But what connected Adeline Reyes-Worthington to Tobias? Something brought them together. If Adeline had hired Tobias to kill her husband, why not find an easier way to do it?
The problem was they knew little about Tobias. They knew he was running guns and drugs. They knew he was associated with Trejo and Sanchez—both of whom were dead. They knew he lived in Mexico … No, they suspected he lived in Mexico. He hadn’t even been on Kane’s radar until two months ago. No one knew what he looked like, no one knew how his operation worked, no one knew how far his tentacles spread.
Lucy. Tobias must have figured out that Lucy, not Brad, had seen him.
There was one person he could trust, other than Kane.
He had Brad Donnelly on speed dial. He didn’t trust the DEA phones anymore, so when Brad answered Sean said, “I need to see you. University Hospital. ASAP.”
Before Brad could ask why, Sean hung up. He parked but couldn’t get in through the emergency room doors because they were blocked off by SAPD. He saw Juan walking briskly toward the entrance, his badge out. Sean ran up to him. Juan didn’t say anything, but waved Sean in when he was cleared by SAPD.
“She’s fine,” Juan told Sean.
“I want to see her.”
Juan nodded and they took the elevator up to the fourth floor. They stepped out into a sea of cops and federal agents. Barry was talking to the chief of police, and Juan immediately headed over there. “Milton, Detective Mancini is a tough woman. If anyone can pull through, it’s her.”
“Thank you, Juan. Agent Crawford, thank you for your efforts on scene. As I told your agent, Juan, this is an SAPD investigation. Tia is one of ours. But because she was working with your agents, we’ll share everything. I hope you understand.” Meaning, We’re not giving this up so don’t pull any jurisdictional bullshit on me.
“Of course,” Juan said. “Any resources, any personnel you need, it’s yours. I have Barry’s report—anything come up in the last fifteen minutes?”
“We found the car, dumped under the freeway. It was stolen two miles from here less than an hour before the attack and the owner didn’t even know it was gone. I have uniforms canvassing the area, plus looking at all traffic cams near where they abandoned the vehicle. We’re processing it on scene to expedite evidence collection.”
“This is the second attempt on Elise Hansen’s life,” Barry said. “SAPD has two guards on her, one outside her door, one at the staircase.”
“And,” the chief of police said, “there will be an officer at each entrance.”
“And you’re certain that she was the target?” Juan asked.
“We viewed the hospital security feed. It shows the vehicle waiting in the parking lot. The suspects aren’t identifiable. As soon as the girl emerged from the doors and was clear of the pillars, they drove forward and started shooting. Tia was flanking street side, right in the line of fire. But we have no reason to believe that Tia was the target.”
Sean asked, “Where was Lucy?”
“Excuse me?”
Juan said, “Chief Milton Turner, this is Sean Rogan, a civilian consultant.”
The chief looked like he recognized Sean, but more likely it was the Rogan name. “Agent Kincaid had handcuffed herself to the prisoner and got her out of harm’s way. We’ve reviewed the security tapes, and her quick thinking saved the girl’s life.”
“I want to see the tapes,” Sean said.
Juan cleared his throat and changed the subject.
Sean walked away. He tried to call Lucy, but she didn’t pick up her phone. He found a nurse. “Lucy Kincaid? She was one of the FBI agents on scene. She said she had a couple cuts being stitched.”
“Are you with the FBI?”
“I’m her boyfriend.”
“I’m sorry, only immediate family and law enforcement is entitled to information about a patient.”
Sean ran both hands through his hair. He had been on edge all morning, and it had only gotten worse. “I need to see her.”
“I wish I could help, but it’s hospital policy.”
“It’s a fucked policy!”
This was why he didn’t follow rules. He should have hacked into the hospital computer and found her himself.
“You’re going to have to leave.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“I’m calling security.” She didn’t need to call security, one of the SAPD officers came over to them.
“Sir, you’re going to have to leave.”
It took all of Sean’s self-control to force himself to speak calmly. “I need to see Agent Kincaid now.”
Barry Crawford walked over and showed his badge to the officer. “I’ll take care of this.” He escorted Sean down the hall, away from the skeptical nurse and the rest of the cops. “Lucy’s okay, Sean. She’s in x-ray right now.”
Why x-ray? Was it more serious than Lucy had told him?