Visible Threat (6 page)

12

B
RINNA CAME TO,
coughing and sputtering. She was aware of two realities: her body was freezing, yet it also seemed to burn with pain. Her wrist and hand felt like they were on fire, and her throat felt as if it had been scraped with sandpaper.

“Take it easy, Officer Caruso,” a calm voice soothed her.

She blinked and struggled to focus. “Where
 
—?” she rasped, breaking into another coughing fit.

“You’re in the back of my paramedic van. It’s David
 
—Dave Burton, from station four. We met last month.”

Slowly Brinna focused on his face and remembered.
The river. The fall.
“The girl?” she asked.

Dave smiled. “She’s on the way to the hospital. You actually caught her and held her until divers could get to her.” His smile turned to a frown. “I have to admit, a dog leash is a novel rescue device. I’ll run that by the swift-water rescue team, see if they want to add it to their equipment list.”

Brinna ignored his sarcasm. “I never intended to go in the
water.” Just then the rumble of the ambulance diesel motor cut through the fog in her brain. “Where are we going?”

“Memorial Medical Center. You need to be checked out.”

“My dog!”

“Relax. Your sergeant was here. She said she’d take care of it.”

Brinna grimaced and tried to relax on the gurney as the ambulance started moving. Shoving the pain she felt to the back burner, she told herself that the girl was safe
 
—that at least she and Rick had accomplished that feat.

*   *   *

The frozen feeling didn’t drown out every other sensation until they reached the hospital. Once there, Brinna’s teeth chattered, and she felt completely wet and freezing. A nurse helped her out of the sodden cotton jumpsuit and Kevlar vest and into a dry gown. She draped Brinna in blankets straight from a warming drawer. Everything ached, but mostly Brinna’s wrist and head felt like burning irons poked them through and through. She could already discern a knot forming on the back of her head and knew that was a big part of the problem. As for her wrist, it was swollen and difficult to bend, and there was an angry red welt where the leash had tightened when Rick tried to keep her from falling into the water. The nurse told her that she’d be getting X-rays as soon as a technician was free.

“Hey, hot dog, how do you feel?”

Brinna poked her head out from under the warm blankets at the sound of Maggie’s voice. “I hurt. Can you tell me what happened?”

Maggie snorted and folded her arms. She looked as wet and bedraggled as Brinna felt.

“Well, first you went into the water, then Rick. Matt and Jeff were heroic, but it was the fire department that came to the rescue. Luckily the rescue team arrived at the bridge almost the same time you fell in.” The tone of her voice changed from informing to scolding, and Maggie wagged an index finger. “You know, I’m traumatized. I just about lost my best friend and one very good partner. You guys better not ever do that to me again.”

Maggie looked comical, but Brinna knew there was no levity in the lecture. She swallowed a chuckle. “Sorry, Mags. I realize it was a foolhardy thing to do. I didn’t go down there intending to go into the water. How’s Rick?”

Maggie sighed, and Brinna saw the worry cut across her face in deep creases. “I don’t know. He’s in the next exam room. They kicked everyone but medical personnel out. The rocks ripped a gash in the back of his head. There was a lot of blood.”

Sitting up, Brinna frowned. “I can’t believe it
 
—that’s horrible. I don’t know what to say. Everything happened so fast.”

“Yeah, well, I know you’d throw yourself in front of a train if you thought it would save a kid. And Rick
 
—we all know he’s an adrenaline junkie.” She rubbed her brow and closed her eyes. “I just hope he’s okay. I had to call Molly, his wife, and tell her. She’s on her way.” She clasped her hands together, interlacing her fingers and tapping her chin with her knuckles. “Do you want me to call your mom?”

“No.” Brinna shook her head and grimaced at the pain. “I’m fine. No reason to get her all upset. Besides, I don’t want to hear her lecture me.”

“You deserve a lecture. Didn’t we go through this a few days ago with that crazy chase in the driving rain? I really wish you’d think before you jump feetfirst into something. Literally and figuratively.”

“Mags, I
 
—”

A tech interrupted another apology when he came in to take Brinna to have her wrist x-rayed. As they went past the exam room where Brinna supposed Rick was, the door opened and a technician rushed out with a rack of vials. Brinna couldn’t help but notice all the activity. The doctors’ faces were grim, and cold fear gripped her midsection.

She thought about what Maggie had said, and guilt rushed over her. All she could do was hope Rick was okay.

13

J
ANET
R
ODRIGUEZ
was waiting for Brinna when she was brought back to her exam room. The sergeant had her clipboard in hand, and Brinna knew it was time for the injured-on-duty paperwork. The door to Rick’s exam room was now closed, and Maggie was nowhere in sight.

