Page 86 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Fifty

The ride in the ambulance was tight. Both Misti and Mark had to be sent to the hospital in the same vehicle so the only other ambulance could take in the prisoners.

On the only stretcher, Mark took up a fair space while they’d made Misti as comfortable as possible on a wheelchair type apparatus. With Kayti between both of them and the attendant at the front dealing with hooking Mark up to IVs and properly bandaging his wound, the older vehicle was full.

Thinking back to when the paramedics had first arrived, Kayti had to admit, it had been tough.

Misti had begun to recover and her first reaction shocked everyone. Screams of terror, the whites of her eyes grotesquely protruding, she started hyperventilating, unable to catch her breath.

Flailing around on the couch, falling to the floor, like an animal at bay fighting off the enemy, her hands became claws.

They rushed to her side which made everything worse. It wasn’t until she heard Kayti’s voice and saw her approach that she settled down. Arms lifted like a baby reaching to be picked up by it’s mama, Kayti slid in and gathered her close.

The girl settled instantly, clinging, crying rather than the horrible screams, her panting slowing to almost normal.

Kayti whispered words of comfort. “It’s okay, Misti. I’m here, honey.”

Misti looked into Kayti’s eyes, hers all cloudy, appearing as if she’d suffered an illness. Recognition mingled with relief.

Kayti spoke low so as not to alarm the girl. Holding her close with one arm, she used her other hand to caress Misti’s face. Ignoring the stench of body odor Misti reeked of, she kissed her cheek and petted her like one with a soft heart would do for a person they cared about.

“Misti, these people are with the police and want to help you. We need to get you to the hospital and back to your parents. Will you let them?”

“Daddy?” Her voice broke. “I want my dad.”

“Yes, baby. He’s on the way to the hospital right now and will probably meet us there. But we need to let this nice lady here settle you into this chair for the ride back to town.”

Misti looked at the paramedic and then back at Kayti who nodded her approval. “Come on, sweetheart. Come with Kayti.”

Slowly, very carefully, they settled Misti into the chair they would use to transport her to the hospital.

Now, with both Mark and Misti safe and their needs being taken care of, Kayti held on to Mark’s hand while he drifted from the pain medication they’d injected.

Misti also dozed, and Kayti had a feeling it wasn’t completely a normal sleep. Before leaving the lake, the attendants had searched the cabin for drugs, and Kayti knew they’d found a stash. No doubt crap they’d been feeding the teen to keep her sedated and less bothersome.

The nurse finished her duties and sat back, smiling at Kayti then reaching for a clipboard where she began to fill in some forms. Using the quiet moment, Kayti relived the earlier nightmare. The chain of events leading up to Murphy arriving at the exact moment she needed him still baffled her. How had he known where they were?

Dealing with the police had kept him at the scene and would probably tie him up for some time. She’d have to wait to catch up with him at the hospital. Hopefully, they’d have time to share their experiences.

A new image formed and started a warm glow throughout her entire body. Together… There was no other place in the world she’d rather be than with him – in his bed, naked and wrapped around his warm body.

The right to touch him and love on him would bring her joy for the rest of her life.

The lights of the hospital woke her from her fantasizing.

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