Page 60 of Atone in Darkness
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MARISOL CLOSED HEReyes and tried to rest. It was hard to shut out all the racket made by the helicopter, but at least the noise prevented conversation. Time had lost all meaning for her. So much had happened since she and Chase had awoken that morning in each other’s arms.
Scenes played out like a disjointed movie in her head. The guards attacking.Edgar being murdered. The timely arrival of Chase’s friends. The bullet that had ripped through his body. The desperate attempts to save him, including Larem shoving a bloody knife into his chest. The return to the compound, the last place she ever wanted to see again.
And now, her second helicopter ride in one day. She wasn’t sure if the queasiness in her stomach stemmed from the rough rideor from her worry about Chase.
“Hey, Doc, wake up. We’re almost there.”
Even though she hadn’t really been asleep, Devlin’s bellow over the nose of the chopper startled her. Glancing out the window, she studied the terrain below. Although most cities looked pretty much alike to her, the Space Needle made Seattle pretty distinctive. Evidently she and Chase hadguessed right about the compoundbeing located somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Her stomach did an uncomfortable lurch as the helicopter swooped down to land on a rooftop right in the heart of the city. Devlin exited first and then offered her his hand to help her climb out. When her legs remained a bit wobbly, he held on to her with surprising gentleness. The helicopter was already lifting off by the time the two of themreached the door that led inside the building.
Once they were inside, Devlin released his hold on her. “You okay?”
“Yes, thanks.”
A black SUV was waiting for them in the parking garage. Devlin held open the front passenger door for her and then climbed in back.
The driver glanced at her, his steel-gray eyes studying her. “Dr. Riggs, as usual Devlin has forgotten his manners. I’m Blake Trahern.”
“Nice to meet you.”
At least one of the two men in the car wasn’t overtly hostile to her. Maybe he’d answer the only question that mattered. “Any news on how Chase is doing?”
Trahern’s jaw tightened. “Nothing’s changed, but at least he hasn’t gotten worse. He’s been sedated, but Dr. Young plans to wean him off that once you get there.”
She glanced back at Devlin. “Everyone has been pretty upfront about not wanting me anywhere near your headquarters. For what it’s worth, I promise not to reveal anything about what I see or learn while I’m there.”
He looked skeptical but didn’t say anything.
She was getting so tired of his attitude. “You and most of your buddies don’t mean a darn thing to me, but Chase does. No matter what you think, I wouldn’t do anything that would put him at furtherrisk.”
“She’s tougher than she looks, Devlin.”
Then Trahern grinned at her. For some reason, she suspected he didn’t do that easily. “Thanks, Mr. Trahern.”
“Call me Blake or Trahern. Either works just fine.”
He maneuvered the car through the city traffic with ease. “You’ll need to be tough to deal with what you’ll be facing. Before we were married, my wife talked me back from where Chase isright now. It was hell for her, but she’s a strong woman, too. I wouldn’t be here today if she hadn’t been.”
He gave her another hard look when they stopped at a red light. “Brenna is waiting at headquarters where they have Chase. I don’t know what advice she might have for you, but we thought it might be helpful for you to talk to someone who’s been there, done that.”
“Smart thinking.”
Thatcame from the man in the backseat, which surprised her. Then he let out a big sigh. “Listen, Dr. Riggs, I know we’ve been hard on you. I won’t apologize for that, but anything you can do for Chase will be appreciated.”
Halfway down the next block, Trahern turned into a parking garage. The three of them left the SUV and walked into a nearby building. Guards waved them through security to wherea dark-haired woman stood waiting.
Trahern performed the introductions. “Dr. Riggs, this is my wife, Brenna.”
Brenna offered her a small smile. “Sorry we had to meet under these circumstances.”
She turned back toward her husband. “Why don’t you and Devlin go have a cup a coffee and something to eat? Dr. Riggs will feel freer to ask me questions without the two of you lurking over her shoulder.”
Neither man looked happy about her request, but they finally disappeared down the hall. When they were out of sight, Brenna led Marisol through a pair of swinging doors into a nearby room. To her surprise, it was a medical ward that looked to be outfitted with all the latest equipment.
From there, they veered off into a small room that held a machine she’d never seen before, a rolling stool,and a bed. “Have a seat. Just so you know, this room is soundproof, so anything we say will be private. Laurel will join us in a few minutes to update you on Chase’s condition and what the plan is going forward. For now, what can I do to help?”
