Page 298

Will moves first.

He reaches up and tears the cable from the wall.

The light stays on.

“That isn’t possible,” Sheriff Cruz says.

Taylor pulls the camera away from its mounting bracket. A small black device is attached behind it.

“What is that?” I ask.

“A wireless transmitter.”

“Was it already there?”

Cruz shakes her head.

“No. We inspect these rooms every month.”

“Then someone installed it recently,” Sean says.

“Or while you cleared the building,” Kane adds.

Sheriff Cruz reaches for her radio.

“Ramirez, report.”

Static answers.

She tries again.

Nothing.

“Where was he?” Sean asks.

“Searching south of the hospital.”

“The same direction Patrick’s SUV traveled.”

Cruz’s face hardens.

“Ramirez has worked for me for nine years.”

Sean doesn’t accuse her deputy of anything.

He doesn’t need to.

Kane takes the ledger from the table.

Holt removes the key.

Taylor seals Frank’s letter inside an evidence bag.

Arthur moves into the hallway while Trent checks the rear entrance.

Seven men spread through the building without being told where to go.

Hayley steps closer to me.