Peter's Return

by Cynthia Cooke

  “Emily, come stand behind me,” Peter ordered. When she hadn’t moved, Peter turned to her. She was staring at him in stupefied shock. “Come on, Em,” he repeated.

  “Good grief, Peter. What on earth is going on?” she sputtered.

  “What does it look like is going on? I’m rescuing you.”

  Emily gripped her hips and rolled her eyes. “Peter, I’m perfectly fine. I don’t need rescuing.”

  Peter stood and turned from Emily to Snake, who was just standing there, holding up his hands and nodding at him with his eyebrows cocked in a you’re-such-a-bozo expression. Peter gritted his teeth to keep from roaring. “Would somebody mind telling me what’s going on?”

  Emily stepped forward. “Snake’s sister needs a doctor, which is why he brought me here. That’s who I was going to see before you decided to knock the door down and almost give me a heart attack.”

  Peter could see the irritation in her eyes; they always deepened to a dark umber-green when she was mad. Just the fact that he still remembered that made him want to throttle her. The woman still had no concept of where she was and the danger she was in. “Emily, step outside the door. We’re leaving. Now.”

  “Peter, she needs me. I can’t just abandon her.”

  Not again. Peter took a deep breath to steady his temper and stop himself from swinging her over his shoulder and carrying her off on his motorcycle like the Neanderthal she’d always accused him of being. In fact, he thought he was being quite patient and reasonable, considering he was exhausted, starving, and had been out of his mind with worry half the night. Why did he even bother trying?

  “This is it, Emily. Either you get your butt out that door and leave with me now or I’m going…I’m going to make you sorry you didn’t.” He finished flustered when he couldn’t think of anything to threaten her with. He should leave her. It would serve her right if she had to get out of this mess on her own after all the trouble she’d caused him. Why hadn’t he gone to Chicago like he was ordered? Instead he missed his ride and quite possibly lost his job.

  Emily stiffened. “Fine. Go without me. I’m sure Snake will see that I get to safety.” She turned to Snake, who gave her an imperceptible nod. “Where’s your sister?”

  He cocked his head toward the back door.

  Peter cringed at the exchange. “He’s Baltasar’s main thug. He will turn you over to his boss the moment you’re done here.”

  “Wasn’t Baltasar captured back at the house?” Snake interrupted.

  Peter looked at him for a minute before admitting that he wasn’t sure. He turned back to Emily and glared. “I was too busy chasing after you to make sure he was arrested and detained properly. I see now what a colossal mistake that was.”

  Emily bit her lip.

  At least she had the decency to look sorry for giving him so much grief.

  “Don’t be so hard on her,” Snake said. “I didn’t give her much choice. My sister needs her.”

  Emily placed a hand on her forehead, tilted her head forward and closed her eyes. Suddenly Peter could see how tired she was. How pale. After a moment, she opened her eyes and said, “Listen, Peter. I realize you wanted me to wait for you in back of the hospital wing, but Esteban was chasing me and when I got there, you weren’t there. I kept running toward the airstrip, but the plane had left without me. Esteban would have caught me, except Snake got to me first. After he explained how much his sister needed me, I decided to come here and see if I could help. Surely you can understand how I’d have to help? How I didn’t see any other choice?”

  Her watery gaze implored him to understand. And he did, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.

  “We couldn’t chance going back for you,” Snake added. “All of Baltasar’s guards were on the lookout for the doctors.”

  “He blames us for Marcos’s death,” Emily said.

  “I know,” Peter said dryly. He turned to Snake. “Just where do you fit into this whole game?”

  “I don’t. My sister needs help, I saw an opportunity and I took it. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to check on my sister.”

  Peter didn’t buy the concerned brother act. “How do you plan on repaying Emily for her help?”

  “By making sure she gets out of the country without Baltasar’s men finding her.”

  “I can do that,” Peter said.

  “If you plan on sticking around.”

  The two stared at each other, and Peter didn’t like the challenge he saw in the other man’s eyes. Just who was this guy? And what was his deal with Emily?

