Page 51 of Graced
“Do you think Welsh is siccing the police on us?”Grace continued to question.
“I’m willing to bet money that Welsh had Nash call the cops and report the vehicle stolen.”His expression grew grim.“And claim it was taken by the same man who kidnapped you and is keeping you hostage.”
Grace braked to a sudden stop.“You’re not keeping me hostage.”
“I know that, but the police don’t.”He nodded toward the interstate.“We’re not going to be safe until we get the cops on our side.Now let’s go.”
She pulled out of the parking lot to head for the side exit.They had barely rounded the side of the motel when a police cruiser with its lights flashing drew up behind them, and a voice loudly demanded through the siren speaker, “Police!Stop!Turn off the car and put your hands out the window.Do it now!”
CHAPTER25
Cuffed
“Well, at least we don’t have to go looking for them,” Grace softly remarked as she turned off the ignition and lowered their windows.
Another police vehicle appeared in front of them and turned into the parking lot from the side street.A female officer jumped out with a weapon drawn and approached the car.
“Driver!Open the door from the outside!”the male officer yelled from behind them.“Passenger, stay in the car!”
Grace glanced at Rhyne, who gave a slow nod.“It’s going to be okay,” he promised.
Gathering herself together, she did as she was ordered and stepped out of the car.As she was cuffed and led back to the police cruiser, two more patrol cars arrived.Grace tried to see what they would do with Rhyne but the female officer blocked her view.
“What’s your name?”
“Grace Lockhart.”
“Do you have your ID with you?”
Grace diverted her attention to the woman who had to be around her age.“No.It’s in my purse, back at the Harbor County Hospital.”
The woman, whose name badge readR.OLDSTEIN, gave a brief nod and spoke on her shoulder mic.“Driver says she’s Grace Lockhart.”There was more, mostly cop talk that Grace wasn’t able to understand.She ignored the woman and watched as two male officers were cuffing Rhyne and leading him toward the other cruisers.
Grace tried to get the female officer’s attention.“Officer Oldstein, you have to listen to me.I’m in fear for my life.”
Oldstein smiled.“It’s okay, Miss Lockhart.We’re handling the situation.”
“Why were we stopped?”Grace persisted.
“This car and tag matches that of a vehicle that was reported stolen.”
“It’s not stolen!”she countered.
A voice came over the officer’s walkie.Something about a BOLO on a man named Rhyne Castille.Grace felt her panic rising.
“No!You don’t understand!Rhyne over there, hesavedme at the hospital!The person who called in, he’s the one trying to take me hostage!”
Again, Oldstein tried to reassure her.“You’re not in trouble.We’re just trying to get some answers.”
Another officer, a man by the name ofC.LEPOS, joined them.He remained standing to one side to listen and observe.
It took effort to keep calm.“Please.Rhyne is innocent.Welsh is trying to hurt me.Welsh came into the hospital looking for me.He’s been stalking me.When he showed up, I tried to run.Welsh attacked Marcia and Susan.Norris tried to stop him by jabbing him with a hypodermic filled with something, but Welsh fought him off.Then he s-s-stabbed Norris—” Grace fought the rush of heat and tears rising in her face.“He stabbed Norris in the eye with the syringe before I managed to get away.Rhyne showed up and beat down Welsh so we could escape.You gotta listen to me!”
Oldstein interrupted her, pointing in Rhyne’s direction.“You’re saying he helped you?”
“Yes.”Grace frantically nodded.“Yes!He knows Welsh is going to try everything he can to find me.”
“Who is this Welsh guy?”Lepos inquired.
