Page 53 of Chilled

His frown deepened. “You find it humorous?”

With a shrug she said, “In a sad sort of way.”

“I don’t understand.”

“We’re trying so hard to pretend nothing happened last night that we’re only making each other miserable.” Her eyes glistened with moisture.

“I’m not the one trying to pretend,” Nick said softly.

“I know.” She stared out her window, her face half turned away, the smile completely wiped from her face. “I’m sorry.”

“Look, Brenna.” He reached for her hand lying in her lap. “Last night meant something. I don’t know what, but it meant something.” His fingers tightened around hers.

“Thanks,” she said. “It’s just?—”

A horn blared behind them. Being interrupted in the middle of talking with Brenna was becoming a recurring nuisance.

“Damn,” Nick cursed softly. “Promise me we’ll talk later?”

Another honk sounded, and Brenna jumped. “Okay, but you better get moving before the guy behind you decides honking isn’t enough.”

As Nick eased out onto the busy street, hope soared in his heart. At least she’d promised to talk with him about what had happened. Problem was, what would he say? What could he say? They’d only just met, and they were hardly at a point in their relationship to make any lasting commitments.

Nick heaved a sigh. He’d deal with it later, after they talked with Robin Rutledge.

CHAPTER 13

“I knewJason was seeing Dr. Drummond, but I don’t know if he had a connection with Dr. Gomez or Ms. Carmichael. And I can’t imagine how he’d know the woman at the biolab.” Robin Rutledge sat across the glass-topped table from Brenna and Nick at the Riverton Bistro where she worked part time while completing her degree at Riverton University.

Careful not to reveal any information from Jason’s patient file, Brenna asked, “During your relationship with Jason, did he ever display any tendencies toward violence?”

Robin shifted in her chair, her finger swirling along the rim of her water glass. “Jason and I dated for three months during the spring of my junior year. He liked to take me out to the levy overlook and just talk. At first, it was nice and peaceful. But the more we dated, the more possessive he got. I finally called it off, and told him I didn’t want to see him anymore.”

Brenna glanced across at Nick, waiting for Robin to continue.

“We were at the levy when I told him I wanted to break up. He went crazy.” Robin lifted her glass and swallowed a sip of water, setting the glass back on the table before she continued. “He wouldn’t accept the breakup. I avoided him, hoping he’d take the hint and leave me alone. That’s when he started stalking me.”

Nick leaned forward. “Did you notify the police?”

Robin nodded. “One night, I came home from working at the Bistro, and he was waiting for me in the parking lot of the apartment complex where I lived. I hurried up to my apartment to get inside before he tried something. Just as I inserted my key into the lock, he came up behind me and began shouting and pushing me against the wall.” Robin took another sip and set the glass down, her hands trembling. “I was so scared.”

Brenna reached across and covered the younger woman’s hand. “You had every right to be.”

“Thanks.” Robin gave Brenna a weak smile. “My neighbor came out and witnessed it all and called the police. When I pressed charges against Jason, the judge issued a restraining order and mandated psychiatric treatment with Dr. Drummond.” Robin looked up into Brenna’s eyes. “Do you think he killed Dr. Drummond?”

“We don’t know, and we don’t have enough evidence to point to Jason.” Brenna tapped her pen to the pad of paper in front of her. “Did Jason stop bothering you after the court decree?”

“If you mean, did he push me around again, no. But he still followed me, although at a distance.”

“When was the last time you noticed him following you around?” Nick asked.

“I can’t swear to it, but I think I saw his truck behind mine on Friday when I was on my way home from work. Plus, I think he followed me to church on Sunday.” Tears welled in Robin’s eyes. “I just ignored him and hoped someday he’d get on with his life and leave me alone. That is, until Dr. Drummond was murdered and the city cops started guarding my doorstep.” She shivered. “It gives me the creeps. I feel like I can’t walk out in the open without an armed guard anymore. Why am I a target? Is it because of Jason?”

“We don’t know, Miss Rutledge,” Nick said. “But we’re trying to find out.”

“Robin. Call me Robin.” She lifted her glass to take another sip, but it was empty. She jumped up from the table and straightened her uniform apron. “I need to get back to work.” She sighed. “I’m here till closing tonight, and my feet already hurt.”

Her feet aching in empathy for the woman, Brenna asked, “What time do you close?”

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