Forgotten Memories (SWAT: Top Cops Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

hardly seemed possible, but Griff’s expression turned even darker. “Vaughn, Lieutenant Vaughn,” he corrected in a clipped tone.
    “Oh, sorry, Lieutenant. I wanted to make sure you understand how grateful I am for Shane’s actions tonight. Maybe he didn’t follow protocol but he saved my life.”
    Shane wanted to tell Gabby to be quiet, that she was probably only making things worse, but the fact that she spoke up in his defense at all caught him off guard. Was she actually trying to shield him from Griff’s anger? The notion was inconceivable.
    “Look, Miss—” Griff began, but she swiftly cut him off.
    “Doctor,”
she corrected, adopting the same clipped tone he’d used earlier. “Dr. Gabby Fielding, trauma surgeon.”
    Griff looked polaxed by Gabby’s quick comeback and Shane didn’t dare look over at Nate for fear he’d burst out laughing. Obviously, Gabby didn’t have red hair for nothing.
    “Dr. Fielding, I’m truly glad you’re all right, but the end doesn’t always justify the means.”
    Gabby opened her mouth to argue, but Griff shook his head.
    “Let’s put that aside for now, okay? Have either of these deputies taken your statement yet?” the lieutenant asked, his tone softer than it had been before.
    “No, but I’m happy to do that right now if needed,” she responded.
    Shane wasn’t surprised when his boss backed off. After all, Gabby wasn’t just any victim—she was a well-respected doctor in the community. She’d been the surgeon on duty after the airport shooting that had taken place ten days ago, and he’d had the opportunity to see her in action since he and Nate had ended up following the victims to the ER.
    Watching Gabby in the trauma room had only reminded him how good she was at her job. She was smart, gutsy and never once hesitated doing exactly what needed to be done.
    He’d admired her from afar but didn’t dare allow his feelings to get personal.
    Nate took her statement at Griff’s direction. Gabby reported the events she’d suffered in a monotone voice, as if she were reciting a recipe rather than describing the way she’d been victimized. Once again, he was struck by the need to place a reassuring hand on her arm, but of course he didn’t. Shane glanced back at the dead men in the clearing. After his dad died, he’d run with a rough crowd and had gotten arrested. He counted his blessings that he’d been able to turn his life around, becoming a cop rather than continuing on a downhill spiral.
    “Thank you, Doctor. Are you sure you can’t describe the men in more detail?” Griff pressed.
    Gabby’s control snapped. “I gave you everything I saw and heard in explicit detail. I have a good memory, so trust me when I say there isn’t anything more I can tell you.” She huffed out a weary breath. “Besides, I’ve been up well over twenty-four hours straight and I need to get back to the hospital so I can get some sleep.”
    “We’re almost finished here,” Nate said.
    “No, we
are
finished here. I refuse to be interrogated as if I’m the one who did something wrong.”
    “Dr. Fielding, I assure you my intent wasn’t to treat you like a criminal,” Griff said. “But victims often remember more details than they realize. We have to ask questions over and over to get the full story.”
    “I remember everything crystal clear,” she said flatly. “I have an eidetic memory, so there’s no point in rehashing this any longer. You know everything I do, so I’d like to leave. Now,” she added for emphasis.
    “Griff, why don’t you let me drive the doctor and Hawk back to Milwaukee,” Nate offered. “We can follow up more later if we need to.”
    “Okay, fine,” the lieutenant said with reluctance. “But keep in touch...and Hawk? I expect to see your report on his first thing in the morning.”
    “Will do,” Shane agreed, even though first thing in the morning was only six hours from now. It was already two o’clock and they had a good