Page 197 of Hidden Tide
Keating orders officers to process the ambulance.
A registration search identifies it as stolen from a private medical transport company that morning.
The vehicle’s tracking unit was disabled.
Piers enters the workshop behind Ben carrying a tablet.
“Not disabled,” he says. “Redirected.”
“To where?” Marquez asks.
“The tracking signal shows the ambulance parked at a closed cannery south of the marina.”
“But it’s outside Hazel’s building,” I say.
“Simon planted the tracker on another vehicle.”
Ben studies the map.
“Check what left the cannery after Simon entered the tunnel.”
Traffic cameras locate the building.
One vehicle exits the cannery lot.
A black motorcycle.
It merges with traffic less than a mile from the tunnel.
A fourth rider.
“That’s Simon,” Ben says.
Marquez sends the location to every available unit.
The motorcycle turns toward the Bay Bridge.
“Can you stop him?” I ask.
“Not without risking everyone around him,” Marquez answers.
Traffic is heavy. Cars surround the motorcycle on every side.
A police pursuit at that speed could kill innocent people.
Simon knows it.
“He’s heading out of the city,” Keating says.
“No,” Ben replies. “He wants us to believe he is.”
The motorcycle reaches an exit ramp, cuts between two cars and descends toward the waterfront.
A delivery truck briefly blocks the camera.
When it passes, the motorcycle is lying on its side.
No rider.
