Touched by Death

by Dale Mayer

  Meg nodded.

  "Is this the first one?" Jade studied the black crevasse in the wall slightly off to the left. "It's a little hard to see if you don't already know it's there."

  "Approaching from this side, it is. There are more just ahead."

  Meg and Jade looked at each other then over at the cave.

  "I'm going to check this one out. Just in case." True to his word, he climbed to the opening in a few easy steps. He stared into it for a moment before disappearing into the yawning mouth. He reappeared within minutes to half step and slide his way back down to them. "Nothing in there. It's small and empty."

  "Good. Let's check the next one."

  Five minutes later, they approached the gaping black mouth of the second cave.

  Jade couldn't say why they all fell quiet. But they did.

  ***

  Dane studied the large opening in the side of the hill. John had shown him the caves because they wanted to see if they'd sustained damage in the quake. To rule out that anyone had sought shelter in them. There'd been nothing unusual in any of them. They appeared the same as the first time he'd seen them.

  The first cave – had showed signs someone had been there recently. The path appeared well traveled. There could be any number of locals coming through here. Just because Emile and Tasha considered this their backyard didn't mean it was.

  With a glance toward the two women, he started toward the second cave. They stayed behind. Maybe it was due to their nervousness, but he approached warily. Large boulders sat piled high off to one side of the dark entrance as if from a cave-in. The opening was smaller than it looked. Bending over slightly, he peered in until his eyes adjusted to the darkness then he navigated to a spot further in.

  Inside, he straightened slightly and surveyed the small open space that narrowed almost to a point at the back. The cave appeared empty. Large boulders dotted the floor and the light was dim but there was enough that he could see as he walked all the way to the back to make sure it was empty. He understood that the girls were looking for Dr. Mike, but he hadn't been able to forget that this was actually Peppe's backyard. The old man could have taken up residence anywhere here or been injured and lying wounded or dead inside. Dr. Mike, he'd have assumed would be close to the entrance if he were here, in the event help came along.

  Not so in the case of the missing Peppe. Dane had the utmost respect for the medical profession yet when it came to mental instability, they often didn't have any answers. Look at Tasha.

  He gave the inside one more cursory glance.

  "Dane? Is there anything in there?"

  He headed back to the sunlight. "No, it's empty."

  "Nothing in the back?" Meg asked, frowning.

  "Not that I saw. And yes I walked right to the back."

  Jade stepped forward carefully. "I think I'd like to check it out. I've never really been in a cave like this."

  Dane stepped aside as Jade bent down and walked past him. He followed.

  She glanced around and walked to the far back. "It really goes deep, doesn't it?" She peered into the darkness. "Did you say there was a third cave? We've checked two. Might as well take a look at the last one."

  "Sure, it's only a minute or so away. Come on."

  He led the way back out to where Meg was enjoying the sunshine.

  "Jade wants to see the last cave. It's actually the biggest."

  Meg brightened. "I'd like to see it too. This is a great hike."

  Jade smiled slightly. "It would be, except where are the guys?"

  Meg glanced down at her watch. "Trust a little more. I'm sure they'll be here soon."

  Jade sighed. "Let's hope so."

  Dane, who had continued along the path, turned back. "Ladies? Are we going to check out the last one or not?"

  The two women raced to catch up.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Jade stared at the massive black hole and shuddered. That cave might look good to some people. Not to her. There was nothing comforting about it. In fact, the shivers going down her back were telling her the opposite. "I so don't like the look of this place."

  She felt Dane's curious gaze. He reached out and grabbed her hand. She stared down at their entwined fingers and smiled weakly. "Thanks. Let's go in, then go back. I think I've had enough."

  "Done." he said easily. "You don't have to come in with me if you don't want to."

  "No, I don't, but I will. Then I'll know there isn't anything to be afraid of inside."

  Dane smiled and tugged her closer. She didn't mind. It was nice to have a strong, protective male around. For that matter Meg was walking pretty darn close to them both.

