Extreme Measures (A Brady Hawk Novel Book 20)

says.”
“All right, I’ll see what he says.”
Penny took the supplies from Olivia. “Where’s home again?”
“My dad works in Washington.”
“And your mom?”
“She died several years ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
Olivia shrugged off the comment. “It’s fine. I’m a well-adjusted young adult, even if my dad has grave concerns about such self-proclamations.”
Penny smiled. “Rob’s still here. Just go ask him for some time off next week. Tell him you need to recharge your batteries. And then tell him that you’d like more time in the boat. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
Olivia nodded before trudging into the office and finding her boss sitting at his desk, poring over the reservation book.
“Did you get it all cleaned up?” he asked, refusing to look up from his work.
She leaned over his desk. “I spilled a can of oil on the deck and just figured I’d leave it for the morning.”
“Good work,” he said, unfazed by her comment.
“Earth to Rob. Are you even listening to me?”
“Oh, yes, I’m sorry,” he said, looking up at Olivia. “I’m here. What were you saying?”
“Never mind.”
She turned to leave but felt a tug on her wrist, pulling her back toward him. “Don’t be like my ex-wife and tell me everything’s fine when it isn’t. Now, what’s wrong?”
“I—I didn’t come out here to clean boats,” she said. “I wanted to sail.”
"Of course," Rob said, putting his pencil down before leaning back in his chair. "We're all here because we love the smell of fresh saltwater out on the open seas. We also like the sound the sail makes when the wind pops it open and hurtles us forward, skimming across the top of white caps. Or the way the sun warms our skin while a fresh breeze cools it."
“But I’m stuck in this chair all day.”
“I get it,” Rob said. “You’re feeling like there was a little bit of a bait and switch regarding what role you were getting here.”
She nodded.
“Okay, I understand. You need some time off. After this week, take the Fourth off. We’ll survive without you, and when you come back, I’ll get you out on more day trips. How’s that sound?”
Olivia’s mouth fell agape as she struggled to respond. “Uh, that’s great. I—I really, really appreciate it.”
“My door’s always open,” Rob said. “I know I’m a hard ass sometimes, but I can be reasonable. That’s why most of the people working here keep coming back summer after summer. Someone probably told you to talk to me, didn’t they?”
“Penny did.”
“Of course she did. We’ve had some differences in the past but always talked them out. So, are you good?”
“I guess so.”
“Great. Now go get some rest. I want you here at five o’clock for the first voyage at dawn.”
Olivia thanked her boss again before grabbing her things and heading toward the parking lot.
“Well, what happened?” Penny asked as Olivia approached her.
“He gave me next week off and told me that he’d try to get me on more trips.”
“Score,” Penny said as she high-fived Olivia. “And you didn’t even have to tell him that you were the President’s daughter to get him to do that.”
Olivia drew back. “Wait. How did you—”
“I didn’t, but you just confirmed my hunch,” Penny said with a wide grin. “Actually, those guys in that black SUV over there helped me put two and two together.”
“You better not tell a soul,” Olivia said, shaking her index finger at Penny.
“Your secret is safe with me . . . as long as you take me home with you next week.”
Olivia waved dismissively at Penny. “Not even a chance, girl. But I will answer any questions you have. Just swear to me that you won’t tell anyone.”
“I swear,” Penny said.
"All right," Olivia said. "Now, what do you want to know?"
The two girls headed toward Penny’s convertible. Olivia gave the discreet sign to her Secret Service detail that she was fine before getting into the car.

CHAPTER 13
Junction, Texas
WHEN HAWK AND ALEX landed at the Kimble County airstrip, the local sheriff was there to greet them. Sheriff Nick Danger worked over a piece of straw in his mouth as he leaned against the hood of his car. He eyed Hawk and Alex closely as they walked toward him.
“This ought to be fun,” Hawk muttered.
Alex chuckled. “This is your people here in Texas. You ought to get along famously.”
“I can tell you right now that this guy is gonna be a pain in the ass.”
Sheriff Danger tipped his cap as he looked at Alex. “Ma’am,” he said before turning to Hawk. “Sir.”
Hawk offered his hand and introduced himself before Alex followed suit.
“We spoke earlier on the phone,” Hawk said.
“Yeah, J.D. gave me a holler,” Danger said. “Said you’d be needin’ our help.”
“Help is putting it mildly,” Alex said. “We need your firepower, Sheriff.”
Danger threw his head back and laughed. “Well, young lady, if there’s one thing we know in Texas, it’s firepower. Most kids in these parts are shootin’ before they’re readin’ and writin’.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good thing,” Alex said.
Danger waved at her dismissively. “You city folks crack me up.”
“Look, we’ve only got a couple hours to set everything up,” Hawk said.
“I know, I know,” Danger said as he put his hands on his hips and stood upright. “J.D. filled me in on everything. I understand this is a big deal. We do this stuff all the time out here. We catch trucks runnin’ people through these parts, so if there’s one thing we know how to do, it’s a checkpoint.”
“These aren’t your average traffickers just trying to sneak people across the border,” Hawk said.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. These are some bad dudes, maybe even terrorists tryin’ to threaten the safety of our great nation. We’ll take care of ‘em. I can promise you that.”
“We also have some Texas Highway Patrolmen who’ve agreed to help us as well,” Alex said.
“Oh, hell. You didn’t contact Ben Chapman, did you?”
Alex nodded. “The officer in charge of this region?”
“The one and only.”
“That’s who I spoke