Page 7 of Thin Ice

Brookes stepped into the room. “How’s she doing?”

Abby faced him. “Holding her own. She’s strong. That’ll work in her favor.”

“So, we wait.”

“Yes, we wait.” Abby knew exactly what he was thinking. Time was their enemy. And they didn’t have a whole lot of it.

Hannah turned to Brookes. “Come with me to the exam room next door. I’ll take a look at that bullet wound. I’ll be right back,” she told Abby and then followed Brookes from the room.

Abby checked Agent Allison’s vitals. Weak but steady.

“You think she’ll make it?” Abby turned to find the president standing near the unconscious Agent Allison.

“I’m hopeful.” She wouldn’t lie to him. “There’s been no major damage internally, which is a miracle in itself. She’s in God’s hands now.” Abby faced him. There was something pressing she had to ask. “Mr. President, the people responsible for taking you can’t afford to let you live. It will expose their lies. We need to get you out of Washington D.C. immediately.”

He immediately rejected the idea. “I’m not leaving her. Kinsley has been at my side for years. She was there for me when I lost my wife two years ago. She’s been a friend and a protector. I won’t leave her behind.”

“Mr. President, our chances of escaping are getting slimmer with each second we’re not in the air.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s settled. . .“ He paused for a moment. “I’m afraid I don’t even know your name.”

Abby slowly smiled. She admired his loyalty and prayed it wouldn’t cost him his life. “It’s Abby Temple. My partner is Brookes Zachary. We’re part of the Strike Team you organized.”

He nodded. “I thought as much. Victor Douglas.” He shook her hand and winced.

“You’re hurt?” She’d been so worried about Kinsley that she didn’t think to ask. “Here, let me have a look at it.”

“It’s nothing. Probably a sprain. The men who took us smashed it up.” He watched her examine the injury for a second. “I’ve been out of touch since the kidnapping. What’s been happening?”

She hated to have to tell him about the bombings around the country and the world. The lies former Vice President Kincaid had voiced to become president and sell out the country’s freedom to Legion. “Kincaid announced to the world that you were dead. And then he was sworn in as president.”

All the color drained from Douglas’s face. “I can’t believe it. I trusted David completely. Thought he was a good man who had my back.” His eyes filled with disbelief. “But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Legion’s men were allowed to take me because several members of the secret service were working for them.” He blew out a breath. “This is unbelievable.”

“Which is why we need you alive. If we show the world that you’re alive and expose Legion’s lies, we stand a chance of winning over public opinion. We need this. We can’t let them win, Mr. President.”

“Please, it’s Victor, and the American people are smart. They’ll see the truth with our help.” He glanced down at Kinsley. “Is everyone on the team safe for now? How is Cole?”

“He’s better.” She told him about having to flee their compound and about Nolan Emerson, the former CIA agent, working for them as a mole within Legion. “Martin Collins is the one calling the shots for Legion. And he’ll stop at nothing to gain absolute power.”

“This is most shocking.” Victor shook his head.

Abby finished her exam. “Nothing appears to be broken.” She looked him in the eye before wrapping the injury. A whisper of a sound nearby captured both their attention.

Abby swung back to her patient. Kinsley Allison was waking.

Victor hurried to his agent’s side and clasped her hand. “Kinsley, it’s me. Can you hear me?”

The woman struggled to open her eyes before slowly nodding. “What happened? I remember being shot—” Her raspy voice trailed off.

“Kinsley, my name is Abby Temple. My partner and I rescued you and the president a little while ago. We brought you to a local clinic. My partner knows the doctor, so you’re safe,” she added when the agent’s attention snapped her way. “You’ve lost a lot of blood, but the good news is there’s no internal damage. You need to rest, though.” Abby examined the wound once more. No sign the bleeding had started again.

“We’re still in D.C.? We can’t stay here.” Kinsley grew apprehensive.

“Let us worry about that. Once you’re strong enough to travel, we’ll get both you and the president out of here.”

Victor squeezed her hand. “Rest now, Kinsley. Let us take care of you for once.”

The agent managed a weak smile before she closed her eyes.

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