Page 10 of Relentless

CHAPTER FOUR

“What aren’t you telling me, Ms. Reece?” Kevin Ralston asked. Anger simmered in the Cherry Hill detective’s eyes. “I’ll charge you with obstruction of justice if I find out you withheld pertinent case information.”

“I can’t tell you what I don’t know.” Piper’s patience ran thin. Her face hurt, Liam was still being detained, and Piper wanted out of this hospital.

“But you suspect something else. I need every bit of information I can get.”

“Why?” She refused to apologize for her cross tone. “The kidnappers are dead. I’m safe.” Except Liam wasn’t convinced that was true. Remembering his concern made goosebumps surge up her spine.

The man wasn’t one to overreact to anything. After hearing his comment to the county cop, Piper understood why nothing rattled Liam. Snipers had legendary icy control in order to do their jobs under extreme conditions.

Although excellent at his job, Liam’s feelings ran deep beneath the surface. But Piper had caught a tantalizing glimpse of them on the roadside tonight. For an instant, his control slipped as he held her in his arms. One revealing statement. I’ve got you. A possessive tone, the relief, the almost desperate hold all added up to a man more emotionally invested in their relationship than he’d let on. The little sneak. She wished he’d let on that he felt more than mere friendship. Would have saved her several sleepless nights.

“I have loose ends to tie up,” Ralston insisted. “I need to be sure your boyfriend wasn’t behind the kidnapping attempt.”

Piper froze. Did the detective know about Gavin? No way. She hadn’t seen Gavin in years. Why had he called her? That question plagued her during the abduction, rescue, and subsequent medical care. She and Gavin hadn’t parted on amicable terms. Why turn to her now?

Matt stirred. He’d remained quiet during the police questioning. “You’re accusing Liam of setting up Piper’s kidnapping?”

Piper stared at the small-town cop.

“He has the skills to pull it off.” Ralston glared at Matt.

“Why would he do that? He and Piper have been dating for months.”

A shrug. “Impress the girl.”

Piper rolled her eyes. “He already impresses me by being who he is. He doesn’t need to set up a fake abduction and ride to the rescue. Liam has been out of town. How would he have arranged a kidnapping when he didn’t know the day or time of his return to the area?”

“Men have egos. Maybe he felt the need to prove himself.”

“No.” Matt’s eyes were filled with anger. “He didn’t need to do that. Piper knows what he does for a living. Those men used weapons. One of them hit Piper. Liam would never endanger someone he cares about. We have lethal skills, Ralston. We’re trained by the best military and black ops people in the business. We’re not teenagers out to impress a gullible woman. We don’t play games with people’s lives.”

“How well do you know McCoy, Rainer?”

“I’ve spent five years in the trenches with him. You get to know the people at your back in a firefight. I trust him with my life and have on more than one occasion.”

“A lot of loyalty is built in foxholes,” Ralston said. “That doesn’t mean he’s the man you think he is in a more personal arena.” He turned his attention back to Piper. “How well do you know McCoy?”

“Liam isn’t behind the kidnapping. I trust him.”

“He used lethal force on the highway, shooting a man pressed against your back. The man you trusted with your life could have had faulty aim and shot you instead of the alleged kidnapper.”

Matt shook his head. “Liam doesn’t miss his shots. He wouldn’t have pulled the trigger unless he knew he could make it.”

Fury flared inside Piper. “He did what was necessary to save my life.”

A snort. “You don’t know that. McCoy is a killer for hire, Ms. Reece. I hope you wise up before you end up dead.” Ralston reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. He pressed it into her hand. “Call me if you think of anything else or if you need help.” His intense stare left Piper in no doubt as to what kind of help he expected her to need.

The detective paused with his hand on the door knob and glanced over his shoulder. “Don’t wait too late, Ms. Reece. I’d hate to investigate your murder.” With those parting words, he left.

Piper sank further into the pillow, suddenly exhausted. Man, all she wanted to do was sleep. If Liam was in this hospital room, she would probably take a nap.

A moment later, Simon peered inside. “Nick Santana is here.”

Matt turned to Piper. “You ready for another round of interrogations?”

“Interviews,” came the correction in a familiar voice accented by the detective’s Hispanic heritage. “I leave interrogations for the criminals.” The dark-haired detective eased into the room behind Simon and walked to the bedside. “How are you feeling, Piper?”

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