Their investigation was interrupted by the sound of another vehicle arriving at the scene. Holt looked up to see June climbing out of Carmen’s sedan, her face pale but determined as she hurried toward the accident site.
Holt immediately moved to intercept her. “June, you shouldn’t be here. This is an active emergency scene.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” June said firmly, though Holt could see the tension in her shoulders and the way her hands trembled slightly. Being at another car accident so soon after her own trauma couldn’t be easy for her.
“At least keep a safe distance,” Holt said gently, understanding her need to be there for Lacey while also wanting to protect her from additional emotional stress.
June nodded and moved back toward the road, but a few minutes later she approached him again, her expression troubled.
“Holt,” she said softly, “you need to look at Lacey’s car more closely.”
Something in her tone made Holt give her his full attention. “What did you see?”
“I’m no expert,” June said, her brows furrowed, “but it doesn’t make sense that Lacey’s rear bumper is so badly crumpled if she just lost control and rolled down the embankment, right?”
Holt felt his pulse quicken. June had always been an excellent observer of details that didn’t add up. During their marriage, she’d helped him analyze test cases for his law enforcement training, and her analytical mind had always complemented his investigative instincts perfectly.
“Show me,” Holt said.
“I might be wrong,” June told him. “As I can only see it from up the embankment. But I know her truck’s bumper wasn’t crumpled as I helped her pack it before she went to see the Hendersons’ foal.”
“Come on,” Holt said. “Let’s get you some protective gear, and I’ll take you down there.”
“Really?” June said, and he nodded.
They went to one of the fire trucks, and they were given some spare gear that was a little big for June, but she looked so cute. Holt hid his smile and pushed his thoughts aside. When they were done, he led them to a safe space, and they walked carefully down the slope toward where the rescue teams were working.
They paused at a safe distance as Carmen and her EMT team carefully extracted Lacey from the driver’s seat. The rescue had taken nearly an hour, but Lacey was conscious and talking, which was an encouraging sign.
“Look at the bumper,” June said quietly. “Does that look like it was done during the roll down the embankment?”
Holt eyed it out and shook his head. “No, I don’t think it was.” He called Rad, and his son came over.
“Dad, June,” Rad greeted them. “You shouldn’t be down here.”
Holt ignored his warning and pointed to the bumper. “Have you examined the vehicle?”
“We’re waiting to,” Rad told them. “Why?”
“Pay particular attention to the back bumper,” Holt told him.
“Yeah, I saw that,” Rad told him. “It goes with my thoughts that there was another car involved from the skid marks above.”
Holt felt his chest fill with pride for his son and was distracted as they watched, held breath, as they secured Lacey to a backboard and prepared to transport her up the embankment. Despite some obvious cuts and bruises, she appeared to be in relatively stable condition.
As the rescue team lifted the stretcher, Lacey’s eyes found Holt among the crowd of emergency personnel. “Director Dillinger,” she called out weakly. “Holt…”
Carmen visibly stiffened as Holt and June approached the stretcher. “Lacey, you need to stay calm and conserve your energy,” the EMT captain warned.
“I need to speak to Holt,” Lacey insisted, then glanced around the group of first responders. “Is Chief Morrison here?”
“He’s at your vehicle with Rad,” June told her gently.
“I’m here, Lacey,” Holt said, moving closer. “That’s quite a scare you gave us.”
“Lacey, Carmen,” Lucy’s voice echoed from behind them. “Clear some space around her, please.” She looked at the EMTs. “Take her up.”
“No, Lucy, wait. I need to tell Holt and Tom something… There was another car,” Lacey said, her voice strained but urgent. “A car was driving up fast behind me on that curve. It hit my truck from behind and then just drove away.”
