“Pissed and sad.” Kip sat slowly. “Harper shined some light on an issue. I’m more sure than ever Harper’s accident was meant to kill her, and Adelaide was the intended victim of the hit and run. At the center of this is a trial being run by Ovax pharmaceuticals.
“Harper also told me she was surprised Brigitte went with us to notify Gabriel Matin. She said Brigitte hated both her and Adelaide. She also said Gabriel is a pharmacist.” Kip told the group his suspicions about Gabriel, the perfume and the orange lipstick.
“In addition, Harper admitted Jerrold threatened her career and that he grabbed her wrists. I know it’s more than that, but I wasn’t going to push.”
“Where is Harper now?” Ian asked.
“Asleep in my room,” Kip stated.
“Tobey, set up eyes around the clock on Harper,” Ian said.
Kip explained the binders. “Josh, any news on the list we found?”
“Unfortunately, yes. They’re all deceased.” Josh frowned.
“They were all cremated too,” Chad added.
“Except for one,” Tobey added.
“I’m going to guess… Candace Fontenot.” Kip blew out a breath. “He’s never going to give us permission to exhume her.”
“Not us, but maybe…” Kyle started to say.
“I can’t ask her that. Damn,” Kip shook his head, “I’ll think about it. Where are we with the Sommerstones?”
“Jerrold is still in rehab. No signs of Rene and Lourdes,” Kyle answered.
Kip turned to Rich. “Anything?”
“I took a look at the camera footage—ours and two cameras from the buildings across the street. The accident—the car was gunning for either you or Adelaide. But when I took it down, frame by frame from the start of the day, it proved to me Adelaide was the target. I traced the blue car backwards from when it parked to when it moved. It was parked a space further down the road than it was before it hit Adelaide. Kip and Josh left the building. Thirty seconds later, the cameras pick up Adelaide crossing the street with a group of coworkers and pedestrians. The area was congested with cars. There was no clear route to hit her and, more importantly, get away. Once she was in the building, the car pulled out and hit the gas.
“I also double-checked Harper’s accident on the CCC. The blue car followed her from the employee lot. Once on the bridge, it weaved in and out. I picked up a second car, a gray Subaru. It blocked other traffic to give the blue car, an old Ford Taurus, a chance to build momentum. I slowed it down and blew it up. It had a roll bar installed.”
Kip ran his hand through his hair. “What about Greta?”
“It hasn’t wobbled one bit,” Rich said.
“Hospital?” Kip asked.
“Lucky. We cleared a total of eighteen devices. Your office was loaded. Fontenot was definitely targeting the Sommerstones—the worst damage was to administrative areas. Unfortunately, getting up there, he killed four and seriously wounded eight. Working through the night, we should be good to go by Wednesday,” Bruce said.
“We have no choice; we have to be. Where are we on the generator?” Kip asked.
“Same situation, by Wednesday,” Bruce replied.
“How about evacuation plans?” Kip continued.
“All non-essential staff and families will be on the move Monday. I also looked at the deployments and reconfigured some of the supervisory staff. You’re covered through all your assets. I also culled out your SEALs and SWCCs. A cargo plane is due in at 0200 with boats, ropes, life jackets, portable ladders. You’ll be able to get patients into the hospital and the building, should the waters rise that high,” Wes said. “Tomorrow, I’ve called a full muster. Then I’ll head to the warehouse to make sure equipment is balanced on either side of the area.”
“Hunt?” Kip asked.
“I’m going to reevaluate staff at the hospital to make sure we have enough to work the storm. Logan will arrange to get Chantal back to the med center. Unfortunately, her condition won’t let us fly her out. Speaking of flying out, Emma Prejean is doing better. She’s still on a vent, but her numbers look okay. And Kodi Bush has awakened. Beth said someone can try to debrief him tomorrow.”
“That’s good to hear. Ian, how’s Kieran?” Kip asked.
“He appreciated the box of fake testicles you sent him. Surgery went well. The cancer is Stage 1A. They think they got everything. His tumor markers are normal, but after talking to the doctors, he and Monique decided one round of the drug carboplatin will be his best choice.” Ian swallowed hard.
“He has a great prognosis,” Hunt added.
