Kip calmed slightly as he watched Annie sob over Stewart’s lifeless body. He went to her and hugged her. Annie threw her arms around Kip and held on tight, unable to look at Stewart’s body any longer.
The hall outside the room filled with hospital personnel, and a doctor pushed his way to the front and through the door.
“Is there anyone in need of medical attention?” he asked.
Porter looked over at Stewart’s lifeless body in the bed. “Not anymore,” he said.
Kip and Annie both stayed at the hospital for hours while the paperwork, interviews and depositions were taken. Then, finally, Porter approached and told them to both follow him.
He led them back to his car and drove them both back to the station. Once in his office he had them sit at his desk.
“Is there anything else I need to know? From either of you?” Porter asked them sternly.
Kip and Annie looked at each other. Then they looked back at Porter. Kip spread his hands.
“No,” they both said at the same time.
“Lieutenant, why do you ask us like that? What is up?” Kip asked.
“Well, just the small matter of the department spending considerable recourses on a tip from you two that turned out to be totally off base,” Porter said. “And a man died.”
“Look, Lieutenant, it was a hunch.” Kip said. “After the incident the other night it seemed reasonable.”
“Yes!” Porter said. “And after the incident the other night, it also seems very convenient, don’t you think? And why the hell are you sporting a gun, Kip Jones?”
Annie looked at Kip as he leaned forward and pulled it from his belt. He placed it on Porter’s desk. “It’s fully registered.”
Annie leaned forward in her seat, her face turning red. “Lieutenant, I am not sure what you’re implying, but it was a reasonable assumption. Stewart started that shit the other night, and Kip put an end to it. He was an abusive husband. It was entirely possible that Stewart had been behind these attacks.”
Porter leaned back in his chair, relaxing. “Alright, look. I may be off base here. But I have to explore all possibilities. It’s clear you’re not behind the shootings, since one or both of you are the targets. Which I am afraid brings me to the next point.”
Both Kip and Annie raised her eyebrows at him.
“Which is, there is still an assassin out there and we have no clue as to who it may be. I am afraid you’re both in grave danger.”
I might go out like Tupac, great!
Kip looked at Annie, then back to Porter. “What do you suggest we do?”
“Get the hell out of town,” Porter said.
Kip and Annie looked at one another again. Then Kip said: “It just so happens that we are heading to Afghanistan tomorrow morning.”
Porter leaned forward in his chair again. “You don’t say?”
“The USO has asked us to do a show for the troops over there.”
Porter crossed his hands in front of his face, his elbows resting on his desk.
“Okay, this may work out well, then,” he said. “Give us some time to track down some leads.”
“Oh, so we have your permission to leave town?” Kip said, sarcastically. Annie nudged him with her elbow.
“Sorry,” Kip said. “I was just really worried about you. Made me a little edgy.”
“Yes,” Porter said. “You do have my permission to leave town. In fact, I heartily recommend it.”
“So, are we done here then, Lieutenant?” Annie asked him.
“Annie,” Porter asked, “is there anything in your past, besides, the recently deceased Stewart, that might shed some light on why anyone would want to kill you?”
Annie looked up in thought, and shook her head.
“You’re a biographer, is that right?” Porter asked.
Annie nodded. “That’s right.”
“Any sensitive projects you’ve worked on, maybe found out too much?”
“The last and only big thing I’ve had published is the book about Senator William Murphy. It was published earlier this year,” Annie said.
“That’s interesting,” Porter said.
“The book was boring as hell, Lieutenant,” Annie said. “There was nothing in there that could cause any scandal.”
“Okay, well, you’ll let me know if you think of anything right?” Porter asked.
“Of course she will, Lieutenant. Can we head on out now?” Kip asked.
“Yes, but I want a car to take you home. And I will be placing protection outside your door for the night until you leave tomorrow.”
“Fair enough,” Kip said, and he looked at Annie. “And greatly appreciated.”