Free A Randall Returns by Judy Christenberry Page B

said.
    “May we come in for a minute, Mr. Gambil?” Mike asked.
    “Well, of course. We weren’t expecting company, you know, but you’re welcome anytime.” The man led them into a neat living room.
    Mrs. Gambil leaned toward Caroline. “I’m afraid Holly isn’t in this evening, but I’ll tell her you came by, Caroline. We’re all so glad to have you back in town.”
    Caroline swallowed, trying to think of how to break the news.
    “Mrs. Gambil, this isn’t a social call,” Mike said softly. “I’m afraid your daughter is in trouble.”
    The older woman’s gaze shifted from Mike to Caroline and back again. “Is she all right? Has there been an accident?”
    Mr. Gambil turned so pale Caroline thought he was going to pass out.
    “No!” Caroline hurriedly said, reaching for Mrs. Gambil’s hands. “Holly is fine.”
    The sobs slowed, but not much.
    “Mr. Gambil, your daughter shot and killed Eric Williams this evening, and she was arrested in Buffalo for murder.”
    Caroline was glad Mike had gotten right to the point. At least they now knew the truth.
    Mr. Gambil grabbed his chest and passed out. His wife screamed his name and dropped to his side, putting her arms around him.
    “I’ll get your bag for you,” Mike whispered, and ran back to the car.
    Caroline tried to pry Mrs. Gambil’s arms from her husband so she could tend to him. When Mike returned, he helped her with the woman.
    Caroline pulled out her stethoscope and said, “Call Mom and Jon. We’re going to need some help.”

CHAPTER SIX
    They took Mr. and Mrs. Gambil to the clinic. Because Caroline suspected a heart attack, Jon met them there to help her evaluate the older man’s condition. That left Mike with the wife. She was hysterical, first fearing her husband’s death. Then she was sure her daughter would be hanged.
    Mike tried to calm her, but he had limited success. When Caroline’s aunt Anna and B.J. walked in, he felt like a drowning man suddenly finding a boat. Anna, a licensed midwife, helped the nurse give Mrs. Gambil a tranquilizer, while B.J. called Nick Randall.
    “Nick, these people need some legal advice. Their daughter has been arrested for murder. I know you don’t usually do that kind of law, but…”
    She hung up the phone a minute later. “Nick is coming over. He said he could at least get some information and figure out if there is someone in Buffalo who can help.”
    “I don’t know their financial situation,” Mike said awkwardly.
    “Don’t worry about it. Nick funded a grant to provide legal services for anyone in Rawhide. If hecan’t handle the work, the grant pays for another lawyer to take over.”
    “That’s wonderful, B.J. I was pretty relieved to see you and Anna. Now I know why Caroline told me to call you.”
    “We all try to pitch in, Mike. That’s what family is for.” She sat next to him. “Sounds like your dinner didn’t go too smoothly.” She gave him a sympathetic smile.
    “No, it didn’t. We never got to eat.”
    “Oh, you must be hungry. Do you want me to send someone to the café to get you some food?”
    “No, thanks. We have our meal in Caroline’s SUV. When she’s finished, we’ll heat it up and eat together.”
    “If it’s still in the car, it may be frozen by now. It’s pretty cold out there.”
    “How long do you think they’ll be?” Mike asked with a sigh.
    B.J. turned to Anna, who was sitting with a now calm Mrs. Gambil. “What do you think?”
    “If you’ll keep an eye on Mrs. Gambil, I’ll go see how things are going.” With a nod, Anna left the waiting room.
    Mike sighed again. “Nice to have someone who can go through those doors and get answers.”
    B.J. laughed. “Yes, it is.” She heard the clinic door open and close and said, “That will either be Nick or Jake. I left word for him to come, too,” she said.
    It was Nick who walked into the waiting area. Mike had met him once, but he’d been dressed in a suit and tie. Now he looked like anyone