by Jonas Saul
Hospital, then home.
Hospital, then home.
He repeated that to himself late into the night as they walked the dark road toward town.
As the sun rose in the east, Casper found a spot of shelter for a nap fifteen yards off the road behind a thatch of thick bushes. Aaron curled up, the knife under a leaf beside him, and fell asleep almost instantly. He dreamed a fight scene, where he lost the battle and lost Sarah.
When he woke to the bright Mexican sun, his only hope was that his dream wasn’t prophetic.
Chapter 28
Sarah had called the police guard into her hospital room and after a ten-minute debate, got him to agree to allow the group of women to enter for a visit. He would have to record ID and frisk them all, but he agreed.
His biggest issue was that Sarah didn’t know the group of women that were coming. She didn’t know why they wanted to see her or how many the group comprised.
Tessa, Sarah’s nurse, had just pulled her dinner tray away and Sarah was adjusting the bed to raise it into a sitting position. The American Embassy had been notified when Sarah had been brought in. The media had discovered that after the assault on the hotel she had been staying with Casper, no one had been able to locate her. To have her show up at the hospital, alive, with broken ribs had been newsworthy, hence the police guard. The Mexican authorities weren’t letting her go until they understood what happened to her at the hotel and where she had been since.
What was on Sarah’s mind wasn’t the group of women coming to visit, the newspapers, or the American Embassy. What was bothering Sarah was how long Darwin was taking to arm her with weapons and a GPS location device of some kind before the cartel came for her, which she was sure would happen soon. Darwin hadn’t shown up to visit or sent anyone in his place. If the cartel came for her before she made contact with Darwin, she would be on her own.
The bed stopped at its peak. She set the remote down and rested her head back.
Vacation.
She needed a vacation and committed to herself and to Aaron that she’d take a vacation as soon as this Mexico business was over.
Sarah raised her head at a commotion in the corridor. Was the cartel coming? Through the closed hospital room door, she heard several women discussing their ID with the guard.
After a few minutes, the guard knocked.
“Miss Roberts, you have guests.”
“Let them in.”
The door opened and the women filed in.
Vivian, what is this about?
“Hello, ladies,” Sarah said.
The guard eased the door shut behind them as eight ladies surrounded Sarah’s bed. Each one carried a notepad and pen, like they were here to take dictation. The women ranged from early twenties to early sixties.
“Allow me to introduce our group,” the dark-haired woman on Sarah’s left said. “I’m Alexia Purdy, the president of our group, WASP. That stands for Writers, Artists, Specialists and Perusers. This is my vice president, Sandra Gonzales.”
“Seems to me,” Sarah said, “I’ve met you somewhere before, Sandra.”
“I was feeling the same thing.” Sandra looked at Alexia. “Strange, isn’t it?”
Alexia continued the introductions. “This is Debbie Lyons. She writes about her alter ego, Penelope. As a retired teacher she can portray Penelope in such a way—”
“Can I ask why you’ve come to see me?” Sarah said.
“Soon. We have to announce each name. It’s our WASP sting. Each author, artist, needs to be known.”
Sarah nodded. “Carry on, then. But don’t expect me to remember everyone’s name.”
A few of the ladies nodded in understanding.
“This is Charlotte Cross. To her left is Lesley Weiler. Then Lavern Skipper and Debra Smith and finally, Lisa Wesley.”
“Pleased to meet you all,” Sarah said. She studied their faces. “Why do I have the pleasure of your company today?”
“We came to ask you a few questions if that’s possible?” Lavern asked.
One of the women on Sarah’s left was hopping from foot to foot.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m just so excited to meet you.”
“Your name was?”
“Charlotte.”
“Nice to meet you too, Charlotte.”
“I’m Lavern,” the woman who spoke a moment ago said. “We didn’t think we’d get inside the room.”
“Debra here. The guard said you knew we were coming.” She tilted her head sideways and smiled wide. “Is that true?”
“I’m Debbie. Please tell us. Did Vivian give you advance notice?”
Sarah examined their faces, one by one. “You know about my sister?”
“Of course,” Sandra jumped in and leaned over the bed. “We’ve read all of your novels. Some of us have read them twice.”
“I’m flattered,” Sarah said. “The answer is yes. Vivian told me about you, but she didn’t explain a lot about your visit.”
“We came because …” Alexia cleared her throat. “We wanted to meet you and to ask how you survived the hotel ambush. We recently read that El Chapo had escaped from a Mexican prison, setting the American and Mexican relations back a decade. Now the Enzo Cartel has their sights on you. The news reported that the Enzo Cartel kidnapped Aaron. Can you verify any of this?”
