Eric interrupted. “Is that all you’re worried about—lawsuits? My ranger’s been kidnapped, along with this woman’s child and the pilot. The kidnapper’s already shot one ranger. What are we doing to get our people back?”
Chief McClanahan, definitely calmer than the hospital staff, spoke up. “I’ll tell you, but first, please sit down. All of you.”
One by one, they did.
“I’ve notified the nearby military bases to keep an eye out for them on radar,” McClanahan said. “But so far, tracking’s been impossible. The chopper’s obviously flying low enough to stay below the radar. The mountains aren’t helping matters. It’ll be dark soon, so we won’t be able to do much of a ground or air-based search. And—” he directed an apologetic glance toward Mrs. Wilson “—there’s another storm front heading in tonight. Any rescue attempt will have to wait for morning.”
The CEO swore. The lawyer took notes. Mrs. Wilson cried harder, close to true hysterics. Naomi tried to calm her. Eric felt his stomach knot even tighter.
“Has anyone called the pilot’s family?” Eric asked.
McClanahan nodded. “Did you call the female ranger’s?”
With a shock, Eric shook his head, realizing he hadn’t even called the main office. Twenty minutes ago, Jack Hunter was arranging for a motel and transportation for Lindsey, Naomi and him. Twenty minutes—a lifetime ago. “Not yet.”
“I’ll take care of that,” Naomi quickly volunteered. “Mrs. Wilson, why don’t you and I go get some coffee? Then I’ll need to check on our dog. I’m sure by the time we get back, the police will have some news for us.”
Eric threw his sister a grateful glance as he pulled himself together and forced his mind off Lindsey—how he’d lost her to his foolish pride four years ago, and how he’d just lost her again. He’d actually, stupidly been prepared to say goodbye…to let her go home to San Diego. What kind of fool was he? A big one, obviously. But he was still head ranger—and if he had to track after that chopper himself and on foot, he’d do so. He concentrated on the business at hand.
“Why don’t we regroup outside Keith’s room in say, a half hour?” he suggested. Naomi agreed.
“Is your pilot a levelheaded man?” McClanahan asked after the women had left.
“Under ordinary circumstances, I’d guess he is,” the CEO replied.
“You guess?” Eric echoed. “Don’t you know? This is a small hospital.”
The CEO flushed, and glanced nervously at the lawyer. “Not that small. Besides, I don’t do the hiring. I can’t know everything.”
“Then you should check with Personnel and find out,” Eric said tersely. “Give them a call and get back to us.”
McClanahan nodded his agreement, and after a moment, the CEO and his lawyer disappeared.
“Not much help, are they?” the chief muttered. Then, without waiting for an answer, he said, “I don’t think anyone, even the military, will be able to do much until morning. But we do have one thing in our favor. I talked with the helicopter mechanic. The fuel hadn’t been replenished, yet….”
“That’s because the chopper had just dropped off the injured ranger—the man Wilson shot.”
“The bastard won’t get far on that much fuel.”
“There aren’t many places around here that sell chopper fuel, even in the summer,” Eric said. “It’ll be easy to have those places watched.”
“I’m already on it. And my staff’s contacting the media. They’re helping us put out an Amber Alert,” he said, referring to the California law that waived a twenty-four-hour waiting period for a missing person if the person was a child, and enlisted media help. There had been no such law to help the real Amber when she’d been kidnapped and killed, but other children had been saved because of her plight. “You can’t hide a helicopter for long. If anyone sees it, they’ll report it. I’m hoping to hear something come first light.”
Eric nodded. “Let your people know that Pam can’t walk. Once they’re out of fuel, I wouldn’t put it past this guy to carjack someone.”
“Yeah, I’m worried about that myself. The last thing we want is more hostages. The pilot’s safe as long as the fuel holds out. And the felon will need a woman’s help with the child while they’re the air, I’m guessing.”
“In the air, yes, but once the chopper’s out of fuel—” Eric couldn’t finish the thought, but the police chief did.
“One, maybe both, are expendable. Still, I’ve read this guy’s profile. He won’t give up any advantages, and that includes hostages.”
