Edge of Mercy (A Kate Reid Novel Book 11), Robin Mahle [freenovel24 .txt] 📗

of Bishop and he’d scoured his designated area twice. The entire team had done the same and still no sign of the killer. Concern that Kate had been wrong was paramount in his mind. The extent of an operation like this could spell the end of her career if they struck out again. Although he was pretty sure Fisher would defend her until the end. It wouldn’t matter, though, because she would fall on the sword, regardless.

He maintained certainty that she was not wrong; that Bishop was here; it was simply a matter of finding him. He would be somewhere away from others and that was where Nick needed to look. He pressed the button on his radio. “Still no luck here. I’m expanding my search.”

“Scarborough, where are you going?” Fisher asked.

“I’ll head north and take the next few blocks ahead of Walsh and Reid.” Nick turned back and walked along the main thoroughfare that had grown busier with rescue workers and medical aid stations. The rainy season was over, and the temperature soared into the high 80s. Now the air was dry and dust from the transfer of people and vehicles kicked up into the air.

He pushed through the growing chaos as National Guard Humvees arrived in greater numbers. Concern that if one of them encountered Bishop, the surrounding Guardsmen might not know what was happening, drew to the front of Nick’s mind. It could make a bad situation even worse.

Nick pressed again on the radio button. “Walsh, Reid, you copy?”

“Copy, Scarborough. Walsh here. You near us yet?”

“Approaching roughly 300 yards behind the start of your quadrant. There are a lot more Guardsmen here now.”

“Roger that.”

“Duncan here. Gutierrez left to find whoever’s in charge and get them up to speed so we don’t run into any problems.”

“You’re on your own?” Fisher interrupted.

“He’s in my sights. Just waiting on him to return,” she replied.

“Copy,” Fisher said.

Nick pressed on. His intention wasn’t to join Kate and Walsh’s efforts, but to move the search ahead and enter into a new area where he might still find Bishop. He held the radio up again. “I’m walking past Walsh and Reid now.”

The market where the bulk of the damage had occurred was behind him. He moved ahead into a less populated area where there was still damage but no obvious collapse of any of the structures.

Nick walked into the TV repair shop and called out, “Anyone here? Hola?” No reply. He moved through the building but saw no evidence anyone had been inside when the quake struck. “Damn it.” He walked out again and carried on north until he reached a café. “Hola?”

Tables were overturned, pictures were on the ground, their glass frames shattered, but there appeared to be no sign of anyone inside.

“Hola?” He tried again. Still there was no answer. Nick walked out and picked up the radio. “I’m checking north of the marketplace. Still no sign.”

Ahead was another small building, which looked like a cell phone store. Nick walked inside. “Hola?” He moved in and noticed slightly more damage, but no one answered. “Hola? Policia.” Nick spotted blood near what looked like a register desk. He carefully stepped toward it. “Anyone here?” He peered around the desk before leaning over the top and that was when he spotted her. “Oh my God.” He pressed on the button. “I need help in here. There’s a woman. She’s injured.” He hurried around the desk and squatted below. “Miss? Miss?” He placed his fingers on her wrist and felt a faint pulse. “She’s still alive.”

“Scarborough, where are you?” Fisher yelled through the radio.

Nick looked around for the name of the business. “It’s a cell phone store. Just n…” He cringed and dropped the radio to reach for the back of his neck. With his hand clamped down, he turned to see a man running through a rear exit. Nick immediately felt light-headed. His vision blurred as he tried to reach for the radio again.

“Scarborough?” Fisher asked.

“Reid and I are headed north to the cell phone store. Someone get help now!” Walsh was out of breath and sounded like he was running.

Hurried steps and quick breaths sounded when Fisher got on the line again. “Perez is getting help. Everyone needs to get to Scarborough’s location.”

Kate ran through the streets, nearly stumbling twice on the rubble. “Oh, God. Oh, God. Please.” She huffed and coughed and pumped her legs as fast as she could.

“Reid! Hang on.” Walsh did his best to catch up, but he was slower and heavier than Kate. “Be careful! Jesus!”

“I’m coming. I’m coming, Nick. Hang on.” Kate pushed harder and faster. “I see the building!” She glanced over her shoulder at Walsh. “It’s just ahead. Hurry!” Kate slowed and glanced up. “This is the place.” She rushed inside. “Nick? Nick, where are you?” Her eyes scanned the damage. “Where are you?” Her heart raced and her eyes reddened.

“Nick!” With no response, she searched for him, lifting everything in her path and calling out for him. It wasn’t until she saw the blood, that her own blood turned cold.

Walsh slowed as he made his way inside. “Kate.” His weapon was drawn, and he made his way toward her on the right of the building. “Scarborough?”

“Levi, over here.” She looked down at the blood and walked around the desk where she finally spotted him. “He’s here! Nick? Nick are you okay?”

He was slumped against the side of the desk while the young woman, rebar still protruding from her arm lay next to him.

“Oh God. Come on, baby.” Kate tapped on his cheek. “Nick? Wake up. Come on now. Wake up.” She tapped his cheek again when she spotted his eyes flutter.

Levi hurried around the desk. “Buddy, are you okay?” He noticed the girl. “Jesus. Where’s the help? We need some goddam help in here!” He screamed.

Fisher and Perez pulled up in one of the guard’s Humvees and rushed inside.

“Reid? Walsh? Where are you?” Fisher scanned the store.

“Over here.” Walsh appeared from behind