Chapter Twenty-One
The afternoon marched along slowly, Kate dozing off and on, Quinn busy with his own thoughts. Precisely at six, he excused himself, telling Kate he was just going to get a cup of coffee. Back in the courtyard again, he speed-dialed the same number, and Nick Vanetta answered at once.
“Quinn?”
“Yup.”
“All right. Go back to the room. In a few minutes two men will show up pushing a gurney. They’ll have a request to transport Kate for tests signed by DeWitt.”
“How the hell did you do that?”
Nick snorted. “I’ve got a good forger. Don’t worry. You just get Kate ready.”
“Done.”
He took the flights of stairs two steps at a time. Kate was struggling to sit up when he entered the room.
“Lie down, darlin’,” he told her. “You need your rest.”
Sharon Langford was pretending to leaf through a magazine in the corner chair, but Quinn knew her hearing was tuned to full volume. He bent close to Kate, putting his lips next to her ear. “In a few minutes some things are going to be happening,” he whispered. “Do you trust me, Kate?”
She nodded.
“Then just do whatever I tell you and don’t say anything. If you’re okay with that, just squeeze my hand.”
She curled her fingers around his as tightly as she could, and he smiled.
“Good girl.” He pulled the chair closer and settled down to wait.
The breaks the nurses took were the only time Quinn was completely alone with Kate. He was sure Kane had convinced himself nothing could happen during a thirty-minute period. Besides, they were only worried about someone breaking in, not out, and there were still two cops on the door. He’d timed this precisely with Nick.
Sure enough, right on schedule, Sharon put down her magazine and said, “I’m going to run down to the cafeteria, but I won’t be gone long.”
“Take your time,” Quinn told her. “We’re fine.”
The next few minutes felt like an hour. Then a light knock sounded at the door. One of the cops on guard duty stuck his head in.
“Say, Quinn, there are two men in hospital scrubs who say they’re here to take Miss Griffin for some tests. They’ve got orders from the doc. Do you know anything about that? We were told they weren’t moving her from the room for anything.”
Quinn nodded. “DeWitt called me directly a few minutes ago so I’d know these guys were legit. I was just about to tell you they were on their way.” He shrugged. “They decided to do an MRI.”
“All right, then. If you say it’s okay. Here they are.”
Kate opened her eyes, and Quinn kissed her cheek, then took her hand. “All right, darlin’. It’s show time. Don’t say a word, and just do whatever I tell you, okay?”
Fright glittered in her eyes, but she just nodded, squeezing his hand as hard as she could.
A minute later, the door opened and two men in hospital scrubs came in, pushing a gurney. One of them came over to shake Quinn’s hand.
“We’ll have small talk later,” Nick Vanetta said. “Right now, we need to move. One of your sentries out there might just decide to double check on this.”
They moved with quiet efficiency, and in seconds, Kate was shifted from the bed to the gurney. Quinn saw her bite her lip against the pain of movement, but she never made a sound. Nick opened the door, nodded to the two cops, and then they were rolling the gurney down the corridor, Quinn jogging along beside it.
People gave them curious but casual glances while they waited for the elevator at the far end of the corridor, the one that opened into the ambulance bay. Nobody asked questions, however, and no feet thundered down the hall to stop them. From somewhere, Nick had procured an elevator key, so the ride to the ground floor, while tense, was nonstop. The car bumped to a stop, and the doors slid open to a waiting ambulance and a man in EMT coveralls leaning against the open rear doors.
“Any sightseers?” Nick asked him.
“No. I just blended in with the scenery. But we’d better get moving before someone wonders why I’ve been here so long.”
He handed a bottle of water to Quinn, who shook two of Kate’s pain pills into his hand.
“Take these, darlin’. We’ve got kind of a rough ride ahead of us, and I want you to sleep.”
She obediently opened her mouth for the pills, then drank from the bottle of water, and they loaded her into the waiting vehicle.
Quinn turned to his friend. “I can’t thank you enough for this.”
