Page 28 of The Tycoon

Detective Logan extended his right hand first to Cole.“I’m pleased to meet you, Mr.Kincaid, though I wish it had been under better circumstances.”

Cole took his hand and shook it.“Yes, this is definitely not the way to meet someone.”He looked at Regan.“Forgive me, this is Ms.Phillips, my bodyguard.”

Logan held out his hand out to her.

She took it with hers.“Detective.”

Detective Logan moved out of the way as two officers grabbed the restrained man’s arms and hauled him to his feet.One of them held the rope Regan had used to tie his ankles.“We’ve identified the man.His name is Nathan Hamlin.He’s a member of Save Our Shores.Does that name mean anything to you?”

Cole shook his head.“No.I’ve never heard of them before.”

“They are into ecoterrorism.This is a first, though.They’ve never been into murder.Property crimes, mostly.They like to take over people’s homes and businesses to force them into compliance.”

“I guess there is a first for everything,” said Cole pragmatically.

The detective nodded.“It’s too bad though, they could do some good work if they weren’t so militant.”

Regan placed her hands in the back pockets of her jeans.“Don’t expect me to feel sorry for him.I don’t.He had a gun and I defused the situation.”

Detective Logan smiled.“It sounds like you did a great job, too.No one was killed, and that’s a win in my book, Ms.Phillips.”

Not used to praise for doing her job, she felt heat rise in her cheeks.“You can call me Regan.”

“Regan, thank you.We have the gun and the perpetrator.I’d appreciate it if both you and Mr.Kincaid could come to the station tomorrow and give your statements.”

Regan looked at Cole for guidance.She wasn’t sure what his plan would be.

“I think that can be arranged.We’ll be by before noon.”Cole spoke up.“We’re flying to one of my oil platforms in the Gulf tomorrow.But good cell service exists there, so getting in touch with us shouldn’t be a problem.Can we go now?”

The detective pulled a couple of business cards from his pocket.“Here’s my card.The address is on it.”He turned toward Regan.“Hopefully, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, I’m sure you will.”She accepted the card and put it in her front pants pocket without looking at it.

Sean walked up and joined them.He had a Band-aid on his left temple.

Cole placed his hand on her back.“Thank you, Detective.We have a dinner engagement to attend.”

Detective Logan nodded.“Of course.Until tomorrow.”

Cole didn’t respond.He stood back while the police pushed Nathan into the elevator and then the four cops entered the car, too.

She walked over to Sean.“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.A minor cut where they hit me with the butt of the pistol.”

“Good.I’m really glad you weren’t hurt worse.”Growling, her stomach told her it was empty, and she was ready for a steak dinner with all the fixin’s.She covered the noise with her hands.“Excuse me.I’m just really hungry.”

Cole joined them.“I guess you are.”He laughed, obviously having heard her stomach growl.

Sean chuckled.“I guess so.”

When the elevator returned, Regan, Cole, and Sean entered.

She pushed the button for the garage level.

Once they were in the car, Cole turned toward her.“You did a great job.I want you to know that.”

Regan knew she blushed and her stomach felt like little moths were flying around.She wasn’t sure why Cole’s praise affected her so.“Thank you, but as I said, I was only doing my job.Though, even if I hadn’t been your bodyguard, I would have done the same thing.”Then she smiled.“Don’t think I don’t want to be paid, though.I definitely do.”