Chapter 11 #3
“What the fuck?” Ragu asked. “He’s fixated on a rattle.”
“He fell,” Cole said. “Did he hit his head, too?”
“I believe they shot him, making him fall,” Shadow replied as Patch moved frantically to stem the bleeding.
“Will he be all right?” Cole asked.
“I got the line inserted,” Saint said, hanging the bag.
“Put it on full blast,” Patch ordered.
“How long until Victoria lands?” Saint asked Ragu.
“Ivan said two hours,” Ragu reported. “Maybe less. He’s informed her of the situation.
“I hope we’ll be able to move him,” Patch said. “We’ll have to get him into the truck and then make it to the plane. How long will it take us to get to Victoria?”
“At least an hour fifteen,” Saint said, appearing worried.
“I don’t know,” Patch said. “The ride will bounce us everyplace. We’ll have to go near the east village. They may have scouts.”
Saint met his gaze. Ragu watched the interaction between them and glanced down at Hollywood’s face.
“He’s wearing their clothing. They won’t think anything of it seeing his upset wife and her relatives taking him for medical care.”
“Only if they don’t have someone in their village,” Saint argued.
“We don’t have many options,” Patch said. “I’ve done all I can here. He needs an OR. It doesn’t appear he hit an artery, but he’s lost blood, and I don’t have a sterile environment.”
“I’ll go with him,” Sparky volunteered. It might be good to have two women. Don’t mention a bullet wound.”
“No,” Saint said, shaking his head. “We can’t risk you, too.”
“Damn it, Saint. Think with your head and not your dick. I’m a woman at home.
Here, I’m one of the guys. The more helpless we appear, the better our chances of getting Hollywood to the plane without any confrontation.
I’m sick of you treating me like some China doll,” Sparky ranted with her hands balled into fists.
The men turned and stared at the fiery redhead. Patch’s eyebrow lifted in appreciation.
“She’s got a point. We’ve left her in the cave at every opportunity unless we needed a translator. She’s worked on Shadow’s dialect, and he can pass for one of them. It’s worth a shot,” Patch said.
“Will he be able to handle the trip?” Saint asked him.
Patch glanced around the abandoned shelter. “We can spray down the old mattress and put something over it. If we let it air out for a few minutes, it might kill whatever’s hiding in it. We can add it to the back of the truck with Sparky. It’ll help with the jostling.”
“What about the dogs?” Ragu asked.
“We’ll load them in the back,” Cole said. “Unfortunately, I’ll have to remove their gear. It’ll be a dead giveaway. They’ll appear as protective pets and might help deter any nosy people.”
“Since Shadow remains dressed, he can go drive. Sparky, you’ll have to wear the chadari and topi for the ride.
Ragu, ensure she hides all her hair. Taco, drag the mattress outside and spray it down.
Knight, help him get it into the truck,” Saint ordered.
“We can’t all go with. It’ll risk our cover. ”
Patch stopped. “I’m going with them. We can pull the shirt off Hollywood. Hopefully Victoria has her men with her. Valesky has some medical experience.”
“Sparky, you’re going with him. I need a team member to accompany him,” Saint said quietly.
“Why?” she demanded. “Because I’m a woman? I can’t do anything for him.”
Sighing, Saint gazed at her. “No one has attacked us since you’ve returned.
We’ll have to return there to see if he got close to something.
We don’t have the manpower to babysit you.
Instead of arguing with me about my sexist team, maybe think about all of us wanting to find Leo, finishing this case, and getting the hell home. ”
Shadow shot Saint an angry glance. Ragu made a disgusted snort. Taco let out an infuriated growl, and Patch frowned at Saint.
“Cole needs to stay behind, Sparky. Apollo has only worked with Hollywood, and you know how to handle him. I can’t work on him if I’m dealing with the dog. He’s not liking the smell of blood,” Patch softened the blow.
“I’ll do as I’m ordered,” Sparky said stiffly. “Tell me what you need me to do.”
“Can you comfort Apollo and keep Striker with you? I’ll help get Hollywood undressed and moved. Then, I’ll return for you,” Cole suggested.
Ragu saw the anger radiate from the other men as Saint assisted Taco with the mattress.
He knew Saint didn’t mean what he said. Since Leo’s death, the team seemed disjointed and fractured.
It reminded him of when he returned. He hated seeing his best friend, Taco, befriend Shadow and often caused issues between them to mask his jealousy.
In this case, Saint sent Sparky home for her own safety.
After Hollywood’s injury and their limited time before returning home, he knew the frustrated team would walk into danger to finish this and find their leader.
He may be gone physically, but Leo’s spirit would always flow through them.
The urgency grew with the ticking clock, and their loyalty and commitment were all they had left.