Page 14 of Sam's Salvation
“Perfect. May I have it?”
“No.”
Audra frowned. “Why not? I’m not under arrest. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“You mean besides carrying a concealed handgun?”
“I’m a woman alone at night.”
“Without a permit?”
“How do you know I don’t have one? Until a moment ago, you didn’t know my name.”
“You’re required to carry your license on you when you conceal carry. I’ve seen your belongings. You had a cellphone and a handgun.”
“Again, I need to make a phone call.” She would not admit to the man she didn’t have a permit. She didn’t technically need one, but he didn’t know that.
“How will that help?”
“Just…” Audra closed her eyes and sighed at his persistence. “Just trust me. It will. There’s much more going on than you know. I really can’t tell you more than that. I’m done talking now.”
The detective glanced at the officer, who stood near the door, silently listening.
“Okay. I can’t force you to talk. But you can’t go anywhere until I get some answers. You’re being detained, Ms. Carter.”
“Great. Get me my phone, so I can make that call and get this straightened out. You’ll be able to undetain me, then,” she shot back.
The wheels clacked as he rolled back and stood up. He motioned to the officer. The other man produced her phone from the cargo pocket on his pants and handed it to her. “You should call a lawyer, if that’s not who you’re calling.”
She gave him a flinty look as she snatched the phone. “Thank you.” She stared at them, waiting for them to leave. When they didn’t, she lifted a hand and made a shooing motion. “Goodbye.”
The detective flattened his lips. “We’ll be right outside, Ms. Carter.”
“I’m sure.”
They left, closing the door. Once she was sure she wouldn’t be overheard, she unlocked the device and called Theo. The line rang several times before it rolled to voicemail. She huffed, then left a short message. “Where are you? What the hell happened?” She hung up without asking him to call her back. He knew.
Next, she dialed the number for her division head in London. It was early in England, but she was likely awake.
“Thompson.”
“Dee, it’s Audra.”
A short pause came over the line, then, “Go.”
“Someone tried to take me out with a car. I can’t reach Theo, and the cops are here, asking questions.”
Dee cursed. “Where’s here?”
“Hospital. In Vegas.”
“Tell me everything you remember.”
“It’s not much, I’m afraid. I got knocked unconscious, so things are fuzzy.” She closed her eyes and forced herself to think about the last few hours. “I remember getting home from dinner with Liam. I did some research on the men we ate with. A noise!” She opened her eyes. “I remember hearing a noise. I went to investigate, but Theo called before I could check it out. He said he’d chased someone out of my back garden and that he needed help.” Her brow wrinkled as she tried to remember more.
“And?”
“I’m not sure what happened next. I have a vague memory of running and some bright lights.”