Most of the women flipped pages in their notebooks and prepared their pens.
What is this, Vivian? An interview?
“Everything you just said is true. Maybe when I’m on vacation in a few weeks I’ll outline the next book on this. I’ll call it, The Cartel. Do you WASPS approve?”
Two of them giggled. Despite herself, the pain in her ribs and the nervous anticipation of the cartel coming to the hospital to kidnap her, she was enjoying the WASPS’ company. It was fun to talk about books and reading. She only wished she could go to one of their meetings, have coffee and talk longer.
“I’m sorry, it’s just so cool to meet you after reading your series,” Debra said.
“Thank you, but I really need my rest. What’s next for you WASPS?”
Keeping the women any longer than necessary put them at risk. She had met them. They had met her. She did what Vivian had asked for.
“We understand,” Sandra said. “We’re doing horse research next.”
“Horse research?”
“Yes, there’s a ranch on the outskirts of Tijuana where we’re going to take turns riding horses. Then to the hotel for a few days of writing about our excursion. After that, our two-week WASP vacation in Mexico comes to an end. I’m heading back to Los Angeles. A few of us live in Vegas and a few in other parts of the States.”
“How do you have regular meetings if you’re so spread apart?”
“Skype and email. And every year we plan these trips.”
“Then thanks for thinking of me and good luck with your writing.”
The women moved away from her bed. Sandra and Alexia remained close.
“We’re writing an anthology of short fiction,” Alexia said. “Part horror, part thriller. Would you consider reading it when it’s done?”
“Of course.” Sarah blinked. “Wait, aren’t you already published online?”
“I am,” Alexia said, her face coloring a little at being recognized.
“I think I’ve read one of your ebooks. Reign of Blood series, right?”
Alexia beamed. “That’s right.”
The door opened and the guard stepped in. “Visit’s over ladies.”
“I loved it,” Sarah said as Alexia headed for the door. “And I’ll read the anthology. Send me a link when you have the chance.”
“We will,” Sandra said from across the room.
The door shut and Sarah was alone again. She dimmed the lights, sipped from her water cup and shut her eyes to listen for Vivian.
She would rest until Vivian visited or someone else came to her room. When she opened her eyes again, she hoped she saw her
savior and not her murderer first.
Chapter 29
A farmer offered Aaron and Casper a ride into town in the back of his pickup truck. They left their knives in the bed of the truck when they jumped out at the hospital. After waving thanks to the farmer, Aaron and Casper lumbered inside the emergency doors and walked up to the counter.
“We need help,” Casper said.
He identified himself and got to a phone where he called in his location. Within ten minutes, two doctors were sent to deal with them as Aaron had no ID and no health insurance card on him.
When his wound was cleaned and patched up, Aaron met with Casper and headed to the cafeteria for a coffee.
All in all, it took less than two hours at the hospital.
Casper had bought a disposable cell phone and eaten breakfast while the doctors were with Aaron. He told Aaron that he would call in to explain their situation soon. Once they located Sarah, they would all leave Mexico together.
Seated in the cafeteria, the exhaustion of the past few weeks settled over Aaron’s system. He needed home, he needed his own bed. But at what cost? Would the cartel simply show up at his apartment again? Would he have to enter a program like witness protection to stay hidden from them? Give up the life he’d created?
“What’s next?” Aaron asked.
Casper pulled his cell phone out. “The cartels have soldiers everywhere. I think it’s time to get us out of Mexico.”
“Not without Sarah,” Aaron said. “As soon as we find her, we can leave.”
“Agreed. I’ll call in my location and see what updates my office has.”
He dialed as Aaron sipped his coffee and looked around the cafeteria.
“Casper,” Aaron said in a stern tone. “Put the phone down.”
Casper pulled the phone from his ear and set it on the table.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Over there. See those three guys.”
Casper turned in his chair. “Yeah. What about them? Wait—” He turned farther. “Is that Parkman?”
Aaron got to his feet. “I can’t fucking believe this.”
Casper got to his feet. “I thought Parkman was in WITSEC,” Casper whispered to himself.
Halfway across the cafeteria, Aaron felt the mood by the look on their faces. He saw Daniel, Alex and Parkman, but no Benjamin.
“What are guys like you doing in a place like this?” Aaron asked from behind Parkman.
They spun around at the sound of his voice and jumped to their feet in unison, Daniel knocking his chair over.
“Aaron!” Daniel shouted.
Alex clambered around Daniel to hug Aaron.
“Okay, guys, take it easy. What’s going on?”
