Falling

Twenty Eight (Long Night)

"Ricardo!"

"Captain!"

"Send a van and two more officers to the hospital. Now!"

"On their way, Sir!"

A black SUV, parked across from the hospital catches my attention. I cautiously ease up behind it.

My thumb finds the talk button on my radio.

"Ricardo!"

"Sir!"

"Check out this license plate number, pronto!"

The squad car door opens without a murmur in response to my arm quickly nudging it open. A muffled path brings my eyes to a confirmation the car is empty. Then, I hear my radio making noise again and, I hustle back to the squad car.

"Ricardo?"

"Captain. I got it!"

"Who?"

"It be registered to one Boss Man!"

You're about to be in trouble now, Boss Man!

The hospital's large glass doors rush into my view. Looking down the street I see a vehicle turn a corner. The van!

My witness and I move through the swinging doors. My eyes sweep the large room for Boss Man.

"I see 'im over there," the witness whispers.

"Boss Man. How is it that you're visiting the hospital today?" I ask calmly.

"Just here a see a friend," he answers, a smile creeps across his lips.

I look up and see two more officers approaching the door.

"Seems there's been an incident." I watch his face for clues.

"I need you to come down to the station to answer some questions."

A tight smile grips his lips. There's no panic in his eyes. He's certain I can't pin anything on him. Well...We'll see about that.

"My officers will give you a free ride."

Two officers circle around Boss Man, each one firmly taking one of his arms and escorting him to the van.

"Sam!"

I recognize Squito's voice. "Squito! Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Boss Man brought me to the hospital," Squito replies.

"What's the problem?" I ask noticing a warning tone in his voice.

"It be the police! They're here!"

I hear another deep voice and the heavy entrance of another body.

Mary lets out a muffled gasp.

"How dare you come in here! Can't you see there are injured people here?" Lyla exclaims.

"There's been an incident today...and...my witness here is going to tell me if any of you were involved, " The deep-voiced police captain replies.

The voice of panic swells in Lyla's head. "What's the urgent matter, sir?" I feel the air closing around me, heavy and thick, spewing from this voice.

I see the birth of panic in the young women's eyes. Then the blind one turns his head in my direction. Those eyes...milky white...He's blind. He's sitting up, his body pointing to another guy in the next bed...looks like he's standing at death's door. A clear plastic tube falls from an overhanging bag into his arm. A zig zagging line flashes across a screen above his head.