Page 87 of Cold Silence
“Claire,” the man called out as he lowered the weapon.
His voice wrapped around her like a blanket. “Travis. Is that you?”
“It’s me.”
“You found me.” She started sobbing. “You really found me.”
“Shh, honey. You don’t want to attract any more of those shoes in the making, do you?” He laughed, and it rumbled through the mist helping her gain control of her tears. “I’ll keep an eye out for another one while you hightail it over here.”
“Be careful,” she warned as she slipped toward shore. “Eric’s after me, and he has a gun.”
“Not anymore.”
She heard the certainty in his voice. He’d subdued her foe. Both man and beast.
She couldn’t believe this wonderful, amazing man was in her life. The man who readily gave of himself so others might be safe. Gave of himself soshemight be safe. The man she loved and wanted to spend the rest of her life with, if he’d have her.
And she planned to tell him that as soon as she escaped the swamp without becoming a gator snack.
Claire’s plan to declare her love had been a good one. Too bad she couldn’t pull it off. Not with police sirens cutting into the night and a very demanding police officer stepping between her and Travis.
In the glow from the headlights of the officer’s car, Travis gave the short, stocky officer a rundown of the events and offered the location where he’d bound Eric to a tree.
The officer clamped a hand on his sidearm. “We’ll take him into custody right away.”
“Promise me you’ll secure the stolen prototype and specs too,” Claire said. “I don’t want to risk Eric getting free and taking it from the house.”
The officer nodded and glanced between them. “We need statements from you both and will separate you until we can get them.”
“No.” Travis fired a sharp look at the officer that would make Claire run for the hills.
The officer didn’t even flinch but widened his stance. “It’s protocol.”
“I don’t care about protocol.” Travis raised his voice and folded his arms across his broad chest. “I’m not leaving this woman’s side ever again.”
Detective Purcell, his arm in a sling, joined them. His gaze shot between Travis and the officer, then settled on Travis. “We can let protocol slide this time if you and Dr. Reed agree not to discuss the incident before we take your statements.”
“You have my word,” Travis responded quickly.
“Then after the medic clears Dr. Reed for travel, I’ll give you both a lift to the station, and we’ll get those official statements.” Purcell focused on the cop. “Let’s give them some time alone.”
“Wait, your arm,” Claire said. “You’re really okay to be here?”
Purcell lifted his arm. “Just a scratch.”
She studied his face, pain written in his expression. “But you were unconscious.”
“Hit my head when I went down. Was only out for a few minutes, and I’m good to go now.” He jerked his head, signaling for the officer to join him.
The officer’s expression tightened, but he followed Purcell as they headed for the tree where Travis said they would find Eric.
Claire let out a long breath, the tension of the night flowing with it. “He’s lying of course. He’s not fine. Exactly what you would do to complete a mission.”
“Yeah, but if he really wasn’t good to be up and about, he would’ve been kept at the ER.”
She scooted closer to Travis. Even in the haziness, she tried to telegraph her feelings for him in a single look. “I hoped you would come.”
“Did you now?”