Eric swallowed hard. Lindsey, a hostage—because of him. Because he’d asked for her as the replacement.
“Tell me about Lindsey Nelson,” McClanahan said. “She have a good head on her shoulders?”
“The best,” Eric replied fervently. “She’s the calmest woman in a crisis I’ve ever known. And she has more than her share of luck.”
The other man exhaled slowly. “Let’s pray it stays that way. We could use some luck right now.”
A pause, then Eric asked, “Anything else you need from me?”
“I’ve got your motel and contact number.” McClanahan reached inside his wallet. “Here’s my card. Unless I hear anything sooner, I’ll be in touch tomorrow morning.”
The men rose, faces grim, and shook hands.
“Thanks,” Eric said.
“Save it until the job’s done. Let me know how your man’s doing after surgery.”
“Will do.”
The police chief departed for his office, Eric for the elevator and the short ride up to Keith’s room.
KEITH WAS STILL IN Recovery, according to the head nurse at the nurses’ station, but was doing well; in about an hour, he’d be transferred to the private room the rangers’ main office had authorized. In the meantime, Eric was welcome to wait in Keith’s room, and was told his sister and Pam’s mother were already there. Eric thanked the nurse, got the room number and went to rejoin the women.
Naomi and Mrs. Wilson immediately sprang to their feet, their “Any news?” and “Anything on Pam?” coming at the same time. As he shook his head, both women drooped, Naomi as much as Joyce.
“Keith won’t be out of recovery for another hour, the nurse said. Let’s go to the motel,” Eric said. “There’s a room booked for you and Lind—Mrs. Wilson to share,” he said to Naomi. “The police will contact us there.”
Naomi protested, but Eric insisted. He took her aside. “We need to get Ginger and Joyce inside and settled down. The dog needs to eat, and so do we. After that, they can stay at the motel and we’ll come back. We’re only a few minutes away.”
Naomi allowed herself to be partially convinced. She went along with Eric’s plan, but while Joyce ate in her motel room and Ginger did the same in Eric’s, Naomi skipped the food and insisted on going back to the hospital. Eric didn’t feel like eating, either, and soon the two were alone in the car for the drive back.
“How’d the needle biopsy go?” Eric asked at the first red light.
“I’m sore, but I’ll live. I’m luckier than Lindsey. I wasn’t jabbed with a gun. Eric, how could all this have happened?”
“God knows.” The traffic light changed to green, and he cautiously pulled through the dark, slippery intersection. “What did your doctor say?” he asked, returning to the subject of his sister’s heath.
“The usual mumbo jumbo. Mammogram not conclusive, biopsy won’t be back for a couple days, we shouldn’t make any uneducated guesses—blah, blah, blah. But from the way he acted…” Naomi frowned. “I’m not stupid. I suspect I’ll be having surgery soon.”
“Here?”
Naomi shook her head. “No. I intend to get a second opinion, and I’ll go to San Francisco for that. I’ll notify headquarters when the results are in. I’m holding off until then. Besides, I’m not doing a thing until Keith’s back on his feet. I can’t help him if I’m in a hospital bed myself.”
“I’m sure he’ll return the favor when it’s your turn—if you let him
.” Eric took his gaze off the road for just a second to face his twin. “Will you?”
“I don’t know. I expect to lose a breast, Eric. Why would Keith want to go through all that? And don’t say because of love, either,” she said, answering her own question. “I know breast cancer patients are strongly advised against pregnancy. I’d never be able to have children. That’s if they get it all the first time. I could spend the rest of my life—however long that is—in and out of hospitals for chemo and radiation. Bad enough for me. Why should I let him suffer through it?”
“Because, believe it or not, he’ll suffer more if you don’t. Let him into your life, Naomi. He needs to be there.”
A pause. “Like you and Lindsey?” Naomi asked quietly.
“As bad as things get—and God knows they’re pretty bad right now—they always seem worse when we’re apart…at least for me.”
“And Lindsey, too, I suspect.” Naomi swiveled to face Eric as far as her seat belt would allow. “It’s time you and I let go of each other, Eric. I don’t know whether or not things will work out for me with Keith and for you with Lindsey, but either way, it’s time.”
