Page 44 of Andy

“Is Detective Houck going to show up?” Mel asked.

Andy nodded. "Yeah, he's at the scene now. He sent me a text. They're looking at footage from the cameras at the dock. Hopefully, they'll be able to see the van."

The doctor was busy asking the nurse to do something. She didn't want to pay too much attention to what he was doing because she was afraid it would make her pass out again. She didn't like blood.

“And I think I got it all,” the doctor said.

“Looks like it was a fragment of the bullet. It must have broken off when it hit the car beside you. It wasn’t deep, but if it had hit somewhere else, not soft tissue like your arm, it could have been worse.”

“Thank you,” Mel said.

“Yes, thank you for getting it out. And thank you for letting me sit in here with Mel.”

"The nurse will finish sewing you up, and you'll be able to leave this afternoon. You should go for a check-up with your doctor in about a week."

"Thank you." Relief filled Mel. She could be at home in bed with Andy tonight. She needed to check on Rory, Harry, and Peach. Someone could have shot them. Hanging out with her was dangerous. Maybe she should leave so Andy didn't get hurt. She didn't want to be without Andy, though. She loved him and couldn't imagine living without him.

Detective Houck stopped by about an hour after she got out of surgery. When he stepped in the room, a broad smile spread across his face.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.”

"Thank you. I'm glad I'm okay, too."

“So, we have some video, but we’re not sure how much it will help us yet. I have techs going over the videos and looking for every clue they can find. We’ll pin it down and get them.”

Andy shook the detective’s hand. “Thank you for doing what you can.”

“Where are you all staying tonight?” Houck asked.

Andy met her gaze, and he shrugged. “We were planning on staying at home.”

“Could you stay at a hotel? Not a motel, but something with some security to keep random people from going up to your room?”

Mel nodded. “I have some extra money. We can find a hotel.”

“Okay, and you should leave your truck or car, whatever you have, parked out front. It would be best if you could sneak out and not draw suspicion. I know this is weird, but we think they might try to come to your place tonight. We at least need to see if we can catch someone driving by. We’ve got cameras already set up in your front flower beds.”

“Oh,” Andy said.

“Is that okay?”

Andy nodded. “Yeah, if it helps you catch the bastard.”

“I know you’re both probably tired and want to get some rest. I’ll be in contact with you tomorrow. Be careful and stay safe.”

Mel waved to the detective as he left. "What do you think of that?"

“I think it’s a little weird, but honestly, I’ll feel better if you’re at some hotel tomorrow while I’m at work.”

She glanced at her injured arm. Working at the bank wouldn’t be smart. “I think I shouldn’t go to work tomorrow.”

Andy shook his head. “Not tomorrow. I don’t think it would be safe.”

“Let me see if I have points at any of the hotels. I can book us a night somewhere with security.”

“I could call the hotel connected to the base. They may not have an opening. You would be guarded well.”

She shook her head. "I don't know. I want to stay somewhere I can get food and relax. Let me see if I have any points." She grabbed her phone and opened the applications for two hotel chains where she usually stayed. She had enough points for one night at a high-rise near the ocean. "Let me book this. It's not much with the points I have. And I can have Rory or Ava come over if they're free. We can pretend we're having a spa day and relax."

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