Page 103 of Wild Escape

I told her about the ballistics match to Levi's gun. "I think it's time you come clean. Tell me everything that happened that night. Testify against Levi and put him away for a long time.”

Her face twisted with torment. Her eyes filled, and she broke down into sobs. She looked at her mother as the tears streamed. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for anybody to get hurt. Can you ever forgive me?"

Her mother squeezed her hand. "I can forgive you. But how can I forget? You should really be asking your father. He’s the one you need to make amends with, and I pray you get that chance.”

Kenzie’s chest heaved with jerking sobs.

Audrey said, "You should probably get a lawyer before you speak to these officers."

Even in this situation, she couldn't help but look out for her daughter.

Kenzie shook her head. "I don't need an attorney. I'm not going to hide anymore. I'll tell the truth. Whatever happens to me, so be it. I deserve it.”

Audrey teared up.

Kenzie continued to sob. “I’m so sorry. I love you, Mom.”

The words were tough for Audrey to say, but she did. “I love you, too.”

I asked Audrey how Doug was doing. She told me he was still in an induced coma and had developed sepsis.

I cringed.

I told Audrey we’d be in touch.

JD and I left with Daphne and walked to the other side of the trauma ward to find Levi.

“I don’t know how you guys do this day in and day out,” Daphne said. “It’s heartbreaking.”

“It’s tough. We see the aftermath of the crime. Something most criminals never have to deal with or even consider.”

“Until they get caught,” JD added.

Deputy Halford wasn’t around when we reached Levi’s room. Nobody stood guard outside the door.

I had a bad feeling.

We pushed into the room, and the bed was empty.

Halford was on the ground with a pencil stuck into his carotid artery. He’d bled out onto the floor. Levi must have coaxed him into the room, then stabbed him when he drew close.

Empty handcuffs dangled from the railing.

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Medical personnel flooded into the room.

A trail of blood led to the door. A handprint stained the jamb. You didn't stab someone in the carotid without making a mess.

Levi had taken Deputy Halford’s pistol. He’d used Halford’s keys to get out of the cuffs.

Jack called dispatch and updated them on the situation.

I raced into the hall, my head on a swivel, looking for the perp. I followed the trail of blood drips down the corridor toward the stairwell. I stopped a nurse along the way and asked if she’d seen Levi.

She shrugged and shook her head. It was a busy ward, and people were preoccupied with other patients.

I raced to the stairwell, pushed open the metal door, and looked down the switchback staircase.