Nina winced before looking over at Emily.
Emily’s eyes had gone blank.
Jake shook his head in amazement. “I don’t believe you’re even asking her that, Drayton. Do you really think she’ll help the man who murdered her husband?”
Parker’s eyes blazed with anger. “Must you bring that up now?”
“What other time should I bring it up?”
“You want him to die, too?” Parker spat. “Is that it?”
“You can work that out for yourself,” Jake retorted. “We may have to move on from here if the weather gets colder.” He sent Hugh a flinty smile. “We can’t bring someone who can’t walk with us. How unfortunate.”
Parker just stared at him.
Jake arched his brows. “Finally comprehending what Emily’s going through?”
“I always have.”
“Like hell.”
Emily got to her feet. “I need....I need to head back inside. I don’t want any more water.”
“Emily,” Parker implored. His uninjured arm flailed out to stop her departure. “Please,” he begged. “You helped me with my arm. You put it in this sling.” He gestured to his wrapped arm. “Hugh doesn’t deserve your help, we all know that, but please help him. I’m begging you.”
Emily looked away.
Nina’s throat closed.
Parker continued. “If I could turn things around and bring Ben back, I would. In a heartbeat. You know that.” His eyes pleaded with her. “I’m begging you. This looks serious.” He turned back to inspect the injury once more. “It will only get worse if it’s not treated.”
Hugh groaned and then coughed. “I’m – I’m sorry about Ben, Emily,” he gasped. “I really am. I was...it was.” He grunted with the effort of speaking. “P - Please help me.”
No one moved or said so much as a word as Emily remained unmoving.
What an awful position to be in, Nina thought, feeling sorry that Emily had been put in such a positon. Different emotions ran over the woman’s face, so easy for Nina to read. Anger. Pain. Resentment. Her defensive posture would have told of the mental battle she experienced even if her expression didn’t.
If she refused, none of them would blame her. Neither would any of them judge her. Out of all of them so far, she’d lost the most and suffered the most. And now here she stood, the only one who could help the person who’d caused her suffering.
“Emily,” Parker begged. “Will you help?”
Chapter 15
––––––––
Eyes full of turmoil, Emily glanced at Jake. “Please pass the rucksack to me.” Her lips barely moved as she said it.
Nina watched as Jake slowly did so. Then with a resentful glance down at Hugh, Jake rose and headed back into the cave.
“There should be...sterile dressing and solution in here,” Emily whispered. And with jerky, tired movements, she rummaged through the rucksack. “Ben always packs – packed them.” She pulled out a small bottle of antiseptic and some dressing tape; she moved to swap places with Parker to sit beside Hugh. Carefully, she ran her hands down each side of Hugh’s body, checking for broken bones. Keeping her eyes from Hugh’s face, Emily opened a bottle labeled saline solution. It was practically frozen, and she had to rub it between her palms for some minutes before being able to pour even a small amount onto the affected area on Hugh’s leg. Though her fingers were red from the cold, they were steady and efficient. She was clearly not squeamish about the blood seeping from the wound.
Nina couldn’t help but admire the other woman. Hugh had his eyes closed now as Emily worked on his leg, and Nina could only hope that he realized how fortunate he was. The fact that Emily not only knew what she was doing, but was willing to help him, was beyond admirable. “Can you set the bone back to normal?” she asked Emily.
Emily wiped her hands on a tissue taken from the rucksack. “No. It’s broken below the knee joint which is good news, but I’m going to have to splint it.”
“Splint it?” Parker leaned anxiously over Hugh. “What’s that?”
Hugh moaned. “Will it hurt?”
“It won’t hurt, and it will help. It just ties the leg to something straight so it won’t be misaligned further. A stick would be good.”
“Stick?” Parker looked at Emily in disbelief. “We’re surrounded by snow, not trees.”
“Is there a spare item of clothing I can use to tie the leg to his other one?” she asked Justin. “He won’t be doing much walking, of course.”
Hugh jerked his head, hissing through his teeth at the pain. “In my room,” he managed. “The one I took off earlier.”
