Page 28 of Rescued Heart

Bianca clung to the woman’s hand. “I promised her I wouldn’t leave.”

Eddie shoved the piece of board to the ground. “And I promise you’ll make it harder for us if you’re in the way.”

Bianca’s eyes speared him, but then she released her grip and climbed through the jagged debris.

Eddie took the vacant spot beside Heidi, who breathed quick, shallow breaths. Her eyes closed and her fingers fisted the sides of her pants.

Bryce moved a splintered section of a two-by-four and wedged it under the gap beside the woman. But the heap didn’t move. “We need the other jack.”

Both Zack and Ridge raced toward them, the jack in hand along with the brace and stretcher.

Eddie placed his face in front of Heidi’s. Her coloring had paled even more.

Ridge adjusted a yellow backboard beside the woman. “What’s the plan?”

Zack set the other jack down.

Eddie took out his flashlight and shined it into the space the previous jack had lifted. “Her leg’s pinned farther back.”

Eddie took the other jack. “I’ll go in deeper and set the jack.”

Bryce shook his head. “The heap might cave in. It will be safer to do it from the outside.”

Bianca stepped into the debris, closer to the woman again. No. He had to get that woman out of here before she did something crazy, like go in the hole herself.

Eddie gritted his teeth. “Safer for me, but would it be quicker for her?”

Bryce held his gaze. Then nodded. “Get it done.”

Eddie shifted over the piece of wood that held the first jack. He pushed in the second jack, then quickly pumped it. Once. Twice. His heartbeat thumped at twice the rhythm.

Ridge readied the fasteners on the brace and lowered beside Heidi. “I’m going to place this around your neck.”

“Rice, I think we’re clear enough,” said Zack.

Eddie paused and glanced at the team.

Bryce leaned over the woman’s face. “Ma’am, we’re going to get you out of here on the count of three.”

Zack and Ridge took over the positions around Heidi as Eddie held the jack level.

“One. Two. Three!” Bryce yelled as they transferred Heidi over to the board.

Eddie eased down the second jack, but a section of wood on the ground made him stop. Deep V cuts had been sawn into the board.

“Foster and Stephens, get her to the ambulance,” Bryce commanded.

Eddie picked up the sawed board. “Lieutenant.”

Bryce turned.

Eddie shoved aside a section of smashed ceiling tile and grabbed another piece of wood that had identical cuts. “Please tell me I’m seeing things and these aren’t cuts to weaken the structure.”

Bryce’s shoulders sank as if he’d sighed internally. “We are on a movie set. Maybe, like the wire, those boards are props.” He lifted his gaze. Another security guard stood behind a woman wearing glasses next to Bianca.

As Bryce waved him over, the balding guard first pointed to his chest and then jogged over.

“Yes, sir?” He looked at Bryce and then flicked his gaze to Eddie.

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