Page 52 of Graced
From what she’d heard on the news, Grace knew he was already aware of a lot of information.Definitely more than what the authorities had released to the press.The man wanted to hear her side of the story to see how much of it matched.
“He’s Rhyne’s roommate.There’s three of them.Nash is the other guy.They rent a house over on Sagemore.I told Rhyne that Welsh creeped me out, but I never thought Welsh would…” She couldn’t continue.Tears rolled down her cheeks as her breath hitched in her chest.
Oldstein went to her cruiser, produced a box of tissues, and brought it back for Grace to use.Grace gave her a soft word of thanks before continuing.
“Welsh called right before you guys showed up.He threatened Rhyne.He demanded Rhyne bring me to their house.”
“Is that where you were going when we stopped you?”Oldstein asked.
“No.We were coming to find you.We were going to find the nearest police station and ask that you help us.”
Officer Oldstein raised an eyebrow.“Why didn’t you come to the police station after Mr.Roebuck’s attack at the hospital?”
Grace hung her head.“I don’t know.I was scared.I’d just seen a good friend and coworker get murdered by a crazy man.If it wasn’t for Rhyne…”
“How did?—”
“Read her her rights before we take this any further,” Lepos commanded.
Oldstein nodded and recited the lines.“Do you understand these rights as I have explained them to you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you wish to continue with your story?”Lepos inquired.
“Yes.”
“How did Rhyne know you were in trouble?”Oldstein inquired.
Grace sniffed.“Norris called him to let him know Welsh had shown up.”
“Norris being Mr.Burch?”
“Yes.”
“So Mr.Burch already knew Rhyne and this Welsh guy?”
“Yes.”She didn’t explain how.She hoped the officers would assume it was a two-fold issue.That because Rhyne and Welsh were roommates, that would be how Welsh became aware of Grace in the first place.Same for why Norris knew of Rhyne and Welsh—through her.
“And Welsh called your boyfriend demanding he bring you back to the house they were renting?”
“Yes.Check Rhyne’s phone.Oh!It’ll say the call’s from Nash, but it was Welsh on the other end.”
“You’re certain it was Welsh?”Oldstein pressed.
“Yes.Rhyne put the call on speaker so I could hear everything,” Grace confirmed.
“What happened after Welsh called?”Oldstein inquired.
“That’s when Rhyne said we had to find the nearest police station.He thought he could protect me…at first.After Welsh called, I guess he figured he couldn’t do it alone.”
The two officers exchanged looks, then Lepos left.Oldstein gently guided Grace over to her vehicle and silently urged her to lean against the hood.“I guess you got your wish,” the woman remarked with a hint of amusement.“But instead of you going to the police, the police came to you.”
“How did you find us?”Grace softly asked.
“After someone called in to report their car had been stolen, we began a search.They also gave us a description of the two people who stole it.”
Grace snorted.“Let me guess.Rhyne and I fit that description?”
