Page 37 of The Maverick

He gave Greg’s body a wide berth and kept her head buried against him, as he steered Rachel out of the house. He didn’t want her to have to see Greg’s body.

A detective in plain clothes approached.

Nick knew him through their children. Bailey and his son were both involved in 4-H. “Hello, Bruce. I bet this is the last place you expected to see me.”

Detective Vine was dressed in a suit with the jacket open. He’d straightened his tie on the way over to see them. His brown hair was thinning on top, but he didn’t have a bald spot yet and he had startling green eyes. “I have to admit it is. First, I need your gun. Then can you tell me what happened? Just nutshell it.”

Nick handed the detective his weapon. “Dr. Foster-Bennett’s ex-husband kidnapped her this morning and brought her here to kill her. I found her, and when I entered the room, I was shot at by Bennett. I returned fire and killed him.”

Detective Vine had pulled a notebook from inside his jacket and was writing furiously. “Why didn’t we get a call about the kidnapping?”

“Because twenty-four hours hadn’t passed yet, and I knew I had to find her, quickly. Greg Bennet was obsessed with Rachel and determined if he couldn’t have her no one could. He’s been stalking her while she and her son stayed at the Circle K. She walked Bailey and her son, Jake, to the bus stop this morning and was taken there. Unfortunately, Jake probably saw it and is traumatized. We need to get home and make sure the kids are all right. Can you send someone to the ranch for a more detailed statement?”

“Unfortunately, and I apologize for this, but both you and Rachel need to come with me to the station. You’ll need to be tested for gunshot residue. And we’ll take your statements separately.”

Bruce put out his right hand. “If you have any video of this man at the ranch, that would be good for the records.”

“I’m sure we do. I’ve had my officers keeping track of him since he attacked Rachel here in her house a couple of weeks ago.”

“Yeah, I saw the file of the break-in on my way here.” He turned his attention to Rachel. “Dr. Foster-Bennett, I’d say you are lucky to be alive.”

“Call me Rachel, please. And I know if not for Nick, I’d be dead. He saved my life.” In a quiet voice she added, “In more ways than one.”

Nick hugged her closer. She was cold. He thought her shaking was only partly from fear. “Bruce, I’d like to get the statements over with as soon as possible then I’d want to take Rachel home and get her in a hot bath. We’ll meet you there if that is permissible.”

“We need to take you in police units. You’ll be separated until the statements have been completed. I’m not sure we’ll need anything else but I’ll check your statements. If there are any questions, we can discuss them at that time.”

“Very well. Can we go now?”

“Yes, there are cars outside. Those officers will take you to the station,” said Bruce.

“I need to talk to Reggie before we go. Is that okay?”

Bruce nodded. “Make it quick.”

“Of course.” Nick walked over to Reggie, who waited by the SUV. “I don’t know how long we’ll be at the police station.”

“I’ll follow you to the station and be there when you get done.”

Nick clasped Reggie’s right upper arm. “Thank you…for everything.” He watched the man’s cheeks color.

“You’re welcome.”

Nick went back to Rachel and they hugged before separating into waiting police vehicles.

They were driven to the police station and placed in separate interrogation rooms with pad and pen to get their statements.

* * *

Once each ofthem were finished with their statements, Bruce looked them over, beginning with Rachel.

“This agrees with what you told me at the house.” He signed the bottom as a witness. “Let’s go out and you can wait until I finish with Nick. It shouldn’t be very much longer.”

“Thank you.”

A few minutes later, Nick emerged. He walked straight to Rachel.

“Are you all right?”