A big redheaded cop used his foot to move the pistol a little farther down the sidewalk. “You’re Garrett?”
“That’s right. The girl’s Tammy Bennett.”
The officer patted him down in search of other weapons, which for once he didn’t have.
“He saved me,” Tammy said, tears running down her cheeks. “Please... I’m sorry I ran away. I just want to go home.”
A female officer hurried over. “It’s okay, honey. We’ve already called your parents. Everything’s going to be okay.” The woman took Tammy’s arm and led her away. The two of them talked for a moment, then the officer opened the back door of a patrol car and settled the girl inside.
Chase followed them, leaned down and handed Tammy a business card. “Next time you think about running away, you call me, okay?”
She studied the card and looked up at him. “Thank you.” She wiped tears from her cheeks. “I’ll never forget what you did.”
The red-haired cop returned. O’Kelley his name tag read. “We’re going to need a statement.”
“No problem.”
O’Kelley’s gaze moved off toward the bar. “The guy in there? That’s Ray Martinez. He’s one tough hombre. You made a bad enemy with that one.”
“With any luck he’s on his way to jail for a good long while. But thanks for the warning.”
It didn’t take long for Chase to give his version of events, and he was finally able to head on home. It was a long day, but a good one. He just hoped Tammy and her parents could find their way back to each other.
Chapter Three
She hadn’t thought she would be this nervous. But as an ominous fall wind whipped her pale hair and dark clouds threatened rain, Harper’s mouth felt dry and her palms were sweating. Crossing the sidewalk, she paused to take a deep breath, then pushed through the glass front door into the single-story brick building that housed the offices of Maximum Security.
For her meeting with Chase, she had dressed with care in a navy blue cotton pencil skirt, a crisp print blouse, tucked in and belted, and high-heeled navy pumps. Simple, classic pieces, moderately priced, from the latest Elemental Chic collection.
“May I help you?” A perky little receptionist, pretty and dark haired, with big blue eyes behind round tortoiseshell glasses, sat at the front desk.
“I’m Harper Winston. We spoke on the phone yesterday. You made an appointment for me with Chase Garrett.”
“Yes, I remember. Chase saw it when he checked his calendar this morning. I’ll let him know you’re here.” She buzzed him and announced Harper’s arrival. Harper had no idea what sort of greeting she would receive.
The petite brunette smiled. “You can go on back. His office is just through that door.”
Harper crossed the room, paused for a moment to steady herself and pulled open the door. She walked into an airy corner office furnished with a big oak desk, a brown leather sofa and photos on the walls of the Hill Country ranch Chase owned with his brothers, Reese and Brandon.
Seated behind the desk, Chase rose, walked around and took the hand she extended in greeting. “Hello, Harper. It’s been a while.”
“Hello, Chase.” She managed to come up with a smile. “Actually, I saw you last night at the gala.”
His mouth curved. He’d always had the sexiest smile. She wished she hadn’t remembered.
“Now that you mention it, I saw you there, too.”
She withdrew her hand, ignoring the little tingle that raced up her arm. “You must have left early. I saw the article about your daring rescue in the newspaper this morning. You found that missing girl, Tammy Bennett.”
He shrugged as if it meant nothing. “I followed a lead. I got lucky.”
“You did a good thing.”
“At least she’s back home. It’s going to take some time for her to heal after what happened. I hope it works out for her.” He walked back behind his desk. “Why don’t you sit down and tell me why you’re here?”
She took a seat on the opposite side of the desk in one of two dark brown leather chairs, and Chase sat back down.
“Can I have Mindy get you something? Coffee? Soft drink?”
