!
March 21, 2014
4th book in this series i finished it last night and started the 5th im super excited and hooked
September 6, 2014
It was a very suspenseful novel that kept me on edge. A great read.
June 5, 2016
Amazing
March 29, 2016
This Amazing story
Writing is getting awesome and blessings. Storylines is amazing good of how God using people for his purpose. Thanks Lord.
Writing is getting awesome and blessings. Storylines is amazing good of how God using people for his purpose. Thanks Lord.
May 10, 2016
Good story! I guessed who the bad guys were before the ending but I also read a lot of these books too!
July 1, 2016
Texas Ranger Justice # 4 All those she loves have lied to Melora , will Ranger Daniel Boone Riley be able to solve the mystery and save Melora and her daughter?
Read
April 4, 2018
January 22, 2018
Amazing!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews