Page 707 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

She slapped his hand away. “They’re after Stella! I have to warn her!” She took a step forward.

The officer held out his hand to stop her. “Hold it.”

Sean was at her side in an instant. He rose to his full height and glared at the young officer. “I know you mean well, but it would be in your best interest to let the lady be.”

“And just who do you think you are?” He eyed Sean’s disheveled appearance. Drops of water were trickling down his face. His torn shirt was clinging to his chest, and a swollen purple bruise was forming around his left eye. A cut followed the line of his cheekbone.

“I’m Special Agent Sean Corbin, FBI.”

“You’rewho?”

“I don’t have my badge on me, but I’ll be happy to supply the number so you can verify it. Also, I’ll give you the number of my office.”

The officer went to jot down the information but fumbled with his pen and dropped it. Sean had to lean down and retrieve it for him. The police chief stepped into the conversation.

Sean extended his hand. “Sean Corbin, FBI.”

After shaking Sean’s hand, the chief shook his head. “Well, I’ll be.”

He patted the young officer on the shoulder. “Son, I’ll take it from here. Why don’t you go and take some statements from the onlookers? I reckon you’ll find one of them who saw most of it.” He looked at Sean. “Let’s you and me walk over yonder to my car, and you can tell me how it is that you happen to be here in these parts.”

Now that her adrenaline was wearing off, Sydney realized that she was freezing. She turned to Sean. “I have to get to Stella,” she said through chattering teeth.

“Chief, the men who attempted to murder the both of us threatened to harm her grandmother. If it’s all the same to you, maybe we could continue our conversation on the way to Stella McClain’s house.”

The chief’s eyes widened as he looked at Sydney, who at the moment looked like a drowned rat that was trying to shake itself dry. “I’ve known Stella McClain for years. I was good friends with her son … um, I mean her late son. She’s your grandmother?”

Sydney clenched her fists. “Yes, she’s my grandmother! Could we please go? Every minute we stand here talking puts her at a greater risk!”

“Certainly, ma’am.”

“And please, blast the heat. We’re freezing to death!” Sean said, hugging his arms.

42

“… A TIME TO HEAL …” —ECCLESIASTES 3:3

Stella had just popped a frozen pizza in the oven and was fixing a glass of ice water when she heard the knock at the front door. She placed the glass on the counter and went to the door. Her eyes widened when she saw not only Sydney but Chief Butch Miller and another man standing beside her. It only took her half a second to figure out it was Sean. She’d heard Sydney talk about him often enough.

Sydney cried out and rushed into Stella’s arms. “Stella! You’re okay! I was so worried!”

Stella’s eyes darted back and forth between Chief Miller and Sean. She held Sydney at arm’s length and looked her over. “You’re soaked. What happened to you?”

“Has anyone been here this evening?” Chief Miller asked.

“No, I’ve been all alone. Why?”

Sean pointed to the phone resting on the coffee table. “Is your phone working?”

Stella’s eyes grew round. “I believe so.”

Sean walked over and checked it. “It’s fine.”

Chief Miller looked at Sean. “I can call my deputy up here to watch the house.”

Sean shook his head. “No, that won’t be necessary. I’ll stay here with the two of them. I just need you to take care of the other matters we discussed.”

Stella’s forehead wrinkled and her brows knitted together. “What’s going on here?” Her eyes went to Sydney’s and then Sean’s. “What happened to y’all? How did you cut your foot?”

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