Page 92 of Vetted for Vengeance
That wasn’t panic. That was intent.
I looked into his eyes as he stood above me, and I finally saw it. The fear.
The fear I wanted to see in his eyes was there.
He wasn’t afraid of me.
He was afraid for me.
Afraid of losing me.
As the brick connected, I knew Noah was the only man I could ever want.
A man in a suit climbs into the ambulance with us, and the tiny space gets even smaller. “Afternoon, I'm Detective Anderson. I've been investigating the puppy farm case from the start.”
“Thank you for responding so promptly,” I reply on Noah’s behalf.
“Mr. Humphries, would you mind telling me what happened now? We worry that the memory will fade after an ordeal like this. Best to get it over with, hey?”
“I'll do my best,” Noah whispers.
“We can assume he entered the building and crept up from behind. Put the lead around your neck.”
Noah nods, grateful to be spared those words. “He said I had taken the dogs, so I had to take the debt too. I don't know anything about a debt.”
I do.
I know exactly what kind of debt, and exactly who it belongs to.
What I don’t know is why a man like that would come so soon. Men like Whittle don’t collect, they send thugs. They send messages.
He wasn't worried because his payments had stopped, he was worried because his dogs were on national television.
This wasn’t a collection.
This was a warning.
For now, my place is beside Noah, praising his bravery and playing ignorant to the rest.
I have to let the police figure that out on their own. My only role here is holding the hand of one very brave young man.
“Do you think Frank and Derek might have left to get away from this man?” Anderson questions.
“He said he'd threatened my parents. But I don't think Frank and Derek are the kind of men to get scared off… Maybe. I was pretty scared.” Noah gives a shrug. His eyes turn to me, seeking my approval for his words.
“Is there anything else you'd like to add to your statement at this time?” Anderson insists, regaining Noah’s wandering attention.
“I don't remember picking up the brick. I didn't mean to hurt him.” Noah turns to look at me again, wincing at the moment. “I could have easily hurt you. And you need those perfect teeth for the TV.“
“I think we have enough for now.” Anderson nods and steps out of the ambulance. The ambulance doors stay open for a moment after the detective steps away. I glance past him, across the car park.
My busy car park filled with police cars and ambulances.
But something else catches my eye.
A man leaning against a car further back. Just watching. Is it Whittle, maybe? Although why would he come here himself when he sent his thug?
I prize my hand free, and I’m out of the ambulance before I’ve decided to move. But as I look back, the man has gone.