“How do you feel?” Janet asked.

“Okay, I guess. Just a little sore. How’s Rick?”

“That I don’t know. Sergeant Klein is with him. You’re my problem child. I took care of your dog, and I brought you some dry clothes.” Janet pointed to a bag on the chair by the bed.

Brinna recognized her own athletic bag. Every rainy season she kept a change of clothes in her black-and-white just in case she got wet and needed them.

“I had someone drive your Explorer here. It’s parked outside. I also made sure Hero got some food and water. Do you want me to call your mother?”

“No thanks. Maggie just asked me that.” Brinna relaxed a
bit, happy Janet was her sergeant. Not many others would be as thoughtful. “I don’t see any reason to worry my mother. As for Hero, he’ll be fine for a few hours.” She shifted in the bed, already antsy. “I guess I can’t leave until the doc checks me out.”

“You’re sure you’re going home?” Janet gave Brinna a look that said if it were up to her, Brinna would be staying the night.

“No way am I staying in the hospital unless I’m dying.”

Janet gave a mirthless chuckle. “Guess we’re lucky in that respect this time. What were you two thinking anyway? I’m told it’s a miracle you weren’t lost in the current and dumped in the Pacific Ocean.”

“I guess I got caught up in the moment. I didn’t think.”

Janet tapped the clipboard with her pen. “Engage your brain next time before you engage your motor neurons and jump into trouble.”

Brinna managed a rueful smile and nodded.

Clicking the pen, Rodriguez pulled up a chair and sat. “Now it’s time for you to help me get started on the mountain of paperwork you just caused for me.” Her tone was teasing.

Maybe a way to break the tension,
Brinna thought, but still guilt washed through her anew. She started to speak.

Janet waved her quiet. “I’m glad everyone is still with us, but please don’t do that again.”

“Maggie also beat you to that lecture. But before we start the paperwork, can you tell me how the girl is doing?”

“She’ll be okay, though she was almost drowned by the time you reached her. Any more time in the water and she’d
be dead. But other than that and a lot of bumps, bruises, and scrapes, she’ll be fine.”

“Do we know how and why she was in the water?”

“No, she hasn’t spoken, and the doctors don’t want to rush it. I’ve got someone pulling files to see if she’s a missing. We think she went in the water in Lakewood or Hawaiian Gardens somewhere. The Lakewood sheriff may have a report filed on her.” Janet tapped the clipboard again and transitioned to the questions on the IOD form
 
—a page and a half on how the injury occurred and what could be done to prevent such an injury in the future. At least Brinna hadn’t violated policy. There was no written LBPD policy that addressed jumping or falling into the river.

They’d just finished the paperwork when Sergeant Klein, the patrol sergeant and Rick and Maggie’s direct supervisor, appeared at the door, his expression grim.

“Rick?” Janet asked, beating Brinna to the question.

Klein didn’t answer right away. Instead he stepped into the room and ran a hand across the stubble on his chin. Brinna felt her stomach knot. Finally he looked from Janet to Brinna. “Not good, I’m afraid. Along with a nasty gash in his head, he’s got a fractured shoulder and a broken back. He hit the rocks hard.”

“His back is broken?” Brinna asked, shock smacking her between the eyes.

“Several vertebrae.” Klein sighed. “They don’t know for sure, but it looks like he’ll be paralyzed.”

14

K
LEIN AND
R
ODRIGUEZ
left Brinna to wait for the doctor after promising to get any news about Rick to her as soon as it was available. For Brinna, the minutes ticked by painfully. Several of her fellow officers stopped by to check on her condition, and the ribbing about being a swimmer began immediately. When the doctor eventually strode into her room, she felt sorry for him. He looked as tired as she felt. He had an envelope of X-rays with him.

“Hello, I’m Dr. Monroe. Sorry to keep you waiting. ‘When it rains, it pours’ seems to be an adage that applies to the ER tonight.”

“I understand,” Brinna said as she shifted in her bed. “Can you tell me anything about the condition of the other officer and the girl who came in with us?”

“No specifics without violating patient confidentiality.” Turning his back to her, he shoved the X-ray film up on the light board and studied it for a minute. Brinna could see the bones of her hand from over his shoulder.

Dr. Monroe swiveled around to face her. “All I can say is that the girl is stable and will be admitted. We’re waiting for a room to become available to send her upstairs. Now, about your condition.” He proceeded to complete a brief exam and explain to her that she had a hairline fracture in her left wrist and a mild concussion.

The news was sobering for someone as active as Brinna. She’d be off work for a while.

