Page 44 of Final Approach

He looked like he wanted to say something else, but just nodded. She climbed out with a wave, got into her car, and headed home, her pulse still racing. And now she was going to talk to her father, which always shot her blood pressure up and spiked her adrenaline. But it was four in the morning. Should she really call him? She debated until she pulled into her driveway, then decided why not? One text said to call him immediately. It was an emergency. She mentally rolled her eyes. His emergencies were never truly emergencies, but she dialed his number anyway.

He answered halfway through the first ring. “Kristine.” The relief in his voice triggered a frown.

“Yes.”

“Emily’s been in an accident.”

ANDREWSLEPTuntil nearly ten. He could have taken the day off while Nathan continued with the hijacking investigation, but hanging around his rental did nothing to excite him. Everyone except Kristine had gone back to work to save their days after their vacation plans had been so rudely nixed. And that was fine with him. He’d rather work anyway.

Especially if he could use it as an excuse to see Kristine.

And since that’s where his thoughts went, he decided he really needed to either ask her out or just forget about her, because allhis lectures to himself about how he shouldn’t get romantically involved with someone never seemed to take root when it came to her.

He checked in on the search for Jacob Brown and learned no one had seen the boy. Which worried him. Then again, if Jacob had the cash, he might be just fine. The problem was ... did anyone else know he had it?

But someone else could have dug up that money. If the money had indeed been there.

Andrew had a strong feeling it had.

He climbed in the car and headed to see Hank at the hospital. The man hadn’t answered his text asking how he was this morning.

He found the room and knocked.

“Come in.”

When he stepped inside, he found Hank dressed and shoving his wallet and the new phone that had been retrieved from the wrecked car into his pockets—very carefully.

“What are you doing?” Andrew asked.

“Leaving.”

“You sure that’s a good idea?”

“I’ve got to get out of here before someone gets hurt because of me. I’m just surprised it was quiet last night.”

“Maybe the guard on the door deterred any kind of attack?”

“Maybe, but I doubt it.”

“So you’ve been discharged?”

“Sort of.”

“You’re going AWOL?”

“I think it’s AMA here.”

Andrew rolled his eyes. “You do realize insurance might not pay if you do that.”

“I’ll get permission.”

“Right. Come on then. Let’s get you officially released. I’ll take you back to my place and get you comfortable. Stay put.”

Andrew worked out the release with the doctor, then returnedto collect his friend. Hank rose from the bed, stopped, then lowered himself back onto it, his face a shade paler than when Andrew walked in. “Just give me a minute.”

“Dude. Stay here.”

“I can’t.” His friend met his gaze. “Every minute I’m here puts everyone in this hospital in danger. They’ll send someone. It’s just a matter of time.”