  “To do that we need to find out for sure if Baltasar’s in custody,” Snake continued. “We can’t let him find us.”

  “I don’t have a way of contacting my people,” Peter said, and wished Baltasar had just stashed his phone in the drawer with the rest of his stuff rather than smashing it into a million pieces.

  Snake picked up his pack off the ground.

  “Hold it,” Peter said, raising his gun.

  “Chill. It’s all right. I’m just taking out my phone.”

  Peter nodded. “Slow and easy.”

  Snake pulled a satellite phone out of his pack and threw it.

  Peter caught it in midair. “You’re just full of surprises.”

  “I like life better that way.”

  Peter stared at him, trying to get a handle on the slippery man. “I just bet you do.” He dialed his dad then leaned back against the wall. He’d been driving all night, was hungry and exhausted. “Hey,” he said when Maxwell Vance answered the line.

  “Peter, where are you?”

  “I’d rather not say. I’m not sure how secure this line is.”

  “You have another problem.”

  Peter held his breath. “You mean other than the fact that I’m not where I’m supposed to be?”

  “Baltasar escaped.”

  Guilt pricked him. He should have stayed. He should have made sure the other agents had Baltasar before leaving. Frustration tensed his shoulders and made him want to break something. Why wasn’t anything going right? He gave the news to Emily and Snake through gritted teeth.

  “And from all reports he’s on a frenzied manhunt for you and Emily,” Max added.

  “Then we better make sure we’re not still here when he arrives.”

  “That would be a wise move. He’s got a lot of influence in the jungle. Emily’s with you then?”

  “Yes,” Peter said and turned to look at her. She was just standing there, watching him with fear widening her eyes. Finally, her situation was beginning to dawn on her.

  “Can you hide her somewhere safe?”

  Peter’s mind went blank. There was no place safe in the jungle.

  “Get yourself to Baltasar’s lab and see if you can find anything there. He removed the computer and all his files from the compound. Jake is working on the disk you gave him, but we need more. We need every shred of evidence you can find on this guy. We can’t afford to let him slip through the cracks.”

  This was his fault, Peter thought. He had it all in the palm of his hand: Baltasar, the computer, the files, and he let it all go. He gave Baltasar the time he needed to destroy the evidence. “His lab won’t be easy to find, even with the coordinates you gave me. I no longer have my GPS receiver. It’s still in the bungalow back at the compound.” He turned to Snake, his eyebrows raised in question to see if the man had any other surprises for him.

  Snake shook his head. “But I can take you there,” he offered.

  Peter held back his surprise. “You’d take me to the lab?”

  “Yep.”

  “In exchange for what?” Peter didn’t bother to hide the suspicion in his voice.

  “U.S. citizenship papers for my sister and her baby.”

  Peter thought for a moment. “How do I know I can trust you?”

  “You don’t.”

  “That’s for sure.” Peter explained Snake’s offer to his dad, and what he wanted in return. He then handed Snake the
phone so he could give Max the necessary information to obtain the papers.

  After a minute, Snake disconnected the line. “He said he’d make it happen.”

  “Then he will.”

  “Then I guess we’re working this thing together.”

  Peter cringed. Nothing like working with the enemy to brighten your day. “Guess so.”

  Emily picked up the medical bag Snake had grabbed for her back at the estate and walked into the back room, leaving the two men alone to discuss their business. She stopped inside the door to let her eyes adjust to the darkness and was at once overwhelmed by the musty smell. She hurried to the window, pulled back the small, dark blanket blocking out the light and stared at the thick sheet of plastic covering the opening. That would never do. She pulled down the plastic, letting the fresh air in. Only then did she turn to her patient lying on the bed.

  Emily tried to hide her shock as she stared at the poor woman. She was so thin. Her cheeks had sunk leaving deep hollows in her face. Purple smudges outlined her dark brown eyes. The woman looked up at her with hope and fear shining through her face. “Did I hear my brother?” she asked with a shaky voice.

  Emily forced herself to smile. “You did. He brought me here to take care of you. I’m Dr. Armstrong.”

