Black Light: Suspended

by Maggie Ryan

  Morrow nodded and led the team to waiting helicopters.

  Dillon began issuing directions but a man stepped forward. “You’re not going in alone.” It was Baxter, the newest member of the corps, joining after graduation of the course he’d run with Charlie.

  “You heard Morrow, it’s not safe. I won’t risk—”

  “You’ll need help to find Charlie. The rest of the team can begin in Matamoros, but I need to go with you.” Dillon nodded, knowing Baxter was as aware of the danger as he. His dog, Casper, looked just as determined to join in the search. It took only a few minutes to fly the distance from the airport to a clearing near a few ramshackle buildings.

  “The tunnel entrance is in the third building,” Morrow said though Dillon wasn’t looking in that direction. Instead, his eyes locked on Charlie’s Tahoe.

  “Just a minute,” Dillon said, moving towards the car. He had just picked up a rock to break the window when an officer stopped him, pulling a tool from his belt. Within seconds, he’d worked the bar and popped the lock. Dillon grabbed Charlie’s suitcase, unzipping it and searching inside. He pulled out the t-shirt he’d given her to wear at night. To feel closer to him. Forcing himself from those thoughts, he bunched the shirt in his hand and squatted in front of Lucy.

  “Find her, Lucy. Find our girl.” The dog sniffed the shirt and then the air. Dillon led her to the building and inside.

  Morrow hadn’t been kidding. The tunnel was full of debris though teams had been working to clear it for hours. As he moved forward, he kept away from the walls, the knowledge that they could collapse in his mind and yet he continued. He and Baxter had to halt several times to help clear debris, waiting as teams worked to shore up the walls. It was slow work. It was dirty. It was tedious and physically exhausting. If it was this bad on the American side, he couldn’t imagine how bad the damage was closer to the source of the explosion. Hours passed and yet Dillon and Baxter refused to retreat. Charlie was in here somewhere waiting for him to find her.

  They’d begun a decline and Dillon knew they had to be under the Rio Grande but tried not to think of the river running above him. When Lucy signaled, his heart clutched. It wasn’t the signal that she’d found a survivor, it was one given when a corpse had been detected. It took the two men a half-hour to dig through the layer of debris before the body became visible. Though his heart began to beat again at the realization that it wasn’t Charlie, he still mourned. “It’s Alejandro,” he said, sending the information through the radios they had to use since they were so far underground. “He didn’t make it.”

  Dillon accepted a bottle of water, pouring some into his hands for Lucy to lap as they waited for a team to remove the body. The moment they moved past him back down the tunnel, he and Lucy moved forward. His gut told him that Charlie wouldn’t be far. He dug, he moved rocks, he shifted wood and chunks of concrete that had been used to add additional support for the part of the tunnel that ran under the river.

  A rumble sounded and he signaled for Baxter to stop, praying that the tremor wasn’t enough to cause another cave in. The only light came from their high power flashlights, motes of dust visible as they shimmered in the air. When the sound faded, the walls still holding, he pushed on. Lucy signaled again and for the first time, the dog whined and strained at the leash.

  “Easy girl,” Dillon said softly. “Good girl… easy now.” He dropped to his knees, digging through the dirt. Debris made the tunnel narrow and claustrophobic but he and Baxter worked side by side on their knees.

  “Dillon,” Baxter said, pointing his light up.

  “Fuck,” Dillon said as a drop of water fell, followed by another. “Take the dogs and go.”

  Baxter shook his head and moved another piece of concrete. Five minutes passed, the drip becoming more pronounced as Dillon’s hand brushed dirt away and he saw a boot. “Hang on, Charlie. I’ve got you, baby.” He worked quickly but carefully as more tremors caused small clods of dirt, some very wet to fall from the ceiling. “Just a few more seconds. Hang on.”

  If Charlie had been any larger, she’d have been crushed. As it was, the beam that had fallen across her body pinned her to what appeared to be a shallow dip in the dirt floor. His hand ran over her legs but she didn’t even twitch. She was lying on her back, covered in dirt. He played the light over her. The light bounced off the diamond on her finger but that wasn’t what tore at his soul. It was the fact that the fingers of her left hand were curled around the knot of the rope he’d tied around her waist.

