Free Bayou Judgment by Robin Caroll Page B

into its belt latch. The door to her apartment stood ajar. Spencer burst into the living room. “Where is he?” Spencer all but yelled.
    Sitting on the couch across from the sheriff, Felicia shook her head. “H-he’s gone.”
    Spencer couldn’t have missed him by more than a few minutes at most. “Did you get him?” he asked Sheriff Theriot as he lowered himself to the couch and pulled Felicia into the safe circle of his embrace.
    Thank You, Father.
    â€œI’m okay.” She pushed free of his hug and gave him a nervous smile. “Really, I’m more mad than upset.”
    â€œI’ve dispatched deputies to all branches of Felicia’s bank.” Sheriff Theriot held a pencil over his notebook. “Kipp Landry doesn’t have a checking or savings account, so he’ll have to try to cash the check at one of the branches of her bank.”
    Spencer focused on Felicia. “I heard most of the conversation. Did he hurt you?”
    She shook her head. “Just grabbed my wrist.” She lifted her hand. “Not even a mark.”
    Just the thought of his hands on her sent more anger pumping through Spencer’s veins. He forced himself to take a deep breath. No, he wouldn’t let his emotions dictate his actions. Not again. Instead, he hugged Felicia tighter. It felt so natural for her to be in his arms.
    An electronic beep filled the room.
    She pulled her cell phone from her pocket, then smiled at him. “We’re still connected.”
    Sure enough, his phone, still open, held the connection. Something told Spencer they were linked in more ways than an open phone line.
    His heartbeat wouldn’t slow, not when he’d come so close to losing her tonight. And because he’d been so scared, what did that say about his feelings for her?

EIGHT
    â€œT o be honest, he looked like a druggie needing a fix.” Felicia took a sip of her iced tea and studied Sheriff Theriot over the rim of the glass. The sheriff had radioed several times over with his deputies, but there was still no sign of Kipp at any of the bank locations.
    â€œAnd he didn’t mention any names of these loan sharks?”
    Felicia set the drink down with an echoing thunk . “No, he did not.” She’d answered the same questions for the better part of an hour, and her patience was close to snapping. She shoved to her feet and grabbed her cane. “If there’s nothing else, I’d like to start getting my apartment back in order.”
    Sheriff Theriot stood as well, pocketing his trusty notebook. “That’s all for now. If you find anything missing, you’ll need to let me know. I went ahead and called Luc for you. He should be here any minute.”
    Her muscles locked. “You did what?”
    â€œCalled Luc for you. Thought I’d save you some time.”
    â€œI had no intention of calling my brother just yet.” She narrowed her eyes, pushing down the flaming words burning her tongue. “It’s none of his business. You had no right to call him, Sheriff.” Now she’d have to deal with him bullying her to move home, just when he’d started to back off. His threat of packing her up if there was any further sign of violence rang in her ears.
    â€œI’m sorry if I overstepped. I just thought you’d want him here. At least until Kipp is caught.” The sheriff shook his head and ambled to the door.
    Good manners wouldn’t allow her to let him leave without a soft word. “ Merci, Sheriff.”
    His cell phone rang. “Sheriff Theriot.”
    Felicia stood silent, watching the tense lines of his body language and unabashedly eavesdropping.
    â€œGreat. Bring him to the station for questioning. I’ll meet you there.” He shut his phone and grinned at her. “They found Kipp at the bank branch in Abbeville. My deputy stopped him as soon as he came in the door. We’ll keep the check as