The tall, dark, lean good-looking man grinned. “I always liked to play cops and robbers. I just never thought I’d be one of the robbers.”
Nick introduced the other man in scrubs. “Quinn, this is Nolan Hanks. He’s been with us a couple of years and is great for stuff like this. I’d trust my own sisters with him. He’ll follow you in that black Explorer over there. If you see it on your tail, it’s him. You’re ambulance driver’s got directions.” He checked his watch. “You’d better get going.”
He reached in his pocket for a key and handed it to Quinn along with a small knapsack. “Prepaid cell phones. You don’t want to take a chance using yours. There’s six of them in here with my number preprogrammed, so you should be okay. And the cabin’s fully stocked.”
“Thanks. I owe you big time.”
Nick looked at Quinn with worried eyes. “Take care of yourself, okay? And your lady here. Next time I see you, I hope it’s over a beer on your porch or mine.”
Quinn climbed into the back of the ambulance to sit on the bench beside Kate. Nick slammed the doors shut and banged on them twice, and the ambulance pulled out onto the street.
****
Kate had no idea how long they drove. Once, they stopped and Quinn transferred her gently from the ambulance to a Ford Expedition.
“Not much longer, darlin’,” He kissed her cheek.
She heard the faint sounds of him exchanging words with the ambulance driver, then someone else. Finally, he climbed into the driver’s seat of the Explorer, and they were moving again. She dozed, the pills doing their job as Quinn had promised, and roused only when they stopped moving again.
“We’re here,” Quinn said softly.
She opened her eyes and stared through the window. They were parked in a clearing dominated on all sides by giant oaks and sycamores. In front her was a small log and limestone cabin with a tiny front porch and a wide picture window.
“Hang on,” Quinn told her. “I’ll come around and get you.”
As he opened her door, another SUV pulled in behind them, and Quinn waved at the driver. “Let me get her settled,” he called, “and we can sit down and talk.”
“Who’s that?” she asked.
“Nolan Hanks, from Nick’s agency. Our backup. We need another pair of eyes so I can sleep once in a while.”
Still foggy from the drugs, she was more than willing to let Quinn carry her into the cabin. Nudging open the door to one of the two bedrooms, he placed her on the rustic double bed with exquisite care.
“Where are we?” She had no sense of location.
“A place a friend of mine keeps for emergencies just like this.”
“The same friend that helped us get out of the hospital?”
He nodded.
“Will he get in trouble for this?” That was the last thing she wanted.
The corner of Quinn’s mouth tilted up in an attempt at a grin. “Nah. He’s pretty untouchable. He and his partner have too much clout.”
“Good.” Fear still had its fingers tightened around her. “Why are we doing this?”
“Because I don’t want anyone—and I mean anyone—to know where you are until everyone in the cartel that’s important is under lock and key.” The lines on his face deepened. “And until I’m sure the target’s not on your back anymore.”
“Okay.” She was too exhausted to think or talk any more at the moment. “I think I’d like to sleep some more.”
“Sleep heals, you know.” Quinn kissed her, a gentle kiss but one that held a great deal of promise. “We missed dinner. When you wake up, I’ll fix you something to eat.”
She closed her eyes and was out in seconds.
****
It was late when Kate awoke. The shade was up on the bedroom window, and she could see a sliver of moon and the glitter of stars in the inky sky.
She lay still for a few moments, orienting herself, remembering where she was. The cabin bedroom was compact and neat. Bed, dresser, bedside table, small straight back chair. Framed Texas prints on the walls. On the bed, covering her with its downy softness, an old-fashioned quilt that looked hand-stitched. Everything smelled sweetly of mountain cedar and sycamore, a fresh, clean scent.
Carefully, she maneuvered off the bed and onto her feet. There. Getting better and better.
Quinn was sitting at the small dinette table, drinking coffee and making notes on a pad of paper. He looked up when the bedroom door opened and leaped to his feet. In an instant, he had his arm around her, steadying her.
“Should you be out of bed? You had a lot of excitement today.”
