CHAPTER 3: THE HUNT FOR THE SHOOTER
Sparkyville police were on the hunt for who shot Linus. They followed some leads, but none were able to say they knew the person. Only Linus saw who it was, and he was in surgery to repair the damage to his side. Mary Jo waited nervously in the waiting room. Usually, it was her offering comfort to patients and their families, but now it was her that needed it. Soon afterwards, Charlie, Pat, Sally, Cormac, Lucy, Derrick, Franklin, and Eudora came in.
"How's my brother?" asked a desperate Lucy.
"He's in surgery right now," said Mary Jo. They saw Mary was still with her.
"Mary, you're here, too?" asked Sally.
"Monica had her mastectomy today, as well," said Mary. "I was still here when what happened with Linus went down."
"You know what happened?" asked Charlie.
"No one knows who it was, but I have my suspicions," said Mary Jo, sternly. Charlie took notice of her growing anger.
"You don't think that asshole did this?" asked Pat, referring to Duke, Mary Jo's ex.
"I don't think, Pat, I know!" growled Mary Jo. "I told him I'd kill him if he did something like this!"
"As much as I would like to get my hands on that dickhead for what he did to my brother, I say let the police handle it," said Lucy. "They'll get him."
"He'll deny it, Lucy," said Mary Jo. "I've been abused by him more time than I can count, and the police have always taken his side!"
"That was your old town's police, said Eudora. "Sparkyville's force is pretty fair and impartial when it comes to dealing with crime." Two doctors came up, one being Doctor Horowitz, Monica's doctor.
"Mary, Monica's is awake and looking for you," he said.
"I better check up on Monica," said Mary. "Mary Jo, keep me informed about what's happening with Linus."
"I will, and thank you," said Mary Jo. Mary went to see about Monica. The other doctor came up to Mary Jo.
"Nurse, your boyfriend made it out fine," he said.
"Thank you, doctor," said a relieved Mary Jo.
"So, there's no damage?" asked Lucy. "I'm Linus's sister, by the way."
"Everything should be okay, Ms. Van Pelt," assured the doctor.
"Can we see him?" said Mary Jo.
"Yes, but only Mary Jo and his sister for now," said the doctor to everyone else.
"Tell him we're all here," said Charlie.
"I will," said Mary Jo. After Lucy kissed Derrick, both she and Mary Jo went to see Linus.
On the outskirts of town, Duke was at his car, still holding the gun he shot Linus with in his hand. Once the adrenaline died down, he wondered if he had successfully did away with Linus, or if he was still alive. Either way, in his warped mind he was sure that Linus would stay away from Mary Jo after getting shot. Duke had managed to find a spot to hide his car and himself from the police, as he knew they would be looking for someone that fit his description. Once the heat died off a bit, he would make his move on Mary Jo and try to get her back. He just had to have some patience, he figured.
NEXT CHAPTER: MONICA'S FINAL DECISION