Page 34 of Andrew’s Outback Love

“The doctor who won the award last night?”

“Yes, he is.”

“Are you able to contact his family?”

I realised, I had no idea.

“I’ll take care of it, where are you taking him?”

“Royal Melbourne, it’s the closest.”

“I’ll be over shortly.”

I’d no sooner spoken when two police officers, a male and a female, entered the small room. It was becoming rather crowded. They stopped to have a word with the paramedics. The female had a notebook poised in her hands and asked the questions.

“Gunshot?”

“Yes. Close range. The bullet has penetrated the skin and possibly severed the subclavian artery or vein. Substantial blood loss. No exit wound in patient’s back. Breathing labored and shallow.” The paramedic spoke quickly and before the police officer could ask any further questions, the two men rushed off with Drew strapped to a gurney.

“Thank you,” she called to their backs before turning to me. “Miss....”

“Freemont. Linda Freemont.”

“You witnessed the victim being shot?”

“Yes.”

“Did you recognize the shooter?”

“Yes. Candy Wilson.”

“The Channel Nine reporter?”

One of the two men from the hotel, who’d both stayed with me, stepped forward. “Our security guard called it in. I just received word, the police have her in custody.”

I breathed a sigh of relief that she was off the street. The female turned her focus back on me.

“Yes, we just received a radio message that they have her at Russell Street. Do you have any idea why she wanted to harm Dr. Lowman?”

“She’s jealous of our relationship.”

“Has Ms. Wilson been in a relationship with Dr. Lowman in the past?”

“No, Drew couldn’t stand her, but she wouldn’t leave him alone. Apparently, she’s been harassing him over the phone for more than a month. We ran into her at the gala last night and Drew had a few words to say to her. She didn’t take it very well and said he’d pay for what he’d said. Please, I’d like to let his colleagues know before it hits the news. I’d also like to head to the hospital.”

“Thank you, Ms. Freemont. If we have any further questions, we’ll be in touch.”

I gave her my contact details and while they checked for evidence around the door where Drew had been shot, I grabbed some fresh clothes and hurried to the bathroom to change. The sweat pants and shirt I’d dressed in earlier were covered in blood – Drew’s blood. Tears slipped free for the first time since all hell had broken loose. What if he didn’t make it?

***

I HURRIED TO THE FIFTEENTH floor where I knew the others had rooms, we’d all been placed next to each other. Starting with Cam in Room 1512, I rushed along the corridor frantically banging on doors.

“Linda, what the fuck?”

I glanced over my shoulder to see a disheveled Cam standing by his door, he’d obviously been taking a nap.

“Can everyone meet in your room?”