Gil studied Ivy. The earnestness in her expression and her apparent inability to prevaricate told him she was brave and honest, owning her actions and decisions regardless of the consequences. But her knee was bouncing again, which made him wonder if she was doing what she believed was the right thing, even though she was terrified.
“You’d been tortured in your own home by that man. He was holding a weapon. From where I’m sitting, this is a clear case of self-defense. Not to mention that you may have saved the life of a federal agent. We don’t make a habit out of prosecuting people for that kind of stuff.” Morris was still gruff, but he’d lost the antagonism and attitude.
“That’s a relief.” Ivy sagged against her chair.
“Morris.” Gil waited until Morris looked up. “Can we wrap it up? She’s due for pain meds, and we have to swing by the pharmacy to pick them up and then swing by Hedera so she can check on her computer system.”
Morris looked over his notes. “One more thing, Dr. Collins.”
“Yes?”
“You never answered the question about whether there was anything familiar about those men.”
“I didn’t see their faces. Although I wonder if I would recognize them in the future, from the way they talked and moved. Other than that, the tall guy, his voice sounded familiar, but I can’t place him.”
“If you think of anything else, please contact me immediately.” Morris glared at Gil. “Or I guess you could tell Special Agent Dixon. He’ll keep me in the loop.”
Great. More interaction with Morris. “Yes. Absolutely.”
Morris stood. “Dr. Collins, I hope you’re able to rest tonight and you heal quickly from your injuries. I assure you, I’ll make it my mission to get to the bottom of this.” He turned to Gil. “I’m interviewing the assailant in the morning. Wake Med. If you want to listen in, you’re welcome to.”
No way he would miss the chance to get eyes on this guy. “What time?”
“Around ten, if he’s conscious. You got a number where I can reach you?”
Gil gave Morris his number and programmed Morris’s number into his phone.
“Pick up her prescriptions first. I’ll send some units over to Hedera, so you’ll have company when you get there.”
The knot in Gil’s chest loosened a fraction. He didn’t want to worry Ivy, but he hadn’t wanted to take her into her office without some backup. Now he didn’t have to ask for it.
Morris kept going. “Do what you need to do at Hedera. Take her home. Give her some good drugs so she can sleep. Go.”
Morris was like a dog with a bone when he got aggravated about something. Usually, Gil found him annoying and abrasive. But if Morris took all that attitude and applied it to Ivy’s case? Gil wouldn’t complain.
“Thank you, Detective Morris.” Ivy wobbled as she got to her feet, and Gil wrapped a hand around one of her elbows and rested the other on her waist, holding her in front of him.
He didn’t release her but simply shifted her to his side and kept her there until they reached his car and he had to pull his keysfrom his pocket. He helped her into her seat, and a minute later they were both buckled up and headed to the twenty-four-hour pharmacy.
Ivy had her eyes closed, head on the headrest. Her left hand cradled her right. “Gil?”
“Right here, Buttercup.”
“What was the deal with Detective Morris? I’ve never been interviewed by the police before. He was so grouchy at first.”
“You won him over.”
“He definitely seemed less angry by the end. But also more angry. Know what I mean?”
“I do.”
They picked up her prescriptions at the pharmacy and then headed to Hedera. When they pulled in, he flashed his lights at the marked vehicles in the parking lot. “Sit tight for a second.”
Gil climbed from his car and met two uniformed officers as they approached him. He didn’t know their names, but he recognized them from the drama this spring. “Thanks for coming out.” He extended a hand to the officer on his right, then to his left. “Gil Dixon.” He nodded to his car. “Dr. Collins needs to check the computers inside. Not sure how long it will take, but I’m hopeful we won’t be long.”
“Not a problem.” The officer gestured to the office. “We’ve gone around the building. Everything appears to be secure from the outside. Want us to enter first?”
Gil struggled with this. He’d been a uniformed officer, working his way to detective, in Chattanooga. He’d been the first one in more than once, and he hated to ask someone to put themselves on the line for him. But the alternative was leaving Ivy with strangers, standing outside in the dark. After her reaction at the police station, that wasn’t an option. “I’d appreciate it.”
