Page 103 of Random in Death

She shoved her ’link back in her pocket.

“He missed. Somehow he missed. She wouldn’t have survived if he’d gotten that shit into her.”

“It might be he bolloxed up the formula.”

“No. No, he’s careful there. He’s exacting there. It was the execution. Some sort of fumble. The emergency exit was probably his planned escape route, but not this way. Something went wrong. He’ll be shaken, angry. But it’ll be her fault, not his.”

“You’re worried he’ll try for her again?”

“We won’t take chances, but no. She’s spoiled it for him. And shaken or not, he knows we’ll have cops on her. Right now, or when he can think again, he’ll hope she doesn’t make it. Delayed satisfaction’s better than none.”

“Vid opening, and as Peabody said, a summer blockbuster.”

“What does a vid have to do with a block getting busted? Never mind.”

“I won’t,” Roarke assured her. “He’d have to have his ticket scanned, cross the lobby. Unless he managed to get in the way he got out.”

“Unlikely—set off alarms. Unless it’s you. More, he’d need the time to select her, watch her, get close enough. His exit means they were in the theater. Dark, probably noisy. It’s a good plan, all in all. But something went wrong.”

He pulled up at the center’s ER entrance. “Go, I’ll park and find you.”

“Kiki Rosenburg,” she reminded him, and rushed to the doors.

She hated the smell of hospitals, the sickness, fear, and despair. And the sounds, weeping, wails, the slap of crepe-soled shoes on tile.

She grabbed the first medical she found.

“NYPSD. Kiki Rosenburg, MTs brought her in. Drug reaction.”

“You’ll need to see the—”

“I’m seeing you. Find out her status and where she is, so I can find out who tried to kill her.”

“Jesus, this is hour twelve of a double for me. I need—”

“Got you beat.”

The ER nurse might have worn scrubs adorned with cheerful daisies, but her eyes read tired and cranky.

“Fine. Wait here.”

“Why would I do that?” Eve fell into step beside her. As they approached the registration desk, she glanced down a long hall.

And saw a uniform on a door.

“Never mind. I’ve got her.”

As Eve started down, the nurse called out, “Hey! You can’t just—”

“Watch me. Officer. Kiki Rosenburg.”

“Her parents just got here, Lieutenant. Less than two minutes ago.”

“She’s still alive?”

“She was two minutes ago. Doc’s in there, too, and a nurse, and my partner.”

“Stay on the door. Expert consultant, civilian, is coming in. He can hold here with you.”