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police troopers. She wondered who had won the argument, because nobody looked happy. She rose unsteadily. “Here they come. The cops and my colleague.”
    “Stop. Sit down a minute.” The paramedic eased her back onto the gurney, which wasn’t difficult. “You can talk to them here. I’ll go out and see if anybody needs me.”
    “Do you need the ambulance?”
    “Nah, anybody’s who’s going to the hospital has already gone. If I get a call from dispatch, I’ll throw you out.”
    “Thanks for your help,” Nat said, and the paramedic rose, crossed to the door, and left, letting in a blast of frigid air.
    Angus stuck his head inside, and Nat gasped.

CHAPTER 8

    U p close, Angus’s face was a wreck. Under the gauze pad, his right eye puffed up, a rosy color. A nasty bruise blanketed his left cheek, and black stitches puckered his lip. Blood spattered the front of his workshirt. “How’s the patient?” he asked, his blue eyes concerned, nevertheless. “You all right?”
    “Better than you, I think.”
    “Oh, you mean this?” Angus pointed at his mouth with a puffy grin. “Only when I laugh. But we have a more pressing subject than my rugged good looks.” He leaned into the ambulance, his long arms braced on each door, effectively blocking two state troopers behind him. “Got the staties with me, since they don’t have local police out here.”
    “No local police?” Nat didn’t understand.
    “It’s common in rural areas. They can’t afford a local force, so they rely on state police. They interviewed me but they still want to talk to you, to support the charges against Buford. I told them this isn’t the place or the time.”
    Nat shuddered. Buford. His breath. His hands.
    “Tell me you don’t feel up to talking to them, and I’ll tell them to take a hike.”
    “Mr. Holt, that’s not your call.” The trooper’s dark eyes flashed under his wide brim, though his voice remained under control. “You’re interfering with police business. It’s important that we interview her while her memory’s still fresh.”
    “Show a little sensitivity, would you? She’s a crime victim, and you don’t need her statement. I’m an eyewitness. I gave you my statement.” Angus raised his voice, but the trooper ignored him and turned to Nat.
    “Ms. Greco, we understand that this is difficult, and we’re prepared to make it as easy as possible. We’ll interview you here, rather than asking you to come down to the barracks.”
    “It can wait until tomorrow or the next day,” Angus interjected, but Nat waved him off.
    “I can give it now. Let’s get it over with.” Nat didn’t want a fight. She’d seen enough fighting for a lifetime.
    “They’re being ridiculous.” Angus pursed his stitched lips. “You should be going to a hospital, not giving a statement to support a charge they can file right now.”
    “It’s fine, thanks.” Nat wrapped the blankets closer around her. “Come in, please, everybody.”
    Angus harrumphed under his breath and stepped into the ambulance ahead of the troopers, ducking his head to fit inside. His boots clomped on the corrugated-metal floor as he crossed to Nat. He sat heavily beside her on the gurney, which squeaked under his weight. He bristled with pique, but when he looked over at her, his eyes softened. “I’m so sorry, about all of this. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I had thought it was unsafe.”
    “I know that.” Nat heard the guilt behind his words.
    “I can’t apologize enough. I’m so sorry.”
    “We’re both okay, and that’s what matters,” Nat said, meaning it.
    “Take this, by the way.” Angus set an insulated black jacket onto her lap. “For the ride home. I got it from Tanisa. She wanted you to have it. I’m not sure when you’re getting your coat back.”
    “Thanks.” Nat took the jacket, happy to learn that the C.O. was safe. In the meantime, the troopers were climbing into the ambulance and closing the doors behind