Page 11 of Sheltered by the Lawman

“Yes. Is there anything you can remember at all from the incident? Anything would help,” he asked.

She focused, trying her best to think of anything from the apartment, getting hit on the head, but all she drew was a blank. “I don’t remember anything. Not the apartment. Not the intruder. Nothing.” She’d gone from being scared out of her mind to bewildered, then back to being scared out of her mind. Who was an enemy and who was her friend?

He shifted and tucked his thumbs into his front pockets. “There were several things I noticed. The window was left open that led out onto the fire escape and the curtain was ripped as if someone caught their foot on the material as they were climbing out. I’m guessing the intruder climbed out and that’s why I didn’t see him.”

“Were you watching for him?” Monica asked.

“No, what I meant, I didn’t see anyone suspicious while I was racing up the stairs. Unfortunately, the fire was set to erase any prints and whoever did this was successful. The place is a total loss.”

“Was anyone else hurt?” Her heart quickened. Why hadn’t she thought of the other residents?

“Everyone made it out okay.”

“If they tried to kill me once, won’t they try again?”

“That’s a possibility.”

Realizing she was bombarding him with questions, she needed to know the answers. She met his gaze, fighting back her tears. “So, if they know I’m alive, whomever did this will want to finish the job?”

One corner of his mouth dipped. “What you probably don’t remember because you were unconscious, the man who struck you over the head and set your apartment on fire also shot off a round of bullets targeting us.”

“He shot at us? Did you see who it was?”

“No.”

She blew out a long breath. “I’m in danger and have no clue why or who wants me dead.” She pressed the bridge of her nose feeling a headache returning. “Are you here because you were shot at? I don’t know you and you don’t know me. I’d think you’d want to get as far away from me as you can. How can I trust you?” Although she realized her words came off as ungrateful, she really was appreciative that he’d saved her and yet it was only the truth. She didn’t know him. Who could she trust? His jaw tightened under his whiskers. Not saying a word, he reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet, flashing a shiny badge. “You’re a detective?”

“I was, but now I recover fugitives.”’ He shoved the wallet back into his pocket.

“Like a bounty hunter?” Could she be this lucky? A lawman had saved her from a burning building? “Were you in the area when the fire started?”

He sat down on the chair. “I was in the building when I smelled the smoke.” He hesitated as if he didn’t want to finish.

“Go ahead, Cull. Please tell me everything. I need to know,” she urged.

“If I had to guess, and that’s what I’m doing, I’d say the intruder climbed the fire escape and was waiting for you when you entered your apartment. I’m not sure if the gasoline was poured over everything before you entered or after. When I got in there the fire was already too hot to put out.”

“I don’t know…not sure why…but I think I remember the strong smell of gasoline.”

He nodded. “That’s good. Then that would mean the intruder poured it before.”

Seeing the concern in his eyes, she felt the dam slip some. Swallowing, she held back, knowing once the tears started they wouldn’t be stopped. Yet how could she expect to feel no emotion? What he was telling her was that someone tried to kill her and if he hadn’t been in the building, more than likely she would be dead now. And without her memory, she had no clue why this happened. To top it off, she was being discharged and had nowhere to go. With superhuman effort, she lifted her chin and choked down her tears. “Why would someone want to kill me?”

“Good question. One I’m trying to figure out.”

“And I’m no help, am I?”

“It’s not your fault.”

She blinked. “Maybe it is. What if I’m a bad person and can’t remember? I could have done something very horrible and made someone mad enough to want me dead. What would be worse than memory loss is finding out I was a horrible person.” Several expressions flickered over his face before he looked at her with complete pity. “After all, I don’t have any family or friends.”

“You remember that?”

Shaking her head, she sighed. “If I had someone who cared, wouldn’t they be here now? If someone you love or care for is missing, wouldn’t you inquire about them?”

“It’s possible your people don’t know about the fire yet.”

“Thank you for the positivity, but it’s true. I have no one.” Seeing his expression, her chest tightened. “You feel sorry for me, don’t you?” She stood. “I don’t blame you. I’m a mess. This is a crazy situation.”

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