Page 89 of Justice for Samara

“Sir, you?”

Carter didn’t give him a chance to finish, just threw up a hand and walked out. They had some nerve! They were acting like their daughter was twelve. His first call was to Amos, and then he called Bud. After they’d finished talking, he called the Post1 commander and told him what was happening. That was the best he could do.

Four hours later, jingling from the alarm on the door got Carter up on his feet and out into the hallway, and he smiled when he saw the tall shadow thrown by the light from the glass door. “Hey! What are you doing here? I figured you’d go to the hospital.”

“I came to get you. I was going to go by myself, and then I decided I’d take you with me. You have every right to be there. Can you leave the office?” Amos asked as he shook Carter’s hand.

“I can get somebody in here in just a few minutes, if that’s okay.”

Amos nodded. “Sure. I could use a cup of coffee anyway.”

As soon as Carlin was settled behind the front counter, Carter climbed into Amos’ car and away they went. It took them an hour to get to the hospital in Paducah, and they strode into the front lobby. They’d only taken a few steps when another man greeted them. “Carter, how are you?”

“I’m doing great. You?”

“Very well, thanks.”

“Brian, this is AgentAmos Fletcher of the KDCI. He’s been involved in this investigation since the first minute, and he wants to speak to her too. Amos, McCracken County SheriffBrian Wertz.

“Good to meet you, sheriff,” Amos said, extending a hand.

“And you as well.” Brian folded his arms across his chest. “So I’ve been up to talk to her parents, and they’re being really hard-assed about this whole thing. Don’t want us talking to her, don’t want her talking to us. And they’re very adamant that they don’t want her talking to the chief deputy.”

“Yeah, I got that. But we need to talk to her,” Carter reiterated.

“You’re going to. I told them they can’t impede an ongoing investigation, and I think they understand. They think they’re protecting her, but they’re really hurting her in the long run. What do they have against the chief deputy?”

Carter sighed. “They’ve been dating.”

“Ah. That makes sense. I assume he’s white?” Carter nodded. “Yeah. That’s what I thought.”

Five minutes later, they stepped off the elevator on the third floor and made their way down the hallway. Brian stopped them at the doorway. “I’ll go in first, and then I’ll bring you guys in.”

Amos gave him a nod. “Got it.”

It was less than a minute later when Brian opened the door and stepped out with Samara’s parents. “Mr. and Mrs.Futrell, I know you’ve met SheriffMelton. This is Agent AmosFletcher of the Kentucky Department of Criminal Investigation.”

To Carter’s delight, Amos didn’t reach to shake hands with either of them. “We’re sorry to have to do this, but it can’t wait. We need to talk to Samara about what happened and get her statement.”

“Can’t you do it without him?” Bruce asked Amos while pointing at Carter.

“No, sir. This is his investigation too. One of his officers was wounded, and another’s been suspended pending closure of the investigation. Standard procedure. As far as we can tell, Chief DeputyEdwards did nothing wrong.”

“Except let our daughter throw herself into danger,” Debra mumbled.

Carter had just about enough. “Ma’am, that’s not fair. He?”

“We’re not here to lay blame,” Amos said as he interrupted. “We’re here to find out in Samara’s words what happened.” Bruce started to say something when Amos added, “Any attempt to stop this process will be considered obstruction of justice, and that’s a felony charge in this state.”

“Fine,” Bruce fairly spat. “Go on in.”

Amos opened the door and let Carter step in, then closed it behind him, leaving Brian in the hallway. Carter knew what was happening. Brian would keep the Futrells from interrupting their interview, and he was grateful for his friend’s presence.

When Amos swept his hand toward the bed, Carter stepped up to it and rested his hands on the rail. “Samara? Samara, it’s Carter. Honey, can you hear me?”

Her eyes opened and she seemed to have trouble focusing before she finally locked eyes with Carter. “Sheriff. Hi. How are you?”

“I’m more concerned with how you are, hon. You feel okay?”

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