Fallout
Chapter 5
The Journal of John Nolan
There's still a serial killer out there, and we're not much closer to catching him. Angela hopes to get something out of the man Harper almost killed herself dragging out of a fire, but he's still in a coma.
Bailey says the arson investigator is also working hard on the case. The LAFD found some pieces of an ignition device, and they're trying to trace it down. It matches the other fires we've discovered with victims with broken legs, but so far, no other arsons.
However, it's not that common a piece of equipment. These days a lot of fires are detonated by cell phones. Not this one. It was a reaction between two chemical compartments smashed together by remote control, the kind someone might use for a fighting robot. But the components are from an outdated model. It was exclusive to Radio Shack, but the majority of those stores closed down by 2017. So most likely, the killer had the electronics stowed away, or he got them online. Either option doesn't help much right now.
In the meantime, it looks like Lucy has a new project. She's been mother hen to Tamara, but Tamara's doing great now. She won the art show. So she can go right on to art school when she graduates from high school. I think she'll make a decent life for herself. So does Lucy, but that means she needs someone else to receive her caring touch.
Enter Aaron Thorsen. When Lucy, Jackson, and I came to Mid-Wilshire, we had each other. Lucy and I literally had each other for a while. Aaron is alone with almost insurmountable challenges, so of course, Lucy is stepping into the breach. So far, it isn't that obvious. But I can see the way he looks at her for reassurance, particularly when Harper leans on him. I did the same thing.
However, I don't think Lucy is about to sleep with Aaron. She knows better, and she's still mooning for Bradford. And Aaron doesn't need more trouble than he already has. But he can use a friend, and there are few better ones than Lucy.
One person who isn't my friend is Smitty. I didn't realize how serious he would be about the election. He's usually so lazy that I thought he'd be laid back about this too. He isn't. As part of his campaign, he threw a party at the trailer he lives in near the division. I think he invited everyone but me. Not that I minded that. But according to the guys in the locker room, Smitty went all out. He had nachos and beer and even a mariachi band. When the brass got too loud, Grey put an end to the music. But as I understand it, everyone had a good time.
I was stumped about how to fight back - until I got a call from my newly discovered half-brother, Pete. If there's a better party animal on this planet, I don't know who it would be. Anyway, he was full of suggestions, including hiring a stripper like his girlfriend Chastity. I didn't think that would go over well with the department. But as close to Halloween as it is, Pete proposed costumes and spooky snacks. I could go along with that. He said something about pranks too. But pranks on guests with guns are probably not the best idea.
Lucy suggested karaoke. I don't know most of the songs anymore, but she does, and she offered to host the singing. She has a fantastic voice.
Bailey volunteered to lead the dancing. If she was good at kicking it on the dancefloor as she is kicking ass, I knew she'd be terrific. Then Ben called to shoot the breeze and ended up agreeing to lend me his guest house. So my party became quite the affair. And to show no grudge, I even invited Smitty. The beer bill would eat into my monthly budget, but I could deal with that.
After an hour or so, the party was going pretty well. Bailey slowed the dancing down enough so I could get in on it. Slow dancing is the only kind where I don't embarrass myself these days. Lucy was dressed as a tigress and growled every time she took the microphone. She was terrific, but not so much that she was intimidating. I admired her balance. Guests drifted in and out and took turns doing numbers.
I wasn't keeping track that much. I was having too much fun watching Bailey shake her incredible ass. But then someone wandered up from the beach. Whoever it was wasn't wearing much of a costume, but the zombie look was impressive. At first, I thought it was a cop from the division, but I couldn't recognize him. Apparently, no one else could either. Most of my guests went straight for the beer or the food when they arrived, but this one lunged at Tim Bradford's neck.
The attacker ended up on the ground pretty fast, with Lucy sitting on him while Tim went to his truck for cuffs. But then Bailey noticed the foam starting to form in the zombie's mouth. Tim already had a shop coming to pick up the unwanted guest, but Bailey called for medics.
The episode put a damper on the party, but not for too long. Cops and firefighters are used to seeing things a lot worse than overdoses, even when the victim looks like a brain-eater. And free beer is free beer. Still, I spotted Tim huddling in a corner with Grey. So maybe there was something to the warning about the new zombie drug.
The morning after Nolan's party, Grey takes the podium in roll call. "In addition to the one many of us witnessed, 20 overdoses following zombie-like behavior were reported in the city last night. Ten of the victims died. People, this is more serious than celebrating Halloween a little early. A new drug is on the street. Worse, Narcan appears to have no effect in countering it. And none of the standard treatments apply. The hospitals are giving supportive care and hoping for the best.
"The largest concentration of cases radiate from the area around the community policing center. Nolan, I want you down there. Check in with James and your other sources. See if they've observed any other unexpected behavior. Harper, I want you and Officer Thorsen down there too. Be on the lookout for signs of new dealers and drug houses.
"Everyone else, stay alert. Having a new drug out there doesn't mean there will be any fewer of the established ones. And increased partying may lead to a rise in domestic disturbance calls. So be prepared to move in as backup on those. As you are all aware, they can become deadly in a split second.
"And finally, another reminder. Any drug arrests should be immediately referred to a detective. Do not return to the street after processing those suspects until you have a detective involved. And we got a tip that Elijah Stone bought into an aquarium supply store. I doubt that he's going to be limiting his sales to gravel and miniature castles."
Nolan raises his hand. "Sir, is that the one next to Wesley Evers' law office?"
"It is," Grey confirms. "If any of you find yourselves in that neighborhood, keep your eyes open extra wide. And if you see anything that even hints at suspicious behavior, report it immediately. That's all. Now get out there and keep this city and yourselves safe."