Capitol Offense Read Online Free Page A

operation!”
    This is new, Joslyn thought, smiling a little. Interesting. A nice bit of plot thickening. Heightens the drama. My Dennis is so sweet …
    “No, sir, but—”
    “In fact, I expressly refused to open a file. Didn’t meet the criteria.”
    “Doesn’t matter, sir. We found—”
    “Doesn’t matter? I’ll decide what matters!”
    “But—”
    “Have you received a sudden promotion I don’t know about, Sergeant? Or am I still your superior?”
    Torres’s eyes narrowed. “You’re still my superior.”
    “I’m glad to hear it. Consider yourself on probation. Suspension without pay until—”
    Dennis jumped in between them. “Would you stop this? My wife is trapped in that car. That’s all that matters!”
    Sentz pursed his lips, obviously angry. “You can’t initiate an emergency rescue operation without the authorization of a senior officer or—”
    “She’s dying!”
    That’s my Dennis. Always a fighter. To the bitter end. Give him what for, Dennis!
    Sentz took a deep breath. “Mr. Thomas, it might be best if you waited beyond the perimeter.”
    “I will not!”
    “You will do as instructed, or I will regretfully—”
    “I’m not moving an inch until my wife is out of that car.”
    “You are interfering with a police operation, leaving me no choice but—”
    “Why are you doing this?”
Dennis screamed, blocking his path. “Do you know how long she’s been trapped in there? She’s dying, and you’re bellowing about regulations and—”
    The detective moved so quickly Dennis did not know what had happened until it was over. Detective Sentz lifted him off his feet and threw him sideways. He fell face-first onto the ground.
    Dennis screamed, clutching his face, bloodied on the right side. “Why are you doing this?”
    Sentz ignored him. “I want to talk to the operations officer. These things have to be handled carefully. One false move could kill the person you’re trying to rescue.”
    Are you still there? Is it over already? This isn’t a very satisfying ending, Dennis. But, it’s too late. I know that. I can feel it inside. I can feel the transformation coming, the passage. And I’m ready. But I would like to talk to you, Dennis. One last time. I have a message …
     
     
    “We got her!”
    Dennis rushed forward, still holding the right side of his face. “How is she?”
    “Not good,” Torres replied, “but she’s alive. Barely.” He led Dennis past the barricade back toward the car, where attendants were lifting Joslyn’s broken body onto a stretcher. “Medics say she has broken bones, a severely lacerated and infected leg. She’s dehydrated, malnourished. Judging from her skin color, she’s got liver damage, with the resultant buildup of toxins.”
    “Will she be okay?”
    “They just don’t know. We’ve got to get her to a hospital …”
    Dennis rushed forward, grabbing the gurney. “Joslyn! Can you hear me? Can you hear me?”
    Her eyelashes fluttered briefly, barely signaling a trace of life still residing inside.
    “Joslyn, I’m sorry I took so long. I’m sorry! But we’re going to get you well. You’re going to be fine, honey. I promise. You’ll be just like new. Back to your patients in no time.”
    One of the medics stepped forward. “I’m sorry, sir, but we have to get her to the hospital.”
    “Of course. I understand. Just—”
    Joslyn’s right hand suddenly wrapped itself around Dennis’s arm.
    “I’m here, honey,” Dennis said, eyes bulging. “I’m here. I’ll stay with you.”
    Slowly her lips pressed together. He could see she was trying to say something, but she barely had the strength to make it happen.
    “What is it, Fizz? What?”
    He leaned forward until his head was barely an inch from her lips. Her voice was more breath than sound.
    “Out … wit …”
    “Outwit? Is that what you’re saying?”
    “… stars …”
    He felt the grip on his wrist loosen, then felt her hand fall away altogether.
    “What’s