The officer—a chief deputy U.S. marshal named Zach McBride—was still wearing body armor. “We went through the vehicle before we had it towed to the police yard. There was a tool set in the back, as well as some personal gear—a camera, some clothes. Your tent was there, too, but they had destroyed it. I did find this.”
He held up her backpack, set it carefully on the bed beside her. “They took your food and your camp stove and slashed your sleeping bag.”
She reached into the front mesh pocket and pulled out her cell phone. “At least I have the important stuff. How do I get my vehicle back?”
“Right now, it’s part of a crime scene. When the forensic team is sure they’re done with it, the Scarlet Springs PD or my office will get in touch with you. There’s no cost to you to have it released from their impound yard. You can have it towed to a garage for repairs at that point.”
She took in what he told her, unable to keep herself from feeling overwhelmed by it all. “I appreciate what you’ve done for me today.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind, Ms. Archer, that your quick thinking and willingness to fight back saved your life. The two men who attacked you are guilty of pretty much every violent crime on the books.” He didn’t say more.
He didn’t have to. Special Agents Price and Biggs had already filled her in on that score. Besides, Naomi had watched news coverage on the TV and heard about their criminal records. It had been hard to see Arlie and Clem on the screen. Killers. Rapists. Thieves. She’d had to turn the TV off after just a few minutes.
Fear snaked through her belly. “Do you think they’ll come back for me?”
McBride shook his head. “They’re probably doing everything they can to get far away from here. Their last known location is the mountains above Scarlet Springs. There’s no way they’re going to come back just to finish with you. You can rest easy on that score. Has the victim’s advocate been to see you?”
Naomi nodded. “She helped me fill out paperwork for that fund that covers medical expenses for crime victims.”
Oh, how she hated having to think of herself in that category—a victim.
“Good. When are you flying back to Rapid City?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t figured it all out yet. I’m staying with Winona and Chaska Belcourt for a while.”
McBride frowned. “You’re personal friends with them?”
She shook her head. “I only met them today, but they offered me a place to stay.”
“That’s decent of them.” Deputy Marshal McBride stood, reached into his front right pants pocket, and pulled out a business card. “If you run into any problems, give my office a call. In the meantime, those two have moved to the top of the Most Wanted list. We’re going to find them, Naomi. I promise you.”
His gray eyes looked into hers, his sympathy bringing her strangely close to tears.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you won’t judge Colorado by this terrible experience.”
“Everyone I’ve met—except those two—has been very helpful and kind.” She thought of Chaska again and how he’d stayed with her.
“I’m glad to hear that. I hope you feel better soon.”
Naomi watched McBride go, then pushed the button for more pain relief, and drifted to sleep.
Chapter 5
Naomi saton her hospital bed, staring at the bags of clothes and toiletries that Ellie had set on the blanket before her. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I can’t believe you did this.”
Inside the bag, there was a beautiful white sundress with tiny purple flowers, a flowing cotton skirt in turquoise blue, tank tops in white, yellow, and black, some bikini underwear, a pair of denim shorts, and a sleeveless sleepshirt in butter-soft yellow cotton. There were toiletries, too—a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a comb and brush for her hair, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, lip balm, and even a nail care kit.
Why were they being so kind to her?
“We can’t very well discharge you naked, can we?” Ellie shared a smile with Lolly, the nurse who’d cared for Naomi in the ER.
Naomi had forgotten until this morning that the paramedics had cut off her clothes. The rest of her belongings were in the back of her SUV, which was in the police impound yard. “I’d been wondering what I was going to wear. I was going to ask to borrow a pair of scrubs.”
Ellie tugged on her blue scrubs shirt and wrinkled her nose. “Trust me. You don’t want one of these.”
Naomi drew out the pair of shorts, saw on the tag that they were a size six. “How did you know my size?”