“Justin?” Parker began.
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll get it. What color is it, Hugh?”
“Dark...blue,” Hugh gasped, looking down at his leg as Justin departed.
Nina struggled to her feet. “I’m heading back in.” Though they had only been out for an hour or so, it seemed much longer, and she was desperate for warmth. “Do you need my help with anything before I go back in, Emily?”
Emily gave her a small smile. “No, I’ll be fine. Thanks, Nina.”
Jake stood just inside the cave staring up at the candle when Nina entered the cave. He’d changed into dry clean clothing, making her feel even grubbier than ever. She’d kill for dry clean clothes but she had nothing but what she currently wore.
“Emily’s got a strong stomach,” she remarked as she passed him.
He only nodded, keeping his eyes on the steady candle.
She stopped, remembering something he’d said yesterday. “So have you prayed yet?”
He turned from the candle with a baffled expression. “Hmm?”
She smiled. “Have you prayed yet?” She rubbed at her sore hip. How stupid to have let her morbid curiosity over Hugh’s injury delay her from going inside where it was nice and warm?
Jake arched a brow. “You think the Almighty’s out here in this forgotten stretch of the backcountry?” He sighed, and then shrugged. “Pray by all means.” His eyes shifted towards Justin as the younger man came towards them carrying a navy jumper. Casting both of them a quick look, Justin edged past them without saying a word.
Nina headed to her and Angela’s room.
Angela lay belly down on her bed, her face turned toward the door when Nina entered. She pried one eye open. “You’re back.”
“I am.” Getting her handbag, Nina unzipped it. The only toiletries inside were balm and a slim comb. They would have to do. “Gosh, Ange, I feel so grubby. It’s disgusting.”
“You should’ve come in with me and changed instead of staying outside and watching that idiot complain about what he caused.”
“I wasn’t watching because I cared about what happened to him, I was just curious.”
“Did she help him?” Angela demanded.
Nina sent her a look. “She did.”
They looked at each other for a moment.
“She’s more forgiving than I am,” Nina muttered.
“And me,” Angela stated. “I would’ve let his stupid leg fall off.” She squeezed her eyes shut briefly. “I can’t believe we’re in this situation. I keep hoping that I’m going to wake up and realize it was just a bad dream. But I’m not dreaming am I?”
“No.” Nina stared down at her handbag and thought of her lost luggage. It had been full of clothes she’d envisioned wearing while meeting potential clients. She’d also brought a bundle of client files with her for the meetings Parker had arranged. But all those things were lost to her now.
“I keep thinking of my Derek and Jessie back in London,” Angela murmured. “I don’t know how Emily is coping with the loss of Ben.”
The back of Nina’s eyes stung with tears. “Don’t think of it, Ange. Emily has to try and focus on getting out of here too. It’s the only way we’ll all get through this.”
“Yes,” Angela whispered, but she shivered despite the warmth of the cave. “Yes, you’re right.”
They s
at quietly for several minutes before Nina took the small tube of balm and applied it to the cuts and bruises marring her skin.” She held up the tube of balm to Angela. “Want some?”
“I wish I had my own handbag with me still.” Angela’s bottom lip trembled. “But mine wasn’t a cross-body bag, and so I didn’t have it on me when the jet went down.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m just lucky I had my asthma pump in my pocket.”
Reaching over, Nina covered Angela’s shaking hand with hers. “We’ll be okay.” I hope. “Have some of this.” She held out the soothing balm.
With a sigh Angela took the cream. “Thanks.” Rolling up her sleeves, she applied the balm to her wrists, elbows, and thighs. “Is this the only balm you’ve got?”
“Afraid so.”
A sudden commotion at the cave entrance had them turning toward the exit of their room. Parker was issuing rapid instructions, Hugh was moaning, and Justin was snarling. Emily’s voice came a second later, calm and measured. A moment later, Parker and Justin staggered past Nina and Angela’s room, each carrying Hugh. Emily followed silently behind and soon after.