  “An American?” she asked with confusion.

  Emily nodded. “It’s a long story and not one you need to worry about.” There was a stack of small towels and a bucket of water sitting on a table in the corner. She approached the table, dipped a cloth into the water, then sat in a chair next to the bed and gently washed the woman’s face. “Your brother said your name is Rosalia. That’s a lovely name.”

  The woman closed her eyes and gave a slight smile. “Gracias. Is my baby going to be all right, doctor?”

  “That’s what we’re going to find out. Is it all right if I examine you?”

  Rosalia nodded, then squeezed her eyes shut as her breathing came in quick painful gasps.

  Startled, Emily stood. “Are you in labor?”

  “I think so. I’ve been having a lot of pain all night.”

  “Has your water broke?”

  Rosalia shook her head.

  “Has anyone been in here to take care of you?”

  “A neighbor—” She took in several deep breaths. “But she hasn’t come yet today.

  This was too soon, Emily thought. Snake said she wasn’t due for another month. She pulled the sheet back and was once again startled by how thin the woman was. “Have you been eating well?” Emily asked as she placed her hands over the enlarged belly. She felt movement beneath her fingertips, and blew out a deep sigh.

  “A little. I haven’t been able to keep much down.”

  Emily did a quick examination, then said, “Everything is looking good, you’re already a little dilated. Your baby is definitely on its way.”

  “But it’s too early,” Rosalia protested.

  Emily gave her a comforting smile. “It will be fine. Just relax and breathe. There you go,” Emily said as she felt Rosalia start her deep breathing. She continued her examination, closing her eyes and concentrating on feeling the baby.

  “I bet you haven’t been out of this bed in a while. How about I take you for a little walk?”

  “A walk?” Rosalia said, and looked confused.

  “Yep. Come on,” Emily said and helped Rosalia onto her feet. Then with one arm wrapped around her waist, they started for the door.

  “Great timing,” Peter said as they walked into the front room. “We need to get going.”

  “Rosalia shouldn’t travel right now.”

  “Then we’ll have to leave and send someone back for her. Baltasar has started a full-scale manhunt for us. We’ve already been here too long.”

  Rosalia flinched and a stricken look crossed her face.

  Snake stepped forward. “I won’t leave my sister.”

  “It’s okay,” Emily assured them. “Rosalia’s in labor. We can’t leave her to deliver on her own.” As if to emphasize her words, another contraction surged through Rosalia and she nearly collapsed. Snake rushed forward to help Emily hold her up. She whispered in the poor woman’s ear. “Breathe, Rosalia. You can do it.”

  Peter’s shoulders dropped with acceptance. “All right. Tell us what we can do.”

  “Find me some clean blankets and towels and change the sheets on the bed. We’re going to be in for a long day.”

  “You don’t know the half of it,” Peter muttered.

  Emily knew Peter was worried, but she didn’t see any alternative. They’d just have to hope Baltasar didn’t find them. Either way, she couldn’t abandon Rosalia and her child now. She’d already watched one child die; she would do everything she could for this one.

  “Where are you going?” Snake asked as she helped Rosalia out the door.

  “Just to get some fresh air and to walk around a bit out front. The movement will help get the labor progressing.”

  Snake nodded. “Okay, but don’t go far and don’t go into the jungle.”

  Emily stared at him. Was he kidding? “You don’t have to worry about that. I don’t plan on ever stepping foot into that jungle again.” They left the hut and she walked Rosalia up and down the dirt road in front of a sprinkling of village houses. Women and children came out of their huts to ask if Rosalia was okay. A buzz of excitement filled the little street as children talked excitedly about the arrival of the new baby.

  “Have you lived here long?” Emily asked Rosalia.

  “No, only about six months. I used to live at Baltasar’s estate,” Rosalia said in between breaths.

  Emily turned to her in surprise. “Really?”

  “In one of the bungalows. Oh!” she gasped as another contraction hit her.

  “It’s okay. Just breathe. In and out, in and out.”

