Till Dark

Jordan took a deep breath and told him everything she knew and had seen. When she finished the Officer told her it was safe for her to return to the hotel and pack her things. "I strongly suggest that you go into the witness protection program." "I can't do that. My son and life are back in Georgia. I don't want to have to make my son go through all of that just because of some crackpot. No I'm going home and live my life. I will not be frightened by anything or anyone." Officer Greer started to argue with her but knew that it would be pointless to do so. She was a strong lady and he knew from the look on her face that she had already made up her mind. With a sigh he accepted her answer. "Okay but at least let us make sure that you get home." "I believe that I can hold my own Officer Greer. Besides you already have the guy that did all this." "Well, I will drop you off at the hotel and then I'm going back to the station to question Mr. Nichols." That's not necessary." "I was not asking you Jordan. I think that it is necessary and I fully intend on escorting you back to your hotel." Jordan could tell that there was no point in arguing with him. He was indeed quite serious. "Fine if you feel that way." Officer Greer led her out to the squad car parked at the curb. The ride to her hotel was silent. She didn't want to discuss anything with him, all she wanted to do was go home to Cody and Alex and put this whole nasty thing behind her. So far she needed a vacation from her vacation. Jordan sighed softly to herself. Officer Greer seemed to understand that she really didn't want to talk and let her be. When they reached the hotel he walked Jordan to her room and checked it out thoroughly before once again trying to convince her to go into protective custody. Jordan refused and thanked the Officer for everything. He left but felt uneasy about the whole situation. The faster he got back to the station and talked to Andrew Nichols the better he would feel.

Packing her things as quickly as she could, she called the airlines to see if she could change her flight for tonight. The sooner she got away from this place the better. She still could not believe that Andy could do such a thing; it had been a wonder that he had not tried to kill her that afternoon. No he had waited till dark when no one would be around to see him attack her and Clark. I wonder what happened to him. She closed her eyes trying to block out the sound of the gun going off. "What a vacation this has turned out to be." She said to herself, and finished packing just as there was a knock at the door. Great she thought the last thing I need is somebody else trying to convince me to go into hiding or worrying over me. She almost didn't answer but knew that if she didn't that they would only check the front desk to see if she were there or get one of the bell boys to open the door. Sighing loudly she walked over to open the door. "Who is it?" "It's me Clark open the door please." "Clark, oh my God, what happened are you all right?" He staggered in and closed the door behind him. "Andy shot me and then ran after you. I tried to stop him Jordan I really did but there was nothing I could do." Jordan gave him a sympathetic pat on the arm then rushed to the kitchen to grab a hand towel. She pressed the towel to his blood soaked side. "Don't worry about it the police have him now and I think that we probably need to get that gunshot wound looked at. Just let me change into to something more appropriate and we can go." Jordan headed off for the bedroom fully intending on changing and taking Clark to the hospital but he had other plans. "Don't worry about the hospital Jordan. You're all the treatment that I need." Something in his voice caused her to stop mid-stride. She turned around slowly her eyes nervous at what she might see. Clark was standing just inside the bedroom door with a gun pointed straight at her. Fear gripped her rendering her mind and body a helpless victim to immobility. She stood there helpless and afraid but for some reason her brain simply would not function. "Why?" She nearly choked as she spoke the single syllable phrase. He laughed low and deadly. "I can't have you running around finding out things that you don't need to know. Jordan looked at him as if he had just grown a second head. "You're husband was into a lot of things Jordan." She still had no clue as to what this man wanted or was referring to." What?" She managed weakly. The waves of nausea had turned into full-blown sickness. She felt light-headed and she could feel the beads of perspiration on her neck and forehead.