“It’s just so great to see you,” Parkman said.
“Are your eyes watering, Parkman?” Aaron asked.
“They’re not,” Parkman said, his tone dropping a notch. “But if they were, I’d appreciate you not outing me like that.”
They laughed. They hugged. After a brief moment, Aaron introduced Casper.
“I have him to thank for getting me out of the cartel’s compound.”
“How’s the hand?” Daniel asked.
Aaron looked down at the new white bandages. “Been better. But I’ll still be able to run the dojo and teach. Losing one finger won’t stop me.”
“Where’s Sarah?” Alex asked.
“As far as I know, my people are still looking for her,” Casper said. He held up the phone. “Waiting for their call back on updates right now.”
Parkman frowned. “Wasn’t she with you, Casper?”
“She was.” He stopped and looked around. “This is the best place. Everyone, take a seat. We need to share information.”
As they pulled out chairs, Aaron asked, “Where’s Benjamin?”
Daniel and Alex exchanged a look.
“Upstairs,” Parkman said. “In surgery.”
“Surgery? Why? What happened?”
“He got shot in the shoulder. Doc says it doesn’t look too bad.”
Aaron reared back. “What have you guys been up to?”
Daniel and Parkman took turns explaining what happened at the border and then how they came to be in possession of the BMW SUV and how they were going after the cartel to find Aaron.
“That was a close call, guys,” Aaron said. “It could’ve gone either way in that basement. Holy shit. I broke out in a sweat just thinking about you guys down there.”
Alex shook his head as he looked at Aaron. “Who knew you’d just walk away from the cartel’s compound.”
“We didn’t quite walk away,” Aaron said. “Let me explain.”
“Aaron, bring them up to date while I step over here and make another call.”
Casper walked away pressing buttons on his phone.
Aaron explained the last few weeks starting with the kidnapping. He covered all the torture sessions, including Hector and the helicopter murders and how he jumped into the reservoir. He finished with the bullet ant glove and how Aaron and Casper killed about a dozen men and walked all night until they got a ride to the hospital in a farmer’s pickup.
“Whoa, that’s quite some story, yourself,” Parkman said. “You were as good as dead at any moment. I can’t say we were in as much danger.”
“Is this a danger competition?” Daniel asked.
They laughed. Some of the tension in Aaron’s shoulders eased.
“Now we just need to find out where Sarah is, discharge Benjamin and we can get the hell out of here. Leave the cartel to the DEA.”
Casper was coming back, meandering through the tables and chairs scattered about the cafeteria. He seemed happy about something.
“You guys won’t believe me when I tell you,” Casper said, his eyes watering with excitement.
“What?” Aaron said.
“Yeah, what?” Parkman echoed.
“Sarah was in a car accident.”
“And that’s good news?” Aaron asked.
“She was riding in a Hummer when she was hit by a dump truck. She sustained cracked ribs.”
“A Hummer?” Aaron said. “How the hell did she get a Hummer?”
“She’s being treated in a hospital under police guard.”
“What hospital—” Aaron started, then stopped and jumped to his feet. His eyes widened in concert with his gaping mouth. “She’s here?” he asked, his voice a pitch higher.
Casper nodded. “On the fourth floor. Sarah’s being treated right above us. The gang’s all here. And she can leave anytime she wants.”
Aaron slapped Parkman’s shoulder. “Wow!” Then he smacked Casper’s arm. “What luck.”
“How about we all go up and pay her a visit?” Casper said.
None of them needed to be asked twice.
Chapter 30
A man in a doctor’s white lab coat was in Sarah’s room, staring at her clipboard. Sarah’s half-slitted eyes watched him before they closed again.
“Where’s Tessa?” she asked. “My nurse.”
“Off shift,” he replied.
“You are?”
He set her clipboard down. “Excuse me?”
“Who are you?”
“Dr. Fitzroy.” He checked her drip, adjusted something and looked back at her ribs. “How are you feeling?”
“A little pain. In the side. Nothing else, though. Although … I’m very sleepy.”
“You’re some kind of hero to make it out of that hotel alive,” he said. “Then to stave off an attack by armed cartel members. The media’s saying you have a guardian angel.”
“You could say that.”
Sleepy. More tired than she expected. Her eyes remained closed.
Why can’t I open my eyes?
“Well, Sarah Roberts, hit men and guns didn’t kill you. But I will.”
Her eyes shot open. She forced them to stay that way as long as she could, but it took incredible effort. He unclipped something under her bed. Then the bed was rollin
g. Her eyes shut. It was simply too hard to keep them open.
