Torn Apart (Book 1): Terror In Texas Read Online Free PDF Page A

favorite. Enchiladas with tasajo beef.”
    Pablo rang up a customer at the register then waved toward a young girl stocking candy. She set the box back on the cart and walked to the counter.
    “Papa, I still have homework.” The girl chided with a grin.
    Pablo stepped out from behind the register and winked at the girl taking his place. He walked up to Tate and wrapped a thick arm around her shoulder. Together they walked through the store into the restaurant.
    “Maria will be glad to see you. It has been a long while. Sí?”
    “Yes. It has been.” Tate answered. “How’s the kids? Sofia is all grown up now, I see.”
    “Sofia graduate high school next month.” He answered. “Juan is come home from Iraq in June. All is good. Fuel prices down so more customers. Business is good.”
    Tate leaned over to kiss Pablo’s cheek. “Good to hear. I’ve missed seeing you and Maria.”
    “You been busy?” Pablo asked in his accented English.
    “I spent two weeks on the west coast a couple months ago then had a run to Chicago, from there to Boston, then up and down the east coast a couple times. From Atlanta, I ended back in Chicago. Now I’m here. Lots of driving time.”
    “You work too hard.”
    “Got big truck payments.” Tate laughed.
    “Come, have your dinner. You eat then you rest.”
    Pablo led Tate to a table and waved at a short thick-bodied woman with a glistening crown of platted black hair. She hurried across the dining room with tray in hand. She placed a glass of tea, napkin wrapped flatware, chips and salsa on the table.
    “Niña. So nice to see you.” Maria gave Tate a big smile. “I bring dinner. You watch TV.” She turned to her husband. “Viejo, back to your job. Your daughter got studies.” She patted his cheek and he headed back to the gift shop. Maria disappeared back into the kitchen.
    “You’re daughter, Sophia, tell me already.”  He chuckled as he walked back to the store.
    Tate laughed as she emptied two packets of sugar in the glass of tea. She looked to the flat-screen television across the room but only caught bits and pieces of the news reports when several emergency vehicles raced past the station heading in the direction of the military base a couple miles away.
    She glanced back at the flat screen and tried to put the collage of images in some context with what the talking head was saying. The reporter talked about a terrorist attack by two drones over a parade ground full of military personnel at the base. There were injured and dying soldiers all over the parade ground. First responders were flocking to the site. It was a confusing collection of reports and images for a sleep deprived mind.
    Tate struggled to stay focused on the newscast until Maria brought a plate of enchiladas, beans and rice, then she turned her full attention to the meal. Even with the jalapeno burning her lips she was having a hard time staying awake long enough to eat. Finishing her meal quickly, she barely tasted the spices and tender beef. She laid cash on the table and waved at Maria as she picked up her bag and walked out of the eatery.
    After a quick stop at the toilet, Tate stumbled across the parking lot to her truck. She climbed into the driver seat, locked the doors and dropped her shower bag on the floor in front of the passenger seat.
    Pulling her legs up into the seat, she turned and climbed into the sleeper. She settled in the middle of the mattress and opened a green duffle bag. She pulled out a Mossberg, checked the load then laid it to the back of the mattress. With the shotgun stowed, she pulled a Ruger from the bag. She checked the load then slid the weapon into the back pocket of the driver’s seat.
    She stowed the bag, turned on the air conditioning then stretched out on the mattress. Tate sighed when the unit began rattling softly. The air conditioner needed servicing but at that particular moment, she was thankful it muted the noise of blaring traffic and screams of sirens.