Going Under_ A Bill Roberts Thriller - Silas Payton Page 0,40

be seen. I'd rather not tell them we were here."

"You want to leave it here?"

"What if there was an emergency, Wilson? What if something happened and nobody was here to help?"

"It's on a path. Someone probably dropped it."

"It says the call was made at eleven thirty-five. It would have been dark then. Maybe something happened," she said.

"Why don't we call 911 and let them know we found a phone. They'd have a record of the call."

"Wouldn't they get upset if it isn't an emergency?"

"Just explain what we found and see what they say."

She thought about it for a minute, then hit the re-dial button.

"911. Can I help you?" the voice said.

"Hello. I'm sorry to bother you, but my boyfriend and I found this cell phone in a park and the last number dialed was 911. We were concerned and thought we should let you know."

"Miss, I'm not getting any caller ID off your call. Can you please tell me what time the phone says the call was made?" the dispatcher asked.

"We just checked the call time. It was placed at eleven thirty-five, pm."

"While we look it up, can I please get your name, and a number where I can reach you?"

"Janet Graves," she said. She gave the lady her own cell number, and waited on the line.

"Janet. Where are you right now?" asked the 911 dispatcher.

"We're in McBurney Park. It's about ten doors from where I live."

"Janet. Please listen carefully. Do you see anyone else outside where you are?"

"No. We're the only ones around."

"Okay. Without hanging up the phone, can you and your boyfriend run to your house quickly? Don't stop for anyone. Go straight there. I'll have a police officer there shortly."

"What's this all about? You're making me scared." Janet said.

"Please just do as I ask -- and don't stop for anyone. I'll stay on the line until the police get there."

"Okay," she said.

She turned to her boyfriend. "Wilson, we have to run to my house. Now! And we can't stop for anyone."

Suddenly, the night seemed a lot darker. They heard noises on the street they hadn't a few minutes ago. Not knowing the concern, their minds made the worst of it. The two ran like it was a race against some unknown danger.

Chapter 43

Bill Roberts

Bill's ambulance ride was less than pleasant. It was only ten city blocks to the Toronto General Hospital but the driver seemed to be on a mission to find every pothole he could. Every bump sent a jolt of pain through Bill's shoulder, neck and upper back.

At the hospital, the Inspector was quickly whisked through triage and into an emergency assessment area. The paramedics lifted him off the stretcher and onto a bed, and he thought he was going to pass out from the pain.

"For God sakes! It's my shoulder. I can move myself. I don't need to be tossed around like a bloody side of beef."

"Sorry sir. We're only following protocol for a gunshot wound," said the paramedic.

The attending physician walked into the room and introduced herself.

"Inspector Roberts, I'm Doctor Perry, is it okay if we take a look at your wound?"

"I really have a lot going on right now. Is there any way you can bandage it up and I'll come back later?" he asked.

"No, I don't think so. Is it okay for me to remove your shirt?"

"It's been a while since anyone's asked me that," he said.

She worked together with a nurse, carefully removing his shirt without moving his arm. The side of his chest and abdomen were covered in blood. With his shirt off the wet blood had a cooling effect giving him a shiver and goose bumps.

The doctor checked his shoulder, pointing out where the bullet entered, and also where it came out the other side. "It went through the flesh of your shoulder. Can you feel your fingers?"

I can feel my fingers, but I can feel your fingers even more. Are you trying to stick them right through the hole?"

"I'm almost done. I have to make sure there are no fragments left in the wound."

"What are you searching with -- a broom handle?"

Once done checking the wound, she checked the function of the nerves and muscles in his arm and hand and concluded, "No nerve damage. You're a lucky man."

"If I was lucky, it would have missed me altogether."

"Yes, but then we wouldn't have had the pleasure of meeting, Inspector," she said getting a needle ready. She looked at him and smiled.

"I'm not sure yet, if I'd call