Chapter 17
Fin and Munch were in pursuit of the vehicle that had been stolen and there were three patrol cars behind them trying to keep up. The suspect was blowing through red lights in an attempt to lose his pursuers but so far it wasn't working.
"If he's got Molly in that trunk and they get t-boned by someone…" Munch let the thought die.
"I know that's why I'm trying to catch him without getting us killed in the process," Fin said as he pressed his foot down harder on the accelerator. The car groaned but acquiesced as the speed indicator passed sixty-five miles an hour. The vehicle was not used to this kind of speed as most times the city streets only allowed for forty or forty-five miles an hour.
"And I appreciate that," Munch told him before picking up the radio and trying to reach out to anyone in the vicinity.
"This is SVU portable to all available units. We are in high speed pursuit of a red late model Honda, missing a taillight, license plate Echo Bravo Delta one three five seven, from the APB issued earlier. We are on Ninth Avenue. He could be heading for the Lincoln Tunnel with a kidnap victim in the trunk. Any and all assistance is requested," the Sergeant said.
"ESU to SVU portable. Force him toward the tunnel. We've got Ninth Avenue blocked off right before the tunnel entrance. Have rerouted traffic down West Thirty-Eighth," came a reply.
"Ten-four," Munch responded.
"They must have a spike strip or something down since the entrance to the tunnel is at West Thirty-Seventh. That only gives them a block to stop him," Fin said without removing his eyes from the road.
"I hope so because if he gets in that tunnel and causes an accident, he'll flee and leave poor Molly to die," Munch frowned as the car swerved around someone who tried to cut in front of them.
"If she isn't already dead," Fin hated to admit it but it was true.
"SVU portable to ESU. We're coming up on West Thirty-Ninth. Brace for suspect," Munch announced over the radio. Fin saw taillights in front of him and he slammed on the brakes, forcing both detectives forward. The seatbelts tightened to protect their cargo. The brakes screeched, leaving rubber on the road.
In front of them, the red Honda drove over the spike strip dropped by ESU. The front tires burst and the front end of the car veered to the right, swinging the back end around. The back tires caught the strip as it whirled around with the car, effectively flattening the remaining tires. When the vehicle came to a stop, it was facing Fin and Munch's standard issue car.
"Freeze!" ESU had swarmed the car so the suspect couldn't escape. While most of the team surrounded the car, some team members headed for the trunk, hoping to find Molly Sanders.
Munch and Fin exited their car to join ESU. Fin could feel the burn across his body from the seatbelt digging into him but he ignored it. Molly could be bleeding out in the trunk. The suspect was pulled out of the car and quickly cuffed. He refused to give his name but that didn't stop the arrest.
"You guys need medical attention?" The ESU team leader Andrews asked as they approached the car.
"We'll be fine," Fin said.
"What did you guys find? Where is Molly?" Munch wanted to know.
"The trunk is empty," Andrews frowned.
To Be Continued…