Page 80 of Final Approach

Besides, Kristine was there.

Nathan’s text said he was on the way to the hospital and wanted a full report.

Andrew agreed, but they were going to have to make this fast. He and the others needed to get to the safe house to ensure they had everything set up for tomorrow.

“How’d you guys get here so fast?” he asked when the officer stood in front of him.

“Neighbor in the house about twenty yards from the stop sign heard the crash and just called 911. Said he’s done it before and figured he’d better call and play it safe just in case someone was hurt. The fire station was right around the corner. My wife’s a firefighter and we stop there for lunch a few times a week. Today was one of those times.”

“I’m thankful.”

Thirty minutes later, he sat in the emergency room while Nathan paced next to the bed. Back and forth, back and—

“Dude,” Andrew said, “please sit down.”

Nathan sighed and sat. A knock on the door raised Andrew’s hopes. Jesslyn walked in and Andrew’s hopes hit the floor. Nathan’s did not. His face lit up and he walked over to kiss his wife and give her a hug. “What are you doing here?”

“Heard about the wreck over the airwaves.”

Another knock. “Come in.”

Kristine stepped inside, her frown intense, eyes narrowed. “Hey, guys.” Her gaze sought his. “Are you all right? I heard about what happened. I had to come see for myself that you were okay.”

“I’m all right. Got a little shaken up, but overall, I’m fine.” She’d come to check on him. She was worried. All of a sudden he felt better. Not that he wanted her to worry, but he was glad she cared enough to do so.

Shut up.He did his best to turn off his internal monologue. Kristine cared enough to come see him. That was all that mattered.

Lainie and James and Cole and Kenzie showed up next, bringing Hank with them.

“What are you doing here?” Andrew asked Hank.

“Glad to see you too.” He shrugged. “Figured this would make more sense to draw someone out. Looks like they’ve connected you to me so we’re moving up the timetable on everything.” He looked at Cole and the others. “As soon as I walk out of this hospital, I’m heading up the mountain.”

Andrew glared. “Not without me, you’re not.”

A small smile curved his friend’s lips. “I figured you’d say that. We went by your hotel and packed you a bag.”

“When?”

Hank frowned. “What?”

“When did you go by and pack a bag?”

“Probably an hour before you got creamed,” Hank said, his voice low. “I was going to see if you’d come with me, counted on you saying yes, and knowing your go bag was destroyed when the Airbnb exploded, went to your hotel room and grabbed your stuff. You think somehow the gang put it together?”

Andrew pressed a palm to his aching head. “The thought occurred to me, but I don’t know. Maybe. If they had someone watching the hotel.” He sighed. “Which they probably did, so they decided to take me out of the picture.”

Hank frowned and shook his head. “No way, man. We were real careful, not wanting to lead them to you.”

“And yet, here we are,” Andrew muttered.

They all exchanged glances and he sighed. “It’s okay, guys, truly. I’m not hurt, just sore. No concussion. Thankfully, my shoulder wound is fine. I probably need a chiropractor and a good massage, but I’ll live. So let’s do this.”

“We’ll finish getting it set up,” Nathan said. “Stay here until I give you the green light. I think at this point, it’s stupid to put you and Hank together in the same car. Let’s divide you up, make it look like we’re trying to protect you by delivering you separately to a safe house.”

“Tryingto protect them?” Kristine asked.

“You know what I mean.”