“Okay. Well, I hope you know what you’re doing. I mean, Shannon, there’s a bomber out there, and it’s not safe.”
“Tell me about it.”
“I don’t like the idea you’re out there all alone, Shannon. Are you sure you’re doing what’s smart?”
“I’m just trying to be safe.”
Shannon heard a knock on her door, which jolted her senses.
“What was that?” asked Judie.
“Someone’s at the door. But only Jared knows I’m here.”
“Hotel security, ma’am. We need to speak to you for a second.” The muffled message came through.
“Don’t open that door, Shannon. Call the police. Better yet, let me call them.”
“They say they’re hotel security.”
“No. Do. Not. Open. That. Door,” Judie insisted.
A small explosive charge blew the handle off the door. In her shock, Shannon dropped the phone to the floor. As the opening swung inside, through a small cloud of white smoke, a man dressed in all black entered, charging straight at her. She had nowhere to run, but she tried to protect herself with the TV stand and desk at the foot of her bed. He crashed through, sending the lamp and the monitor to the floor in pieces.
Shannon could still hear Judie screaming on the phone. The man lunged for her, caught her around the waist, and pulled her like a rag doll toward him.
She was keenly aware of the fact that she had no idea what to do to fend this attacker off. He applied pressure with his hand at the side of her neck and the room began to spin, blackness creeping into her vision until there was only a spark left.
Her last thoughts were the realization that if she survived this night, she’d never let this happen to her again. She’d learn how to treat her body as a weapon. And there was only one person in the world who could teach her how to do that.
And he was lying in a hospital bed trying to find her.
Chapter 14
Marco was frustrated, trying to think and work with his team even though his mind and senses were dulled. Several nurses tried to get his visitors removed with no luck. Finally, they reached Dr. Patel, who showed up at the door like the Grim Reaper.
“Stop. Stop all this.” He surged across the room and stood over the bed, his face about to explode in a flurry of bitter words.
Marco interrupted his fury. “It’s a life-or-death thing. Shannon is in danger.” He showed Dr. Patel the picture on his cell. “Even if I wanted to, I won’t be able to relax, doc.” His head fell back into the pillow.
“I don’t even understand how come you’re still awake, Marco. You’re threatening the surgery, and in a way, threatening your own health and safety. I cannot be responsible for this.”
Art stepped forward, introducing himself. “Dr. Patel, this person,” he said, pointing to Marco’s cell, “texted this picture from Shannon’s cell, the same one that was stolen at the television station yesterday when the bomb went off. That makes a direct connection. We have to find her before he makes good on his promise.”
Patel looked at the faces of the five team members who were conferring, taking notes, talking on the phone, or standing at the ready, waiting for instructions.
“Then, if it’s that important, we must figure out a quick solution, because this man needs surgery tomorrow morning. If it’s postponed, I’m not sure we’ll get the same result and with a full calendar, they may not be able to accommodate him. Just so you understand, you have to wrap this up.” He looked at his watch. “I give you twenty minutes only. Then, I’m going to make everyone leave, and I’m going to personally confiscate his cell phone.”
The room was quiet. Several nurses stood in the doorway awaiting instructions from the doctor. It was a brief standoff.
“That’s what we’re going to do then,” said Marco. “Get everyone up who can help out. We must find Shannon. I want all of you to re-contact everyone you’ve been in touch with and check for updates on her sighting. And has anyone reached Jared?”
“I just did,” said Rhea. “You want to talk to him, Marco? I got him on speaker.”
“Yes.” He was feeling fully awake now. He grabbed her cell.
“What the hell’s going on there?” Jared shouted.
Marco ignored him. “Where’s Shannon?”
“Well, um.”
“Shut the fuck up and tell me. I have your picture, sitting with her at a restaurant. The text underneath said I’d never see her again. So, where the fuck is she? If something happens to her I’m going to personally hold you responsible.”
“Oh, Geez. That means—”
“Means what?”
Someone from the background shouted out, “I have Judie. She says someone broke into her room.”
Marco screamed across the room, nearly ripping himself out of the bed, “Where?”
“She doesn’t know,” came the answer.
“Did you hear that? Judie says someone broke into her room.” Marco was ready to launch into another tirade, but Jared blurted out,
“Wyndham Clearwater.”
“We’re on it. Have the cops meet us there, Rhea,” said Forest. Art and Kevin left with him.
“I’ll meet them there as well. I didn’t anticipate all this,” Jared said before he signed off.
Marco was already giving him a piece of his mind when he discovered Jared was no longer on the line. He felt like he was about to explode. He drew his arm back, the drugs pulling back the veil of his control, intending to throw the phone into the wall.
“Wait!” shouted Rhea. “That’s my phone.” She yanked it back and handed it to Dax. “Marco, you have to get right in the head. You’re not thinking.”
Dax looked up at Dr. Patel. “He’s not going to hear back in time. You gotta let him stay up until they locate her. Please.”
Patel paced the room, then turned to Marco. “Give your phone to your crew, Marco. If there is news, I will instruct them to come in and disturb you, let you know.”
Marco shook his head. “No. We have to postpone this surgery. I gotta get out of here. I can’t have—”
“Even if you weren’t having surgery the answer is no. You’re in a semi-sterile environment here, one I can manage. Even if you could navigate outside, and you can’t, you move that leg around and you could disturb all the alignments, I’d have to go in and operate again. You run the risk of losing your leg. You were that close,” he said, using his fingers to show. “We’re building up your blood supply, cutting it close as it is, but no, it’s out of the question, what you’re thinking. I know what you’re going through—”
“Do you?” Marco barked back.
“Boss, I’ll stay right here all night if I have to. The doc’s right. Try to get some rest,” pleaded Rhea.
Dax was checking Rhea’s phone. “Forest has already contacted hotel security and the surveillance footage from the lobby area will be available to the team when they get there. They’re restricting all movement out of the hotel. Police are five minutes away.”
“All right. We’ve done all we can. I want the two of you out. Marco, your phone.” Dr. Patel held his hand out. Marco reluctantly gave it up. Dax and Rhea were ushered out, Rhea whispering assurances as she was literally forced from the room.