Gordy rode hard and didn’t let up. Even with the wind roaring in his ears he heard faint pops in the distance. Like fireworks. Or gunfire. His stomach twisted and he swallowed back an urge to heave.
By the time he entered Kimball Hill Park, the Halloween night sky glowed with flashing red lights from the direction of Frank ‘n Stein’s. It looked like the world was on fire. His world was.
He glanced over his shoulder to make sure Hiro was still behind him. He’d put real distance between them, but she was flying, too. No way could he slow down to let her catch up, though.
Gordy’s legs burned, and a cramp tortured his side. But he didn’t let up. He was getting what he deserved. He shouldn’t have left Cooper. Should’ve followed his gut and stuck with him. If anything happened to him he’d never forgive himself. Never.
He sailed over the arched footbridge and nearly got air as he reached the top, then cut a hard left to pick up the bike path heading toward Kirchoff Road. Standing on the pedals to get maximum speed, he got a better view of Frank’s. Police cars were angled all over the lot. Not neatly parked in parking slots, but like they pulled in, slammed on the brakes, and left the car wherever it stopped.
Coop got in over his head this time. He went swimming in the deep end of the pool. And I wasn’t there to help.
An ambulance roared down Kirchoff road and squealed into the lot, siren blaring. A fire truck rumbled behind it. Gordy sliced down the path under the road along Salt Creek. Something shiny stuck above the surface, reflecting red lights from the police cars. Handlebars.
Coop’s bike. Dumped in the creek. The water stood deathly still like the bike had been there for some time.
God, please don’t let Coop be in there! Don’t let it be too late. He scanned the surface for a floating body or a telltale sign of a struggle on the bank. Nothing. He gave the creek one more look, just to be sure. The water looked black.
Forcing himself to look away, he wheeled up to Frank ‘n Stein’s and skidded to a halt. He dropped his bike on the grass and pushed his way through the gathering crowd. Only when he pressed against the yellow crime scene tape did he stop.
Most of the lot was taped off in a zigzag pattern from post to car or tree. Police patrolled the perimeter, making sure nobody tried to press closer. A half-dozen officers stood around one of the squad cars off to the side. Spectators gathered on balconies of the nearby apartments.
Gordy drove a fist in his cramped side and motioned to the closest officer. “My cousin is in there.”
The man held up both hands warning him to stay back. “We’re still securing the area.” He parked himself in a position where he’d instantly see if Gordy ducked under the tape and tried to make a run for it.
“Securing the area?” Gordy choked out the words. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing good.”
Hiro’s voice. He’d forgotten about her for a minute, but somehow she found him. Sweat trickled down from her forehead. Tears flowed from the corners of her eyes.
“Why are so many cops here in the lot, then?” Gordy felt helpless. “Why don’t they go in and help?”
“A small team went in a few minutes ago.” A stranger next to Gordy pointed toward Frank’s. “The others probably have to wait until it’s safe to go in.”
Safe? Coop, what did you get yourself into? He looked at Hiro. Normally any kind of police activity would have her mesmerized. But now she looked small. Weak. Biting her lower lip and rubbing the police star necklace.
The policeman’s radio squawked out a message. Gordy couldn’t catch what was said.
Hiro obviously got it. “It’s secure. They need paramedics.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “Not Coop, God.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.” Please, Father, not Coop, too.”
Two paramedics hustled toward the building carrying some sort of medical bags. Two others rushed behind guiding a wheeled gurney.
Gordy wanted to follow them. Help somehow. Do something. He lifted the tape, but the cop eyed him until he lowered it again. He had no idea how Hiro’s intuition thing worked. All he knew was that he had a really strong sense of dread that Coop’s plan had gone terribly wrong … and he hoped he wasn’t right.
But he wasn’t the one with the spooky ability. That was Hiro’s department.
“What are you thinking,” he asked.
She didn’t answer, but shook her head and buried her face in her hands.
Gordy’s stomach sunk. She didn’t need to say a word. Her face said it all.