The precinct was a maelstrom of activity, the air thick with dust and the sharp tang of adrenaline. Uniformed officers darted between desks strewn with papers, their faces drawn, eyes wide as they barked orders and dispatched units.
Javi wove his way through the crowded room towards her, his own expression one of grim determination. "It's all hands on deck," he replied, a hand running through his short-cropped hair. "After the quake—"
"Attention!" The commanding shout cut through the cacophony, silencing the room in an instant.
All eyes turned towards the front, where Dr. Cynthia Tomlinson had taken a stance by the battered whiteboard, her posture straight and unyielding. She wore her dark suit with an ease that spoke of long hours in the field and academia alike, her eyes scanning the assembled officers with calm authority. Her face was set in lines of professionalism, each feature etched with confidence born from years of expertise in her field.
"Officers," Dr. Tomlinson began, her voice resonating clearly, infusing the room with focus. "We have little time and much to do."
Tori felt herself drawn to the earthquake expert's presence, the way she commanded the room without effort. It was a presence which reminded Tori of her mentor, Dr. Len Hartman, who had taught her the value of composure under fire. Tori's eyes remained fixed on Dr. Tomlinson.
"First and foremost," Dr. Tomlinson declared, her voice commanding the rapt attention of every officer in the precinct, "you must understand that aftershocks are not mere echoes of the main event. They are significant seismic events in their own right, and they will come."
Tori's posture straightened as she absorbed the gravity in the expert's tone. The room was thick with anticipation, each officer poised to take in every word.
"Your response time is critical," Dr. Tomlinson continued, pacing before an oversized map of the city marked with recent seismic activity. "We don't have the luxury of hesitation. Establish your emergency operations center, coordinate with fire and rescue, and check communication lines immediately. All while keeping a vigilant eye on structural integrity around you." Her finger jabbed at several key locations on the map. "These areas are most vulnerable to collapse should an aftershock hit. Understood?" Dr. Tomlinson surveyed the room, her eyes sharp, expecting compliance.
Tomlinson continued, "There are three main concerns with earthquake response teams:
First, the safety of the responders themselves. Second, ensuring communication channels remain open and functional. And third, prioritizing life-saving efforts above all else," she reiterated, her voice unwavering in its authority. Tori listened intently, her mind already calculating the steps needed for an effective response to any subsequent seismic activity.
Dr. Tomlinson continued her briefing. "Any questions?" she said, pausing once.
An officer near the front of the room raised his hand.
"Yes, Officer Mendez," Dr. Tomlinson acknowledged, her gaze steady on the man.
"How do we anticipate the severity of aftershocks, especially in a situation like this?" Mendez inquired, his voice laced with concern.
Dr. Tomlinson nodded thoughtfully before responding, "Aftershocks can vary in intensity and frequency, making them unpredictable. However, we can utilize seismometers to monitor ground movement and identify potential patterns. Keep a close eye on any changes in seismic activity and follow the established protocols for evacuation and response."
Tori watched as the room absorbed Dr. Tomlinson's guidance, each officer recognizing the weight of their responsibilities in the aftermath of the earthquake. She felt a surge of determination coursing through her veins, fueled by the urgency to protect lives and uncover the truth behind Sarah Jennings' death.
Another officer raised a hand.
"Yes, Officer Banes," Dr. Tomlinson acknowledged, her gaze steady as she waited for the question.
"Dr. Tomlinson, what about the potential for more casualties in the surrounding areas? Are we prepared to handle medical emergencies on a larger scale if needed?" Officer Banes inquired, his voice tinged with a note of concern.
The earthquake expert's expression softened slightly, acknowledging the valid concern. "We have already activated our medical response teams and established temporary triage units in strategic locations across the city," she assured the officers. "Emergency medical services are on high alert, and hospitals have been briefed to be prepared for an influx of patients. But it seems unlikely at this point. We only have five dead so far. Many others injured, but minimal severe injuries being reported as of yet."
She shook her head. "In the wake of something like this, I hate to say it, but... we're almost lucky."
Tori watched as Dr. Tomlinson detailed the medical response plan, her mind already racing ahead to consider the implications for their investigation.
