Free Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris Page A

dumped on the floor. Papers lay scattered across the floor.
    Joseph stood beside her, eyes wide, his fingers clutching his backpack. “Who would do this?”
    “I don’t know.” Natalie punched in Chad’s number as terror rose in her throat and sucked the air from her lungs.
    “Natalie?”
    “They’ve been here.” This time she didn’t try to erase the panic in her voice.
    “Get out of the house, Natalie. Now.”
    “I’m coming. I’ve got to grab my passport and some cash in case I can’t come back.” She rushed toward the tiny garage situated off of the living room, thankful she’d opted not to carry her ID in her purse.
    The door to the garage slammed open against the cement wall. Nothing looked touched in this part of the house. Something had scared the intruders away…unless they were still hiding…
    Pushing the thought aside, she scrambled toward the old sleeping bag and camping chair where she’d hidden a small safe. Her emergency backpack sat next to it. She’d packed it months ago, a “grab pack” with enough food, water, and other emergency items to last at least three days if conditions in the country turned completely sour. Maybe she should bring it along as well.
    “Natalie?”
    “Just a minute.” She laid the phone on the shelf beside her and opened the safe, then picked the phone back up.
    “Get out of there, Natalie.”
    Grabbing her passport and the backpack, she rushed outside with Joseph beside her. “I’m on my way.”

ELEVEN
    TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 12:34 P.M.
    KASILI HEALTH CENTER
    Chad gave Joseph a bottle of Coke, then handed Natalie the cup of steamy liquid he’d insisted she drink despite her protests that the weather was too hot for tea. She needed something to calm her nerves, and other than giving her a sedative, which he didn’t think was necessary, this was the next best option.
    She’d finally decided to comply and now sat across from him in a hard metal chair in the exam room. Joseph sat beside her, wearing the same trousers and red T-shirt from yesterday. The boy probably didn’t own more than two or three shirts, pants, and a school uniform.
    Chad watched as Natalie added another teaspoon of sugar from the tray and stirred her drink, the spoon clinking against the edge of the mug. For what she’d been through, she appeared remarkably put together. He’d listened to her story. Twice. Once for a general overview of what had happened and a second time for more details. Both times had left him feeling sick to his stomach.
    He couldn’t begin to imagine what she’d gone through the past few hours, let alone the distress Joseph must be feeling knowing his family had been kidnapped. Not that he hadn’t experienced the throes of terror himself. Hearing her tale awakened memories he’d prefer to leave buried in the recesses of his mind.
    She continued to sip her tea. Neither of them was in a hurry to discuss what should happen next. Even he wasn’t sure how to proceed. He might deal with clinical issues that did not always follow an exact pattern, but at least he had the skills to make an educated diagnosis. Facing the skeletons of a corrupt country and saving Joseph’s family would take more than intellect and contacts. It was going to take a miracle.
    He watched as Natalie brushed a strand of copper hair away from her eyes and leaned forward, holding the mug between her fingers and staring at the floor. Somehow, in the past twenty-four hours, she’d managed to draw him in and make him a part of her world.
    Natalie set her mug on the desk. “Do you want to see the photos now?”
    He’d been avoiding any visual images of the tragedy. Already the scene played out too vividly in his mind. Suppressing his growing desire to forget the entire situation, he reached for the stack of photos as the low hum of the fan stopped. The power was off again. He picked up the telephone with his free hand. Great—no power and no phone. They might as well be on the moon as far as