  At the entrance, they paused for a long moment for their eyes to adjust, then walked around the stack of boulders protecting the entrance. Inside, the cave showed signs of heavy use over the ages – not so much recent activity. There was a fire pit close to the mouth of the cave, only there was no wood or coals in the area. There were ledges and large flat rocks though. Jade pictured people spending hours there talking. At the back of the cave, where the blackness was so thick you couldn't see two feet in front, were more boulders. Dropping Dane's hand, Jade headed to the back, toward all the boulders. There was no reason for anyone to be back here. She just needed to make sure.

  She wandered around, stubbing her toes on rocks in the dark and scraping her hands as she clambered over the bigger ones in her search. She'd just about given up, when she heard the faintest of sounds.

  "Did you guys hear anything?"

  Meg called from the entrance, "No. Nothing."

  "Dane? Did you?"

  "I'm not sure." He navigated toward her.

  Jade thought the sound had come from the left. She climbed carefully, so as to not twist an ankle in the treacherous debris lying up against the walls. A soft moan sounded. She gasped with excitement. "I think I hear someone. Dane, come here."

  She moved carefully, struggling to make out what she'd heard. The noise had definitely come from somewhere off to the left and in a little further. The walls slanted sharply and were heaped with rocks along the bottom. The darkness was cloying. She scrambled over a boulder and came to a halt.

  "Dr. Mike!"

  ***

  "What!" Shocked joy lit Meg's voice.

  Dane reached Jade first; Meg came tearing to join them. "Is it him? Really?"

  "I think so. It's hard to see."

  "Hang on. Let me move some of this." Dane bent and cleared a space so he could crouch down. Meg and Jade kneeled down beside Dr. Mike who lay in a crumpled ball. Dane ran through his mental checklist of first aid training even as Meg checked the unconscious man's head. Dane leaned across the prone man, tracing down his arms to his hands that were tucked behind his back. He came to a stop. Please not. "Shit."

  "What?' He felt both girls stare at him. About all he could see were the whites of their eyes.

  "Christ." His mind raced even as he reached for his old Swiss army knife.

  "Dane, you're scaring us."

  "And you need to be scared. He's been tied up."

  Shocked silence, then gasps of horror were followed by tears. "Tied up, as in someone brought him here and left him to die?"

  "We don't know that. Someone obviously left him here, but they might be coming back."

  He opened the knife and hesitated. "I wish we'd thought to bring a flashlight. I can't see what I'm cutting."

  "Let's move him out into the sun and then cut him loose?"

  He studied the path ahead of them. "I need to clear a few of these rocks. Then we should be able to pick him up and carry him out."

  "We'll help you." Meg and Jade started moving more rocks to clear a path. Five minutes later, Dane scooped up the injured man, wincing at the unconscious man's groans, and carried him out into the sun.

  ***

  Jade hover
ed like a mother hen with a long-lost chick as Dane gently laid Dr. Mike on the ground. More rocks than dirt and so little shade as not to count, but the sunlight would be warm and welcome to the injured man. Dane cut the bonds around Dr. Mike's wrists. Dr. Mike's arms fell apart as if boneless and a soft pained groan erupted from the man. Meg grabbed one of his arms and rubbed with short hard strokes. Jade snatched up the second arm and together they massaged life back into them. Dane worked on Dr. Mike's legs. She didn't know how long he'd been lying in there, but getting the circulation running properly through those limbs had to hurt.

  Meg checked Dr. Mike over thoroughly. She found dried blood at the back and side of his head, but not very much. She pointed it out; both Jade and Dane peered at it and shrugged. It didn't look that bad. Meg continued to check Dr. Mike over. "Right ankle is puffy and he has just the one head injury that I can see – the rest of him appears to be fine. Unless he has internal injuries."

  With those words, Dr. Mike blinked several times and tried to open his eyes in the bright sunlight. "Hi," he said in a raspy voice.

