“What about you? How are you feeling?”
“Asymptomatic so far. As you suggested, I’ve consumed only bottled water and prepackaged food.”
Confirming his earlier suspicions. More and more, Aidan was considering this to be a poisoning. Question was, was it intentional?
“Where’s Garcia?”
“In his bedroom. I checked him about an hour ago. He was conscious but in pretty bad shape.”
Making a decision that he hoped like hell wouldn’t come back to bite him in the ass, he said, “Can you get the phone to him?”
“Yes. You want to talk to him?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. I’ll call you back as soon as I get to him.”
The line went dead, and Aidan glanced over at Anna, who was looking both confused and worried. “Are you going to tell him we’re here?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“No, I’m not.”
***
Carrie slid the cellphone back into her pocket and headed out the door.
Diego stepped in front of her, blocking the door. “Where are you going?”
“I need to see Señor Garcia.”
“Why?”
Telling him that she had a call he needed to take was a surefire way to get the cellphone confiscated. The man she’d stolen it from no longer needed it, as he’d died a few hours ago. That wouldn’t matter to Diego. Now that his boss was ill, he was feeling his oats and issuing orders as if he were in charge.
“I need to check his temperature.”
Diego jerked his head toward the door. Pretending he didn’t scare her was useless. Out of all the men here, this one had the eyes of a cold-blooded killer. Wasn’t it interesting that he was one of the few showing no signs of being sick?
They passed by the sliding doors that led to the pool. Though it was dark outside, the entire area was well lit. She didn’t see Julio’s wife.
“After I see to Señor Garcia, perhaps I should check on Señora Garcia. Make sure she isn’t ill also.”
“She’s fine,” Diego growled. “Move on.”
Arguing with him was pointless. She would mention her concern to Julio. She also needed to figure out a way to get Diego out of the room when she called Aidan back. The last time she’d checked on Garcia, he’d been ill and holding his own. However, if the illness progressed the way it had for the other patients, Julio would soon be unconscious and unable to communicate. She had a bad feeling that Diego was waiting for that to happen.
Diego gave a brief knock and opened the bedroom door. Julio was sitting in a chair, but he was slumped so far down he was practically falling out of it.
Carrie rushed forward. “Señor Garcia?”
He raised his eyes to hers, and Carrie gasped at the change in just a few hours.
Turning back to Diego, she said, “I need you to get the medical kit.”
“Why didn’t you bring it with you, stupid gringa?”
“I didn’t expect him to be this ill.”
Despite the warmth of the room, Diego’s glare chilled Carrie to the bone. No doubt about it, this man was trouble.
As soon as he’d closed the door, Carrie turned back to the sick man. “Señor Garcia, we don’t have much time. There’s someone you need to talk to. Someone who can help.”
“What do you mean?”
Taking a chance that he wouldn’t take it away from her, Carrie pulled the cellphone from her pocket and hit redial for Anna’s number. She held the phone out. “Just talk to him.”
Showing her just how ill he was, Julio did nothing but put the phone to his ear and say, “Si?”
Aidan answered in perfect Spanish. “Hello, Señor Garcia. My name is Thorne. I was hired by a friend of the doctor’s to help you.”
“Help? How?”
“The woman who hired me is an aid worker. She can assist Dr. Easterly.”
“Where are you?”
“Right outside your compound.”
“Why would you want to help?”
“Because your people are in need.”
“You’re not here for the doctor?”
“Yes, I am, but I won’t take her away. Not until things are better. Your people need assistance.”
Anna watched Aidan’s grim expression as he made the offer. This could very well turn into a disaster if Julio Garcia decided he didn’t want the help. The man could send someone for them and kill them on the spot. Even though Garcia’s voice sounded weak and much older than a twenty-six-year-old’s, it didn’t mean that he was any kinder. He had kidnapped and terrorized Carrie. That wasn’t something Anna could forget.
It seemed like they waited a lifetime before he said, “I will have a man come for you and bring you to me. You will surrender any weapons or phones.”
“No. That’s not the way this works,” Aidan replied. “We’re here to help, nothing more. I am willing to aid you in whatever you need, but I won’t be put at a disadvantage.”
There was a long silence, and then Carrie said, “He’s very ill.” Her voice went lower. “I don’t know how long he has left.”
Aidan cursed softly. “All right, Carrie. Tell him we’re coming. We’ll deal with whatever assholes come our way.”
Anna touched the gun in her bra holster as reassurance. She’d become proficient with several handguns, so the small-caliber pistol had felt comfortable in her hand, as well as the holster in her bra. She knew what to do with it. She hadn’t, however, ever pointed a gun at another person, much less shot at one. She took a deep breath and nodded to herself. Having learned that there was no point in having a gun if you weren’t prepared to use it, Anna knew she would not hesitate to defend herself or someone she cared about.
Aidan pulled wire clippers from his backpack and started snipping at the fence to create an opening for them. Kneeling beside him, she pulled at each portion he clipped. Within a minute, they had an opening large enough to go through.
