Chapter 10
Charlie and Rex made their way up to the hospital floor that Sarah was on. Detective Parsons had logged the duffle bag as evidence and had taken Chloe in for some more in-depth questioning. They'd alerted Joe and Jesse, who were coming back into the precinct.
"There he is," Sarah smiled as he entered the doorway. Rex barked.
"I didn't forget you buddy," she chuckled and then regretted it, putting a hand to her bandages. It made Charlie wince, but he noted that her color had vastly improved and he was grateful to see her smile. He came over to the bedside, leaned down, and kissed the top of her head.
"Sorry I left," he said softly, sitting on the edge of the bed, taking up as little space as he possibly could.
"Hey if there is someone out there trying to frame the man who shot me, I'd be out there too," she said.
"My priority should be you," he told her.
"I'm not stopping St. John's best detective team from doing their jobs," Sarah smiled.
"You're part of that team. The most important part," he told her. Rex barked but this time it was in agreement before he hopped up on the opposite side of the bed and snuggled into his spot by Sarah's legs. She reached down and petted him; tears were forming but she was trying to hide them. Charlie pulled her as close as he could and wiped away the tears.
"You know that I love you, right? The words aren't enough to say how much," he told her.
"I love you too. Both of you, so much," she said.
"Charlie Hudson, you making my daughter cry?" Daniel Truong walked back into the hospital room. He'd run down to the cafeteria for coffee and vending machine snacks while Mai had run to the ladies room. She was just coming back into the room as well and not looking happy.
"Bố," Sarah gave him a look, which he returned, as Charlie stood up.
"I wasn't trying to, honest," the detective said. Daniel set the food down and pulled Charlie into a hug. It was odd for him but then again these were not normal circumstances.
"Any luck?" The elder man asked when he let go of Charlie.
"If it's a frame job, it's a very good one. Still, we haven't found the shotgun," the detective shook his head.
"What did you find?" Sarah asked.
"No, no. You're not on duty," Charlie gave her a look, "Technically, neither am I, but I will check in with Parsons, in the morning."
"I can wait," Sarah winked.
"I think that people need to be getting sleep and no one is doing it here," Charlie said. Daniel and Mai gave him a look but before any arguments could be made the night shift duty nurse walked into the room.
"I know we have a bit of a celebrity staying here but I'm going to need everybody to clear out. Even celebrities need their beauty sleep," she gave them all a look. Rex whined and the nurse gave him a look too.
"Come on pal. We have to do what the nurse says. We'll be back in the morning," Charlie promised.
"We'll be back too," Mai said.
"Yes, yes, give the morning nurse the good news," the nurse smirked as she shuttled them to the room door. Charlie gave Sarah one more look before the nurse shut the door behind her.
To Be Continued…