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“She’s unconscious,” one of the EMTs said. “She’s lost a lot of blood. Do you know who her emergency contact is?” he called over his shoulder as they wheeled her to a second ambulance.
“Her wife. Jessica. They run a bakery. Marica’s in the Quarter.”
“I know the place,” one of the uniforms said. “We’ll send someone to the bakery to inform her wife and take her to the hospital. But ADA Cardozo, please step aside. We have to preserve the crime scene.”
Kaj wheeled on the man, letting his fury free. “My son is in there. Stay the fuck out of my way.” He barreled up the front steps and into his house, staying clear of the pools of blood.
So much blood.
There was more blood inside the house. A man in black lay in front of the coat closet, a ski mask over his head. But the ski mask was dark with blood.
And then... “Oh my God. Jace.” A third set of EMTs crouched by the young man, transferring him to a stretcher. His T-shirt was solid red. Jace reached a bloody hand to Kaj.
Kaj grasped it. “Jace.”
“Sir. They took Val. Corey and Bobby. They came.”
“I know.” He managed to keep his voice level even though a sob was rising in his throat. “What happened, Jace?”
“Elijah. He’s in the safe room. I pushed him in. Made him lock the door.”
Relief had Kaj’s knees buckling. “Corey didn’t find him.”
“Corey was so mad.” Jace groaned, his grip on Kaj’s hand tightening. “I... got him out of Elijah’s room. Tried to stop him from hurting Val.”
“Did Corey shoot you?”
“Yeah. Hurt Val. Please, sir. Get her back.”
“I will. Molly and Antoine are at the hospital already. I’ll make sure one of them meets you in the ER. You won’t be alone, son.”
“I’m sorry, Mr.Cardozo. I’m so sorry. I tried.”
Kaj pushed the boy’s hair off his face. “Don’t say that. You were brave, Jace. Thank you. I’ll come and see you as soon as I can.”
“Find Val.”
“I will,” he promised, then stepped back when the EMT pointed to the door.
“We need to go. Do you know his next of kin or guardian?” the EMT asked. “He says he’s only fifteen.”
“Me,” Kaj said. “I’m his guardian.” He’d make it true somehow. “The brother with legal guardianship was the one who did this to him, so use my name for now.”
“The hospital will have to call children’s services,” the EMT said, “since he’s a minor. But we’ll note what you said in the report.”
Jaw tight, Kaj wiped his bloody hand on his pants as he took the stairs two at a time. An officer stood outside Elijah’s bedroom door, blocking Kaj’s entry.
“Sorry, sir. There’s a violent dog in there.”
“I’ll take care of the dog. He knows me and is protecting my son. Please move.”
“I can’t, sir. I’m under orders not to let anyone inside until we’ve dealt with the dog.”
“He’s my girlfriend’s dog. Move.” Kaj shoved him to the side and opened the door enough to slide through. Czar stood in front of Elijah’s closet door, snarling. Closing the door behind his back, Kaj swallowed hard. “Czar. Settle down.” He held out his hand, hoping the dog would recognize his scent.
He wasn’t sure if the animal was mentally present. He was snarling and pacing in front of the door like a caged lion. “Czar, easy.”
For a tense moment, Kaj stared the dog down. Then Czar lunged, but instead of a bite, Kaj felt a cold nose nuzzling into his hand as Czar whined pitifully.