“I’m fine. Truly. Getting stronger every minute.” She swallowed the tremor in her voice. “Where’s Nolan?”
“Outside, checking out the area.”
“Listen, I love this medical outfit du jour,” she gestured at herself, still in the hospital gown. “But do you think we could find some real clothes for me? Even a big T-shirt will do.”
Quinn reached behind him to the kitchen counter and grabbed a Wal-Mart sack. “Already taken care of. Sweats and a loose shirt. I figured those would be the easiest for you to manage. There’s a few other things in there, too. I, um, guessed at the sizes.”
“Please don’t tell me Nolan went shopping for my clothes.” Heat rose in her cheeks.
Quinn pulled out his little-used grin. “Nah. Nick sent his secretary out. You’re safe. Bathroom’s right there.” He indicated a door to the right. “And there’s a toothbrush and toothpaste lying on the sink in there for you. I think you’ll find some other things you need in here, too.” He handed her the sack. “Here, let me help you.”
“I can navigate by myself. Really. I promise I’ll ask for help when if need it.” She lifted her face and brushed her lips against his. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
She couldn’t believe the difference a change of clothes and brushing her teeth made. “I feel almost human again,” she told Quinn when she walked back into the main room.
“Looks like I guessed right on the sizes. So. What can I get you?”
“Some coffee. It smells divine.”
“How about something to eat? We’re pretty well stocked. Maybe some soup?”
“In a minute. Coffee to start would be great.” And help clear her head of any leftover cobwebs. She was so tired of feeling fuzzy, even if it did take the edge off the pain.
“DeWitt said you’d been doing well,” Quinn told her while he poured, “but just so you know, Nolan was a field medic in another life. Just in case we need help.”
“I think getting out of that hospital will help me more than anything.” She sipped at the hot liquid in the mug he handed her. “Tell me about the man who helped us. He must be a very good friend to do this.”
Quinn gave her the short version of his relationship with Nick. “He and Jake are about the only people I’m close to. The only ones I really trust.”
“He stuck his neck out for you on this one, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, but Nick covers himself well. He’ll be all right.”
“What about Jake and the others? They’ll have a fit when they find out I’m gone.”
He shrugged. “Let them. They’ll get over it. But I wasn’t about to let you be used for bait or put through any more interrogation.” He rubbed his hand against her arm, his fingers warming her skin. “Nolan and I will take turns on watch. Your job is to get better. Got it?”
“I’ll work on it,” she smiled. “And I think maybe now I could eat some soup.”
Please, God, just let this be over soon and all of us be safe.
Hungrier than she thought, Kate finished the soup in record time.
Quinn made himself a thick sandwich and kept her company while she ate.
“Your appetite’s getting better,” he remarked, clearing away his dishes and Kate’s.
“I’ll look like a blimp if you keep feeding me like this.” She patted her stomach.
“Not with a bowl of soup. And you could stand to add a few pounds, anyway.”
“Are you complaining about my figure?” she joked.
“Not for a minute.” He planted a soft kiss on her lips. “In fact, I can’t wait until it’s in fighting form again.”
Kate’s heart thudded and warmth filled her body. She wished her body wasn’t in such a damaged condition at the moment and not in shape for what she really wanted to do. Despite her injuries, she still felt heat consume her whenever Quinn touched her.
He straightened. “Okay. If you’re sure you’re all right, I think I’ll go outside and check the area with Nolan.”
“I don’t think a snake could get through with you two on alert, but go ahead.”
****
Eva picked up the phone on the first ring, tension in every line of her body. The caller spoke briefly, the message short and to the point. When she put down the phone, she turned to her brothers who were standing near her.
“The girl will be ours before long,” she told them, “and I believe Peter is finished.”
“How long before we have her? And can we afford to wait any longer?”
“Soon,” she assured them. “The wait is almost over. Esai, you need to contact our dealers one more time, then have everyone dispose of their phones. Miguel, make sure our supply route is re-established, then do the same. And be ready to leave when I give the word.”
****
Nolan was sitting on a tree stump, smoking one of the thin cigars he enjoyed so much.
