In an undertone, Gracie asked, “Are you saying that under duress?”
“Duress? No.”
“It’s been rumored that John Trapper abducted you from the hospital parking lot.”
“That’s ridiculous. I bumped into him at the hospital. It was getting a little claustrophobic. Guards on me. Media clamoring for a sound bite from him. We each felt the need for some space.”
“He had better get used to small spaces. The truck he was driving was stolen.”
“He didn’t know that. There was some confusion.”
“I’ll say. The cops who tried to chase him down were damn sure confused. Where did you go?”
Kerra sighed. “It’s a long story, Gracie, and I’m too weary to tell it. The upshot is that we got waylaid by the storm and wound up at a motel on the interstate. I don’t even know the name of it.”
Gracie realized she was getting a heavily edited version. “I can read between the lines. I hope you had fun with the hunk. In your place, I would have been all over him.”
“It wasn’t much fun, actually. I…He and I parted company. I’m at home.”
“You’re at home? That’s great! I can leave Podunk Town and hurry back. We’ll do tonight’s interview from the studio.”
“I’m not going to do the interview.”
Gracie sputtered, “But the police, or sheriffs, or whatever they are up here, have given their permission.”
“I’m still uncomfortable with it.”
“Not to worry. I’ll call the station. We’ll have plenty of protection for you, a whole lot better than—”
“I’m not concerned for my safety. It’s…it’s everything, Gracie.”
“What’s that mean? Everything such as what?”
Kerra took a deep breath. “That’s all I’m going to say right now except that I won’t be appearing on tonight’s newscast. From the start I had reservations about it.”
“But there’s good news. The Major is off the critical list. He’s improving by the hour.”
“I know. I talked to him earlier today.”
“You did?”
“By phone. Each of us had been worried about the other. Talking alleviated some of our concerns.”
“Fantastic! The sensitivity issue no longer applies.”
“It applies to me. The Major is no longer critical, but he sounds weak. He’s fretful. Worried about my safety because the suspects who tried to kill us are still at large.”
“Regarding that,” Gracie said, “you’re not helping to capture them. You’re impeding the investigation. Or so the sheriff said.”
“He did? When?”
“Little while ago. Came pounding on my motel room door, demanding to know if I’d heard from you. Glowering. Red in the face and using Law and Order jargon about you being a hostile material witness.”
“I cooperated fully and told him everything I know.”
“The FBI will probably want to question you, though.”
“FBI?”