  “Oh, Charlie, baby, I’m here, you’re going to be all right. Just hang on.”

  There was so little space to maneuver, and yet Baxter slithered on his belly, braced his back beneath the beam and lifted it a few inches, every muscle straining with the effort. “Now,” he said. There was no room to lift her and Dillon cringed when he began to pull her towards him, knowing the move could cause more injury but he had no choice. He heard the best sound in the world when she whimpered.

  “I know, baby. I know it hurts but you’re going to be okay. Just hang on.” He had to slide her quickly as the beam was heavy and awkward for his partner to hold.

  The moment he got her clear, Baxter crawled backwards, a far deeper rumble put urgency in his voice. “Fuck, it’s going to collapse.”

  Baxter unclipped the leashes from their dogs’ collars. “Go!” he directed, giving the signal. Casper immediately responded but when Lucy hesitated, it took Dillon repeating the order to have her turn to follow Casper back the way they’d come. Dillon was as gentle as possible, cradling her body to his chest but knew that every move caused her pain. He was grateful she was unconscious, not wanting her to feel the agony.

  Morrow’s voice came over the radio. “You need to get out. Divers are reporting breaches. I’m sorry but—”

  Baxter radioed that they’d found her. “She’s hurt but alive. We’re coming.”

  “Thank God,” Morrow said. “For God’s sake, hurry!”

  The trip back was faster, both due to the additional clearing and shoring the team had done as well as Dillon and Baxter knowing they were living on borrowed time as the rumbles didn’t cease.

  When Dillon stumbled, Baxter was there to brace him. The two men drew on every ounce of strength they had to get Charlie to safety. They could see daylight and it gave them the last boost as they cleared the tunnel to the cheering of dozens of agents and volunteers. An ambulance was waiting, paramedics coming forward to take Charlie. Dillon laid her carefully on the gurney, bending to kiss her forehead, then stepped back as they loaded her into the back. Dillon watched as Lucy jumped into the ambulance. The paramedic turned and his mouth opened but Dillon spoke as he climbed in. “We’re going.” He turned and saw Baxter squatting beside Casper, ruffling his fur, the huge smile on Baxter’s face stating the sense of victory for the team. Morrow, looking haggard also grinned and nodded before the doors were slammed and the siren began to blare. Dillon reached out and placed his hand on Charlie’s leg, not getting in the way of the paramedic who was examining her, but having to touch her, to let her know that he was there.

  She was filthy, she was cut, bloodied and bruised, the lower half of her face covered with the oxygen mask the paramedic placed over her head, and yet she had never been more beautiful to him. He bowed his head, allowed the tears to fall, thanking God that he’d not taken the other half of his soul.

  Dillon followed the gurney through the emergency room doors, never losing contact with Charlie’s leg. He’d watched the paramedics, heard them speaking with the hospital and knew that she was having trouble breathing and that her blood pressure was dangerously low. He felt that as long as he touched her, that somehow she’d know that he was with her, that she wouldn’t leave him.

  “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” a nurse said as he followed the team into an examination room.

  “No.”

  “We can’t have dogs in here. There’s a waiting room—”

  “We’r
e staying.”

  The woman looked at him and then down at Lucy who was sitting at his side. “All right, but you’ll need to step back.”

  That Dillon could do, though it meant he had to remove his hand. He bent over the gurney. “Fight, Charlie. Don’t you dare give up. You fight and come back to me.” He kissed her and then stepped away to let other professionals do their jobs.

  The nurse began to cut Charlie’s clothes off and as she cut up the center of the t-shirt, she saw the rope around her waist. Once the shirt was removed, she placed the scissors under the rope. “It was to remind her that we’re connected.”

  Dillon didn’t realize he’d spoken aloud until the young woman looked at him. “She knows you’re here.” He nodded, knowing that somehow Charlie did know. The nurse moved the scissors to Charlie’s side and cut through the belt. She slid it free and turned and handed it to Dillon as the door opened and a doctor entered.

  “We’ll take care of her, I promise,” the nurse said.

