Nigel was interrogated for several more hours before Detective Foster was satisfied.

“Thank you for your cooperation. Your family will be permitted to see you now,” Detective Foster said as he left the room.

Permitted to see me? Am I a suspect?

Several minutes later, Ellen and Ralphie appeared.

“Nige!” Ralphie said excitedly as he ran over to him.

Tears were forming in Ellen’s eyes. She gasped as she examined Nigel’s bandages. The doctor told her that Nigel was lucky; the bullet grazed his temple. Other than some scarring, there would be no permanent damage.

“Are you okay?” Ellen said in a quivering voice.

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“I have a headache—probably from all the questioning—but I’m okay. Do you know if I can leave?”

“The doctors want to keep you another night for observation, but I will be back here in the morning.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Visiting hours have long passed. The doctor said I could see you before I had to leave, but I can’t stay over.”

Nigel’s face flushed as he watched his mother and brother leave. He was angry that his time was cut short by Detective Foster, who offered absolutely no information as to who was trying to shoot them.

Nigel got up and opened his door; there weren’t any uniformed cops or anyone else in sight.

He opened the door to the room next to his and saw Jet lying on a bed next to a window. She appeared to be sleeping. Nigel’s heart skipped a beat when he noticed her condition. Bandages covered most of her face. Her left arm was in a sling.

“Can I help you?” a female voice said.

Nigel spun around and saw a woman in hospital scrubs. “I’m checking on my friend.”

“She’s lucky to be alive. She suffered two gunshot wounds. One shattered several bones in her left arm; another grazed her forehead.”

Nigel felt paralyzed. All he could do was stare at Jet for a very long time. His eyesight blurred. Nigel felt emptiness inside.