Page 43 of Grave Peril

Rip handed her the coat. “Let’s go. There’s not a moment to spare. I’m going to proceed on the assumption that Ashlee is still alive…and that her life depends on us.”

It wasn’t the time to ask questions. Lela followed Rip out of the bathroom, and he led her out to the street. “The police will be looking for that car. We need to leave the area. But first I have to make an important call.”

*****

Rip could tell that Lela was in shock, but she was dealing with it pretty well. There was no choice but to move forward with the plan. He made a call to Travis.

“Talk to me, buddy.”

“I need backup, like, yesterday,” Rip said.

“I didn’t like how things were going,” Travis said. “So I already sent Hunter out there. He’s in the downtown area with a car. What do you need?”

In as few words as possible, Rip relayed the highlights of the shooting, and what he needed for Travis to arrange. “I figure that Ashlee was transported to the nearest hospital, so that’s where we’re headed. The cartel will be after her now, so we have to get to her first.”

“Loud and clear,” Travis said. “I’ll send Hunter your way. He’ll be at Park Plaza emergency in about twenty minutes.”

Rip prayed that wasn’t too long. On the next street over, he flagged a cab, then ushered Lela inside. The cabbie sped off toward the hospital.

On arrival, Rip went straight to the gift shop and left Lela in the hall facing away from any cameras. He didn’t have time to take her back to the hotel, so the best he could do was make her difficult to recognize. He bought some wraparound sunglasses, a scarf, and a hat.

He took the items to Lela and she put them on. It would have to do.

Rip held Lela’s hand, and they hovered near the emergency waiting room. Not long after, Hunter arrived. He wore beige pants, a brown jacket, and off-brand jogging shoes, blending in as much as he could. Although over six feet tall and built of solid muscle, he was hard to miss.

Hunter’s demeanor was that of a concerned relative. “How’s she doing?”

“I need you to find out. I couldn’t go up to the desk. I didn’t want to leave Lela that long,” Rip said.

“I’ll scope it out.” Hunter strode down the aisle to the admissions window. He leaned down with his elbows on the ledge and talked to the nurse. He would have to use his charm to get information, because he needed more than the patient’s room number.

Hunter returned. “Ashlee’s not in surgery. The bullet missed any vital organs and grazed her side—lots of blood but not fatal. She’s in critical care, and she’s conscious. Not receiving visitors yet.”

Lela sighed. “Thank God she’s okay.”

“We aren’t out of the woods yet,” Rip said. “We have to get her out of here.”

“Agreed,” Hunter said. “There’s no shield against the cartel except disappearing. On my way over, Travis filled me in on the plan.”

Then Rip’s phone vibrated; it was Ashlee. She must be calling on the safe phone Lela had given her. “I’m here.”

Her voice was weak, but the message clear. “Same cops…outside the door. I’m…scared.”

“Hang on. We’re coming for you. Keep your eyes closed, so if anyone checks, it looks like you’re sleeping.” Rip slipped the phone back into his pocket. “Shit, it’s those same cops…probably under orders to see what they can find out, as soon as she can have visitors.”

“Oh my God, that was Ashlee?” Lela said.

“She’s smart to alert us.” Rip guessed she had a pretty good idea of her fate, now that she’d been seen with Lela.

“Any ideas?” Hunter said.

“Just one, and it had better work.” Rip called his brother. “Axel, I need a favor, and I need it fast.” He relayed only what he had to, and asked his brother to distract the cops.

“You ask a lot,” Axel said. “I heard about the shooting, but those cops are from another precinct. I’ll do my best, but it will take a few minutes.”

“We’ll be waiting.” Rip suggested they loiter in the cafeteria, a place where hanging around would go unnoticed. As the minutes ticked by, he was increasingly anxious.

Lela sipped her third cup of coffee. “What if he can’t distract those cops?”

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