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hurt.
    The dispatcher came on the radio.  “15A21, all air units are down due to weather.”
    The radio crackled to life.  “Air 11 responding from Piper Tech.”
    Jade said a quick prayer, knowing the pilot and observer were risking their lives for the boy and Mac.
    It was impossible to drive and see down into the churning waters.  She tried to pick out her partner or the child in the fast-moving torrent.  Even with her emergency lights and siren activated she had to veer several times to avoid a collision with other vehicles.
    Within minutes, the air unit was over the scene.
    “This is Air 11 to units at the flood control channel.  I haven’t spotted the officer or the child in the water.  15 Adam 21, where did you last see the officer and child, and how long ago?”
    Jade keyed the mic.  “15 Adam 21, southbound in the water parallel with Tujunga, north of Sherman Way – approximately three minutes ago.”
    “Air 11, roger.”
    Jade continued southbound, trying to slow her breathing.  Her mind raced with horrible outcomes to the situation.  She envisioned Mac impaled on a tree stump, or the boy careening into a boulder and splitting his head open.  She knew that often people who fell into the frigid water suffered from hypothermia and were unable to even make an attempt to save themselves.
    “Please, Lord, don’t let Mac die,” she said to herself.  “I should have told him about his son.  I promise to tell him, just don’t let him die.”
    “Air 11 to control, we have a visual on both parties in the water.  They’re approaching the Victory Boulevard overpass.  Fire department personnel are on the bridge trying to get set up.”
    Jade glanced in the sky to see the air unit about a half-mile ahead of her.
    "Sit down!" she yelled at the dog whose toenails slid across the hard plastic seat of the patrol car.  "I've got all I can do to drive without you acting up."  Jade forced herself to take a deep breath.  "I'm sorry, dog, I just feel so helpless with my partner down there and me up here.  Don't worry; we'll get your little boy.  I promise."  Jade monitored the air unit’s broadcast.
    “Air 11 to control, send rescue personnel ahead to the Ventura Boulevard overpass.  They won’t be set up in time at Victory.”
    The dispatcher relayed the message to all units and the fire department.
    “Oh my God, Mac!” Jade whispered.
    Bypassing the Victory location she sped ahead to the location further down the channel.
    When she arrived, she parked her black and white behind one of the many fire trucks at the scene.  Relieved to see fire department personnel with numerous ropes and cables in place, she directed people out of her way as she ran to the overpass.
    Despite the pouring rain, a crowd of on-lookers converged on the bridge.  Several news helicopters hovered over the scene out of the way of the LAPD air unit.  Arriving officers blocked off the streets to traffic and began to move the crowd away.  With all the noise and commotion, she turned her radio to full volume.
    Jade stood at the railing, her hands gripping the cold metal.  She scanned the gushing gray water for any sign of the child or her partner.
    “Air 11 to control, we’ve lost visual on one of the victims in the water.  We still see the other one, but we’re not sure if it’s the officer or the child.”
    Jade knew she was crying, but thank goodness, no one would be able to tell.  Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the pounding rain.
    “Air 11 to control, victim is approaching the Victory rescue location.  Stand by.”
    Jade held her breath, knowing that just a half-mile up-stream a life and death rescue was being attempted.
    “Air 11 to control, advise the rescue personnel at Ventura Boulevard to be ready - they missed him at Victory.  Be further advised, we’re still only seeing one victim.”
    Jade expelled her pent up breath.  To lose the child was unthinkable.  She’d had a split second to look