Jack Beale 00 - Killer Run

he stood, his head began spinning and he tipped toward Sylvie.
    “Jack!” she cried out as he began to fall onto her. She reached up to steady him as much as to keep him from falling on her.
    He paused and the spinning stopped, “Thanks,” he said looking down at her. “I’m good.”
    Gingerly he walked toward the gurney, with Sylvie and his friends following close behind.
    Jack’s head began to spin again as he reached the gurney. As he reached out to steady himself, Dave came to his side and grabbed his arm. “You okay?”
    “I’m fine. Just a little dizzy, but I’m okay.”
    Malloy unzipped the bag and both he and Dave looked together. Christos, Sylvie, and Paul, also curious, edged closer to get a peek. Jack looked at the lifeless eyes and the pale, bluish skin. He slowly shook his head back and forth, “That’s him, but I don’t know who he is. Sorry.”
    “Thanks.”
    Before Jack turned away he said, “He must have been in the race. Couldn’t you just check his bib number?”
    “He didn’t have one on. We searched the area but didn’t find one.”
    Jack thought a minute, then added. “Once everyone has finished, can’t you check the results to see if anyone didn’t finish? If he was registered, that should tell you who he is.”
    “Already thought of that. We’re checking everyone off as they come in.”
    Malloy looked over at Jack’s friends. “Any of you recognize him?”
    After a few awkward moments, each in turn said no. Malloy was obviously a little frustrated, so before zipping the bag shut, he turned toward the crowd of gawkers that had gathered and made the same offer to them. The result was the same. No one knew him.
    Finally Malloy zipped the bag shut. The EMTs loaded the gurney into the ambulance and slammed the doors. Malloy turned toward everyone gathered and said, “Thank you. I know that must have been difficult. If anyone remembers anything else that might be helpful, don’t hesitate to give me a call.” He handed business cards to everyone as the crowd dispersed. When he was finished, he thanked Jack again and walked off toward the finish area.
    “So Jack …” Sylvie turned and looked straight into his eyes. Her blue eyes completed the question, while Dave, Christos, and Paul moved in closer.
    He repeated his story again.

CHAPTER 52
    AS SOON AS THE DOORS slammed shut, the ambulance with the body drove off. With the body gone, all of the other responders began to leave. First the fire truck and then the medical examiner and his team, followed by the State Police Crime Unit. Finally, all that remained was Lieutenant Malloy. It was now late afternoon and the sun was sinking as fast as the temperature. The ambulance Jack and Sylvie were sitting on suddenly roared to life, and one of the EMTs came around to the back. “Sorry, guys. We have to go to another call.”
    Jack stood and for a second time was hit with another head rush. This time he braced himself against the ambulance. “You sure you’re okay?” asked the EMT. “We can pass the call off and take you to the hospital instead.”
    “No. I’m fine,” he answered. Then he tossed the wool blanket into the back of the ambulance.
    “You sure?” said Dave.
    “Yeah, I’m sure.”
    The EMT climbed in and pulled the ambulance doors shut. It wasn’t until they were closed that Sylvie realized she still had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. “Hey wait,” she called out, but her cry was lost as the engine started. “I still have a blanket.”
    “Here. Let me have it,” said Christos. She gave him the blanket at the same time the red lights began flashing and the ambulance began to move. Christos banged on the back door, the brake lights came on, and he disappeared around the vehicle. Almost immediately, the brake lights went out and the ambulance drove off, leaving the five of them standing by the school.
    The sun was going down and the temperature was dropping steadily. “I’m cold,” said Jack. Then, looking at Sylvie he added, “You must be too.”
    She nodded yes.
    “My stuff’s out back in the playground. Yours?”
    “Same,” and she began hobbling in that direction.
    Jack walked beside her, with Christos hovering and the other two following. Little was said on the walk to get their bags. As they passed other runners who were returning to their cars, Jack couldn’t help but notice the looks that they were getting. “We must look a sight,” he said to Sylvie.
    She looked over at