Page 43 of Final Approach
Thankfully, the drive to the hospital was uneventful. Hank didn’t even put up much of a fuss when Andrew woke him and told him he was going.
“He’s in pain,” she murmured once Hank was settled into his hospital room for the duration.
“Hewas. Think the drugs are starting to kick in.”
Andrew had been right. His friend had a concussion. It was mild,but nevertheless, they wanted to keep an eye on him. He also had a broken rib.
“He pressed his side a few times, but never indicated the pain was severe,” Andrew said.
“His headache probably overshadowed it.”
Andrew grunted. “No, he just didn’t say anything. We had to move and he knew it.”
She rubbed her face. They’d both called their supervisors, and a crime scene unit was heading to the area of the wreck and shootout. Apparently reports had come in from neighbors about shots fired and local officers were already there.
Violent Crimes would be the investigating agents in the incident, but Kristine would be keeping an ear to the ground to see how that played out. No doubt Andrew and Hank felt the same.
She and Andrew had filled out the paperwork and given their statements to the agents as well as to James and Cole. Thankfully, she and Andrew wouldn’t be out of action too long. Since no one had been injured—that they could find—after the shooting review, everything would be handled by the local field office in conjunction with the Lake City Police Department. Andrew could return to investigating the hijacking case, and she could finish out her vacation-slash-suspension-days while being updated on the case via Andrew and Nathan. But for now, Kristine just wanted to go home and crash. Unfortunately, there was more work to do.
Well, for the guys.
She could go home at any point now that she’d done everything in line with reporting a firearms discharge in the line of duty, but she really didn’t want to leave until they were done here.
“What are you going to do about keeping an eye on Hank?” she asked. “The shooter probably called in reinforcements after realizing everyone survived the crash. They could be headed this way even as we speak.”
“He’ll need protection for as long as he’s in the hospital for sure,” James said. “And probably when he leaves.”
Andrew nodded. “Already got the hospital covered. Hank’s room and the rest of this place to make sure no innocents get caught in a crossfire.” His eyes flashed and his jaw hardened for a moment before he blinked it away. “An agent should be here shortly. Hospital security is on his room until the agent arrives. Hank should be released sometime tomorrow, assuming all goes well the rest of the night.”
“Okay,” she said, “we need to get the cars. Mine’s at the station and Andrew’s is still on the side of the road.”
“They won’t be done with mine for a while,” Andrew said. “The Bureau will provide one until mine’s released.”
It took another hour to get Andrew’s rental delivered, along with burgers, fries, and shakes for everyone.
After downing the food, Kristine was done. She nudged Andrew. “Will you take me to get my car? I need sleep.”
“Of course. We all could do with some sleep. Let me check on Hank one more time and then we can go.”
Once they were in his rental, she buckled up and leaned her head back against the cushion. “It’s been a day.”
“A doozy for sure.”
He started the engine and they headed toward the station in silence. She was too tired to consider the quiet awkward. Finally, he pulled into the lot and parked next to her car.
She reached for the handle. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Sure. See you tomorrow?” He glanced at the clock. “I mean later today?”
“Absolutely. I want to stay involved as long as I can. I know the FBI will handle the incident we just survived and want to stay in the loop on that, of course. But the hijacking? That’s my main interest. Please keep me as up to date as you can.”
“We’ll make it happen.”
“Thanks, Andrew.”
He reached for her hand and gripped her fingers. “Kristine...”
She stopped and turned to look at him. He let go and raised hishand like he wanted to touch her face and she stilled. Her phone buzzed and his hand dropped, destroying whatever moment there might have been. She suppressed a groan and tried to get her pulse under control while she grabbed her phone from her pocket and looked at the screen. “My dad’s been calling and texting nonstop. I’d better get home and deal with this.” She forced herself to look into his eyes and then had to swallow hard at the expression she didn’t dare try to decipher there. “I, um ... I’ll catch up with you later.”
