Part 47 (2/2)
”Yeah. I know. Oh, jeez, Sharon, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”
Sharon crouched and picked up her robe. ”Just don't jump to conclusions about me, okay?”
”I'm such an idiot.”
”You're fine, Jody. Now, move it or lose it, I've got a shower to take.” As Jody stepped out of the way, Sharon gave her upper arm a gentle squeeze. ”And don't worry, I won't say anything to your dad.”
”Thanks.”
In the bathroom doorway, Sharon turned around. She raised her eyebrows. ”We're friends?”
”You bet.”
”Good deal.”
Chapter Thirty-three.
Her father was gone from the balcony, but Jody saw him as she walked past the window of room 238. He was at the table, in the chair Sharon had occupied last night, almost out of sight beyond the edge of the curtain.
She knocked on the door. Andy opened it for her. He'd gotten dressed. His hair was even combed, and still looked wet.
”Been waiting long?” she asked him.
”Yeah. What took you so long?” He shut the door after Jody was in.
”Things,” she said, and gave him a mysterious smile. She pulled the other chair away from the table and sat down. Andy dropped onto the end of the bed where she'd slept. Near the foot of the other bed was Dad's Mossberg shotgun. ”Where'd that come from?”
”It's been around,” Dad said.
”I thought you left it in the car.”
”It wouldn't do us much good there.”
She wondered for a moment what she'd done with her Smith & Wesson, then remembered sliding it under the front seat of the car just as they'd pulled into the Texaco station last night. It must still be there. The magazine and box of ammo, too. Unless Dad or Sharon had gone under there and taken them out.
Ask?
If she asked, she would get a firearms lecture.
So she decided to let it go. The gun was probably right where she'd left it.
It better be. If somebody broke in the car and stole it last night ...
Not likely. The car was just down below in the parking lot, in plain view from the balcony where Dad had stood watch.
I shouldn't have left it there, anyway, she told herself. Major stupid move.
I'm being major stupid a lot lately.
Maybe it has to do with having people trying to murder you all the time.
”So, what're we doing now?” she asked.
”Now that you're here,” Dad said, ”we're waiting for Sharon.”
”Well, she's done with her shower. I heard the water go off just before I left and came over here.”
”Is your stuff all packed and ready to go?” Dad asked.
”Pretty much. Are we gonna leave, or have breakfast, or what?”
”Checkout time isn't till noon. That gives us almost an hour and a half. I think we might as well leave everything in the rooms and go have breakfast. We can load up the car after we get back, then make some final pit stops and be on our way.”
”On our way where?” Jody asked.
Dad smiled at Andy. ”That's just what we were discussing when you came along.”
”We're not going to Phoenix,” Andy told her.
”Thank G.o.d for that.”
”I suppose I'll have to phone Spaulding sooner or later,” Dad said.
”Don't hurry,” Andy suggested.
”He's been notified that you turned up-that'll do for the time being. I'll want to check with a few people and find out where we stand before I have it out with him. In the meantime, just consider yourself part of the family.”
Andy grinned. ”Can I choose which part?”
”Family pet,” Jody said.
”Ha ha. Is Sharon like part of the family, too?” he asked.
Dad shrugged. ”Guess so.”
Narrowing his eyes, Andy rubbed his chin like an old sage stroking his goatee. ”Let's say Sharon's my wife. You two can be our kids.”
”Get outa here,” Jody said.
Dad just shook his head. On his crooked mouth was a true smirk.
”How about it?” Andy asked.
At least he's not miserable and crying, Jody told herself.
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