"Remember," Dr. Tomlinson added, turning back to the map, "in the chaos of disaster, details make all the difference. Like three months ago, in the town of Ellsworth." Her pointer tapped a spot on the California coast, significantly west of their current location. "A smaller quake, barely noticeable compared to today's, but it claimed a life. That incident may seem inconsequential now, but it reminds us—"
"Claimed a life?" Tori's words cut through her thoughts unbidden, the rest of Dr. Tomlinson's speech fading into a background hum. Her eyes were narrowed in concentration, her frown deepening as she processed this new piece of information.
"Indeed," Dr. Tomlinson affirmed without missing a beat, though she seemed to register Tori's intense interest. "A woman. Unfortunate outlier in what was otherwise a minor event."
As Tomlinson continued, Tori frowned briefly, glancing at her partner. Another dead woman at another quake in California? A coincidence? Perhaps... Tomlinson's continued instructions faded to background noise.
Tori leaned closer to Javi, her voice a low whisper that barely cut through the cacophony of the precinct's bustling activity. "Javi, did you catch that bit about Elmsworth?"
"About the quake being minor?" He shuffled through his notes, his brow furrowed in thought. "Yeah, but one death? That's odd."
"Exactly," she said, tapping her pen against her notepad. "One death in an otherwise insignificant earthquake. Doesn't it strike you as strange?"
"Could be a coincidence," Javi offered, though his tone lacked conviction.
"Or it could be something more." Tori's gaze was unwavering, the stormy hue of her eyes darkening with determination. "We need to find out who it was."
Dr. Tomlinson continued to command the room, detailing response strategies with precision, when Tori stood abruptly. She raised her hand, a beacon amidst the sea of blue uniforms. "Dr. Tomlinson, I'm so sorry--I don't mean to interrupt," Tori called out, her voice carrying a sharp edge. The room fell into a momentary lull, officers and personnel turning their heads towards her with expressions ranging from confusion to curiosity. "You mentioned a casualty in Ellsworth. I need to know more about this person."
Dr. Tomlinson paused, the projector light casting a shadow across her face as she regarded Tori. Her eyes flicked to the officers around her, acknowledging the interruption but also the gravity behind the question.
"Agent Spark," she began, her tone measured, "the Ellsworth event is not our focus—"
"Of course, my apologies. I'll be quick, i swear," Tori interjected, her instincts screaming that there was a connection waiting to be unearthed. "Just who was the victim?"
A silence descended upon the precinct's briefing room, thick and expectant. Dr. Tomlinson's lips parted slightly, then pressed together as if sealing away words that struggled to break free. Her hesitation was a ripple in the pond of uniformed bodies, all turning their attention between the earthquake expert and the agent who dared challenge her.
"Dr. Tomlinson?" Tori's voice sliced through the hush, sharp and insistent. "The victim in Elmsworth—what can you tell us about them?"
The doctor's hands clasped together, a fortress built in a fleeting moment to guard against the inquiry. She glanced down at her notes, a lifeline amidst the sea of faces now scrutinizing her every move. The tension coiled tighter in the room, a tangible force that seemed to mirror the tectonic pressures they were all discussing moments ago.
Dr. Tomlinson replied after what felt like an eternity, her voice steadier than her demeanor suggested. "I understand your concern, but our priority is the current crisis."
"Understood," Tori persisted, leaning forward as if her physical motion could propel the truth from the doctor's reluctant grasp. "But knowing more about the previous incident could be crucial. Who died in Elmsworth? What happened to them?" She knew she was pressing it, and she felt embarrassed for doing it. But in the chaos of a response operation, she wasn't sure she'd have the opportunity again. And her mission, amidst all of this, was to focus on the individual, not on the collective.
Everyone had their role. And hers was to find a killer.
Heads tilted, curiosity piqued among the officers. The question hung in the air, demanding not to be dismissed or forgotten. Tori's gaze locked onto Dr. Tomlinson's, relentless and probing and slightly apologetic.
Dr. Tomlinson's eyes, previously darting to her notes for refuge, lifted slowly, meeting Tori's unwavering gaze. "It was a woman employed in health care," she finally disclosed, the words dropping into the room like pebbles in a still pond.
"Thank you!" Tori said quickly, and she slunk back again.
Javi smirked at her. "Bold," he muttered.
The two of them hurried away from the briefing.