No. She hadnt been paying any attention to the car or the man and now wondered how she could have been so foolish.
The policewoman studied her for a moment. We received a call last night from your receptionist about a man named Gus Thompson.
McKenzie felt her heart begin to pound. Gus works for me. You arent suggesting
Is it possible the man who grabbed you was Gus Thompson?
McKenzie couldnt speak for a moment. Gus was big. He also had to know, after numerous warnings, that she was ready to
fire him. Or at least, he should have known. Could it have been him? Was it possible he hated her enough to want to hurt her? I dont know.
We found a car registered to him, a large, dark-colored Cadillac. Did you know he had this car?
No. But his mother recently died. I think he mentioned shed left him a car.
He never drove it to work?
No, not that I know of. Again, she hadnt been paying attention. She knew little about Gus Thompson because shed chosen not to know any more than she had to. I saw him parked outside my house one night. I spoke to him about it and I never saw him again, but I cant be sure he didnt follow me sometimes. She thought of one instance when shed noticed him driving a few cars behind her. But Bozeman was small enough that it hadnt seemed all that odd at the time.
The policewoman raised a brow. You never reported this?
McKenzie tried to explain it to herself and failed. I guess I thought he was annoying but harmless.
Did you ever date him?
Good heavens, no.
But Gus Thompson probably knows your habits, where you go after work, where you shop?
She nodded numbly. Gus could have followed her many times and she wouldnt even have noticed. Shed been so caught up in making her business a success....
The policewoman closed her notebook. Well have a chat with Mr. Thompson and see where he was last night at the time of your attack.
He wasnt at the office last night when you sent a patrolman over there? she asked.
The policewoman shook her head. Hed already left. Your receptionist was unsure when.
McKenzie felt a shiver, her mind racing. Could it have been Gus whod attacked her? She swallowed, her throat raw and bruised from last night. Gus was big and strong and she knew he resented her. To think shed almost reassured Cynthia that Gus wasnt dangerous. He could be more dangerous than she would have imagined.
I used to work with his mother when she owned the agency, she said. I inherited Gus. He is my best salesman, but I know he felt his mother should have left him the business and not sold it to me.
The policewoman nodded. This could have been building for some time. Well see what he has to say.
She had a thought. I hit the man last night several times, but Im not sure I did enough damage that it would even show. She described the ways shed hit him.
Dont worry. Well check it out. In the meantime, youll be safe here.
As the policewoman started to leave the room, McKenzie said, The man who saved me last night... She had a sudden flash. Youre safe now. She blinked. Id like to get his name so I can thank him.
He asked that his name be kept out of it.
She blinked. Why?
There actually are people who dont want the notoriety. I can contact him if you like and see if he might have changed his mind. What I can tell you is that he just happened to fly in last night and stop at that grocery store on his way to see family. Fortunately for you.
Yes. Fortunate. She had another flash of memory. Warm brown eyes filled with concern. Youre safe now.
The doctor said theyre releasing you this afternoon. Were going to be talking to Mr. Thompson as soon as we can find him. Maybe going to the office isnt the best idea.
I have to go into work. I was planning to fire Gus Thompson today. Even if he wasnt the man in the parking lot last night, I cant have him working for me any longer.
Why dont you let us handle Mr. Thompson. We have your cell phone number. Ill call you when he and his personal items are out of your business. In the meantime, I would suggest getting new locks for your office and a restraining order for both yourself and your business.
She must have looked worried because the officer added, You might want to stay with friends or relatives for a while.
I have a client I need to see tomorrow south of here. I could go down there tonight and stay in a motel.
I think that is a good idea, the policewoman said.
* * *
LOOK WHAT THE cat dragged in, Tag Cardwell said as Hayes walked into the kitchen on the Cardwell Ranch. We were getting ready to send the hounds out to track you down.
Hey, cuz, Dana said as she got up from the table to give him a hug and offer him coffee. It was his first time meeting his cousin. She was pretty and dark like the rest of the Cardwells. As Tag had predicted, he liked her immediately. We thought youd be in last night.
Ran into a little trouble, Hayes said and gladly took the large mug of coffee Dana handed him.
Thats Texas-speak for he met a woman, his brother joked.
Hayes told them what had happened and how it was after daylight before he left the police