As the doctor applied a cast, he told her he wanted to admit her for the night, just for observation because of the concussion. Brinna adamantly refused to stay and was eventually released with a note:
Against medical advice.

Slowly and painfully she dressed in the warm, dry clothes Janet had left for her, not wanting to think about how she was going to get home.

I’ll have to get into the car and put my hands on the wheel before I decide whether or not I can drive,
she thought.

A knock on the door got her attention as she was gathering up her still-wet uniform.

“Hey, Brin, are they going to let you go?” It was Maggie, dressed in street clothes and looking tired but a lot better than she had seemed a few hours previous.

“Yep, it took some whining, but I have signed release papers.” She grimaced with the effort it took to wave the papers.

“I figured as much.” Hands on hips, Maggie rolled her eyes. “I knew you’d have to be dead before you stayed overnight.”

“I hate hospitals.” After her rescue as a child, she had to
spend the night in a hospital when all she wanted was to go home to her own bed. Back then, it was a scary place that was cold and smelled funny. Over the years, that feeling had morphed into being creeped out by hospitals. Her dad died in one, and even though they had reconciled in his room, Brinna could not shake the uncomfortable feeling that hospitals gave her.

“Which is why I had Rodriguez drop me off. I’ll drive you home.”

“I thought for sure you’d want to stay here for Rick.”

“I was going to, but everything is immediate family only. Even though Molly would sneak me in, I don’t want to take up space a family member could use. Besides, I’m sure you won’t mind bringing me back tomorrow.” She glanced at her watch. “Or later this morning, I should say.”

Brinna smiled. “I won’t mind at all. Thanks, Maggie. What would I do without you?”

Maggie snorted and took the bag of clothes from Brinna. “Just remember that the next time you want to dive into a raging river. By the way, I’ve walked Hero and given him some dog treats. He’s asleep in the Explorer.”

The pair left the exam room and walked toward the ER exit. Brinna’s mood lifted as soon as they were outside the confines of the hospital and away from the smell of sickness and death.

She turned toward Maggie. “Thanks again. Janet said she fed him, but I’m sure he appreciated the walk. By the way, what is the latest on Rick’s condition?”

“They don’t know.” The muscles in Maggie’s jaw tensed.
“His vitals are good, but he can’t feel anything below the waist. They’re talking surgery when the swelling goes down.” Her voice cracked.

Brinna stopped and took her arm. “I am so sorry.” She looked into Maggie’s moist eyes.

“I just wish you’d think first the next time
 
—both of you.” Maggie sniffled. “Rick would’ve dived in even if you hadn’t been there. Leave it to me to pick crazy hero-types for friends.” She started walking again, and Brinna fell into step with her.

“Let’s just hope that whatever is wrong, they can fix it.” Brinna took a deep breath and blew it out, feeling weighed down with guilt and fatigue.
Why did Rick have to get hurt following my lead?

Her black-and-white was parked close, in one of the emergency room police slots. A glance at her watch told her it was about 2 a.m. The night sky was still cloudy, but here and there were patches of open spaces and stars.

“Officer Caruso.”

Brinna turned at the sound of her name to see Paramedic Burton at the back of his rig wiping down a gurney.
He must’ve had another run,
she thought.

“Paramedic Burton.” She returned his wave, acutely conscious of her sloppy appearance. She’d tried to brush her hair down, but after being dunked in dirty rain runoff, she really needed a shower.

Burton stopped his cleaning and walked toward her and Maggie. “Glad to see you’re up and around. What’s the prognosis?”

Brinna glanced at Maggie, then held up her cast. “Broken wrist, along with assorted lumps. I’ll live.” She nodded toward Maggie. “Did you meet Officer Maggie Sloan? She was out there too.”

Burton shook his head and held out his hand to Maggie. “No, I think she was on her way to the hospital with the other officer. How’s he doing?”

“Not sure,” Maggie said as she gripped the firefighter’s hand.

“This is the best place for him to be if his injuries are serious,” Burton said. “The best doctors in the city work here. You take care of yourself, Officer Caruso.”

“Thanks. And call me Brinna. I’ll see you around.” She nodded good-bye as she and Maggie reached the Explorer. It was an effort to climb into the car, and Brinna doubted the wisdom of wanting to go home. She would really be sore in a few hours.

“Was that the cute firefighter/paramedic you were talking about? From station four?” Maggie asked as she started the car.

“Yeah, his name is David.”

“Hmm . . .”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, just hmm.”

“Maggie, you are always thinking with your hormones.”

“No, just thinking that if you had a partner off the job, one you really cared about, maybe you’d look before you leaped while at work.”