“Yeah. I guess he likes it there. And it’s close.” Kate hadn’t been chummy with Fisher and certainly not in the way she was close to Walsh. Of course, she and Walsh tended to be teamed up more frequently, but maybe it was long overdue for her to forge a bond with Fisher. “You know, about finding a lead profiler, I want you to know that I’m on board with whoever you choose.”
“I appreciate that, Reid. And just so you know, I wouldn’t want to bring on anyone you weren’t comfortable with.”
“Hey, I get along with virtually everyone.” She turned to him. “Well, except Quinn. That whole thing started off on the wrong foot and had nothing to do with you or the others on the team.”
“I don’t pretend to know all that went on between you two, but I knew Quinn pretty well and I was aware of his tactics. I’m sorry you were subjected to them.”
“Don’t be. I let him get too close and I paid the price. So did Nick. But that doesn’t mean what I did in response was acceptable. I get that it wasn’t, and I know I face a censure hearing.”
“Cole has his way of doing things that I don’t always agree with, but I’ll be there in your defense if you need me to be. I guarantee you that.”
“Thanks. That’s nice to hear. I know we don’t say much to each other, but I want you to know that I have no animosity about you taking on the Senior Unit Agent spot. None. You were here long before Nick and maybe it wasn’t fair for him to swoop in and take over.”
“Cole had his reasons. Take earlier today for example. Right off the bat, Scarborough pulled together a comprehensive plan to approach this case. The guy’s smart. He knows what he’s doing. He’s been in a leadership position. I haven’t until now. But I hope I can live up to Scarborough’s reputation at the Bureau. Minus this most recent situation. I don’t want to let any of you down.”
It was the first time she saw Fisher. Saw who he really was. He was a good guy. He had his flaws, but they all did. Nick among them. Maybe it was time Kate remembered that he had been a good guy too. Nick was smart and knew how to handle a case. In all of this, she’d forgotten that about him. He screwed up. But who among them hadn’t?
To look at the clear blue skies now, it had been difficult for Bishop to believe Mother Nature had unleashed a devastating hurricane on the people of this island. He stood outside a marketplace with downed awnings and splintered wooden carts scattered about the sidewalks and streets. Debris littered an area the size of a football field.
His reason for being here now was a far cry from the others who had gathered, traversing the area with saddened faces and dried tears on their cheeks. Bishop didn’t care about any of that and he wondered if this had been the right call. Where were the first responders? Where were the people being carted in with life-threatening injuries?
“Excuse me,” Bishop approached a Red Cross volunteer. “I’m with Our Lady of Mercy church and have medical training. Might I be of use somewhere else?”
“Please, come with me.” The volunteer started toward a nearby station that had been set up. The tent displayed the Red Cross insignia. “Good morning. This gentleman has a medical background. Is there a need for him at another location?”
The woman smiled, pushed her glasses up on her face, and studied Bishop. “Absolutely. There is another area much harder hit where medical aid is currently being rendered. I can take you there. It is not far.”
“Thank you. Anything I can do to help.” Bishop followed the older woman to a Jeep and stepped up onto the passenger seat.
“You are a doctor?” The woman turned the engine and pulled ahead.
“I am, yes,” Bishop replied. “Dr. Eli Parnell.”
“Well, Dr. Parnell, they will be most grateful to have your assistance.”
Bishop held onto the handle above the door of the Jeep. The roads undulated through the city. The woman swerved to avoid large rocks that tumbled from the hills and landed in the middle of the lanes, which were scarcely wide enough to handle two cars passing at once. “How much farther?”
“Another mile. You won’t find any luxury resorts where we’re going. The hardest hit areas were the neighborhoods that already struggle to find fresh water from the community wells. Most of the homes had already suffered damage from previous storms and had yet to be repaired. Those were the ones who failed to withstand Florence’s wrath.”
Bishop had grown tired of listening to this woman speak of the plight of the locals and bided his time until they finally arrived.
She pulled the Jeep to a stop as close to the command station as possible. “We are here, Dr. Parnell. I will show you inside and leave you to do your best to help.”
He followed her to the tent. This was what he had been waiting for. When she approached one of the doctors, he interrupted and made the introduction for himself. “Dr. Parnell. I’m here to help in whatever way I can.”
“Perfect.” The doctor looked to the Red Cross volunteer. “You have no idea how grateful I am that you brought him here.”
“My pleasure, but I must get back.” She turned to Bishop. “Dr. Parnell, these fine men will see to it your skills are put to use. Good luck.”
Bishop nodded and when she disappeared, he began. “Where do you need me?”
“Have you worked in an ER, Dr. Parnell?” The man asked.
“I have.”
“Good. Then I’ll take you to the triage tent where they are bringing in victims of the building collapse that occurred late last night. Many were trapped.”
“The storm ended
