Chapter 7

"I'm in the squad room with Hanson. I got a hit on the DNA from Kane's fingernails," Lucas said. "A guy named Eliot Maxwell."

"He's a real nice guy," Hanson put in. "A few drug arrests, a few burglaries. And guess what else?"

"What?"

"I found him on the security footage, him and a friend – we think it's Spencer Jones, one of his accomplices, although we can't make out his face."

My heart began to beat faster, as it always did when I felt we were about to break the case. "What was he doing on the security footage?"

I could almost see Hanson's excited grin. "Oh, just pushing Kane into an alley and yelling in his face."

"Sounds like our guy."

"Sending you his picture now," Hanson said. "Let us know if you learn anything more about him at the homeless shelter."

"Will do." I hung up, then pulled up the picture Hanson had sent. It showed a heavyset white man who looked like a wrestler. As Penny opened the double doors for us, I discreetly showed the picture to Henry. He nodded.

The cafeteria was well-lit and decorated with pictures of fruit. Penny led us towards the kitchen in the back of the room.

Maxwell was there, chopping something on the counter. He saw us – and my badge – just as I identified him. He dropped his knife and ran to the back of the kitchen. I drew my weapon and raced after him, shouting, "NYPD, freeze!" Over my shoulder, I ordered Henry, "Stay with Penny!"

"Detective Martinez will apprehend him," I heard him assure Penny as I sprinted through the kitchen. There was a back entrance, as I'd suspected. I opened the door quickly and leveled my gun, looking around for Maxwell. The back entrance led into an alley, blocked off on one side by trash bins and partially blocked on the other by recycling bins. I made my way towards the easy exit, figuring that Maxwell would have taken the quick way out.

I spotted him just as he rounded the corner onto the street. I ran after him. He ducked into an alley, and I followed.

It was a dead end. "On your knees, Maxwell!" I shouted, pointing my gun at his back. "Put your hands on your head!"

He started to obey, and I holstered my weapon, going for my handcuffs.

Suddenly I felt the cold muzzle of a pistol on the back of my head. "Stop right there," a voice drawled in my ear. I froze.

"Let my friend go, and I promise not to kill you," the voice continued.

"Why should I believe you, Spencer Jones?" I asked, praying I was right about Maxwell's friend.

He chuckled. "You are clever, aren't you? Too clever. I think I'll just put you down myself." I felt the pistol move slightly and dropped to the ground, rolling quickly to the side. I heard someone shout just before the gun went off.

Maxwell swept past me before I could get to my feet. When I got to the street, they were out of sight. I groaned – and then I heard a groan behind me.

It was Henry.

He had been hit in the chest, close to his heart. I could tell from a glance that it was fatal. I dropped to my knees beside him and took off my jacket to slow the bleeding.

Henry protested weakly as I pressed it to his wound. "No, Jo, stop... it'll be... okay..."

"I'm going to stop the bleeding," I said in a rush. "You'll be okay, Henry, just hold on, let me call an ambulance-"

"Jo... the river..." he whispered, and suddenly he was gone, like he had never been there at all.


KenH, I hope that was the collision course you were hoping for. :P Thanks to all for reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing!