Kate tried to keep her face neutral when the police guard showed her into Daniel’s hospital room. There were bruises on her face and the gash on her cheek had required stitches. But Daniel’s injuries had been far more severe. “You look awful,” she said. “Gee thanks,” he said, his voice subdued by painkillers. “You look pretty ugly yourself.” Kate smiled, relieved that he could joke. “That picked my spirits up.” She sat down next to Daniel’s bed. “Now I’m going to pick up yours. Amanda and I had a long talk with Mike Greene. I think we convinced him that Flynn framed you. Amanda is pretty certain your case will be dismissed by the time you’re discharged. Also, Alice Cummings is okay. When the police got to her house she told them that someone tried to break in. Her back door was wide open. But nothing happened.” Suddenly Daniel grimaced. Kate took his hand. “Are you okay?” “Yeah. My meds must be wearing off. But I’ll be fine. The bullets went through my small bowel. I only had to have minor surgery.
I should be out of here in a few days.” “Charging Flynn’s gun was very brave. You saved my life.” Daniel smiled. “Turnabout is fair play.
Besides, I wasn’t worried. I remembered what you said.” Kate looked confused. “About what?” “You know, about how being shot in real life is different from TV. Flynn’s gun was a twenty-two. I knew it wouldn’t pack the wallop of a larger-caliber gun, and I knew you knew all that judo stuff.” Daniel shrugged. “I figured I’d get in a few good punches to soften him up and you’d finish him off and call the medics.” Kate looked horrified. “You idiot. That only works if you’re shot in the body. You’d be dead if Flynn had shot you in the head.” Daniel’s eyes widened in mock horror. “You never told me that,” he said. Then he laughed. Kate shook her head. “You really are hopeless. I’m going to have to stick around to baby-sit you.” Billie Brewster knocked on the door. “Thought I’d drop by and see how you’re doing,” she said. “What happened with Webster?” Kate asked. Then she turned back to Daniel.
“Billie questioned her today.” “Either she’s innocent or she’s got ice water for blood,” Billie said. “Did you hit her with the photographs?”
“She’s sticking with the story she told you. She denies having anything to do with fixing cases for Flynn and she’s got an answer for everything.” Billie suddenly remembered the envelope she was carrying.
“By the way, I got this in the mail. It’s Bernier’s photograph. Flynn is in it, but Webster isn’t. I thought you might be able to tell me who the woman is.” Kate took out the photograph. Daniel leaned over to see it. “Oh, shit,” Kate said, and she suddenly knew why Gene Arnold had almost fainted when he saw Claude Bernier’s photograph.