He put the wire clippers away, drew his gun from his side holster, and double-checked the clip. “We’ll try to stay hidden until we get to the main house. They’re expecting us, so that may not be possible. You stick to me like glue, okay?”
She nodded and followed Aidan as he went through the opening in the fence. Even though her heart was thudding and her adrenaline pumping, she noted that her feeling of purpose and direction gave her confidence she might not ordinarily have. A lot of it had to do with having a well-trained and confident LCR operative by her side. Aidan Thorne saved lives almost every day. He’d saved hers only a few hours earlier.
Together, that’s what they would do here. Save lives.
Chapter Sixteen
There was nothing attractive about the compound. Garcia had gone to a lot of trouble to make it impenetrable, but he’d done nothing to enhance its looks. All the buildings they passed were either white-washed brick or adobe style. They were built for sturdiness and functionality, nothing more.
He and Anna were in the middle of the small community before they saw the first person. From the information McCall had obtained, there should be over a dozen men here, most of whom should be guarding the area.
A man, probably a guard, was leaning against one of the buildings. Aidan couldn’t see his face, but from the jerking of his body and the gagging sounds he was making, it was clear the man was one of the many who’d fallen ill.
Pulling Anna’s arm, Aidan eased by him. Drawing the guard’s attention would probably get them shot.
At the end of the paved road was a monstrous-looking house. This was where Garcia had spent his money. The two-story ranch house sprawled out in every direction, a cattle baron’s dream. The Ponderosa on steroids.
“Aidan.” Anna grabbed his arm. “Look.”
A short, squat man with a bad comb-over and an arrogant sneer sauntered toward them. He held an AR-15 rifle. On his left thigh was a holstered Smith & Wesson revolver, and at his waist hung a large knife. Aidan got t
he distinct impression that the man was overcompensating.
“Drop your gun,” the man growled.
Aidan was about to argue the point when another man came up behind him, shoving a gun against his kidney. “Do what he says.”
Aidan dropped his gun and stayed expressionless as he was frisked for more weapons. The man finished and took a step toward Anna.
“No,” Aidan barked. “She’s an aid worker. She is unarmed.”
The man’s greasy smile made Aidan’s blood boil.
“Put one finger on her, and I’ll split you in two, head to ass.”
The man paused, his eyes skittering uncertainly to his companion. That was all the distraction Aidan needed. Whirling, he grabbed the strap of the gun hanging from the man’s shoulder. Pulling him off-balance, Aidan slammed him into the other man, who was ineptly juggling his gun. He snatched the gun from the guy’s fumbling hand and held it on the two men.
The astonishment on Anna’s face had Aidan grinning. “I’ll show you how to do that someday.”
Returning his attention to the two men, he gave them his coldest glare. “Where’s Señor Garcia?”
“In his bedroom. He sent us to bring you to him.”
“Then let’s go.”
Watching Aidan at work put a whole new perspective on Anna’s admiration and respect for him. She had known he was well trained, but seeing him in action made her realize that people like Jason Bourne actually did exist. She’d never seen anyone move that quick or efficiently in real life.
They walked down a long hallway, passing elegantly appointed rooms on the left and right. Whatever money Garcia had saved with the other buildings in his small community, he’d made up for in his own house. Every aspect of it screamed wealth and excess. The man apparently believed in living well.
The two men in front of them stopped at a closed double door. The shorter one sent a fuming look over his shoulder at Aidan. “Señor Garcia is in here.”
“Open it,” Aidan ordered.
Issuing what sounded like a curse, the man pushed open the door and stepped back.
“You first, amigo,” Aidan drawled.
The man went through the door, along with his companion. Aidan, then Anna, followed them into the room.
At first, she saw only a gigantic suite. There were several sitting areas with sofas, chairs, and small tables throughout the room. A massive television covered one wall. Another wall had a large antique-looking bar. Anna felt a wince of sympathy for the poor guys who’d had to move the monstrosity anywhere, much less up an isolated mountain.
On another side, close to a large picture window, was a massive bed. Lying on that bed was a man in his mid-twenties. His eyes were closed, his skin a sickly yellow.
“Anna!”
Startled, she turned slightly and spotted Carrie standing at a door. She was holding a damp cloth and a plastic bucket. She looked tired and worried, but unharmed. Relief flowing over her, Anna rushed toward her, her arms outstretched, but halted when Carrie said, “You need to stay back from all of us. We still don’t know if this thing is contagious.”
“How’s Julio doing?” Aidan asked.
“About the same. His temperature seems to have stabilized.” She shot a glance at the unconscious man. “But he’s still very ill.”
“What about you? You still okay?”
“Yes. Just tired and feeling helpless, but no symptoms.”
“Who else isn’t showing symptoms?”
“Diego and Salvador.” She indicated the two men who’d brought them here and now stood by the door. “And I’m told that Elena, Garcia’s wife, isn’t ill either. Although I’ve not been allowed to check on her.”
Aidan jerked his head toward the bed. “Wake him up. I need to talk with him.”
“I’ll try. He lost consciousness right after he talked with you.”
