Chapter 23
Ashley ran toward the Highway Patrol officer, with screams for help. Her nose began to bleed again during the struggle and now streamed down her face. Her scrubs were torn and covered with filth from the shed’s dirt floor and Hank’s blood and brain matter.
“Help! I’m Ashley Smith,” she repeated.
The officer threw down the speed gun, hopped out of the car, and clicked open his holster strap. He advanced toward her while surveying the situation.
“The escaped prisoner who took me hostage is in the passenger seat. He’s got a gun!” she shrieked when she made it to him.
The officer swept his eyes over her with recognition. He yanked her behind him and drew his gun. Shielding Ashley, he walked backward to the rear of the patrol car and pointed to the ground. “Stay down.”
She balled herself as small as she could behind the protection of the metal and collapsed, breathing hard.
The officer crouched next to her with his weapon drawn and called for backup. “This is Officer Owens. I have the missing person Ashley Smith in my protection. Need immediate backup for armed assailant in a stopped vehicle.”
Ashley balanced her elbows on her knees. Holding her head in her hands, she tried to regulate her breathing. She could hear the officer speaking into his transmitter.
“Request an ambulance for the victim. Mild to moderate injuries. Advise staying out of the incident area until the scene is cleared.”
“10-4.”
Ashley’s fingers pinched around her nostrils in an attempt to control the bleeding. Her face felt like it was on fire.
The officer locked eyes with her. “You okay?”
She nodded uncertainly.
He nodded back and pressed down on her shoulder. “Stay down.”
She bunched as low as she could.
He nodded and stepped out from around the bumper. “Come out with your hands up!”
The next thing she heard was the ear-splitting sound of a gun firing a double tap and the heavy thud of a body.
Her heart raced with dread. Was it the officer? She stayed huddled in position, quaking. Please God. Her heart hammered as footsteps approached the car.
“Suspect is deceased. Scene is secure. Ambulance can continue to the scene. One patient with minor to moderate injuries,” the officer said into his radio.
The tension whooshed out of Ashley’s body in a single breath, and she slumped to the ground as the wail of sirens filled the air, followed shortly by an eruption of flashing blue and red light.
Officer Owens helped her to her feet and held her securely around her shoulders for support. She swayed in his arms.
“Would you like to sit in my vehicle?” He was already steering her toward the passenger door and helped her inside.
The adrenaline that had helped her survive the past hours of tension began to dissipate leaving her exhausted and worn. The pain of her injuries returned. Her face throbbed with each pulse beat.
But she was safe. Soon this nightmare would be a memory, and their family would be reunited. Thank You, God!
A camera flash drew her attention back to the scene. Carlo’s body and the area surrounding him was cordoned off and being photographed.
Ashley closed her eyes. She hadn’t wanted it to end this way, but there wasn’t a choice other than to do what she had done. God had provided the way. She had to accept that deep down in her heart.
Two lives lost. But it could have been much worse—the children and the teachers. Shaking her head, she rubbed the goosebumps on her arms.
A soft tapping on the passenger side window startled her. “Ma’am?”
She nodded up at the medics.
“We’re going to help you get out of here and onto the stretcher. Is that alright?”
“Yes. Thank you. The medics gripped an arm on each side and helped her get out of the car and onto the gurney in a sitting position.
She held up a hand to hold off their examination. “Please. One moment. I’d like to speak with Officer Owens.”
Hearing his name, he walked over and stood next to her. “Yes, ma’am.”
She looked up at him. Her eyes prickled with unshed tears.
“You saved my life. Thank you.” She grasped his palm. “I can never repay you.”
A wave of admiration crossed his face. “Mrs. Smith, you are the hero. Think of all the lives you potentially saved. You have my respect, Ma’am.”
Ashley smiled and winced as pain shot through her face.
“Okay. Go get checked out and back home to your family. I know your husband, Noah. We’ve been on a few incidents together. He’s a good man.”
Ashley’s lips curved up. Then exhaustion crashed over her, and she sank back onto the stretcher. “Noah.”
Thudding feet sounded outside the curtained exam bay in the Emergency Room.
Ashley lay sedated, waiting for the numbing medication to take effect before her nose could be reset.
The curtains flew apart. There was Noah, breathing hard, a look she had never seen before on his face.
Through the fog of the pain medication, she tried to interpret it.
Anguish, mixed with something else inexplicable.
He rushed to her side and stared down at her. His mouth clamped tight, lips quivering as he white-knuckled the side of the ER bed. He stood like that for a minute until Ashley reached out with her uninjured hand to cover one of his.
“Noah.” She exhaled. “I was so afraid.” She looked up through her tears to see his streaming as well.
“Me too. I thought I had lost you…” He leaned down and gently wrapped his arms around her. His lips touched hers as their tears mingled together.
They held each other as a flood of emotions were released. After a few minutes, he closed his eyes and whispered a prayer of thanksgiving.
Noah touched the pad of his index finger to her swollen, bruised face and battered nose. He looked at her bandaged hand. “Are you in a lot of pain?”
“I’m not going to lie. It was almost unbearable, but I had to fight… for us, for our family.” She took a breath. “The alternative was unacceptable.”
She tried to smile. “I’m better now. The medication is kicking in. My nose is numb, and so are my cheeks. They’re going to reset my nose soon.”
“Ashley,” Noah muttered. “My worst fear has always been to see you or the girls hurt.” He shuddered. “I cannot imagine life without you by my side. I love you.”
“I love you too, babe.” Her voice slurred as the sedative took full effect.
Still holding her hand, Noah pulled over a side chair. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she slept.