Page 21 of Storm Warning

Swallowing hard, Andre did as ordered. He stretched out on the examination table and tried to relax. Fat chance of that happening. He was with Chris. He hated going to the doctor.

Sorenson followed the same routine with Marsh as he had with Mann. Muttering under his breath, the doctor examined the wound with more poking and prodding than Noah had endured, tempting a grown man to swear.

Andre kept his tongue under control. Barely. The exam was painful since he’d forgotten to take another dose of pain meds before he left the jet.

Finally, Sorenson straightened and scowled at Andre. “You’re lucky.”

“Yes, sir.” Under normal circumstances, he’d receive a long lecture about prioritizing his own safety.

“Violet, was the bullet still intact when you removed it from Mr. Marsh?”

“Yes, sir. There were a few bits of material in his wound, but I cleaned them out.”

“You did an excellent job with the field surgery. My congratulations on your fine work.”

Violet looked surprised. “Thank you, sir.”

“Marsh.”

“Sir?”

“You sustained a serious wound on this mission. Although Violet’s work was top-notch, I would feel better if you took a stronger antibiotic than the one Violet started you on. I also want to keep you under observation until tomorrow.”

He pointed a finger at the operative. “No whining. Sustaining a wound of this magnitude in a tropical environment is justbegging for an infection. If we pass the 24-hour mark without signs of infection, I will release you to finish recuperating at home and out of my hair.”

Sorenson turned his attention to Christopher. “Now, young man, I’d like to be sure you don’t have any scratches or cuts that need treating and talk to you for a few minutes. Will that work for you?”

Christopher’s gaze shifted to Andre, his face ghostly white.

Oh, man. This wasn’t good. “What’s up, buddy?”

“Will you be gone when I finish?”

“Didn’t you hear the doc? I have to stay until tomorrow at least to make sure I don’t develop an infection. I’m not going anywhere. Dr. Sorenson only wants to be sure you don’t need antibiotics, too. In the jungle, even minor cuts and scrapes can lead to an infection.”

“He’s right,” Sorenson said. “Mann, go to the other side of the clinic with Marsh and choose a friend for Christopher.”

Noah’s eyebrow shot up. “You sure, Doc? What if he wants to take a friend home?”

“Not a problem with this batch.”

Relief flooded Andre. Sorenson must have several four-footed friends from the animal shelter in the clinic for an exam. “Chris, is it all right if I go with Noah for a couple of minutes? Riley can hang out with Violet in the hall outside the exam room. If you need something, all you have to do is yell.”

“All right.”

He smiled and ruffled the boy’s hair. “I’ll be back soon.” Andre looked at Sorenson.

The doctor rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes. I have him. Now go.”

Andre followed Noah down the hall and into the veterinary side of the clinic. They waved at Patty, one of the doc’s vet techs. She grinned and continued working with a Westie currently on an exam table.

Noah opened the door to the holding area and slipped inside with Andre on his heels. Together, they scanned the dogs in the cages. “Got any idea which dog might be good for Christopher?”

Andre pointed to the cage in the corner, where a golden-haired puppy lay curled up in a corner, taking a nap. “That one.”

“What kind of dog is it?”

“It’s at least part Golden Retriever.”