Chapter 11

Mattes looked after Mel. He knew that he had hurt her very much with the accusation. Maybe it would have been better to ask at the hospital first, then he might not have had to bother Mel at all, but now it was too late. Chris looked at his partner.

"She understands that Mattes. When her initial anger passes, she knows you're just doing your job."

"Still Chris. I should have listened to Steve."

"Come on, let's go see the doctor and then we have to find a murderer. Is Rico in forensics yet?"

Mattes started the engine.

"Yes, I think so."

Then he drove off in the direction of the hospital.

Chris and Mattes entered the hospital. At the reception desk, Chris asked for Dr. Schneider.

"He's in his office. Back there on the left and then the fourth door on the left."

"Thank you."

The two police officers followed the description and knocked on the office door. When they opened it, the doctor was already facing them. Mattes explained what it was about and at first the doctor did not want to say anything because of his duty of confidentiality.

"Doctor, we just want to know from when to when Dr. Kinsella was examined by you, that's all."

The doctor nodded.

"All right. She came in around six. We then did various examinations and around seven-thirty I discharged her again."

"Was Dr. Kinsella ever absent in between?"

"No, she was there throughout, how else would I have examined her?"

"Thank you doctor, that's about it."

Chris and Mattes said goodbye and left the office. Chris looked at Mattes. "So I guess an alibi couldn't be more airtight."

"Hardly."

"Stop fretting. Let's go see her."

"Okay, let's do it."

When Steve returned to the hotel, Mel was sitting on the bed with her back to the door, looking out the window, lost in thought. She winced when she heard the card in the lock, but didn't turn around.

Steve walked around the bed, knelt in front of her and took her hand.

"Why don't you tell me when you're feeling bad, but go to the hospital in secret?"

Mel heard the disappointment in Steve's voice. Tears came to her eyes.

"How do you know about that?"

"I was with Mattes and Chris when the news of Rico's death came in, and since I'm sure you weren't at the hospital because of Rico, that only leaves the possibility that you weren't feeling well and that's why you went to the hospital."

Mel nodded.

"I..., I didn't want you to worry again. I've already caused you too much worry lately."

"But we are together. We should be there for each other, not only when we're doing well, but also when we're doing badly. Mel, I almost lost you, I can't just put that away either. I love you and want to spend my life with you, but please do me a favor, don't shut me out. No matter what, talk to me and let me share or help you too."

Mel bit her lips, then nodded.

"I'm sorry Steve."

He took her face in his hands and gave her a soulful kiss. Then he brushed away her tears.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

"I have a slight lung contusion from the accident. It's painful but Dr. Schneider has given me painkillers. If the shortness of breath increases, he said to check back in with him."

Steve stroked her cheek again.

"So, was it that hard?"

Mel shook her head and Steve took her in his arms.

Enjoying each other's presence for a moment, Mel released the embrace. Steve looked at her attentively, concern still written on his face. "Did the doctor say anything about whether you can fly? Or do we have to change our return flight?"

"No, that should be fine. I've had enough too, I just want to go home."

"Mattes didn't mean it that way. He's just a cop, you know he has to follow all the clues."

"Yes, but the accusation still hurt."

Just as Steve was about to give her another hug, there was a knock at the door. When he opened it, Mattes and Chris were standing there.

"May we come in?"

Steve nodded and stepped aside.

Mattes walked through until he was standing directly in front of Mel, who was still sitting on the edge of the bed like a heap of misery. He squatted down to be able to look her in the face.

"I'm sorry, Mel. I should have known. But I'm also a police officer..."

"It's okay, Mattes, you're just doing your job, and you're doing it well."

He pulled her up from the bed and took her in his arms, then looked at his friends.

"Okay, what else is on the agenda today?"

"We had promised Cillian that we would see each other again before we flew back. We were going to meet at the Italian place in Old Town right away. Are you coming?"

"Yes, gladly. We're still waiting for Rico's autopsy. I guess the institute is a little understaffed right now due to illness."

Steve looked at Mel. "Don't even think about it."

But she was already shaking her head. "No, I'm not allowed to do that at all. After all, I am personally affected in this case."

"Well come on then, let's not keep your family waiting."

Slowly, the door to the room closed behind the friends.