  Dillon nodded again, understanding that his presence was hampering the process. “Lucy, come. Our girl is going to be fine.”

  He was pacing the floor of the waiting room when Baxter and Morrow arrived. Accepting a cup of coffee, Dillon slumped in a chair and after reporting that he’d heard nothing so far, listened as the captain filled him in.

  “Your team recovered Agent Carter. He was brought in before Charlize. We’ve accounted for everyone we sent in, but if there were more from the Mexican side, the tunnel will be their grave. It’s totally collapsed and flooded. God was with us today—”

  “The family of Charlize Fullerton?” Morrow stopped talking and they all turned to where a doctor stood.

  “That’s me,” Dillon said, standing, Lucy getting to her feet as well and nudged his leg. “That’s us,” he corrected.

  The doctor didn’t bat an eye at the sight of the men or the dog. “Agent Fullerton is a very lucky lady. Despite severe dehydration, cuts, and abrasions, four broken ribs, and a sprained wrist, she’s going to be fine.”

  “Has she regained consciousness?” Dillon asked.

  “Not yet, but she has a huge bump on the back of her head. The neurologist has looked at the CAT scan and isn’t concerned about permanent damage.”

  “When can I see her?” Dillon asked.

  The doctor shook his head. “They’ll be moving her into ICU until she wakes up. You can see her then. But, I suggest you take the time to clean up.” He stepped forward and held out his hand. “We’ve all heard what happened and I’d like to thank you and your team.”

  “We didn’t save them all,” Dillon said.

  “Neither do we, but every one saved gives us the strength to go on.” Dillon nodded and shook his hand. “There is a doctor’s lounge down the hall. Feel free to make use of the shower.”

  Dillon thanked him and accepted a bag that Morrow held out. “A change of clothes and some toiletries. Get cleaned up. I’ll be back but I need to speak to the families…”

  Understanding that while he was waiting for his love to awaken, others were mourning the loss of theirs, Dillon nodded. “Thank you, Sir.”

  “No, thank you, Dillon.”

  Baxter shook Dillon’s hand. “I can take Lucy. She can play with Casper. We’re at the hotel just down the street.”

  Though the hospital staff had been gracious, Dillon knew it would be better all around if Lucy went with the team. He knelt and spent a few moments ruffling her fur. “You did good, Lucy. Go with Baxter—I’ll stay with our girl.”

  Lucy licked his face and then trotted beside Baxter as they left the hospital. Dillon asked for directions to the lounge and was soon standing beneath the spray of the shower, his hands braced against the tile, his head bowed. A few more minutes would have seen Charlie among the dead but by God’s grace, she was still with him. He said his thanks and made his promise that he’d spend every moment of the rest of his life loving her.

  Despite the uncomfortable chair he’d pulled up next to her bed, the beeping of monitors, and the constant entry of nurses checking on their patient, Dillon was dozing. When he’d first entered the cubicle in ICU, his heart caught in his throat. Charlie looked so small and fragile, her skin as pale as alabaster except for the bruises that bloomed and the bandages covering the worst of the lacerations. He’d spoken to her quietly for hours but as the day turned into dawn, he’d finally bent forward to lay his head on the bed, quietly holding her hand. It was her fingers sliding through his hair that had him awakening, bolting to his feet.

  “Charlie? Can you hear me, baby?”

  Her eyelids fluttered and then opened, closing for a moment and opening again. “I knew you would find me,” she rasped.

  “I love you, Charlie. God, I love you so much. You’re going to be fine.”

  “The others?”

  Dillon stroked her hair off her face, knowing that to evade wouldn’t make her rest. “We lost all but four. I’m not sure how many innocents died.”

  He watched tears fill her eyes before they closed and she gave a small nod. Bending, he kissed her gently. “I know, baby. Rest, Charlie, you rest now.”

  When she had slipped back into slumber, he went out and informed the nurses that she’d awakened. Within two hours, she’d awakened again and had been seen by the neurologist. By mid-afternoon, she was transferred to a private room, Dillon following her every step of the way. She remained hospitalized for another three days but refused to stay for the fourth.

