“How long do you think he’ll need to stay in the hospital?” Stone asked.
“A few days at least,” the doctor said.
“Whatever he needs to get better,” Helene said.
The doctor smiled. “A nurse will let you know when he’s been taken to recovery.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Stone said.
After he left, Stone, Tamlyn, and Dino went out into the hall where they could talk without disturbing Helene.
Stone and Tamlyn gave Dino their versions of what happened.
“That aligns with what witnesses have described,” Dino said. “Were either of you able to get a look at the driver?”
“I was a bit preoccupied watching my life flash before my eyes,” Stone replied.
“I did,” Tamlyn said. “But it was too dark to make out much of anything. He was a guy, maybe middle-aged, but I could be wrong about that last part.”
“There must be CCTV cameras in the area,” Stone said.
“Someone’s checking them now,” Dino said. “Which reminds me, we found the truck.”
“You did?”
“The driver abandoned it four blocks away.”
“He must have been in a hurry to get away,” Tamlyn said.
“That and he knew what he was doing. He stopped right in a CCTV blind spot and got lost before my people could track him down.”
“I guess that eliminates any lingering doubts about whether the truck hit us on purpose or not,” Stone said.
“He was definitely gunning for you,” Dino said. “What I’d like to know is why.”
“You and me both.”
“Count me in on that,” Tamlyn said. “I was thinking the guy who followed us last week might be connected to tonight. Stone, what do you think?”
“Someone followed you last week?” Dino asked.
Stone told him about the previous week’s encounter, then said, “Fred thinks the drivers weren’t the same.”
“I’m missing something,” Dino said. “The garbage truck followed you andthentried to run you down?”
“No. Someone followed us from Clarke’s, then stopped right before the intersection where we were hit.”
“You didn’t mention that part before.”
“We didn’t?” Stone asked.
“I would have remembered.”
“My guess is he was relaying our position to the truck driver.”
“Perhaps you can find CCTV footage of him,” Tamlyn suggested.
“I’ll pass it on to the detectives,” Dino said. “Do you know what kind of car he was in?”
