Brot pulled the police car right up to the hospital entrance, the front of the building already awash with the flashing lights of the other patrol cars.
It was clear an evacuation was in progress and a crowd of doctors, nurses and patients were milling around the parking lot. Jesse leaped out of the car and sought out someone in charge. He spotted Dr Jake Marin talking with one of his officers and rushed over to get an update of the incident.
"Jake." called Jesse, reaching out to shake his hand. "I take it you are the liaison?"
"I guess I can be." said Dr Martin, shaking his proffered hand before leading him through the crowds inside to the almost deserted hospital lobby. "Something's happened on Patterson ward; can't say exactly what though. Two injured cops were discovered in the hospital elevator. They had both been shot and both of them are in critical condition. There were also reports of staff and patients hearing multiple gunshots on the fourth floor. We called 911 immediately and I made the decision to evacuate nonessential personnel"
"That was a wise move." said Jesse. "And you're sure the incident began on this Patterson Ward."
"There is no doubt." said Jake. "Patterson's is only a small ward, private rooms for critical patients. This morning there were only five patients there…"
"Does that include Bianca Montgomery?" Jesse asked.
"In fact it now only includes Bianca."
"What do you mean?"
"Since we started the evacuation four of the five Patterson Ward patients have been found left on gurneys in various corridors throughout the hospital."
Jesse frowned. That was an incredibly premeditated manoeuvre.
"Are you missing any personnel?"
"The night manager, Brittany McColl is still unaccounted for." said Jake, concern in his tone. "And Griffin Castillo also hasn't been seen since working in surgery with Dr Prentis. Bob… sorry Dr Prentis said he was going to check on Bianca…"
Jesse nodded.
"Finally did Bianca have any visitors this evening?"
Jake pointed to a security guard sitting by his station alongside the lobby door.
"Barrett believes that Erica, Jack, Kendal and two kids came to see her. They went up in the elevator about ten… twenty minutes before the shots were heard… And no seems to know if Marissa was still up there."
"Anyone else?" Jesse asked.
"Not that I know of… Look Jesse, do you know what is going on?"
"I think, but right now I'm not one hundred per cent certain, that the answer to that question is Ricky Torres."
Jake frowned.
"Isn't he dead?"
"Maybe not." said Jesse.
Jesse surveyed the scenes around him. There were still patients being moved and he noticed his officers were setting up a temporary position by the security station.
He put a hand on Jake's arm.
"Look we've clearly both got a lot of work on our hands right now. I'll let you get back to it."
"Thanks." said Jake with a curt nod, quickly he jogged across to assist to a gesturing doctor struggling with an elderly patient.
…
Jesse found Brot at the security station in a huddle with the rest of his men.
"Do we at least know where we are on background information?" Jesse asked.
"The hospital manager managed to get us a copy of the hospital plans." said Brot producing a blueprint of the fourth floor and spreading it out on the desk. It took a moment to locate the small 'L' shaped Patterson Ward on the floor plan. Jesse looked at the access points. The main elevator opened directly onto the hallway opposite the nurses' station and there was also a nearby stairwell down an adjoining service corridor. A second staircase and a service elevator were located on the opposite wing.
"Do we know what room Bianca is in?" Jesse asked.
"You think that's where they are?"
"I don't know, but we need to start somewhere." said Jesse. He knew this was a very serious situation. The gunman, if it was Torres, was in a very defensible position… and with all those hostages… "We need eyes on the fourth floor." said Jesse quickly.
"Already on it, sir." said Brot. "I have to report that the main elevator is out of order. But I've got three teams prepped;" The respective team leaders gave Jesse a nod. "The first team is to use this stairway here," explained Brot pointing to the stairs nearest Patterson Ward. "The second to use this staircase and the third will come up here using the service elevator to move in from this direction."
"Very good." said the chief. He turned to address the assembled officers. "Right, we need to approach this situation delicately. I know two of our colleagues have been injured and an injury to one is an injury to all but I need you guys to keep your heads. Firstly I want a thorough check of the perimeter, there are hospital staff and other civilians still unaccounted for. And use caution. We believe the gunman is still holed up on the Patterson Ward, but we cannot be certain. I don't want anyone to take action until we know exactly what we are dealing with. The gunman may have up to eight hostages, which includes children. Our next priority is to ID of the assailant." Jesse turned to a detective on his right. "I noticed a lot of Security Cameras dotted around. Can you get them to send the feed to Natalia at headquarters? Hopefully Patterson has its very own cameras and we can see exactly what's going on."
The detective nodded and headed over to speak to the security staff.
Jesse turned back his three teams.
"Right guys. Keep in radio contact at all times and keep a cool head" He said giving them an encouraging clap, "Lets got get the bad guy."
The group gave a moral boosting little 'hoo-rah' before splitting off to take up their stations.
Jesse let out a long breath and then froze as a horrible thought struck the Pine Valley Chief of Police; this hospital was going to become a three ring circus in no time flat if the press got wind of the situation. Erica Kane held hostage would be international news!
He turned to Brot.
"We are going to need more back up. Call in every man we've got. We are going to need a press cordon right around the hospital."
"Yes chief." said Brot, suddenly realising himself what a major incident this was likely to become.
…