by DB Jones
Chapter 17
Josh had been waiting for Madison at the Breakfast Club for longer than usual. He just assumed it was taking longer for her to get ready because of her hang-over, but finally, after about forty-five minutes, he called her. When no one answered, he knew something was wrong.
He called dispatch, “Hey Betty, anything happening?”
“Funny you should ask. There was a huge pile-up on the corner of Maitland Avenue and the junction of the Interstate-4 exchange. I’m surprised you didn’t hear it on your monitor.”
“Anyone hurt?” he asked, with a knot in his stomach.
“They took several to the hospital. Two were seriously hurt, but that’s all I know so far.
Before Betty could hang up, Josh threw down enough money for his coffee and tip and darted out the door. He ran to his squad car, turned on his siren and raced to the scene of the wreck. He saw Madison’s car right away. It looked totaled. He prayed Madison wasn’t one of the seriously injured. He pulled up as close as he could and then walked over to the officer who was investigating the crash. “What happened, Bob?
“Looks like this car ran the red light. One of the witnesses said the car didn’t even slow down.” Bob pointed to Madison’s car. Several officers were redirecting traffic around the crash. Traffic nearly came to a standstill as cars slowed down to see if they could see what happened. The officers motioned for them to keep on moving.
Josh walked around Madison’s car and looked inside to see the deployed airbags. He hollered out to the officer, “Did you get a look at who was driving this car?”
“All I know is that it was a woman. I couldn’t see what she looked like because of all the blood on her face.”
Josh tried to remain professional and continued to ask witnesses and the officer questions about the wreck, but it didn’t explain why she ran the light. It just didn’t sound like something Madison would do. She was always harping at him for running yellow lights.
The officers at the scene finished taking all the photos for their report, and the tow-truck got the okay to haul the cars away. As they were loading Madison’s car, Josh just happened to notice something strange from the undercarriage of the car.
“Stop,” he hollered. “What’s that?” He pointed to some fluid under the car. The tow truck driver crawled further under the car and then turned to Josh, “Logan, these brake lines were cut, on purpose. This was no accident. Someone wanted this car to wreck. Good thing she wasn’t on the interstate.”
“Stan, when you get this to impound, do not let anyone near this car until we get the forensic team to go over it.”
“You’ve got it, boss.”
Josh called the station and told Chief Baker that someone had tampered with Madison’s car. “Someone tried to kill Agent Hart. I’m leaving now for the hospital to see if she’s okay and to find out exactly what happened.
When he arrived at the emergency room, Madison was sitting up in one of the rooms with her head wrapped up in gauze. He took a deep breath of relief and entered her cubical. “Hey lady, you stood me up for breakfast. What’s up with that?”
She reached up and grabbed his face and kissed him. “I’m so sorry about that, but I will make it up to you, I promise.”
Suddenly, Josh’s face went pale. “Tell me what happened.”
“I was on my way to meet you. The roads were wet, and when I hit my brakes, nothing happened. I guess the roads were just too slippery, and I slid into traffic.” “That is what happened, isn’t it?”
“Did you see anyone outside after I left last night or this morning?”
“Okay Josh, what’s going on? You’re interrogating me.”
He knew she needed to know and wouldn’t let it go until he told her. “Someone cut your brake line. It had to be sometime between the time we got to your place and this morning. I think the light over the sidewalk was broken deliberately to keep you from seeing anyone outside your place.”
“My gut feeling was right. I’ve sensed someone watching me, and the strange accidents around the office didn’t seem like accidents to me either. I guess we’re getting too close to the killer and he’s trying to stop us.” Madison tried to jump off the table.
“Oh no, you don’t,” the doctor said as he entered the room. “Not before we run some tests and make sure you have no other injuries. You’ll be out of here soon enough, so get yourself back on the gurney,” he commanded.
“I’m fine, and I’ve got work to do.”
“It can wait a little longer,” Josh said. “I’ll wait here for you. Now let the man do his job.”
Madison climbed back on the gurney as the assistant came to wheel her out. She smiled at Josh as she passed him.
While Madison was having tests done, Josh tried to call Kim again. There was still no answer. “I’m tired of all the run-around. Someone knows something, and it’s time they stepped up and answered some serious questions.”
Josh sat waiting for Madison and getting madder by the minute that someone had tried to harm her. Just as he was about to call the art center, Madison returned with the doctor. “She’s fine. No problems. I’ve given her some medication for the pain.” Then he turned to Madison with his hands on her hips, “I’d still like to see you again at the end of the week.”
“Sure thing Doc, and thank you.” She started to head out the door when the nurse hurried in with a wheelchair. “Hospital policy, dear.” The nurse motioned Madison into the wheelchair.
Josh took hold of the chair. “I can take her from here.”
“Okay,” the nurse replied.
Josh had parked in an official parking spot near the door. He held her arm as she got into the car.
“I think I should take you to my place to rest while I have a little talk with Mr. Tyler Kincaid,” he said firmly.
“Like hell, you will. I’m not letting you have all the fun. I have a few questions of my own, and this time he’s going to answer them if I have to stay with him all day.”
“Are you sure you feel up to it? That’s quite a knot on your head, and you look like you’ve been in a bar fight.” He grinned as she looked in the mirror.
“That’s even better. Maybe if Kincaid thinks I’m a hard-ass, he’ll answer my questions.”
“Okay, let’s go.”