Page 51 of Chasing a Kidnapper

Worry nagged at him. He really needed to find the masked intruder who’d done this to Trisha’s friend.

“West, they’re making me stay overnight for some suspected bleeding around my kidney.” Laurel’s stricken gaze glommed on to his. “You’ll keep Trisha and Gabriel safe?”

“Absolutely.” He moved closer to take her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I will protect them with my life.”

“I know you will.” Laurel clung to his hand for a moment, then released him. “Thank you. There’s no reason for you to hang around here. I’d rather you head back. I’m in good hands.”

He held her gaze for a moment, then nodded. Laurel would be more concerned with Trisha and Gabriel being safe than her current health situation. He removed a business card from his wallet and slid it across the bedside table. “Keep this and call my cell phone if you need anything.”

“Okay. But tell Trisha I’ll be fine.”

“I will.” He turned to head back through the emergency department to where he’d left his SUV parked in front of the main entrance.

As he slid behind the wheel, his phone rang. Expecting Trisha to be checking in on Laurel, he was surprised to see Ross’s name on the screen.

“What’s going on?” West asked.

“We picked up Nick Cutter.” Ross got straight to the point. “He actually showed up at his stepsister’s house as one of our squads drove by.”

A wave of excitement hit hard. “Has he said anything?”

“Not yet,” Ross admitted. “He hasn’t lawyered up, either. He’s cooling his heels in an interrogation room. I figured you’d want to be there to talk to him.”

“I do,” West answered without hesitation. “I can be there in ten minutes or less.”

“We’ll wait for you, then.” Ross ended the call.

He started the SUV, then used the hands-free function to call Trish.

“How is she?” Trisha asked the moment she answered the phone.

“The doc ordered another CT scan.” He quickly filled her in on the update from the provider. “Laurel doesn’t want you to worry. She says she’s in good hands.”

“Of course I’m going to worry,” Trisha said. “But I’m glad she’s getting the medical attention she needs. She never should have left the hospital so soon. And lugging Gabriel around probably didn’t help.”

“I know.” He turned toward the precinct. “I have to make a stop at headquarters to interview a perp. I don’t think it will take too long.”

“Which perp?” Trisha asked.

Since she deserved to know this could be the break in the case they’d needed, he decided to tell her. “One of the patrol officers picked up Nick Cutter at Renee Mills’s house. Ross wants me to come in to interview him.”

“I wish I could be there, too,” Trisha said, a hint of wistfulness in her tone. But then she added, “That’s great news. West. I hope he cooperates.”

“I do, too.” Each interview had its challenges. “I’ll head to the safe house as soon as I can.”

“It’s okay.” She sounded more cheerful now, as if the possibility of making progress on the case lightened her spirits. “We’ll be fine. Especially if Cutter is the masked kidnapper.”

He hesitated, wondering if he was making a mistake. The wordsI’m falling for youalmost popped out of his mouth, but he managed to hold them back. “If you need me, I’m only a phone call away.”

“Thanks, West.” He could hear Gabriel beginning to fuss. “I need to go.”

“Bye,” he said, but there was no response on the other end of the connection. Trisha had already ended the call.

He hit the gas, making it to the precinct in record time. Ross was waiting for him and gestured toward the closest interrogation room. “Cutter is waiting inside.”

“Thanks.” West entered the room to find a scowling Nick Cutter. “Mr. Cutter? I’m Detective Cole.”

“Why am I here?” Cutter demanded. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

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