  “I need to be there,” she demanded, her voice still a bit hoarse, but the headaches she’d suffered were diminishing a bit every day.

  Dillon understood and helped her dress. He accepted a sheaf of papers with instructions for her continued care and then held her hand as an orderly wheeled her out of the hospital. Captain Morrow was waiting to take them to the first of many funerals. The church services were moving as agents were praised and family members spoke of their loved ones. It was absolutely heartbreaking standing at the graveside, watching coffins being lowered into the ground, each one holding a man or woman as well as their canine partner, all giving their lives in the service of others. He held Charlie as she cried, shedding his own tears at the loss of fellow agents.

  When the last team had been laid to rest, they said their goodbyes to Morrow. The team Dillon had flown down with had departed days earlier. He’d spoken with his director, informing him that he’d be staying and driving back with Charlie when she had recovered enough. The broken ribs were the worst of her injuries and though painful, would heal in time. They took a week to make the drive, stopping early to check into motels to allow her to sleep, Lucy curled up at her side of the bed, Dillon curled around her, holding her close.

  Chapter 14

  “Put that bucket down!”

  Charlie turned to see Dillon striding towards her. Ignoring his order, she tossed the tennis ball and watched as the puppies ran after it.

  “Charlize Elena Fullerton, I said put it down. You should be in bed resting.”

  Rolling her eyes, she turned back to him. “Dillon, I swear I’m getting bedsores on my ass from all that fucking resting. It’s been three months for Christ’s sake! I’m fine!”

  She heard Janet mutter, “Uh, oh,” as Dillon opened the gate, his eyes narrowing as he strode across the exercise yard.

  “You almost died—”

  “But I didn’t and I’m sick and tired of being treated like a piece of glass. I am not going to shatter!”

  Her words didn’t seem to be doing any good so she did the next best thing, she threw the next tennis ball at him. His eyes widened in shock as it smacked him in the chest. “Charlie, I’m warning you—”

  Ignoring him, she tossed another and then another. Dillon batted them away, dodging balls and puppies who thought it was a great game as she began throwing them as fast as she could, backing up as he continued coming.

  With the bucket empty, Charlie said, “I love you, Dillon, but if you don’t back off, I swear
I’ll prove I’m fine by knocking you on your ass! I know my own body and the doctor cleared me weeks ago!”

  Neither Dillon’s glare nor his quirked eyebrow moved her. She stood, her hands on her hips, glaring right back. When she attempted to wag her own eyebrows, he’d cracked a smile and when she stomped her foot, he’d swooped her off her feet.

  “Put me down!”

  “Not going to happen. You’re going straight to bed.” When she began to twist, he added, “There’s one way to prove you’re fine and that’s with me giving you a very thorough physical exam.”

  Charlie stilled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank God. Though it’s been so long I might need some instruction.”

  “I’m not waiting for you to buy some plaid skirt,” Dillon said, his smile reaching his eyes. “But I am told that I’m a very good teacher.”

  A month later, they were wed beneath the trees where they’d had their picnic. Charlie wore a tea-length white dress that she and Martha had found in a vintage boutique in D.C. They said their vows, neither aware of anyone but each other and when the minister said, “You may kiss your bride,” Dillon lifted his wife off her feet and kissed her until she was breathless. Their guests included Owen who had served as best man and Martha who was the maid-of-honor, Janet and her family, Baxter and his wife, Meredith. Several of Dillon’s colleagues were in attendance as well as some of Dillon’s friends from Black Light. Quilts were spread out on the grass and food was served from picnic baskets. Owen and Baxter helped pass out beverages of choice, all having been cooling in the pond. It was casual and it was perfect. That night, the newlyweds consummated their marriage and then lay in each other’s arms.

  “Thank you,” Dillon said. When Charlie giggled, he bent to kiss her. “Not just for the incredible sex, Mrs. MacAllister, but for your gift.”

  Charlie looked across the room to where she’d hung the present. In a shadow box hanging on the wall, slightly soiled, white ropes lay against black velvet, the knot he’d fashioned… the one she’d held onto while waiting for him to find her, in the very center. She snuggled closer knowing that she didn’t need the belt as their hearts and souls were connected.