Chapter 21: The Job

Heidi had been gone for four days when I went back to work.

My supervisor had put me back on nights, at the console beside my old partner.

A police car was parked outside the building.

Nolan had wanted to drive me in and wait in the lot.

I told him I would call if I needed anything.

"That's all I want," he said, and kissed me at the door.

At ten past two in the morning, the line lit up.

"911, what is the address of your emergency?"

For a moment there was only wind.

Then a car engine idling, and a small voice, very steady.

"I'm on the Garrett Street bridge."

I knew it before the second word was out.

I put one hand flat on the desk.

With the other I tapped my partner's shoulder twice, our signal for a trace.

She looked at my face and began to type.

"Okay," I said, low and slow, the way I always do. "I'm here with you. Tell me your name."

"You know my name."

"I'd like to hear you say it."

A wet laugh.

"It's Heidi."

"Heidi, are you hurt?"

"No."

"Are you in a car?"

"I'm sitting on the rail." Her breath hitched.

"I left the car on the bridge. I just wanted to hear someone pick up."

On my left screen the trace pinned a dot to the middle of the bridge.

My partner was already on the radio with two units and a negotiator.

I kept my eyes on the dot.

"I'm going to stay on the line with you," I said. "Can you tell me what happened tonight?"

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