Best Laid Plans(103)

“We viewed the hospital security feed. It shows the vehicle waiting in the parking lot. The suspects aren’t identifiable. As soon as the girl emerged from the doors and was clear of the pillars, they drove forward and started shooting. Tia was flanking street side, right in the line of fire. But we have no reason to believe that Tia was the target.”

Sean asked, “Where was Lucy?”

“Excuse me?”

Juan said, “Chief Milton Turner, this is Sean Rogan, a civilian consultant.”

The chief looked like he recognized Sean, but more likely it was the Rogan name. “Agent Kincaid had handcuffed herself to the prisoner and got her out of harm’s way. We’ve reviewed the security tapes, and her quick thinking saved the girl’s life.”

“I want to see the tapes,” Sean said.

Juan cleared his throat and changed the subject.

Sean walked away. He tried to call Lucy, but she didn’t pick up her phone. He found a nurse. “Lucy Kincaid? She was one of the FBI agents on scene. She said she had a couple cuts being stitched.”

“Are you with the FBI?”

“I’m her boyfriend.”

“I’m sorry, only immediate family and law enforcement is entitled to information about a patient.”

Sean ran both hands through his hair. He had been on edge all morning, and it had only gotten worse. “I need to see her.”

“I wish I could help, but it’s hospital policy.”

“It’s a f*cked policy!”

This was why he didn’t follow rules. He should have hacked into the hospital computer and found her himself.

“You’re going to have to leave.”

“I’m not leaving.”

“I’m calling security.” She didn’t need to call security, one of the SAPD officers came over to them.

“Sir, you’re going to have to leave.”

It took all of Sean’s self-control to force himself to speak calmly. “I need to see Agent Kincaid now.”

Barry Crawford walked over and showed his badge to the officer. “I’ll take care of this.” He escorted Sean down the hall, away from the skeptical nurse and the rest of the cops. “Lucy’s okay, Sean. She’s in x-ray right now.”

Why x-ray? Was it more serious than Lucy had told him?

Barry took Sean into a small, empty office. He pulled out his cell phone and said, “I downloaded the security feed from the parking lot. Zach and our tech people are putting together every feed from the area, but this one will tell you what you need to know.”

Sean didn’t want to watch the feed, but he needed the minute to calm down. He saw Tia exit the building. Right behind her was Lucy, her right wrist cuffed to Elise’s left wrist, because Elise’s right arm was in a sling. They weren’t in a protective formation—they hadn’t expected trouble. The transport van was twenty feet down from the entrance. Almost immediately, Lucy’s body lurched forward. She grabbed Elise, putting her body between Elise and the parking lot, and pushed her into the bushes against the building. Tia was shot twice, first in the torso, then in the leg. Barry was only two feet away, blocked by a pillar, firing back.

Sean grabbed the phone and played the beginning in slow motion.

The first shot hit Lucy in the back.

She went down with Elise, obscured by the hedge, and Tia pulled her gun but couldn’t get a shot fired. She was blocking the shooters’ target. If Tia hadn’t been standing where she was, the bullet’s trajectory would have hit Lucy as she started going down. The second bullet hit Tia’s leg, which easily could have hit Lucy even though she was behind the hedge by that point.

“Lucy was the target,” Sean said.

Barry frowned. “No. Elise was the target. They were shooting at Lucy to get to Elise.”

Sean didn’t say anything. He knew different.

“Where is she?”

“I know you’re worried, but Lucy was wearing a vest. She acted quickly, did everything she was supposed to do. I talked to her. She’s fine, but the doctor wanted an x-ray to make sure that there were no cracked or broken ribs. She is okay, Sean. As soon as the doctor clears her, she’ll be out here. Give it a few more minutes. And stay away from the hospital staff—they’re ready to toss you out.”

“What else do you know, Barry?” Sean asked.

“I can’t tell you that, Sean.”

“I’ll find out.”

“I’m sure you will.”

“Do you know who hired the call girl?”

“We have a solid suspect, but I’m not telling you who it is. He’s most likely behind this hit. We have agents on their way to pick him up right now.”

That means it wasn’t Tobias. Because law enforcement had no idea who he was or where he was located.

“Wait here,” Barry said. “I’ll get you when Lucy is out of x-ray.”

Barry left and Sean called Nate. “Nate, who’s the suspect behind the shooting at the hospital? Crawford said agents had been sent out to arrest him, but he refused to tell me who.”

“I’ll tell you on one condition.”

“I’m not going to go after him.”

“Swear.”

“I swear, Nate. I have some pieces to the puzzle, but I need this one. I suspect there’s a connection between this case and what happened two months ago. When my brother was in Mexico.”