Turning away, Nina settled down onto her sleeping platform and fell into a restless sleep filled with smoke and fire.
Chapter 16
––––––––
She awoke a few hours later. Angela remained sleeping, snoring gently, and Nina sighed in relief. Angela hadn’t been experiencing the same irregular sleeping patterns as she, and she was pleased about that. No doubt Angela dreamt of her daughter and husband back in London. She of course thought of her siblings. Most of them had family to return to. And even though Emily and Jake didn’t, they still, of course, wanted to return home.
As if she’d conjured Emily up by merely thinking about her, Emily walked past their room.
“Emily?” Nina pushed herself up on one elbow.
Emily appeared in the doorway a second later. “Nina. You’re up.”
Nina struggled to sit up fully. “You okay?”
“Sure.” Emily stared at her.
Feeling uncomfortable under Emily’s scrutiny, Nina lifted her hand to her hair and felt the single thick braid she’d plaited last night still in place. She didn’t think she could look that hideous, despite how Emily was staring at her. “Where are you going?” she asked.
Emily smiled. “Just for a walk to stretch my legs.”
“Now?” Nina frowned. They’d only returned from their last break a couple of hours ago.
Angela stirred.
“I get achy if I’m inactive for long periods of time.” Emily shrugged. “An occupational hazard of being an air hostess I suppose.”
Angela yawned and stretched, reminding Nina of a cat. With another yawn, Angela opened her eyes and smiled when she spotted Emily. “Hey, how’re you doing?”
“I think it’s Hugh you should be asking.” Emily’s mouth gave a small smile. “He’s in more pain than any of us. But...”
“He brought the pain upon himself,” Angela responded shortly.
Emily sighed. “I know, but Parker was right. We can’t change the past.” Her voice hitched, and she looked away.
Nina and Angela stared at her. “That’s...very admirable,” Nina admitted. Angela murmured something in agreement.
Emily turned to leave. “Well, I’ll see you later.”
“Maybe we can go with you,” Nina offered reluctantly. “I don’t think any of us should go out alone.”
Emily looked amused. “I’m just going for a short walk.”
“Still...”
“Neen’s right,” Angela sighed. “I don’t feel like going out again, but it’s best that no one goes out on their own.”
“You guys sure about this? I feel guilty about dragging you out–”
“No need,” Angela assured her. “We’re all in this together.”
Once Nina and Angela were ready, they all headed out. “Oh.” Nina started to turn back, “let me tell Neil and Jake where we’re going. They–”
“I’ve already told Jake,” Emily said easily. “He said he’ll tell the others and then join us.”
Nina relaxed. “Great. Let’s go.”
––––––––
Much of the sun had disappeared now; the air was crisper, too. Nina huddled under the warmth of her scarf. Regardless of what Jake had said about their chances of being rescued, having people know of their predicament made a huge difference to her mental state.
She frowned down at Emily’s left leg, only now noticing the other woman limping as she walked between her and Angela. “Are you okay, Emily? You’ve hurt your leg, too?”
Angela glanced down at Emily’s leg too before pulling out her inhaler and taking a puff.
Emily’s mouth twitched in amusement. “I’ve hurt a lot of things.”
“Maybe we should turn back?” Angela suggested, slipping her inhaler back into her pocket.
“You two can by all means.” Emily kept walking.
Nina’s gaze skimmed the mountains in the horizon. Nothing like being out in the great outdoors, she thought then rolled her eyes. Ha. She’d take indoor plumbing and central heating any day of the week.
“Did you bring your phones to see if you can get another signal?” Emily asked.
“I lost my phone with the jet,” Angela muttered.
Nina swore under her breath. “I still have mine, but I forgot to bring it.” Furious with herself, she stopped walking. “What was I thinking?”
Angela stopped with her. “Want to go back and get it?”
“Please. Emily?” Nina called. The other woman hadn’t broken her limping stride and was now several feet ahead. “Let’s go back. We need to get our phones.”
“You two can go back if you want. I’m not going to.”
Nina’s face stiffened.