Eric couldn’t believe what his sister had just said. “That’s a hell of a thing to ask of me, and with you so sick! Who else will know what you want, what you need, except me?”
“No one if you don’t step aside,” Naomi said emphatically. “We can’t be each other’s better half anymore. I know it happens all the time with twins, but it’s not—and it’s playing havoc with our personal lives. It did with my marriage.”
“You never told me that.” Naomi hadn’t come to Yosemite until after her husband’s death, and she hadn’t revealed the problems in her marriage—not in any detail. He’d assumed that her reticence about Bruce was due to her grief. “I didn’t realize…”
“No, but it only happened because I let it,” Naomi explained. “I may…just may…have another chance at a relationship. I’d be an idiot to pass it up. I want you to have that same chance with Lindsey.”
“Did she say something to you?” he asked sharply, already hurting at his sister’s words, but recognizing their truth. “Suggest this?”
“Oh, Eric, she’d never even think it, let alone say it. She’s far too generous. We aren’t—except with each other. Maybe other twins can keep their twin first and put their lovers second and make a go of it. We can’t. Not anymore.”
The hum of the car heater continued as the snow started to fall, wet, icy flakes that splattered on the windshield. Eric turned on the wipers and slowed his speed.
Naomi didn’t speak again for a full three blocks. “You’re upset with me, aren’t you?” Naomi started to cry, and Eric realized his sister had been holding back tears since leaving the motel.
“Don’t cry, sweetie. You were being honest, and there’s a lot of truth in what you say.”
“I’m not crying for myself.” Naomi sniffed again. “I’m just so worried. Do you think Lindsey and Pam and the pilot are still…?” She couldn’t finish the sentence.
Alive.
“I’ll find them if it takes me the rest of my life,” Eric swore. “If Wilson hurts any of them—he’s going down.”
Naomi shivered. Eric couldn’t tell if it was from the cold or the icy coldness of his voice. Either way, it didn’t matter. If Lindsey and the others didn’t survive this, then Wilson wouldn’t, either. It was as simple as that.
Medi-chopper
Night
THE WIND HOWLED AND MOVED the rotors of the chopper as another storm front blew in. The passengers were rocked inside as the wind rocked the main cabin. The pilot and Wilson remained in their seats; Lindsey still sat next to Pam. When the pilot had been forced to land due to the weather conditions, Wilson had ordered him to shut down the chopper to conserve what little fuel was left, even though the pilot warned him that without an engine heating block, the chopper might not start up again. At present, there was no heat in the cabin, and it grew colder by the minute.
Earlier Lindsey had dressed Pam in extra clothes from the bag Joyce had brought, then placed her back under the blankets on her stretcher. The child had actually managed to fall asleep, a good thing for her, but not for Lindsey. When Pam was awake, she’d concentrated on keeping her calm and comfortable. Now Lindsey had nothing but her tortured thoughts—and guilty conscience—to keep her company.
I yelled at Eric for wanting to stay behind and catch Wilson. Told him he had his priorities wrong. Guess I’ll be eating crow when I see him again. If I see him again…
“I need some shut-eye,” Wilson said suddenly. He waved the gun at the pilot, gesturing him to the back area of the cabin. “Go sit with the ranger. I should warn you I’m a light sleeper. Anyone tries anything and I start shooting.”
The pilot, Jim, moved to the back of the cabin and perched next to Lindsey on Pam’s stretcher. Wilson turned both front seats to face each other for a makeshift bed. Then he lifted his feet, tucked the gun within his crossed arms and closed his eyes. In minutes the sound of soft snoring told them their captor slept.
“Shall I rush him?” Jim asked in a softer voice. A young man, younger than Lindsey, he seemed ready to tackle the world—and probably get himself killed, Lindsey thought.
“God, no. This guy shot one of my co-workers, remember? He certainly won’t miss hitting us in here.” Lindsey looked to make certain Wilson still slept, then patted her ranger jacket. “I’ve got a better idea.”