  That prompted Jade to reach for her water bottle, and with Dane's help, they hefted Dr. Mike up slightly. Jade held his head steady in the crook of her arm. "Dr. Mike, try to drink some water." She poured the water gently into Dr. Mike's mouth. Just a little to begin with, moistening the inside of his mouth first. Then she poured in a little more.

  He swallowed greedily. Taking in more, sip by sip, until he could drink fully.

  "That's better."

  Dr. Mike sighed. He smiled gently. "So glad you found me."

  "So are we."

  He made an effort to raise his head, then gave up. "I don't feel so good. It seems like forever that I was in there."

  "Overnight most likely. The thing is you're off the beaten track a fair bit." Meg nudged him gently. "We found the SUV and had no idea where you'd gotten too. Or how? Can you tell us what happened?"

  He winced, took a deep breath and lunged to a sitting position. A surprised look washed over his face. The color drained from his cheeks, his eyes rolled into the back of his head. With a weird squeak he crumpled back to the ground.

  Jade cried out. Meg leaned over Dr. Mike. "His pulse is slow and steady. We need to get him home."

  Meg stood and spun around suddenly. "Did you hear something?"

  Jade turned to look at her. She searched the surrounding rocks and shrubs. "No. What did you hear?"

  "Voices."

  Dane took several steps toward the main path. "I'm going to check it out."

  Staying on her knees beside Dr. Mike, Jade called out. "Be careful. Don't forget, Dr. Mike didn't tie himself up."

  Dane nodded and loped off.

  The two women waited several long minutes. Dr. Mike moaned again.

  Jade turned to scan the area for Dane. "Still no sign of him. We'll give him a couple more minutes."

  Meg glanced at her, a wry look on her face. "Yeah and then what?"

  "Give him a few more minutes?" Jade shrugged, shifting to stretch her legs out. "I don't know. I can't say I'm comfortable up here alone like this. Who the hell broke into Susan's room? Could it have been the same person that did this to Dr. Mike?" She glanced down at the injured man. "We have to get Dr. Mike down the mountain somehow. He's our first priority. Will your phone work up here?"

  "Oh." Meg pulled it out and called Dane's number.

  "Dane? Where are you?"

  He laughed, his voice easily loud enough for Jade to hear. "I'm coming around the side now."

  Meg closed the phone and turned to look up at the rocks where Dane was just appearing. She laughed. "There he is and look who's with him."

  Hope leapt in her heart. Jade spun around. She stood so she could see better. It was true. "Oh, thank God." Jade waved exuberantly. Dane headed in their direction, with Stephen, Wilson and Bruce walking beside him.

  All four men waved back.

  When they reached the women Stephen gave Jade a hearty hug. "Hi. What a surprise to see you here. And thank God, you found Dr. Mike. Dane told us all about it."

  Jade laughed happily as the three men gathered around Dr. Mike, pelting Meg with questions. Bruce dropped to the ground beside Dr. Mike, checking him over. Jade joined Dane a little ways off to the side and watched the reunion. "Thanks. Where did you find them?"

  A grin split his face. "They were walking toward us on the path. I couldn't help running into them."

  "Well, I'm grateful everyone is here. We need to get Dr. Mike to the hospital – and now." She looked around uneasily.

  "You're really not comfortable up here, are you?"

  Jade couldn't help the shiver that slid down her spine. "Back home I did a lot of day trips. Here, with all the weird stuff going on – not so much. Besides, whoever tied him up could come back."

  Despite her worry, she smiled at the laughing group in front of them. They really hadn't expected to find Dr. Mike on this adventure. She could feel the relief in their over-exuberance. But it wasn't over yet. "Any ideas how to get Dr. Mike down?"

  "Hmmm. We could call for help, except we're a little short on clearings for a chopper to land. There's no stretcher here and it could be hard to make something like that out of the little bit of materials we have available. So..."

  "Oh. I just might have an answer." Stephen plunked his backpack down and pulled out a roll stretcher. "Can we make this work?"

  Jade stared. "Why would you carry that in your backpack?"