“I doubt much could have changed with the signal so quickly,” Angela reasoned. “We’ll try again later with the others. Jake is bound to want to check his phone for messages.”
“Okay.”
They continued in silence, all three of them lost in their own thoughts. Emily still led by several yards. They took the same route they had earlier with the others. The stretch of low, even snow made walking more bearable than the dips of the uneven terrain they’d encountered soon after escaping the crashed jet.
“It’s so peaceful out here, isn’t it?” Emily called out dreamily when they eventually reached the frozen lake. She walked around to the other side of it and stared down at the glistening surface.
Restless, Nina shifted from one booted foot to the other. “I don’t find anything out here peaceful.” She found no peace in being stranded. She raised her eyes to the mountains. They seemed to be closing in on her, and it made her claustrophobic. “We haven’t seen anyone else since we arrived.” She tugged her scarf up so it covered most of her face. “We’re alone.”
“Of course, we’re alone.” Emily sounded amused. “Who visits the backcountry? It’s a place to die, not a place to visit.”
Nina stiffened. “No one else is dying, Emily.”
“You’re wrong.” Emily kept her eyes on the frozen surface of the lake. “We’re all going to end up dead. Dead and forgotten. Just like my Ben.”
Angela started towards her with her hand extended in compassion. “Emily...”
Emily’s head shot up, light brown eyes stopping Angela in mid-stride. “Don’t come near me.”
Shocked at the coldness in the other woman’s voice, Nina and Angela exchanged stunned glances.
“Ah, Emily...” Nina tried to shake off a sudden feeling of dread. “What happened to Ben was...” She gulped, grappling for the right words. “What happened to Ben was...was just...awful. Horrible. But–” She broke off, stunned when Emily began making childlike faces into the reflection of the frozen lake. Nina wet her lips and glanced back over her shoulder. Where was Jake? He knew how to calm Emily.
“It’s okay,” Emily announced. “Ben and I will be together
again soon.”
Nina exchanged a horrified glance with Angela. “But...Ben’s not here, Emily.” Then Nina’s throat closed when Emily began undressing.
“What are you doing?” Angela gasped. “It’s freezing out here! You’ll catch your death.”
“Emily.” Fear and panic clawing at her, Nina started toward the woman who now stood at the other side of the lake from her and Angela.
Emily stopped her with an icy glare. “I told you not to come near me.”
Fear made Nina’s stomach churn. “You said that to Ange.” But she halted her approach.
“Same thing.” Emily unbuttoned her trousers, shifting a bit as she did so.
Gloved hands clasped together, Angela offered the woman a reassuring smile that didn’t even begin to mask the panic in her dark eyes. “W-why don’t we talk about this, Emily?” Anxiety raked her words, making them sound thin and fractured. “We haven’t talked about what happened to Ben. Let’s talk now.”
Nina closed her eyes in relief. Well done, Ange. “Ange is right, Emily. Let’s talk about it. Just the three of us. Women talk. We can–”
“No, thank you.” Emily’s calm response made chills race up Nina’s spine.
Untying her hair from its knot, Emily fluffed it out so it fell to her shoulders in bouncy brown curls. Then bending at the waist, she pulled something long and wooden from the inside left leg of her trousers.
Recognition hit Nina, and her mouth went dry.
Ben’s wooden cricket bat.
Nina remembered the copilot holding it at Heathrow in the VIP lounge. “W-where did that come from?” Her hands shook as she watched Emily place the bat on the ground beside her feet.
Emily gave a secret smile. “It’s Ben’s. It was in the cockpit. I grabbed it on the way out of the jet. I couldn’t save Ben. But at least this is something I was able to get hold of that reminds me of him.” She had stripped down to her bra, long ski pants, and boots. She didn’t seem to notice how the frigid weather was causing goosebumps to break out all over her pale arms and stomach. “It’s a great piece of craftsmanship. Ben always said so.” Picking up the bat, she twirled it between her now ungloved hands like a sword she couldn’t wait to wield.
Spiral and Torn Books 1 and 2 of The Salzburg Saga Trilogy Page 12
