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Beth got ahold ofAshley Bailey, the divorcee from Marina del Rey. But she wasn’t home. In fact,she was clear across the country, on a holiday trip to New York with her kids.They were just wrapping up dinner before going to see a Broadway show.
That only left theother Marina del Rey resident, Sienna Ford, to contact. Neither Jamil nor Bethcould reach her on her phone. Attempts to call her husband were equallyunsuccessful. That combination of factors was enough to have Ryan put both thesiren and cherry light on his car and speed down the 405 freeway, and then the90 freeway before it dead-ended not far from Ford’s address.
By the time hepulled onto Outrigger Street as he shut off the siren, it was 4:28. They hadmade incredible time, all things considered. But as she jumped out of thepassenger seat, Jessie feared it wouldn’t be nearly fast enough. Sienna Fordcould already be dead. And the house they were approaching might currently befilled with poisonous gas that they couldn’t identify until it was too late.
It was only as sherushed across the front yard toward the home that she realized they hadn’tthought to bring gas masks. She stopped on the porch of the house and turned toremind Ryan of their mistake. He stood right behind her with his weapon drawn.
“Should we try thedoor, or should I just toss one of these patio chairs through the frontwindow?” he asked as he caught his breath.
Jessie was justabout to warn him about the risk of poisonous air inside when the front doorshot open and a completely naked woman sprinted out of it, leapt off the porch,and dashed into the front yard. Jessie recognized her immediately, despite thefact that she was dripping wet with what looked like bubbles all over her.
“She’s trying tokill me!” the woman screamed.
“Sienna!” Jessieyelled at her, trying to calm her down.
The woman turnedaround, and Jessie saw that her forehead was bleeding profusely. Before anyonecould say another word, the front door slammed shut. A loud locking soundfollowed. Jessie and Ryan turned in that direction, trying to discern what wasgoing on. She caught a glimpse of movement in the window. Squinting, she sawwhat looked like Danielle Robertson scurrying toward the back of the house.
“It’s her—DanielleRobertson,” she said. “She ran down a back hallway and out of sight.”
“I’m going inafter her,” Ryan said. “You help Ford and call for backup.”
“Be careful,” shewarned. “There’s probably one of those canisters in there somewhere.”
“Was she wearing amask?” he asked.
“I didn’t see one,but that doesn’t mean she’s not putting it on right now.”
“I’ll be careful,”he warned.
He kicked in thedoor, then disappeared inside. Once he was out of sight, Jessie rushed over toSienna Ford, who was staring at her, blinking back blood from her bewilderedeyes. Jessie yanked off her jacket as she got close.
“Sienna, my nameis Jessie Hunt,” she said quickly but calmly, “I work with the police. I’m hereto help.”
As she wrapped upFord, who had begun to shiver, likely from a combination of shock, coldweather, and lack of clothing, she studied the wound on the woman’s head. Therewas a deep gash where her forehead met her hairline. Jessie noticed more bloodcoming from the back of Ford’s left hand, which appeared to be broken, andguessed that the injury was a defensive wound when Ford put up her hand toprotect herself from a second blow.
“Listen,” Jessiesaid sharply, grabbing the woman by the shoulders and staring hard at her, “Ihave to go help my partner in there, but I need you to give me some quickinformation first. You were attacked by Danielle Robertson, yes?”
“Yes,” Ford said,her voice quavering.
“What weapon didshe use?”
“A golf club. Shehit me in the head with it as I was getting out of the tub. I managed to blockher second swing and just started running.”
“Was she wearing agas mask when she attacked you?” Jessie pressed. “Did you rip one off herface?”
“No,” Ford said,befuddled by the question.
“You were in yourbathroom when the attack occurred?” Jessie confirmed.
Ford nodded.
“I feel like I’mgoing to throw up,” she said weakly.
“I’m going to callfor an ambulance,” Jessie said, before pointing at her car. “In the meantime, Iwant you to go sit in that vehicle. It’s unlocked. There are napkins in theglove compartment. Grab a bunch of them and press them against the wound on yourhead until help arrives. Do you understand?”
Ford nodded.Jessie again pointed her in the right direction, then turned and dashed towardthe house. As she did, she called for backup, along with a hazmat unit and anambulance. She unholstered her weapon and hurried through the door, then backin the direction she had seen Robertson go earlier.
As she made herway down the hallway, the relaxing sounds of Sade’s “Paradise” could be heardthroughout the house. Jessie tried to shut the music out as she fixed herattention on each open doorway along the hallway. A trail of blood drops on thehardwood floor led to the end of the hall, where she could hear voices otherthan the singer’s.
