Page 59 of Free Fall (The Quantico Files 3)

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Logan tried to convince the EMT sitting beside him that he was okay, that he didn’t need to go to the hospital. But he was too weak to win any kind of battle, verbal or physical.

“Just lie back and take it easy, Agent Hart. We’ll be at the ER soon, and then you can tell the docs and nurses you don’t need to be there. But until then you’re stuck here with me, okay?”

Logan nodded weakly. “Do you know anything about who was injured in the explosion?”

“Some agents have burns and contusions, but I didn’t see anything life-threatening. We don’t think anyone was in the building when it went up.”

“But there was an agent inside before...” He couldn’t finish his sentence. He felt as if he’d swallowed a golf ball. He couldn’t seem to clear his throat.

“I’m sorry,” the EMT said. “I just don’t know.”

Logan turned his face away so the man wouldn’t see the tears rolling down his cheeks. As if he understood, the young EMT put his hand on Logan’s arm. His kindness made it even harder for Logan to control his emotions.

“I’ll pray for your friend,” the EMT said quietly.

Logan appreciated his comment, especially since the man probably wasn’t supposed to say things like that while he was working. What was this world coming to when promising to pray for someone could cause you to lose your job?

“Thank you,” Logan managed to get out. “Thank you very much.”

A few minutes later the ambulance pulled into Mercy Hospital’s emergency entrance. The EMT opened the back of the vehicle and then jumped out as the driver came around to help pull out the stretcher.

“We’re a little backed up,” the EMT who’d ridden with him said. “Let me see if we need to go in through a different entrance. I’ll be right back.”

No sooner had he walked away than an EMT Logan hadn’t seen before stepped up to the stretcher and leaned down. He had bright-blue eyes and red hair.

“Alex wasn’t in the building when it exploded,” he said. “She needs you to pray for her, but she’s alive.” He patted Logan’s shoulder and left as quickly as he’d come.

When the other EMT came back, Logan asked if he knew the name of the red-headed EMT, adding that he’d told him his friend was alive. The EMT frowned and looked around.

“I’m not sure who you mean. I don’t know any EMTs with red hair. And I don’t know how he’d know about your friend. The area hasn’t been cleared for emergency personnel yet.” He looked toward the entrance as the driver came back. “Looks like we’re taking you inside this entrance. I’ll ask around about the guy you’re looking for.”

As he was wheeled into the hospital, a wave of dizziness overtook Logan. He closed his eyes, trying to stop the world from spinning. The red-haired EMT had known Alex’s name, but Logan hadn’t mentioned her name to anyone. Jeff wasn’t anywhere nearby, so he couldn’t have told him.

Yet somehow he knew what the man said was true. Logan whispered a prayer, thanking God for letting him know Alex was alive. But she was evidently still in danger, and right now praying for her was all he could do.

When the stretcher came to a stop, two nurses came up. “You’re Logan Hart?” one of them said, and Logan nodded. “We’ll get you into a room as soon as we can.”

The other nurse checked his electronic tablet. “You’re already checked in. You were supposed to have surgery this morning with Dr. Schmeidler?”

“Yes.” He was about to explain why he’d canceled when he realized the nurse was simply making certain he had the right information.

“Okay. Hold on a moment,” he said.

A few minutes later an orderly wheeled him out of the ER, into an elevator, and then into a room on the second floor. Logan wished he had the bag he’d packed.

“Can you sit up for me?” yet another nurse asked as she lowered one of the rails on the stretcher.

“Yes, I think so.” He held on to the side and swung his legs down. This time the dizziness wasn’t so bad.

“Are you able to change into this gown by yourself?” she asked. “Or do you need help?”

“I can do it.”

“I’ll be right outside the door. If you need help, just call out. Only your underwear and socks under the gown. And let me know when you’re finished.”

She left the room, closing the door behind her.

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