Hunting Accident continued

Two weeks later Jess was working the night shift patrolling a remote speed trap. The radio shouted into his dark patrol car waking him from his late night stupor.

"We have a 10-23 in progress, report of domestic assault at 1224 W Hightop Road. Need two units to respond."

"Unit 12 responding to the 10-23. ETA three minutes." Jess could feel himself tensing as he drove. He hated going out on domestic violence calls. As he pulled up to the address a sadistic thought passed through his mind. Owning a green Ford must be a requirement for being a wife beater, Evan owned one too. He could see the other deputy coming up over the hill as he approached the door. The crying of a baby drifted from the house.

He knocked, there was no answer. "Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Ma'am I need you to open the door." Jess glanced at Deputy Anderson who had joined him on the porch.

"Knock one more time and then we're goin' in, that kid is an exigent circumstance."

Jess knocked again, harder this time, but there was still no answer. He eased the knob and Anderson stepped into the house. "Riverside County Sheriffs Department, anyone here?" There was no reply. "You find the kid Jess and I'll start clearing rooms."

Jess found a high-chair in the kitchen tipped on its side with the baby still strapped in. He rushed to the chair and then stopped. The baby was his nephew Brandon. Jess grabbed him and then hurried toward the back of the house. As he stepped into one of the bedrooms his stomach threatened to empty. Andi was lying on the floor motionless, covered in blood, and Evan was passed out on the bed.

"Go call an ambulance Jess."

"Is she ok Anderson?" Jess stood, unable to pull his eyes from Andi's body.

"I don't know, just go call the damn paramedics!"

Jess ran for his patrol car, Brandon still in his arms screaming. "This is Unit 12. Request paramedics to the 10-23, victim unconscious. Also request Child Protection be contacted, infant in the home also possibly injured."

"Ambulance en route, ETA fifteen minutes. I'll get a child protection worker as soon as I can."