Jesse was on the phone pacing back a forth by Natalia's desk; the bustle of the man hunt for the escaped convict going on around him. The question though, was who exactly were they looking for? Because Mason, the missing arsonist, could not be seen on any of the footage sent from Llanview. The only face they had recognised was the face of a dead man.
Jesse was now talking to Dr Van Garrden, the Llanview coroner and he was not a happy man
"… You want details; fine." said Jesse, the coroner working on his last nerve. "I would like information on the body of a Ricardo Torres, inmate of Carnes Brook Correctional Facility. Quite a memorable death as he was discovered in the middle of the exercise yard with an ice pick in his back and his face kicked to mush. Is that ringing any bells?"
"I think I remember the case." said the coroner slowly, refusing to respond to Jesse's irritated tone. "What information do you need specifically?"
"Well for starters, I would like to know how this very same dead man has been recorded on camera buying tickets from Llanview Bus Station five hours ago."
"You must be mistaken." said the coroner, his words followed by a weary sniff.
"I'm not mistaken." said Jesse. "It is most clearly him. So my question to you is; who was the dead man on your slab, because now it would seem Ricky's cell mate, Teddy Mason has vanished into thin air."
"Look Chief, we don't make those kinds of mistakes." said the corner huffily.
"Well I would gladly be proved wrong," said Jesse, "Because I don't want that man stepping one foot in my town ever again. But I need to know what makes you so sure that the body from the prison was Ricky Torres. Did you do blood tests; check dental records?"
The coroner sighed.
"I'll have to check the documentation."
Jesse noticed from the corner of his eye that Brot was trying to get his attention.
"I'd be grateful, I'm in the middle of a man hunt and right now I seem to be chasing a dead man?" said Jesse.
"Understood." said the coroner. "I'll fax you my findings."
"Thank you." said Jesse as Dr Van Garrden hung up.
"So report." said Jesse, looking up at Brot as he put down the phone.
"The patrol car at the Slater house has reported in. They spoke to Stuart Chandler; Kendal is at the hospital visiting Bianca. But I had them wait at the house to act as a security precaution."
"Excellent." said Jesse. "How about the team checking the hospital?"
"Pike and Sanchez; they haven't reported in yet."
"Well get them on the radio and tell them to keep an eye out for Kendal."
"Yes, sir." said Brot and headed to the radio control room.
Jesse rubbed his eyes and wondered if he had time to grab a coffee. This was turning into a long night.
"Chief!" called Natalia from her computer. "I've got him!" Her computer screen showed Ricky exiting Pine Valley Bus Station. "Torres is definitely in Pine Valley!"
"Not good news."
Jesse looked up as Brot re-emerged from the control room.
"You got an update from the hospital patrol?" Jesse asked and then he noticed how pale Brot suddenly looked.
"Sir, we've had a call of a man down from Pike and now we can't reach him. And there have been reports of gunfire at Pine Valley Hospital."
"Damn it!" cried Jesse punching the desk. That was not the news he wanted to hear. "Right, we need eyes there right now!"
"All available vehicles are on their way." said Brot.
"Then we need to be there as well." said Jesse grabbing his flak jacket and his coat. "Natalia put a call in to S.W.A.T. and put them on standby, we might be dealing with a siege situation. I'll ring the Governor on route… Ready Brot?"
"Ready." said the young detective, as he checked his side arm before pulling on his jacket.
"Good luck." called Natalia.
…