Free And Then You Die by Iris Johansen Page B

she?”
    “Unconscious. I've managed to stop the bleeding. Unless there's internal bleeding. Where are we?”
    “Gulf of Mexico. I've located an aircraft carrier, the USS
Montana.
They'll have a doctor and full medical care. We should be down in ten minutes.” He headed back to the cockpit. “One way or the other.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Aircraft carriers don't like uninvited guests. They're proving a little difficult and threatening to shoot us down.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “Don't worry, I'll take care of it.”
    She cuddled Josie closer. She couldn't worry about anything but the baby. Let Kaldak take care of everything else.
     
    Esteban's fists clenched as he watched the lights of the helicopter fade in the distance.
    She was gone. She had escaped him.
    No.
    He drew a deep, ragged breath.
    Kaldak had taken her away. He was probably already thinking that she was out of Esteban's reach.
    He was wrong. There was always a way to bring down any prey. He would find her.
    “Tell the radioman to get up here, Perez.”
    The woman had to die. And no one was ever out of reach.
     
    Bess leaned her head on her hands. She felt utterly helpless.
    “The baby?”
    She looked up to see Kaldak standing beside her by Josie's bed.
    “Dr. Caudill did what he could,” she said wearily. “He thinks there's a severed vertebra but he's not a specialist.”
    “Do you want me to get one for you?”
    She smiled crookedly. “Are you going to kidnap a specialist and fly him to the aircraft carrier? Not a good idea. Captain Hodgell wasn't at all pleased to have us land here. You're right, we were lucky we weren't shot down on the approach.”
    “For all they knew, the helicopter could have been loaded with dynamite.” He shrugged. “It was the best I could do.”
    “It was a very good best. Thank you.”
    “You order. I obey.” He squatted down before her chair. “You didn't answer me. Do you want me to go for a specialist?”
    She shook her head. “That can wait. He wouldn't operate anyway until she's in better shape. She may not make it, Kaldak.”
    “When will you know?”
    “An hour, two. If she stabilizes . . .”
    He looked at the baby in the makeshift crib they'd fashioned out of the hospital bed. “Did she wake up?”
    “No.” She tried to steady her voice. “She may never wake up again.”
    “I've got a hunch she will. She came this far. She survived Tenajo. I don't think she's meant to die.”
    “And was she meant to be shot?” she asked fiercely. “She's a little baby. God shouldn't let things like this––”
    “Shh.” His hand closed over hers. “Don't blame God. Blame Esteban.”
    “I do blame Esteban. I want to burn him at the stake.”
    “Entirely understandable.” He released her hand, stood up, and headed for the door. “I'll be back in a minute. You need food, but I know I can't get you to eat. I'll bring coffee instead. It may be a long wait for us.”
    “You don't have to wait with me. There's nothing you can do.”
    He paused at the door. “I'm not doing it for you. I think Josie will know I'm here. I'll be right back.”
     
    It was four hours later that Josie's vital signs stabilized. An hour later she opened her eyes.
    “She's smiling,” Bess whispered in wonder.
    “I told you she wanted to live.” Kaldak gently touched the baby's cheek. “Some things are meant to be.”
    “I'm in no mood for philosophy. I still don't know if she's ever going to be able to take her first step.” But relief and joy were soaring within her. At least, the baby was going to live.
    “Dr. Caudill said the best man for spinal injuries is Dr. Harry Kenwood at Johns Hopkins,” Kaldak said. “I've arranged an air ambulance to take us there early tomorrow morning.”
    “You have?”
    “And now, I believe it's time for you to eat.” He wrinkled his nose. “And shower. Josie may have a relapse when she rouses enough to get a whiff of you.”
    “I'm surprised you bore with me all