Carrie went over to the sick man and shook him gently. “Señor Garcia, wake up. It’s important.”
There was no movement of his eyelids, no change in his expression.
Carrie tried several more times without success.
Aidan stood to the side, still holding his weapon on the men who’d tried to take their guns earlier. Evidently deciding it was pointless to keep trying to wake the man, he said to Carrie, “These two are openly hostile. What about the other men here?”
“The ones who aren’t sick have been extremely helpful. Diego and Salvador,” she said as she glared at the two men, “are the only two who haven’t been cooperative.”
“We take orders from Señor Garcia only.”
“Your boss is unconscious,” Aidan said. He looked toward Anna. “Go with Carrie and do what you can to help. I’ll find you when I’m finished.”
Anna nodded. Even though she wanted to know exactly what he was planning to do, talking in front of Garcia’s men wasn’t wise.
Aidan motioned with his gun. “Let’s go, you two.”
***
Ten minutes later, Aidan walked into the small infirmary and got a glimpse of the hell Carrie Easterly had been handling by herself. The six beds in the room were occupied. The other patients were lying on air mattresses, sleeping bags, and blankets.
He found Anna in the middle of them. She was wearing a mask as she wiped the forehead and spoke softly in Spanish to one young man who looked like he should still be in high school. She raised helpless eyes to Aidan. “I don’t know what to do for them.”
“There’s nothing more to do. I’ve contacted McCall, told him the situation. He just heard back from his contact at the CDC. They agree it doesn’t appear to be airborne.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” She pulled the white mask from her face. “This thing doesn’t feel like it’s doing much anyway.” She looked over his shoulder. “Where are Diego and Salvador?”
“Locked them up in one of those brick buildings we passed.”
“Bet that went over well.”
“Took some convincing, but they eventually saw things my way.” He didn’t mention that both men would be waking up in separate rooms in a few minutes with massive headaches and their hands tied to posts.
“McCall’s got a helicopter headed this way with a couple of doctors and some meds. It’ll be a couple more hours before they arrive, so we’ll do what we can for the patients.” His eyes roamed the room. “Where’s Carrie?”
“I convinced her, and the other two women, Evelyn and Constance, to lie down for a few minutes. They’ve not had a break in hours.”
“How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay.” The smile she gave him was sad. “Better than these guys are doing.”
Her skin was so pale it was almost translucent. Half of her hair had come loose from her braid and hung limply around her face. Dark bruises were beginning to show on her arms and wrists where he’d gripped them to keep her from falling. Her pants were covered in mud, and her shirt was torn in several places. All in all, she looked a mess. And Aidan knew he’d never found her more appealing than he did now. Something wrenched inside him. Anna was exactly the kind of woman he—
Don’t go there, Thorne. Just don’t.
“Why don’t we see if we can help any of these guys? When Carrie returns, we’ll take our own break.”
They worked side by side for over an hour. With limited medical supplies and no clear idea what had poisoned these men, there was little they could do but what Carrie had already been doing. Trying to keep their temperatures down and maintaining hydration was their best bet until aid arrived.
As they finished with the last man, Aidan remembered his internship where he’d gone almost two days without sleep. He didn’t think he’d been nearly as tired then as he was now.
Hearing a sound behind him, Aidan stepped in front of Anna as he pulled his gun. Carrie jerked to a stop at the door. “Whoa. It’s just me.”
“Sorry. Can’t be too careful.”
“I understand. Every one of these men came in here armed to the teeth. When I to
ld them I wouldn’t treat them unless they took off their weapons, you would have thought I told them to chop off a body part.”
“To some men, losing a body part might be easier.” He grinned as he holstered his weapon. “I’m too fond of all my parts to make that claim.”
Surprising him, Carrie sent Anna a small smile and said, “I see what you mean.”
Before he could ask what she meant by that, Anna went into action, striding toward the door. “We’re going to go find a bathroom and clean up. I mean, not together, but…” She shook her head, her color high. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
Sending her what looked like a grimace of apology, Carrie said, “Take all the time you need. If you want, you can use my room. It’s on the second floor, third door on the right.”
“Thanks, we will.” When Anna looked toward Aidan, he was surprised at the vulnerability in her expression. Almost as if she was close to tears.
He followed her out the door and grabbed her hand before she could get away from him. “Hey, you okay?”
“Uh, um. Just tired.”
He knew it was more than that but figured it would embarrass or upset her more if he pursued it. They headed down the hallway the way they’d come earlier. When they reached Carrie’s bedroom, Aidan opened the door and searched it quickly.
“It’s clear.” He handed her two bottles of water he’d snagged from the infirmary. “Since we still don’t know where this poison is coming from, I’d feel better if you used these to clean up with.”
“You think it could be in the water tank?”
“It’s possible. Until we know for sure, or we’re out of here, don’t drink anything but bottled water. If you’re hungry, there are some bars and crackers in your backpack.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going back to see if Carrie and I can talk to Garcia’s wife. Carrie said she’d only seen the woman briefly, and she didn’t seem to be showing any signs of sickness. She might be able to answer some questions about her husband.”
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