Page 9 of Thin Ice

“Nothing’s happened, but we can’t risk staying here any longer. We’re going to be transporting you to the chopper that we have stored out of the city. From there, we’ll move you and the president to our new headquarters where you’ll both be safe.”

Kinsley’s gaze shot to the man at her side. “I’ll only slow you down. You should go on without me.”

He maintained eye contact. “I’m not leaving you behind, Kinsley, and that’s that.”

Tears filled her eyes. Kinsley reached for the president’s hand and clutched it. The friendship between these two was easy to see.

“We’ll need to transfer you to a gurney so we can get you out to the van.” Abby looked to Victor. “I’ll need your help.”

He didn’t hesitate. “Whatever I can do.”

“Thanks. I’ll be right back.” Abby headed to the back door when she caught sight of Brookes standing nearby. The look on his face made her stop in her tracks.

“What is it?” She hurried over to him.

“I, uh, have bad news, Abby. I was able to make contact with James. He told me they picked up the signal to Nolan’s camera button earlier.” He swallowed visibly. “They heard the whole thing.” His shocked eyes latched onto hers. “He’s dead. One of Legion’s goons shot him. They, uh, apparently found the camera. Figured out he was working for us.”

She couldn’t get words out as tears clogged her throat. Brookes gathered her close and held her while she cried for a man whose only crime was trying to protect his family.

???

More than anything, Brookes wished he could take her pain away. Abby was a caring woman. He’d witnessed that time and again. She’d taken to Nolan right from the start. It was just her way. More than one time, she’d patched Brookes up. Listened to his fears. Knew all about the regrets he had over the lives he’d taken.

Because of her connection to him, she’d almost died after being run off the road in a car crash that the police deemed an accident. Only they didn’t know the truth. Abby had suffered several broken bones. When Brookes found out, he’d flown to the hospital and rescued her before Legion finished the job. He brought her to Strike Force headquarters and they’d been together ever since. He’d do anything for her. Even take a bullet if it saved her life.

Nearby, someone cleared their throat. Brookes spotted his sister over the top of Abby’s head. Hannah’s arched brow assured him she’d missed nothing.

He let Abby go. “We should get going,” he whispered and rolled the gurney his sister brought in from the van to the exam room where Kinsley waited.

“She’ll need more blood transfusions.” Hannah followed him inside the room and checked the bag. It was almost empty. She added a fresh one and laid the bag against Kinsley’s chest. “We’ll be as gentle as we can,” she told Kinsley. “On my count.” Hannah moved to the front of the bed. With the president at Kinsley’s feet, Abby took the opposite side.

Brookes wheeled the gurney up close to the exam table. On the count of three, they lifted their patient onto the gurney. Kinsley screamed and bit her lower lip. The jostling had taken its toll.

“Are you doing okay?” Hannah asked once she was secured on the gurney.

Kinsley opened her eyes and managed a nod through gritted teeth.

“Good. Let’s get you into the van.” With Brookes on one side and Hannah on the other, they wheeled Kinsley outside and into the waiting vehicle.

“As I said, there’s plenty of medical supplies. I see a lot of gunshot victims, so the van is prepared for that. I’ll get you some extra blood.” Hannah started away, but Brookes stopped her.

“You have to come with us. It’s not safe here.”

Hannah turned back to him. “I’ll be fine. No one knows I’m your foster sister.”

The thought of leaving her was unthinkable. “We can use you on our team, Hannah. These men are dangerous, and they’ll stop at nothing to get what they want. If they figure out your connection to me—”

Hannah stepped forward, took hold of his shoulders, and stared into his eyes. “I’m needed here. You go save the world, brother.”

Brookes hugged her close. “And you stay alive. This is a dangerous neighborhood, and there are lots of risks. Not to mention the men coming after us.”

She gave him a squeeze, then hurried inside the clinic. Brookes glanced around the darkened alley where a single streetlight provided enough light to see the rundown neighborhood. Every minute they were out in the open like this, he felt exposed. The one man who had escaped had seen both his and Abby’s faces. It wouldn’t be long before Legion sent their photos out to the public. Brookes couldn’t imagine the tale they’d weave to explain the president being alive, if they all survived this rescue attempt.

“It’s best if Victor rides in the back with us and out of sight. You’ll have to drive,” Abby told him. “They know what we look like now. I’m going to see if Hannah has a cap or something to help disguise your appearance.”

Abby stepped back inside.

Brookes went over to where the president stood beside the open van door.

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