Chapter 44

Christopher had been staring out the window. When he looked over and saw his daughter in tears, he went over to her.

"It's going to be fine, Kim. Will said it was nothing major."

"She almost died."

"I've said before, she's a tough cookie just like her mama."

"You didn't see what she looked like. Her head was all bloody. Her left arm was swollen and cut. Her legs were scratched. She might have internal bleeding."

"Don't focus on the bad thoughts. Think happy thoughts."

"How can I at a time like this? I lost Julie, my children's school was bombed. I can't lose my daughter and best friend in the same week. I just can't!"

"Do you think Hannah and Julie would want to see you like this?"

"I just can't smile knowing Julie's gone and Hannah has internal bleeding."

Will came out, blood spattered latex gloves on.

"Can I talk to you guys for a second?" He asked, looking at Kim and Adam.

"Yeah sure." They walked to the other end of the hallway.

"What is it, Will? I'm scared." Kim was beginning to worry.

"Nothing to worry about. We are going to need your signatures to consent to the surgery though."

"Anything." They both signed the form.

"We brought her down to the lab for x-rays and it showed the damage, but it wasn't anything major."

"Do you know how that injury would have occurred?"

"I would say she was flung into the lockers, because the scan also showed metal splinters in her back. That kid is lucky."

"How long will the surgery take?" Adam asked.

"Approximately an hour, two at the most."

"Please don't tell me it did anything to her spinal cord."

"She'll still be able to walk. I suggest you take it slowly for a while though."

"Yes yes of course."

"I can set you both up in her room if you want. I have a room in the recovery wing reserved for her."

They both looked at each other for a minute, and thought it would be a good idea. Will escorted them to her room. He told them that she would have to stay in the hospital for at the least a week, if not less. It was hard for them, but they understood his instructions and were told to follow them very carefully. A few hours passed and they were wheeling her into the room. The nurse made sure the i.v. was in tact and working before leaving the room. Hannah's eyes were just starting to open. They rushed to her side. She looked up and all around.

"Where am I?"

"The hospital." Adam told her.

"Why?"

"Do you remember what happened earlier today?"

"No."

"A bomb went off at your school, you were hurt."

"Am I dead?"

He laughed. "No, you're fine. They got to you in time."

"What did they do to me?"

"They had to operate on your back and stitch part of your head."

"They did what?!"

"There was a hole in your head. You were also thrown against the lockers. The throw put metal splinters in your back and damaged your spine."

"Was anyone else hurt?"

"A lot of people were."

"What about Brayden and MacKenzie?"

"They're both fine, out in the waiting room with your auntie Gabby."

"Mikayla was in the bathrooms around the corner. Did something happen to her?"

"Unfortunately." Kim sighed.

"Is she dead?"

"She's in surgery."

"What happened to her?"

"Her leg was broken by a wall falling on her."

He wanted to avoid the subject of telling her what happened to the leg, so he just kept it as broken. Kim's walkie talkie started making noise, she took it off her belt.

"Detective Ruzek, call back." She said into it.

"Suspicious white male, around five foot six in dark hoodie around the school. Requesting all nearby officers."

"On our way." She latched it back to her belt.

Hannah refused to let go of their hands and started crying. Gabby, MacKenzie and Brayden came in to keep her company.

"Hannah sweetie, you have to stay here. They'll be back." Gabby rubbed her forehead.

"I want my mommy and daddy!" Hannah kept on crying.

"Sissy, they have to go catch the bad guy."

"No! They need to be here with me!"

"But sissy, they have to catch the bad guy who did this."

***

The guy tried sneaking out the back way of the school. This was the side that faced the playground and the back entrance. Kim started walking towards him and he started walking faster.

"CHICAGO POLICE! STOP RIGHT THERE!"

When he caught the glimmer of her badge, he started running. She rolled her eyes and started chasing him. Little did they both know, Antonio and Erin were waiting for him at the end of the road. He would not give up chase and kept going. He ran at least two miles before they caught up with him. Kim grabbed him by the back of the shirt and threw him against the patrol car. While she was reading him his miranda rights, he was yelling and swearing at her.

"This isn't helping, but nice try." She kicked him into the back of the car and shut the door.

He was brought to the district. Adam walked into the interrogation room, shutting the door behind him.

"You didn't think we'd catch you, huh?" He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.

"I was expecting it."

Kim came in a few seconds later, slamming the door.

"I like a sassy lady." He looked up at her.

"My daughter is in the hospital because of you!"

Adam glared at him. "You are gonna pay for this."

"You don't scare me."

"Oh we don't?" Kim raised an eyebrow.

"You don't."

She got up, throwing her chair back and almost hit Adam in the process. She leaned in closer to the guy's face.

"Tell me what I want to know."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

She smacked him across the face.

"You're lucky I don't put my hands around your neck and strangle you right here." Her glare grew deep.

"You wouldn't get away with that."

Adam scoffed. "I wouldn't say a thing. I don't care who you are. If I were you, I suggest listening to her."

"I have nothing to tell." He said, looking at his hands.

Kim reached across the table, grabbing his neck in her hands. "Unless you want my grip cutting off your circulation, I suggest telling me what I want to know."

"Okay okay!"

"Good." She dropped him back into his seat.

"It was me."

"It was you who did what?"

"It was me who built the bomb to blow up the school."

"Did you have any accomplices?"

"I don't give their names out."

She looked back at Adam. "Hun, wanna help me strangle the death out of this guy?"

He laughed. "Gladly."

"Do that and I'll have both your badges."

"Our boss won't stop us. He'll claim it was suicide and we'd get away with it."

Adam came over to the table. "Give us the names and maybe, just maybe, you'll get a lesser sentence."

"I get the deal first and then I'll give up the names."

"Names first or no deal."

"You won't be getting those names then."

Adam picked him up by the arm. "Alright then, let's go down to the cage. Maybe that will get you to talk."