Page 50 of Baring All
“Copy that, three-one-seven. Stand by for assistance.”
“We also require three ambulances on site. Besides the driver, we have two pedestrians down on the zebra crossing. I’m about to assess their injuries now.”
“Request acknowledged. Assistance is en route.”
“Thanks, Dispatch. Three-one-seven over and out.”
My blood runs cold as I reach the two women on the crossing and realize who it is. Going down on a knee at her side, I hear Agatha call Indigo’s name.
“Agatha.” She whips her head around to look in my direction. “Easy there.”
“Oh God, Eloise. I’m so glad you’re here. Indigo won’t wake up.”
“Okay, we’ll take care of her – of you both. Help is on the way. In the meantime, are you hurt?”
“Other than bumps and scrapes, I’m fine. I’m worried about Indie. She pushed me out of the way but couldn’t get herself clear in time. And now she won’t wake up.” Agatha’s tearful voice wobbles on the last words.
Wrapping an arm around her sideways, I give her a gentle squeeze. The wail of sirens pierces the cacophony of sound around us. The crowd has grown substantially in the short while we’ve been on scene. Thankfully, more officers have arrived to help with crowd control. “Hang tight, honey. Help’s on the way. But for now, why don’t you sit here next to Indie while I check on her real quick. Yeah?”
“Yeah, okay.”
I check for breathing and a pulse, relieved to find both.
“Hey, Mason. What you got for us today?”
I get to my feet, moving out of the way. “Hey, Barrett. Patient’s Indigo Jones –” I turn to Agatha to ask how old Indigo is. “Thirty-one years old. Went to push your second patient out of the way of a speeding vehicle.” I indicate the sedan. “Managed to get her friend out of the way, took the hit herself. Not sure how she got knocked out but has been out since we arrived. She’s breathing fine, pulse is strong if a little fast.”
“Great, thanks.” Barrett kneels beside Indigo, her partner Clark going to Agatha.
“Ma’am, does it hurt anywhere?” Clark asks.
“Everywhere, nothing serious though. It doesn’t feel like anything’s broken,” Agatha replies. “What about my friend? Is she okay.”
“My colleague is taking care of her. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
An almighty screech rends the air as the rescue team pry the door of the wrecked vehicle open. For a moment, the driver is clearly visible. Agatha’s gasp has me swinging my head back to look at her. Her gaze firmly on the woman pinned in the car, a look of horror crosses her face before a mask of rage takes its place.
She struggles to her feet and makes to rush across the road. Quick as a flash, the EMT steps in front of Agatha to cut her off. “Ma’am, you need to remain calm. I haven’t even finished examining you yet.”
“Oh my God, that’s her. That’s – Eloise, that’s her. The bitch is trying to kill me. But she hurt Indie instead.”
The paramedic and I glance at each other, and I can almost hear his thoughts. Maybe she hit her head after all. But Agatha’s next words convince me otherwise.
“Agatha –”
“I’m not crazy. That’s Izabella Perez. She’s the one that took us hostage on Isla De Perlas, and then abandoned her men when the guys saved us.”
Well shit. I did not see that coming. I step close enough to Clark that only he can hear my words. “Do not, under any circumstances, let her go. I’m going over to talk to Hunter. Hold onto her, yeah?”
“Gotcha. On it.” He nods.
Reaching my partner, I draw him aside. “Hey, we’ve got a bit of a situation. Our driver is, apparently, the one wanted for the hostage situation on Isla De Perlas a little while back. I have visual confirmation that’s her, but I’ve not confirmed records. What’s word on her condition?” I ask as I watch EMTs work on removing her from the wreckage.
“Nothing yet. She’s not doing great, but she’s still alive. More than that, no one’ll know until she’s been seen through the ER.”
“I’ll reach out to Cap, get her to organize security on her.”
“Damn it. I had a bad feeling about this one right from the time the call came in.” Hunter grips his neck, a clear sign he’s frustrated. “Once the guys give us the all-clear on the vehicle, I’ll search it for ID, but I don’t hold out much hope if she is who you think she is.”
