Chapter 9

The following shift started out as a festive one. From all reports the frantic fund drive was coming along nicely. Several stores and businesses had either donated toys or monetary donations so the 'Toy for Toys' people could run out and purchase more. The fire department and local police and sheriff's departments were doing more than their share as well. The public was coming through as well, several stations had reported in that they were being overrun by stuffed animals and such. This was great news; it appeared that for so many kids, Christmas would be saved.

They had already responded to several nuisance calls, mostly involving small kitchen fires. Every year public service announcements are made about the dangers of unattended cooking, and every year many people fail to learn that lesson. Fortunately, none were too serious or caused that much damage.

On these days in December the already congested traffic in the area only gets worse. Drivers are impatient and leave for their destination as the last possible moment. That accompanied with the Bah Humbug Syndrome makes this one of the worst seasons for serious vehicle accidents.

The trend held true when just before noon the Klaxons sounded their song. " Chestnut and Alverta Streets; Chestnut and Alverta; a vehicle accident with reported entrapment; Engine 51, Squad 51; Squad 110; time out 11:56."

As Captain Stanley in 'Big Red' came upon the scene, they were greeted by six vehicles that looked like they had come from the demolition derby. There was some smoke rising from the larger full size van, the other car was a small compact, which was even more so now if that was even possible. The others involved were slightly less damaged. Several people were standing around looking dazed, some of whom at least some of their injuries were obvious.

The intersection was typical of the area; narrow streets that were never really designed for the size of modern vehicles or the sheer amount of traffic. It was downtown, lots of businesses; which meant flocks of gawkers.

A woman was running towards them before they even came to a stop. "My husband! He's trapped inside; I couldn't get the steering wheel off of him! HELP HIM PLEASE!!" Her face had some minor bruising and cuts that were bleeding heavily.

Captain Stanley called in requesting two ambulances to respond in. "Roy, you and John check on the other victims."

Wolfie and Brice had just walked up to report in. "You guys take care of her and the husband when we get him out."

"Marco get whatever you need to get this guy out; Chet you help him but drag a hose line off, in case any of these cars take off."

Turning back to the pleading woman, "Ma'am, listen my men are going to work on getting your husband out. You just let the paramedics take a look at you." His voice was gentle yet firm. Family members can easily make things worse by becoming hysterical and getting in the way.

Each person did their jobs with professionalism and proficiency as they did on each and every call; it was second nature by now. After all a large portion of their dispatches every year were motor vehicle accidents.

The rest of the people involved were not seriously hurt. Most choose not to accept medical attention, so Gage and DeSoto worked on getting them to sign off for their records. The man in the van was transported per Rampart's orders with no paramedic on board.

While Brice was attempting to get vitals and an assessment from the entrapped man; A.J. was patching up his wife.

"What's your name?"

"Alice, my name is Alice. How is my husband? Is he going to be OK?"

"We are going to do everything that we can for him, I promise you that." One of the first rules of emergency medicine is that you never lie to family or friends by promising a good outcome.

After checking her over, it appeared that her only injuries were to her face, probably from flying glass. Auto glass doesn't shatter on impact, rather spidering into larger pieces, which still just as easily slice up the skin.

"Alright Alice, now I am going to ask you a few questions and you tell me the answers, OK?" Observing her, A.J. noticed that she was slurring her speech a little and she seemed a bit distracted. There were several explanations other than a head injury. It was probably more from shock and worry about her husband.

"Uhhhh....yes...alright...." Alice didn't want to take her eyes off of the car.

"What is your husband's name?"

"Greg"

"What day of the week is it?"

"Tuesday."

"Other than your face, does anything else hurt you anywhere else?"

"No...What is taking them so long...." She stopped in mid thought. "Abby!" She spun around, her eyes darting over the scene. "OH MY GOD, where is she?"

"Who's Abby?" Was this someone real that should have been there or was it a sign of concussion?

"My daughter! How could I forget her? Oh PLEASE, help me find her!! She was in the car and I lifted her out, I thought it would be safer. Then I told her to wait right here!! Now she's gone!! This is my fault, Oh GOD please, where is she!!" Hysteria was shinning in her eyes.

"Calm down! I need you to calm down! I know you're scared but you have to let me help you! Seeing Stanley she yells for him. "Cap. You had better get over here!"

Hank turned at the sound of his medic's voice. If fear was in her tone, it was for good reason. A pit in his stomach was already forming as he rushed over to her.

"Alice...Alice....look at me. Now tell me about her. What does she look like? What was she wearing? How old is she?"

"She was wearing green pants, a red shirt and green jacket. Oh, and she had a little Santa hat on. She has blond hair and blue eyes. My baby...my precious baby where is she? What have I done...this is my fault. PLEASE FIND HER!" Her eyes roamed over where the men were still trying to free her husband.

"Cap. Have you seen a little girl anywhere? She just told me that she pulled her out of the car after the wreck and now she's gone!" Her voice was back under control. As much as she loved children, she could only imagine what was running through his mind, probably thoughts of his own kids.

"Oh man!" His eyes located what they were looking for. "Vince I need you here!"

Vince sprinted over as fast as his legs would carry him. "What is it, Hank?"

"We have a missing child. She was with this lady beside that car and now we don't know where she is." His paternal instincts were in high gear.

"Ma'am, when was the last time you saw her?"

"Right after the crash. I managed to get out of the car, my husband was unconscious but I could reach Abby. I figured it was safer for her to be out of there just in case." The tears were spilling on her cheeks.

"Vince I already got a description from her." A.J. subtly motioned to him that she couldn't take too much more.

Alice began to collapse in A.J.'s arms. "Find my baby....please....HELP HER....she's only four years old!!"