Page 30 of Obsession

She opened the door before Nate had a chance to respond. Relief showed in her eyes when she saw the sheriff.

“Come on in.”

“How’s your hand?” Nate asked.

“Hurting.”

“I’m sorry.” Nate turned to the Natchez police officer and held out his hand.

“You planning on taking over the case?” the detective asked as he shook hands with the sheriff.

“No, sir. I’m only trying to figure out how it connects to a case at Mount Locust. Are you in charge here?”

While Emma was focused on the two men as they talked, Sam checked her out. She’d regained her color, and trouper that she was, she showed no sign of the fear she must have felt when the bullet plowed into the doorframe. She turned, and he looked away, but not before she caught him watching her.

“I’m going to make an ice pack for my hand,” she said, color rising in her face.

Sam nodded and turned his attention back to the detective. He extended his hand. “Sam Ryker,” he said. “Friend of Emma’s and the Southern District law enforcement ranger on the Trace.”

The two men shook hands. “Jonathan Rogers, sergeant with Natchez PD. No reason we can’t work together on this, right?”

“None whatsoever,” Nate replied. “In fact, I want to discuss putting two ALPR cameras out front.”

“You have license plate readers? I’ve been trying to get the chief to purchase one for the past six months.”

“I’ll get them to your chief tomorrow.” The two men discussed the best place to locate the cameras, and when they finished, Rogers slipped his notepad in his jacket. “I’m done here and need to check on my men. Keep me informed.”

As the detective closed the door behind him, a text alerted on Sam’s phone, and he glanced at it. His sister, Jenny.

Where are you?

In town. Whatcha need?

Jace wants a milkshake.

I’m tied up right now. How is Jace?

He purposely didn’t mention Emma’s name since Jenny had been less than sympathetic when he told her about the attack last night. Talk about holding grudges. Jenny was still upset at the way Emma had dumped him.

Better. Call me when you can.

Sam texted her a thumbs-up. Jace needed a positive male role model, and helping out with his nephew had been one reason for accepting the district ranger position after Jenny’s deadbeat husband took off. He looked up from his phone when Nate nudged him. “I’m sorry. Text from my sister. What were you saying?”

“Just making sure you’re driving Emma back and forth to Mount Locust.”

“And anywhere else she needs to go,” Sam added. “She’s a ranger, and one of the shootings happened on NPS property. Emma will be my top priority until this person is caught.”

“Good. I asked Chief Nelson to station an officer at the apartment,” Nate said, “but he doesn’t have the manpower. He did agree to have his night-shift officers drive by more often.”

Pete Nelson had been the third law enforcement official Sam had sought out after his arrival, and from what he’d seen of the man, he seemed to be the sort who would do what he said. “I think Emma will be safe here in the apartment, and I’ll check out the area before I pick her up.”

“Sounds good,” Nate said. He turned to Emma as she approached with a bag of ice on her wrist. “See you tomorrow.”

“You okay?” Sam asked after the sheriff left.

Her eyes narrowed. “What I am is mad. Why would anyone target me?”

“You might not be the target,” he said. “But if you are, I’m beginning to believe your attacker is a terrible shot.”

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