Page 133 of Wine & Whiskey
Wrapping her hand around Nick’s, Shae shakes her head. “No, I think I’m okay.”
Like hell she is. Nick nods to the woman. “She needs to be examined.”
“Okay, let’s see what we’ve got.”
The woman takes Shae’s pulse while the other paramedic talks to Max. Nick squeezes Shae’s hand one last time before he rises to face the approaching officers.
The older one motions to him. “We need you to come with us.”
* * *
Nick staresat the scratched wooden table under his tapping fingers. Unable to talk to Shae since the police separated them at the abandoned airstrip, he thinks only about her to keep from going ballistic at these motherfucking idiots questioning him. She needs him with her, not in a jail cell. Or, probably closer to the real truth, he needs her.
“You’ve had quite an eventful day, Mr. DeMarco. An assault charge filed and rescinded after an incident earlier this morning.” The detective closes the file he’s been reviewing and tosses it on the table before smirking at Nick. “Now, you’re in here tonight with an attempt on your life, three men dead, including your own cousin, and your car and plane destroyed. How would you like to explain all that?”
He omits Nick’s only genuine concern. Wrapped in a blanket, her hand shaking as she held the water bottle given to her by the EMT, Shae never looked more distraught than when she was put in the back of a squad car. If not restrained by handcuffs, he would have killed to talk to her before she was driven away.
The man in front of him lowers his voice, like they’re conspirators to the same plot. “Come on, Nick. You’re not fooling anyone. We know someone shot you. You can press charges. Make him pay for what he’s done.”
Carter doled out his own justice against himself. After what he did to Shae, he probably knew a bullet to the head was the most humane punishment he would receive.
Good cop fades away, and bad cop makes his clichéd appearance. “We know who you are. We’ve been tracking you for a long time.” He pauses and leans down close to Nick’s face, his mint clicking against his teeth as he talks. “I know you’re not stupid enough to think you can keep getting away with it. We’re going to catch up with you. You’re going to get caught.”
Questions he may never receive answers to circle in his mind. The betrayal so unexpected, it still doesn’t seem real. Carter, inexplicable in his motives yet precise in his actions, exploited Nick’s weakness to inflict the most damage.
The detective shrugs before spreading his hands out in front of him. “Might as well make it easy on yourself. Work with us here, and we’ll cut you a deal.”
Yet, in the end, he saved Shae’s life and Nick’s sanity by ensuring the car was empty when the hit took place. What made him change his mind?
“A pop star, huh? Beautiful, rich, famous…she told Detective Stone she’s your fiancée. You’re a very lucky man. Although, it seems like she puts up with a lot, being with you.” The man taps the manila folder lying on the table, smirking as he leans forward, his hands flat on the wooden surface. “Maybe she has some information she wants to share about your business ventures. You know how much women like to talk.”
“Detective Whalen, is it?” Nick meets the officer’s eyes, widening with eagerness, thinking he’s outsmarted him. As if he’d tell this fucker anything. Or let him use his only weakness to break him. “She knows I’m a fucking bastard and loves me anyway. Can you say the same thing about your wife?”
The officer's face burns bright red, and he jerks up, tipping his chair behind him. “You son of a bitch—”
A quick knock sounds outside before the door opens. Luther walks in with the chief of police, a loyal member of Nick’s payroll. “Move out, guys. The interview’s over.”
Nick’s fingers curl around the table edge as he forces himself to remain seated. His attorney better have a god damn good reason for leaving Shae alone.
“What the fuck, Chief?”
“The pilots and Miss Armstrong’s stories confirm it was self-defense. We have no cause to hold him any longer.”
The men look at each other. Detective Whalen shakes his head and pushes past Luther to leave the room, while the other officer picks up the overturned chair before walking out.
Luther nods to the chief. “Thank you for your assistance. Mr. DeMarco will make himself available as necessary for any other questions you may have regarding tonight’s events. However, now I’d like to speak to my client alone.”
The man starts to say something, but closes his mouth before turning and walking out of the room.
As soon as the door closes, Nick jumps to his feet. “Why the fuck aren’t you with Shae?”
Luther puts his hand up. “When they were interrogating her, things got a little heated. I had to jump in at every question to protect her. They were really pressuring her about you, and I guess it got to be too much. She collapsed.”
“Fucking shit!” She said she was fine, that she didn’t need to go to the hospital. He’s such a fucking stupid idiot for believing her. After all he’s put her through, he can’t expect her to be okay. “I’ve got to see her. Where is she?”
“She’s already on her way to the hospital in an ambulance.”
“By herself?” His head pounds at the thought of her scared and deserted, except for strangers. She always takes care of him, and now when she needs comfort, he’s nowhere around. “Fuck! Let’s go.”
