Chapter 160

Sirens wailed in the distance, and Ronnie sighed in relief. Dot needed care right away.

EMS arrived and hurried to Dot's side. They checked her vitals, cleaned the cut on her cheek, and bandaged her head. Dot groaned as they lifted her onto the gurney but then lapsed back into unconsciousness. They pushed her out and into the ambulance and headed for the hospital.

Ronnie retrieved her spool of yellow crime scene tape and began threading it around the diner, using poles and trees in between until the building was completely off-limits.

"I sure hope we'll be able to talk to Dottie soon. Otherwise, we have nothing to go on, here," Ronnie said once they were back inside in the office. She inspected the bookshelf. "We're going to need a warrant to do any further investigation of the records."

Mitch pulled out his cell and called someone. "We can pick it up in an hour. I'll have Adam get it from Judge Matthews and bring it here."

"We need to put a closed sign out. Also, we need to