Trail of Dead (Scarlett Bernard #2)(68)

The young driver nodded briskly and jogged inside, letting a cop guide her around Kevin’s body. Poor Kevin. Even in death, he was just a backdrop.

“Come on, I’ll help you climb up,” Jesse said, taking my hand and steering me toward the back of the ambulance.

“We don’t have time for this,” I protested. He ignored me, and I pretty much had to allow him to pull me along. Digging my heels in would hurt too much.

“We’re making time,” he said, and I knew from his tone that further arguments would be pointless. Jesse helped me climb carefully into the rig. I scooted around the older EMT, who was working over Kirsten, and settled down in the seat across from the witch.

“You should get back in there,” I called to Jesse, who was still on the ground. “Dashiell will be here any second.” I gave him a meaningful look that I hoped said and you guys have to figure out what to tell everyone.

“I want to stay with you,” he said simply.

“I know, but—” Before I could finish that thought, I saw the younger EMT walking around the outside of the house leading a young woman with a long, ugly gash on her forearm. Runa. “Oh, f*ck me,” I said out loud. I had forgotten all about her.

“What?” Jesse said. He turned around, following my gaze, and saw his girlfriend being led away from the witch party. The coward in me was glad I didn’t have to see his face just then. “Runa?” he said incredulously. “What are you doing here?” He must have taken in the camera that was still hanging around her neck. Even from twenty feet away I could see the cracked lens. “Was this, like, a gig, or something? What happened?”

Runa looked at me briefly, and back at Jesse. “I sort of got pushed, cut my arm on the edge of the fountain,” she explained, her voice weak. “And, um, I think we need to talk.”

I almost laughed. That was an understatement. Before either of them could speak, though, the younger EMT said, “It’s not that deep, but we should take her in for surface stitches.” She turned to address Runa. “Miss, the next ambulance is going to take you to the hospital. Please wait here with the detective until it arrives.”

“Oh, hey, she looks way more hurt than I am,” I protested, starting to stand up from my stretcher. It hurt, but the pain was already less than it had been a few minutes earlier. “And this is her cousin,” I added, pointing at Kirsten. “I can drive myself to the ER.” Jesse glared. “Or wait for the next ambulance,” I said contritely, before he could yell.

The EMTs exchanged another look, and then the older woman shrugged. “Fine by me.”

Runa came over to the ambulance, and I stood up to climb down. Before I could move to the edge, though, Kirsten’s hand waved weakly. “Scarlett?”

“Kirsten!” I took her hand. It was very cool.

“We need to get going, Miss,” the older EMT said, but I didn’t bother to look at her. I was focused on the witch.

“Kirsten?” I said again. Her eyelids fluttered, but after a moment her deep-blue eyes found me again. “I know you’re hurting, but I have to ask you something.” She nodded slightly. I looked up at Runa and gave her a look. She understood and began engaging the two EMTs in a question about types of stitches.

I took a deep breath. “There was nobody at that party stronger than you, Kirsten. I’m sure of it. But this whole time we’ve been looking for a witch inside your union. What about the witches in LA who didn’t want to join you? Could a powerful witch be operating in the city without you knowing?”

Kirsten mumbled, “I’d know. Go talk to them. Ask them to join us.” Her last two words slurred together.

I frowned. “But witches have said no before, right? Have you ever been turned down by someone very powerful?”

For a moment, Kirsten’s eyes cleared and her eyebrows furrowed. Then her face relaxed, and her head seemed to sink a little farther into the gurney. “There was someone once. Years ago. But she died. There was an accident. Olivia…” She gasped, and both EMTs’ heads swiveled our way in alarm. Kirsten’s face couldn’t get any paler, but her hand squeezed mine.

I leaned forward so only Kirsten could hear. “Olivia got rid of the body,” I said quietly. Kirsten nodded, a tiny, urgent movement. “Only she didn’t.”

“I should have…I should have…” Her eyelids fluttered again. “Mallory,” she whispered, and her hand relaxed in mine.

“Kirsten? What’s her last name? Where does she live?” But her eyes were closed again.

“Miss,” the driver said firmly. “Come down here. Now.”

When the ambulance sped off with Kirsten and Runa, Jesse turned on me. “Did you know?” he asked in a soft voice. “About Runa?”

“I found out about ten minutes ago,” I said honestly.

“Was she…was she sent? To be with me?”

I sighed. “I think so. But you should really talk to her.” I saw Dashiell’s expensive car pull up to the nearest curb spot, and I nodded at it. “Dashiell’s here.” I held out my hand. “You still have the best parking spot, though. Can I sit in your car until the ambulance gets here?”

He automatically dug in his pocket, still dazed, but froze with his keys in the air. “Swear to me that you won’t try to drive yourself to the hospital,” he demanded.