  As the contraction subsided they continued walking. “Baltasar and I were…friends,” Rosalia admitted.

  “Oh,” Emily said, understanding.

  “How is Marcos?” Rosalia asked.

  Sadness filled Emily at the memory of the boy. She could still feel his little chest beneath her hands, as she tried to do Baltasar’s bidding and bring the poor child back to life. It made her want to cry. “I’m afraid he passed on last night.”

  “Oh!” Rosalia said, at once distressed. She clutched her stomach. “I—I had hoped—” she shook her head without continuing the thought. “I cared for him very much. Like…like family.” For a second, tears watered her eyes then she seemed to push them away.

  “What happened,” Emily asked, “between you and Baltasar?”

  “He needed my help and I was foolish enough to cover for one of his mules—” she turned and explained “—women who deliver his drugs to his hotels around the world.”

  Emily nodded then stopped walking again as another contraction wracked Rosalia’s small frame. They were coming faster now, faster and harder.

  “Something happened and I got caught,” she said on a shallow breath. “The drugs were confiscated. I managed to escape and since I was the only connection to tie the drugs back to Baltasar, I thought he’d be pleased.”

  “He wasn’t?”

  “No.” She looked sad for a moment, then the sadness turned to anger and something dark and hard glittered in her eyes. “It was like he’d lost his mind. He wasn’t the same person. I don’t know who he was.” She looked away. “He beat me. Then he had that little creep Esteban beat me. I think he would have killed me, but Snake got me out and brought me here.”

  “He beat a pregnant woman?”

  “He didn’t know. I never told him, thank the Lord. It’s a survivor, this little child of mine.” She rubbed her stomach, and a smile crossed her face, before a convulsion of pain ripped through her again.

  “Come on, let’s get you back to the house,” Emily said, not liking how hard and fast the contractions were coming.

  “Don’t let Baltasar find me or the baby. Promise me!” Her dark gaze bore in
to Emily and a shudder of fear shook her.

  “Baltasar won’t find any of us,” Emily said with more conviction than she felt.

  Rosalia nodded. The contractions and the worry were taking a toll on her—she looked exhausted. Suddenly, her water broke.

  “Look’s like it’s time,” Emily said and hurried her forward.

  When they made their way back to the house and through the front door, Snake was ending a phone call. “I’ve checked with some contacts. Baltasar is less then thirty kilometers away. He’ll be here in no time, so we need to leave now.”

  Emily stared at him horrified. “Rosalia’s water just broke.”

  “I’m sorry. We have no choice.”

  Rosalia let loose a nerve-jarring scream and doubled over, clutching her stomach. “Quick, help me get her onto the bed,” Emily demanded.

  Snake picked up his sister and carried her into the back room. “We can’t stay more than ten minutes,” he urged.

  “Pack lots of towels and blankets into the Jeep, and you’d better find us somewhere safe and clean to deliver this baby, because it’s coming whether Baltasar’s here or not.”

  Snake nodded and left the room. “And food,” Emily yelled. “After the birth, we’ll all be starving.”

  Rosalia screamed again. “It’s coming.”

  Emily quickly examined her. To her immense relief, the baby was ready. “Okay, when I say, give a big push.”

  “Okay,” Rosalia said, while struggling to breathe.

  “You’re doing great.” Another contraction came. “Yes, now, push!”

  Rosalia pushed with all her might, her face turning purple with the effort. A violent scream ripped through the house.

  Snake opened the door and poked in his head. “Is everything okay?”

  Emily turned to him. The poor man was ashen. “Yes, come here and help your sister push.”

  A look of horror crossed his face and he backed up a step.

  “Come on, you can do it. Your sister needs you.” And to think she’d been afraid of this man.

  “What should I do?” he asked with a shaky voice.

  “Hold her hand and encourage her to push, tell her she can do it, and help her to breathe.”

  He nodded, sat next to Rosalia’s side, then took her hand and said something to her in Spanish. Rosalia looked up into her brother’s face with such love, Emily couldn’t help but smile.