Tyler moved forward. “Sure, I’m Tyler Hollister.” He shook the officer’s extended hand. “May I help you?”
“I was hoping to ask Ms. Marcel a few questions about the accident.” He walked further into the room. His deep set eyes and strong facial features made him look authoritarian. At least six-three, with wide shoulders that tapered down to a narrow waist and 200 plus pounds of leanness, Dallas was sure criminals submitted to whatever he commanded. “I’m not sure now is a good time. Besides, we both have already talked to cops.”
“It’s okay.” Dallas gingerly eased the covers up over her chest. “What do you ... want to know?” The officer, who questioned her the day before, told her that although witnesses were consistent with the color and make of the car that hit her, none could remember seeing plates on the vehicle.
“I promise this won’t take long.” The officer pulled out his notepad. “But first, I have some conflicting information so let me ask you. What’s the relationship between you two?”
Good question, Dallas thought. She shared a long look with Tyler before saying, “We’re friends.” Tyler nodded a confirmation. Despite his good reason for telling the hospital staff they were married, she definitely didn’t want to give that information to a cop. The officer raised an eyebrow, looked at Tyler, and then back at her apparently noticing the silent exchanged between them.
“Alright.” He jotted something down on his pad. “Ms. Marcel, I understand you live in Chicago. What are you doing in Milwaukee?” “I have clients here.”
“What type of work do you do?”
“I’m an investment manager. I come here periodically ... to meet with clients, which is where ... I was headed before the accident.”
The officer asked questions for nearly ten minutes and Dallas didn’t know how much longer she could stay awake. Besides that, she felt like she’d run a marathon with all of the talking.
“I think that’s enough for today,” Tyler said. “Last question. Can you think of any reason why someone would want to hurt you?”
“What?” She and Tyler asked in unison.
The officer held up a hand. “Hear me out. Mr. Hollister, I didn’t see this in your report, but a witness said the crash looked intentional. And since the accident was a hit and run, I have to ask these questions. You’d be surprised how domestic disputes turn in—”
“What are you implying?” Tyler asked and moved closer to the officer. “Is there something you’re not telling us?” “I’m not implying anything. I’m just asking questions.”
“Go on,” Dallas said. She didn’t know what the witness saw, but she wasn’t currently in a relationship and couldn’t imagine anyone ramming a car into her on purpose.
“Did you have an argument with anyone lately?”
“No.”
“Is something going on at work? Did a client lose a lot of money?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Are you in a relationship that might not be going well, causing somebody to seek revenge?”
Dallas popped up in bed. “No, of course not!” The quick move made her clutch her aching ribs and she fell back against the pillows.
“All right, that’s enough. She’s in no condition to be badgered like this.” “Sorry. I’m just doing my job.” He closed his notepad and reached into his pocket. “I’ll leave my card, in case you think of anything.” He backed his way to the door. “I apologize if I upset you, but we have to make sure we check everything out.”
When the door swung shut behind him, Tyler turned to her. “Are you okay?” She nodded. There was no way the accident could’ve been deliberate, could it? As far as she knew, she didn’t have any enemies.
“Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”