A few minutes later, Jim rose and crept toward the chopper door. Wilson was immediately alert, pointing the gun. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I need to go,” Jim said bluntly.
“Unzip in here and use a medical container,” Wilson ordered.
“I need to drop my pants.”
“Too bad. Hold it.”
“Can’t. I’ve got a nervous stomach as it is, and being hijacked has made it worse. You’d better let me outside or this whole cabin is gonna reek from soiled underwear in about two seconds.” Jim grabbed at his gut for emphasis.
Lindsey deliberately wrinkled her nose. “Please let him out, Mr. Wilson. Where could he go in this storm? And in the dark, no less?” She opened the supply locker and tossed Jim a packet of sterile towels. He caught it easily.
Wilson scowled, cranky at being awakened, and definitely annoyed. “Make it quick,” he ordered.
Jim nodded, opened the door and stepped outside, then quickly latched it as Wilson complained to Lindsey, “Next you’ll be wanting to go. Then the brat.”
“I’m fine, and Pam’s asleep.” Lindsey deliberately yawned. “Don’t worry about us.” She stretched out next to Pam and covered herself with part of the child’s blanket.
Wilson returned to his earlier position in the two chairs, relaxed yet still alert. Lindsey closed her eyes. Right now Jim had the avalanche transponder from her jacket, the one she was required to wear in the field. She didn’t want Wilson to find it, so she’d asked Jim to fasten it on the outside of the chopper with the tape that came in the packet of sterile towels. Wilson wouldn’t find it there. Nor would he find the pilot, if Lindsey had her way.
“I want you to run as fast and as far as you can. You said you’re local…know your way around. When the fuel runs out, he’ll kill you,” Lindsey had said with all certainty. “You’re expendable to him.”
“So are you,” he’d countered.
“Wilson needs at least one hostage, and I won’t leave without Pam. She’s my responsibility.”
“She’s my passenger. You go.” Jim had tried to convince her to change her mind, but the whispered argument hadn’t lasted long when Lindsey told Jim how she’d spent her past week.
“I’m physically exhausted. I don’t stand a chance out there,” she said. “Besides, I may know the park, but you know the area outside it much better.”
“All right,” he finally agreed. “I do know of a hunter’s cabin about half a mile from here. My dad and I used it last fall. All the loca
ls know about it. I could hole up until the storm passes and it’s light.” Lindsey passed him some survival items, including her compass, some trail mix and the cigarette lighter she still had in her pocket. Jim had his own flashlight and batteries. After softly instructing Lindsey on how to use the chopper radio and turn on the cabin heat, plus telling her their present coordinates in case she had a chance to relay them, they put their plan into action.
“Just push this button when you get outside,” Lindsey whispered. “When the green switch lights up, it’s active and transmitting.”
Jim had carefully stashed the transponder and his supplies inside his inner clothing. Now he was out there, taking his chances with the terrain and the weather.
And Lindsey waited, counting the seconds with eyes closed, pretending to sleep. She prayed she and Jim and Pam would make it to safety. She also wished with every ounce of strength that she’d get to see Eric again.
I can’t believe I was going to leave him. All this time I thought he didn’t know what was important in life—when it was the other way around. I always want to do things my way. I should’ve married him and gone on the honeymoon. Everything was ready. Yes, Missy died, but I should’ve shared that with him, not shut myself away…shut him out. He and my whole family were there to support me. I didn’t take advantage of it. And I was going home to San Diego without even a kiss goodbye. Now I’m stuck with an armed kidnapper in the middle of nowhere, and I might just have sent a young man to his death. I might never see Eric again.
She listened to the howling wind outside, resisting the urge to throw a pillow over her ears, and prayed she’d see morning in one piece.
Keith’s hospital room
KEITH RESTED IN A DRUGGED grogginess that was closer to sleep than waking when Eric and Naomi entered the room.
“He’s doing fine, so let’s keep it that way,” the doctor ordered. “A short visit, and no bad news. Security said one of you can stay the night if you want.”
“That would be me,” Naomi said.
“Remember what I told you—no sudden shocks. He’s had a rough time of it.”
The Replacement Page 21
