you mention to anyone that you’d bought the weapon?”
Her lashes fell before she answered. “Dani Moore came with me to the firing range. I didn’t go public about the gun. When no one is supposed to know what’s going on, how could I explain my sudden need for protection?”
Special Agent Bird nodded. “That probably explains why Lowell approached you.”
“Why can’t you figure out where he’s staying?” Will demanded.
The agent’s gaze flicked in Will’s direction before he said to Megan, “Perhaps you could walk me through tonight’s events.”
“I was working late and everyone had left by the time I headed out to the parking lot.”
As Megan spun her story, Will clenched his hands into fists and held them on his knees out of sight. Tonight’s incident had been stressful enough and she didn’t need his anger mucking up the interview.
Still, it was a struggle to keep his frustration in check. Especially as she explained how Lowell had grabbed at her car door as she’d tried to make her escape. He didn’t like what he was hearing. Lowell stalking Megan, watching her, waiting to make his move.
At the same time, Will was astonished by her quick, clear thinking in pulling out her gun and shooting him. He doubted anyone could’ve done better.
“He acted like he expected me to go away with him,” Megan concluded, her energy trailing off as her story wound down.
“Did he say where he was headed?”
“No.” Her eyes went wide and her voice vibrated with dismay. “I should have asked him that. I’m sorry I didn’t. I was just so shocked that he showed up.” She stared at the gun sitting on the polished dark wood of the conference table. “All I could think of was getting away from him.”
“You did the right thing,” Special Agent Bird said, sounding kinder for a second.
Megan visibly relaxed. Had she been worried at the agent’s reaction to her actions that night? Could she have thought for a moment that she’d done something wrong? Will covered her hand with his and gave a light squeeze in support. The grateful smile she shot his way struck his nerves like a gong and reverberated through him long after she grew serious again. More than anything he wanted Megan to be happy.
“Is there anything else that he said that might help us find him?” Bird asked.
A crease formed between Megan’s brows as she considered the question. At last she shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t think of anything more. It all happened so fast.”
A knock sounded on the conference room door. A moment later Deputy Jeff Baker poked his head inside and swept the room with troubled eyes.
“Any luck?” Agent Bird asked.
“Lowell was long gone by the time we reached the parking lot.”
“Any sign of blood?”
Baker shook his head. “If Mrs. Sanders shot him, it must’ve been only a graze.”
“I see,” Bird said. “Were you able to get ahold of Sheriff Battle?”
“He’s on his way in.”
When the FBI agent nodded, Deputy Baker withdrew. Bird returned his attention to Megan. “Do you have somewhere safe you can stay tonight? I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go home.”
“Do you really think he’ll try again tonight?” Will thought Megan had given Lowell something to think about. She wasn’t going to go without a fight.
“I doubt it, but the guy has a tendency to act impulsively. I don’t want to take a chance of losing him again if he does.”
He could see it in the agent’s eyes. They wanted Lowell to try again. Now that he’d demonstrated he wasn’t going to leave town without Megan, she became their best hope for catching him.
Bait.
Will ground his teeth together in irritation. Part of him understood the agent’s perspective, but the thought that Megan was in danger triggered a powerful need to protect her at all costs.
Setting his hand on Megan’s upper arm and feeling the tremors vibrating through her, he said, “I’d like to take Megan back to the Ace in the Hole tonight.”
“I’m not sure—” Megan began, only to be interrupted by the FBI agent.
“I think it’s a good idea. We can send someone to watch her house in case he tries to contact her again. And we’ll park a squad car near the entrance to your ranch.”
“I could call Aaron,” Megan offered without much conviction.
“I’m your husband,” Will reminded her, overriding the beginnings of another protest. “I should be the one taking care of you.”
Megan opened her mouth, glanced toward the FBI agent, and made her next protest in a low growl. “I don’t need to be taken care of.”
Both Will and Bird ignored her claim.
“We’ll want to keep the gun for a few days,” Agent Bird said. “As soon as we get a look at the parking lot and run some tests, we’ll get back to you.”
Megan nodded and got to her feet. “I hope you can find him. I’m not sure how much more of this I can take.”
“I know this is a difficult time for you. If there’s anything you need or if Lowell contacts you again, please let us know.”
“Thank you.” Megan’s gaze flicked to Will as she headed toward the door.
“Do you want to run by your house and pick some things up?” he asked her.
She shook her head. “I know he’s probably long gone, but I don’t feel safe going there tonight. I don’t suppose there would be a pair of pajamas I could borrow?”
Her half smile zinged through him like a lightning bolt. The thought of her spending the night in his house tempted Will. A little too much.
“I think I can find something for you to sleep in,” he said, surprised by the effort it took to keep his tone casual. The memory of her wearing nothing at all flashed through his thoughts. He nearly winced as his body stirred. Sharing the ranch house with her was going to be challenging.
“I really appreciate what you’re doing for me.”
“Do not thank me. What you’re going through is my fault.”
She stopped in the doorway and turned to face him. “How do you figure that?”
Will slipped his fingers around her arm and guided her to the front door. “Look, it was my life Rich wanted. If I’d paid attention to the signs, maybe he wouldn’t have gotten the jump on me in Mexico.”
“You can’t take responsibility for his actions. No one saw him coming
