Read Online Hot Zone (Major Crimes Unit Book 2) by Iain Rob Wright - Free Book Online Page A

already infected them with something nasty?”
asked Howard. He dared not take another step forward and was forced to stall
for time. Maybe he could shoot the doctor without the phial smashing, but the
fear of what was inside escaping made his blood run too cold to try.
    “Alas, no,” said Krenshaw. “I was just about to begin my
rounds. You see, I like to do my most important work at night and evening is
nearly upon us. Morning and afternoon seem like queer times to give people
death sentences, don’t you agree?”
    Howard felt sick. “You were going to infect a bunch of
children. You’re mad.”
    “I am very sane, I assure you. In fact it takes a huge level
of sanity to make the sacrifices I am making. I want to change the world for
the better. Infecting a bunch of sickly white children with HIV is a means to
an end. They would get the best care, maybe even live full lives, but the fear
would be enough to get this country to pay attention.”
    “Your mission is over, Doctor. Just hand the phial over and
give yourself up.”
    “Hand it over? Are you so sure you want to take this from
me? You have gone quite a striking shade of alabaster.”
    Howard tried to swallow, but there was a lump in his throat.
He spoke in a squawk. “Nobody else is getting sick today, Doctor. This isn’t
the way.”
    “It is the only way.” Krenshaw tossed the phial into the
air.
    Howard felt his eyes almost fall out of his head as he
watched the small glass bottle arc towards him. His legs tried to carry him
away, to run, but he knew it was wrong thing to do, so, with a diving lunge, he
threw himself forwards instead. The phial was tiny, but as it tumbled it caught
the dimming sunlight and glinted. It gave Howard something to focus on. He hit
the pavement hard, chin striking the ground and sending him dizzy. For a few
seconds, he forgot himself and lay there in a daze. When he got his wits back
he panicked and looked around urgently. He opened up his hands and almost wept
when he saw the intact phial clutched in his right fist. His relief turned to
fury, though, when he saw the word INSULIN printed on the label. It had been a
bluff.
    Howard clambered back to his feet, ignoring the spike of
pain in his left kneecap where it had struck the pavement. Krenshaw had already
made a run for it and had gained a good lead. A parked car up ahead blinked and
beeped as the doctor unlocked it with his key fob. There was too much distance
between them now for Howard to get to Krenshaw before the doctor hopped in his
car and drove away.
    Howard brought up his gun, drew a bead, and fired. His round
struck the bumper of a car and ricocheted. There were still bystanders hiding
in cover and they yelled out in fright now. Howard couldn’t risk them getting
hit. He lowered his gun and sprinted, hoping against hope that Krenshaw would
fail to escape in time. But Krenshaw was almost at his car and seemed to
realise he was home-free. He turned around to smirk at Howard.
    “Until next time,” the doctor gloated, clutching the
briefcase to his chest like it was a prize.
    There was the sudden screech of skidding tyres.
    Two jet-black vans pulled up behind Krenshaw, making the
doctor spin around in fright and stumble on his heels. Two burly men in
balaclavas hopped out of one of the vans and grabbed Krenshaw before he even
knew what was happening, then they bundled him inside the van and held him down
on the floor as he struggled. A third person hopped out the front of the other
van and ran around to close the side door of the other. This person wasn’t
wearing a balaclava and was, in fact, a woman.
    Howard tripped and stumbled, before stopping completely. In
front of him was a woman who’d gone missing more than four months ago and not
been heard from since. A former colleague.
    Sarah noticed Howard standing there and froze with the same
shocked expression that he no doubt wore on his own face. The driver of the van
shouted at her and she got moving again,