“What’s up?” Quinn still worried that someone might have found them out.
“I called Nick.” Nolan blew a smoke ring. “Lots of noise and activity going on out there.”
“And?” Quinn figured there had to be something or Nolan wouldn’t have been anxious to talk to him.
Nolan’s lips curved in a tight grin. “They’ve got everyone except the National Guard out looking for you and Kate.”
“Figures. What else?”
“Not much. Nick’s watching the situation closely. He’s got his sources, you know.’
Quinn gave a humorless laugh. “It sure isn’t Kane Barton. He’d probably like to slice and dice Nick right about now.”
Nolan shrugged. “He’ll get over it. The DOJ needs a good relationship with Guardian.”
At the moment, that was their saving grace. In the dark silence of the night, he cursed himself for allowing this to happen. For his stupidity, his cocksure attitude that he had everything well in hand. He did something he hadn’t done for a long time. He prayed. He promised anything if only Kate would be safe.
“You have to keep it together,” Nolan told him. “Kate’s depending on you.”
“I know, I know.” He thought about calling Jake but didn’t relish getting his ass reamed out. He also felt somewhat bad about deceiving his good friend, but sometimes in life you just had to make hard choices.
Quinn was already antsy. His original plan was to keep Kate hidden until the feds made their move and the Osunas were out of commission. If Kane was as good as he’d always been, that shouldn’t be too much longer, but he was too impatient to wait. And too much had to be done in secrecy now that they knew about the payoff list.
But he needed to do something himself. He knew from experience how slippery these people could be, and the Osunas had more weapons than most. He didn’t want to take the chance of them getting to Kate. He’d waited long enough. It was time to put Part B of his plan in motion.
He was positive all his old sources were still in place. Well, most of them, anyway. It wouldn’t be that hard to find out where they were, make contact, get information. Then he could take care of this mess himself and be done with it once and for all. And Kate would be safe. He’d nearly lost her this time with his stupidity. He wasn’t about to let it happen again.
Kate was lying down when he slipped into the bedroom, still wearing her comfortable sweats. The soft material outlined her body and round contours of her breasts. Quinn had lain beside her the past two nights, cradling her body against him, watching for signs of pain or discomfort and fighting his growing hunger. In just a few minutes, he was going to slip away, hoping to put this nightmare to rest once and for all, and he needed just a taste of her to take with him.
He stretched out beside her, studying her eyes, her face, whatever part of her body he could see.
“How are you feeling, darlin?” He stroked her cheeks and the slope of her neck. “We walked longer than usual today, and you were keeping up pretty good.”
“Good. Getting better every day.” She turned her face up for his kiss.
His lips brushed lightly against hers, a mere feather touch. But he was so hungry for her it was only seconds before the kiss became more urgent, his tongue pressing into her mouth and twisting with hers.
Kate lifted her hands and twisted her fingers in his hair, holding him to her. “More,” she said against his mouth.
“I’m almost afraid to touch you,” he told her when he lifted his head. “Although I’m so hard I think I might be in more pain than you are. God.” He sucked in his breath. “I can’t believe I almost lost you.”
“You didn’t do anything,” she insisted. “I knew we were taking a chance going into town, and I agreed to it anyway.”
“With me pushing you,” he reminded her.
She frowned. “Listen. Neither of us expected anything to happen in the garage of the federal building. The attack was totally unexpected.”
He ran his fingers over her face, loving the softness of her. “I feel like such a shit. I swore nothing like this would happen.”
“Stop it,” she commanded and lifted her hand to his cheek.
He kissed her and caressed her with gentleness, knowing she was still in pain, still healing, so hard from being next to her he was in pain himself.
He cupped his hand over her mound.
“One of these days, darlin’, I’m going to stretch you out on my big bed and shave this thing so it’s totally naked. Then I’m going to run my tongue over every bare inch of it and drive you crazy.”
“You already do that.” Her voice was unsteady. “You are now.”
