Distant Thunder

41

Dino and Stone got into the rear seat of Dino’s armored GMC. “Let’s drift up to the 19th Precinct and see how our guest is doing,” he said to his driver.

“No problems getting her there,” the driver replied. He drove uptown for the few blocks. As they approached the precinct, they saw an ambulance parked out front, its blue light spinning. Two men and a woman came down the front steps with a gurney. The woman was holding an IV bag above the patient, who appeared to be another woman. They got her into the ambulance, and it drove away.

Dino hit the sidewalk running and went upstairs into the precinct, with Stone hot on his heels.

“Commissioner,” the desk sergeant said, “one flight up.”

They were met by a man in a suit and tie, minus the jacket, holding both hands up. “Commish, it’s all under control.”

“What is under control?” Dino shouted at the man.

“The perp had a handcuff key on her somewhere. Detective Rosie Mack took her into a holding cell for the body and cavity search, there was some noise, and the perp came out of there with her hands free and Rosie’s piece in one of them. She grabbed her handbag from my desk and made it down the stairs without shooting anybody, took an unmarked cruiser, and drove it away. I’ve issued an APB.”

“What is the extent of Rosie’s injuries?”

“She was stuck in the chest with something smaller than a knife and hit on the back of the neck. She was unconscious, and there was some blood.”

“Where’s she headed?”

“Lenox Hill ER.”

“Has anybody reported the cruiser?”

“No, sir. It’s a Toyota four-door, gray.”

“Let’s go,” Dino said to Stone and ran down the stairs. “Lenox Hill ER,” he said to his driver.

“What about the cruiser?” Stone asked.

“With a one-car search party, we’re not going to find it. Leave it to the net; I want to see Rosie.”

They got out of the car at the ER entrance and ran inside. Dino brushed a nurse out of the way and started looking in examining rooms.

Another nurse stopped him. “She’s on her way to the OR with a small puncture wound to the heart and a concussion.”

“Was she conscious at all?”

“Briefly. She said something about a hatpin and a headache, then she passed out.”

“What are her chances?”

“Good, but they’ve got to crack her chest, so she’ll be down for some time.”

“No point waiting,” Dino said. “Tell her I was here, and when she shows signs of waking up, call me immediately.” He handed the nurse a card. “No matter what time it is.” He stalked out of the ER with Stone on his heels.

“As I recall,” Stone said, “you and Rosie were sort of an item a while back.”

“A long while back,” Dino said. “But she’s a great person, and I love her as much as I love anybody but Viv. She didn’t deserve this, and I’m going to find out why my instructions weren’t followed to the letter.”

They arrived at Stone’s house and the driver pulled into the garage, per Stone’s instructions.

“Do I have to tell you to watch your ass?” Dino said. “I mean, she came for you.”

“No, you don’t have to tell me.”

“I’m going to put a uniform on your front and rear doors, until you can get Mike Freeman at Strategic Services to get some people over here. I hope I don’t have to tell you that she walked into a crowded bar, suckered us both, and damn near committed two murders.”

“Why would she go after you?” Stone asked.

“Because I was there, and I made her. She wouldn’t have hesitated. This is who you’re dealing with.”

“I understand, believe me. You want to wait here for the call?”

“I may as well. Viv is in the Far East somewhere for another couple of days, and I’m glad she is.”

“Coffee?” Stone asked.

“Nah, I’ll catch forty winks on your office sofa. You go to bed. I don’t want you cluttering up the ER when Rosie comes out of it.”

“All right. Call me after you’ve seen her, and give her my best.”

“Yeah, sure. She’ll like that.” Dino headed for Stone’s office and slammed the door behind him.

Stone went upstairs, stripped, and fell into bed.