Page 94 of Call Sign: King
Ricky was obviously feeling better too, as he’d launched into a litany of updates of all that had happened in their time apart from each other.
Ryder let them chatter for several minutes, listening to how Ricky and Michael had made plans to take a short trip together now that Ricky was getting out of the hospital.
“We’re just gonna hang out and rest,” he said, looking slyly at Michael. A look that told Ryder the resting would probably include lots of time in bed… not sleeping.
Shaking Michael’s hand, Ryder thanked Khloe’s long-time guard again for all he’d done, not just for him and Khloe, but for Ricky too since her assistant was so important to the love of his life.
He tried not to be annoyed when Ricky pulled Khloe aside to whisper something to her privately, and while the renewed tears between them confused him, he was relieved when Khloe turned, finally looking ready to leave.
Her running makeup had exposed the bruises on her face and the dark circles of exhaustion had reappeared under her puffy eyes, reminding him she had just gone through an ordeal and needed rest herself.
“Come, my wife. Now that you took off your wig and makeup, we need to figure out a new way to get you out of the hospital without being seen by the press.”
The small group broke into a discussion on the options available to them, but it was Ricky who came up with the most interesting plan.
“Why not put Khloe on a gurney and then cover her with a sheet? You can have Hawkeye push her out to a waiting ambulance or something, making it look like he is pushing a dead body.”
“I don’t hate that idea,” Ryder replied.
Khloe gave a waning smile, looking pale and drained. “Neither do I. I’m actually looking forward to laying back down again anyway.”
Hawkeye sprang into action. “I’ll set it up. You guys finish up here and at the nurse’s station and I’ll come back and get you when I’m ready.”
Fifteen long minutes later, Khloe was looking more exhausted than ever as she did her best to paint on her show business smile while signing autographs and chatting with the medical personnel.
Ryder never left her side, making sure she was okay, forcing bottles of water on her. He was jumping out of his skin, desperate to get Khloe back to the Condor, when he finally saw Hawkeye pushing an empty gurney off the elevator in the distance.
“Time to go,” he leaned in to whisper against Khloe’s ear.
She didn’t need to be told twice. Quickly waving her final thanks and goodbyes, Khloe let Ryder lead her by the elbow down the hall to meet Hawkeye.
Leaning down, Ryder scooped her up and into his arms, carrying her the final few feet before laying her gently onto the padded gurney.
“Scootch over,” he said, waving his fingers. “I’m getting on too.”
That brought a light giggle from his tired wife. Careful to roll her onto her right hip to avoid further injury to her healing wounds, Ryder lay down next to her, snuggling her close into his arms, hoping that together, they would pass as a very overweight dead man to anyone who might see them as they made their escape.
“Okay, here we go,” Hawkeye warned, pulling the sheet over their heads.
Being snuggled under the covers as they passed by unsuspecting groups of people was a bit surreal. Khloe had closed her eyes and looked like she might be falling asleep by the time Ryder heard the sound of voices growing louder.
He knew when they’d left the relative safety of the building and were outside, now close enough to the main entrance that the chaotic din of the crowd of media outlets was easy to hear.
Ryder tensed, ready to spring into action if someone decided to notice how weird it was that a medical student was pushing a random dead body out the front door. He was grateful as the sounds of the crowd started to die down, proving Ricky’s plan had been a good one.
Only when they were in the parking lot, next to the waiting SUV, did Hawkeye pull the sheet away. A grinning Torch came into focus leaning over them.
“We’ve done a lot of creative escape plans in the past, but this is a new one.”
Ryder agreed, but they weren’t home free yet.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” he said, rolling to his feet.
Khloe barely opened her eyes, telling him just how exhausted she was. Pulling her into his arms, Ryder was happy to carry her the final distance to the car.
Settling her into his lap, he let the relief that their little field trip was over sink in.
Before Hawkeye could close the door behind him, Ryder got in his final thanks of the day. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’re handling, Jacob. The only reason I’m able to leave here with Khloe is because I know you’re able to handle anything that comes up.”