She was his. He’d told her that, and he meant it. No matter what happened. He bent his head and kissed her.
“Just remember,” he whispered. “You’re mine.” He rolled off the bed and pulled the covers back up, rearranging her gown again. “You should get some rest.”
“Where are you going?”
“Outside. Try to go to sleep, okay?”
He closed the door quietly as he left the room. He had things to do. Kane Barton and Dean Morgan and everyone else on their stupid task force were following the rules, trying to get warrants, putting their plan in place. Quinn wasn’t bound by those rules anymore, and he was tired of waiting around. Every minute these people were still at large, Kate’s life was in grave danger. It was time for him to move.
In the kitchen, he pulled the keys to his borrowed SUV from his pocket and checked to make sure he had some of the disposable cell phones with him. Then he went to find Nolan, who was doing his regular check of the perimeter.
“I need to ask a favor of you.”
Nolan looked at him, his face expressionless. “What kind of favor?”
“I need to be gone for a while. Maybe overnight.” Probably longer. “I want to make sure Kate isn’t alone for a minute. Maybe Nick can send another man to work with you.”
Nolan studied him for a long time. “And just what am I supposed to tell Kate? And Nick?”
“Nick will know what I’m doing. Right now Kate’s asleep. When she wakes up, tell her…tell her I just had a couple of things to do to insure her safety. I’ll be back before she even has time to worry. And I’ve got the number of the satellite phone you’re using, just in case.”
Nolan stared at him for a long time. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, you’ll be the one in the slicing machine.”
“Just cover for me, okay?”
“All right. Whatever. I’ll keep an eye on the lady. No worry there. Just be careful.”
“I will.”
Not wanting to alert Kate he was leaving, Quinn pushed the truck part way down the drive before starting the ignition.
****
When Kate awoke, it took her a few moments to realize where she was. Then she remembered. The stealthy exit from the hospital. The trip to this cabin. Quinn telling her no one knew where she was and he planned to keep it that way.
Quinn. Where was he? Had he left?
Moving slowly, her body still sore and stiff, she maneuvered out of bed and walked over to the window. When she pulled the curtains aside, she was stunned to see how dark it was outside. Still moving cautiously, she crossed the room and opened the door. Just as she walked into the main room of the cabin, she spotted Nolan, just clicking off the satellite phone.
“Where’s Quinn? He said he was just going outside.” She looked around as if he might materialize.
“He left to do a couple of quick errands.”
Kate frowned. “At night?”
“He said he’d be back right quick. Listen, we’ve got a problem.”
“A problem?” That feeling of fear slithered through her again, of something gone wrong.
“Yeah.” He put the sat phone down on the counter. “I just got off the phone with Nick. He’s trying to get hold of Quinn on one of those throwaways he gave you guys, and I was just coming in to wake you. Somehow, this place has been compromised, and I need to get you out of here.”
“What?” Oh, god! This could not be happening. She raked her hair back from her face with an unsteady hand. “But I thought no one knew about it. That was the point.” Quinn. She needed Quinn. “Can you get hold of Quinn? I want to talk to him. I need to talk to him.”
“Calm down,” Nolan soothed. “Nick will find him and let him know what’s happening. But I have a new place to move you to. “He reached out to take her hand. “Come on. We have to get going.”
Kate wished her brain was sharper or that she could speak to Quinn. But this was Nick’s man and Quinn trusted Nick, so she needed to do what he said. “I don’t know…I mean, is it a long drive? I’m not in very good shape.”
“I’ll take it real easy,” he assured her.
“All right. Just let me change, make a pit stop, and get my purse.”
“Do what you need to, but we have to hurry.”
In the bathroom, Kate took care of business and changed into her sweats. She stuck her toothpaste and toothbrush in her purse, along with her pills. She saw her little gun nestled in the bottom of the purse and for some unknown reason, took it out and stuck it in the small of her back. She didn’t know why. She was in a secure situation. But if she got separated from her purse for any reason…
She splashed cold water on her face and hands, dried herself with one of the towels and opened the door. “I’m ready.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”