Chapter 95
K.J. had made it to her patrol car and she’d had the keys in her pocket. She was able to follow the ERT van when it left the parking lot. She kept it in view, as she called in her location. And what was happening.
She’d left Trace behind, to deal with the injured. He hadn’t liked being the one to stay but as a Major Crimes detective now, she was in charge. Whether he liked it or not—and they hadn’t had time to argue.
Besides, it would be easier for him to carry Lila to help, if needed. Fear for her friend…K.J. shoved it away. She had to focus on the job, now.
She called dispatch, demanded they patch her in to Major Crimes. Direct line, nothing radio.
She just stayed back. So Newcomb wouldn’t see her.
She was putting it all together here. What she couldn’t figure out was why the guy had gone off the rails now—it didn’t make sense that a guy would go forty-something years, only to waltz right into the crime lab to attack a bunch of criminalists.
Finally, dispatch came through, connecting her phone to a Major Crimes extension.
“Foster. Miller, what’s going on?”
“Newcomb took our ERT van, number two. I think he has a hostage. I am not sure, but I think it was Madison McAlister. Lila Dodson was injured outside the lab.”
“Dodson already en route to hospital.”
K.J. refused to think about her friend right now. She just couldn’t. “I have visual confirmation of the van heading south down Boethe. We are approximately in the 1200 block now. I am two blocks back, maintaining distance.”
“Keep visual. But don’t engage unless necessary. Assists are on the way.”
“Understood. I’m only going to engage when necessary.”
She just hoped the response team arrived before she had to. And…that Madison could hold on until they got there.