  His boyish grin burst out. "The handle broke, so I took it to the hotel to fix in the evening. The thing is, this one doesn't have a spine board. If he's severely injured, we might cause more damage this way."

  Meg studied it. "Have you fixed the handle?"

  He grinned. "More or less."

  "We already moved him once… I suggest we try it. Our options aren't great, otherwise."

  Silently, working in unison and using their years of experience, they stabilized Dr. Mike's head and neck and shifted him onto the modified stretcher.

  Bruce motioned to Dane. Both men took up their positions at either end of the stretcher and picked it up carefully. Dane called back over his shoulder, "So are you coming or are we going to have to wait for you back home?"

  Jade shook her head, grabbed the empty water bottles lying around and ran to catch up. Together with Meg, they slipped past the three men to take the front position. Stephen and Wilson stepped in behind. Close enough to talk and far enough away to not be in each other's way, they managed the path for close to an hour – at which point they stopped for a short break.

  They rested a bit as shadows lengthened. After a few minutes Bruce called for an ambulance to meet them at the lab.

  Bruce stood up. "Ready? Let's go."

  Stephen and Wilson protested that it was their turn to help carry Dr. Mike. Dane and Bruce vetoed the switch, citing the differences in height between the other men as a reason to continue as they began.

  They started off slower this time. Jade led the way, with Meg following. Her heart lightened when the gravesite came into view below. She didn't know how the men were holding up, the two carrying Dr. Mike were doing at least twice the work of everyone else but they refused the many offers to switch off. At least, Jade thought, going down was easier than hiking up the incline.

  Finally they made it down to the gravesite.

  She stopped and wiped her brow. Dr. Mike still hadn't regained consciousness. "Thank God, that might have been a bad trip for him if he were awake," she said to Meg. "Am I glad this day is almost done."

  After that, things moved quickly. The ambulance was waiting at the lab trailers. Dr. Mike was taken away. The others piled into the SUVs and drove out in a procession. Dane turned off at John's house while the others took a direct route to the hospital.

  Dr. Mike was quickly admitted into the ER but they were to
ld it might be some time before they received news of his condition.

  While waiting, Jade decided to wander over to see Tasha. She didn't really want to see her yet felt compelled to check on her and Emile. She couldn't find their rooms. Heading to the nurses' station, she stopped to ask about Tasha. A young, friendly nurse sat at the computer, her smile a gentle welcome.

  "She's been moved to a different ward for assessment."

  Jade's face froze. She expected that would happen only she hadn't thought such a move would be made for another week or so. "Right. Is it possible to get an update on her brother Emile? I was part of the team that brought them both in."

  The young nurse's face brightened. She flashed her white smile. "Oh. Now I know who you are." Then her face fell; she lowered her voice. "Emile didn't make it. He passed away late this morning."

  Jade bowed her head as her heart ached for the family. Poor Dane. Poor John. And then she began to worry about Dr. Mike. Emile hadn't looked that bad when they found him and now he was dead. Could nothing go right for them? "Damn. I'd hoped he'd pull through."

  "I think everyone did. I went to school with him way back when. And we were optimistic here. He started to pull out of it but like any of these head wounds, you can't count on that." The nurse smiled sadly, her eyes, huge wells of emotion. "Once he started to slip, he fell all the way down."

  Jade shuddered. "I am so sorry. Has Tasha been told?"

  The nurse took one look around and lowered her head. "It wouldn't do any good. She's not aware of anything. Can't talk and isn't responding to treatment at this point."

  Pain filled Jade's mind. "Poor John. He lost his child, his brother-in-law and his wife...well...hopefully time will help and Tasha will come home someday."

  The nurse shook her head. "Miracles do happen, but I can't say I've seen one this bad pull out of it."

  "What's her husband to do then?" Jade couldn't help herself from asking even though she knew there was no answer.

  The nurse lifted her face and stared, her gaze somber, wise – and directed right into Jade's eyes. "There's only one thing he can do – start over. This family is gone."