Chapter 12.

Nick had broken all the posted speed limits on the trip to Atlanta where a private plane awaited them. They arrived in Huntsville at seven-thirty in the morning, both of them were bleary-eyed and exhausted from worry and lack of sleep. Taking a cab from the airport, they went directly to the hospital. Hot and humid early morning sunshine greeted them the moment they stepped onto the pavement, and one of Ned Johnson's FBI agents, Alan Sturges, met them at the lobby entrance.

"Any word on my father?" Addy asked as the agent whisked them through the lobby and into an elevator.

"Sorry, ma'am, there's no news to report." The young, slender investigator punched in the correct floor, then turned to Nick. "Ms. Lunden is upstairs. We've had quite a time with her. Even Brett Windsor can't do anything with her."

h.e.l.l, that's all they needed, Nick thought, an overwrought, hysterical Dina. Addy was close to the breaking point herself; she didn't need Dina's theatrical show of concern sending her over the edge. "What's Dina doing here?"

"She refuses to leave until she sees Ms. McConnell," Agent Sturges said. "She and Windsor have been here since about five this morning."

"Has Jim come out of surgery yet?" Addy asked.

The elevator stopped. The doors opened. The three stepped into the hallway.

"No, ma'am. He's been in surgery for hours. It doesn't look good. He was shot up pretty bad, I'm afraid."

Nick gave the young agent a deadly look, silently reprimanding him for being so blunt with Addy about Hester's condition. "Come on, Red, think positive thoughts."

The minute they rounded the corner that led to the surgery waiting area, Dina Lunden came running toward Addy, tears flowing down her rosy cheeks, her arms spread wide. At the touch of Dina's arm around her, Addy cringed, then chastised herself for being so insensitive to the other woman's feelings. Maybe Dina really did care about her father. If she didn't, she certainly was putting on an award-winning performance.

"Oh, Addy, it's just awful! This shouldn't have happened. If only you had stayed in Huntsville, instead of running off to G.o.d knows where and going into hiding." Releasing her tenacious hold on Addy, Dina faced Nick. "It's all your fault. I had no idea when I invited you to my engagement party that you would wind up making such a mess of things."

Brett Windsor came forward, placing a comforting arm around Dina. "Now, Dina, stop talking nonsense. Neither Nick nor Addy could have prevented Rusty's kidnapping."

Dina glared at Brett, her eyes bright and wild. "You know I'm right, dammit!" Flinging off Brett's arm, she walked away from him.

Turning to Addy, Brett gave her a gentle hug. "I'm so sorry about all this. Dina's been hysterical ever since she heard Rusty had been kidnapped."

Addy accepted Brett's comfort, thankful that he was around to help keep Dina in check. "You were with Dina when she was told about Daddy?"

"No, as a matter of fact, I wasn't." Brett glanced over at Nick whose dark, pensive stare issued a warning. "I've found my own apartment. I moved out of the mansion three days ago."

"Addy! Oh, Addy!" Janice Dixon ran down the corridor, her blond ponytail flip-flopping up and down on her back.

Pulling out of Brett's embrace, Addy put her arms around Janice. "Oh, Janice, you didn't have to come down here, but I'm so glad you did."

"I've been checking with Dina. She told me what time they were expecting you and Nick to arrive." Teary-eyed, Janice forced a smile. "Ia"I thought you might need me."

"Of course I need you." Addy hugged Janice with the fierce protectiveness of an earth-mother defending her child. "You're my best friend and favorite cousin."

"Has there been any word on Uncle Rusty's whereabouts? A ransom demand or anything?"

"Nothing new," Addy said. "We're waiting to hear, and praying that Daddy's all right and that Jim survives his surgery."

While the endless minutes turned to an hour and then two, Dina continued to rant and rave, ceasing only when Brett or Nick soothed her. Addy sat with Janice, and Agent Sturges watched over them all.

Ned Johnson appeared in the doorway. Nick rose from his seat directly across from Addy. He said a silent prayer that Hester was still alive. He might well be their only chance of finding Rustya"if he'd seen the kidnapper's face and could identify him. "Ned?"

"Hester made it."

Addy sighed with relief, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes. When she stood, walking toward Nick, Janice rose and followed her. Nick, who stood in the doorway talking quietly with Ned Johnson, reached out and pulled Addy to his side.

"Look, Red. I'm going in with Ned to question Hester just as soon as he comes around. The doctors say it could be another hour, maybe longer."

"You think he can identify the kidnapper?" Addy asked.

"We're hoping he can," Johnson replied.

"Agent Sturges will stay with you when I go in to question Hester." Nick's big hand splayed across her back. He t.i.tled her chin upward, his dark eyes demanding her compliance. "Don't even go to the bathroom unless he's waiting right outside the door. Understand?"

"I understand." She caressed his cheek with her fingertips. "Don't worry about me."

"Brett is taking me home," Dina announced. "I'm simply exhausted." Stopping in front of Addy and Nick, she gave them a heated look. "You will call me the moment you get word on Rusty, won't you?"

"Of course we will," Addy said.

"He's all right, you know." Dina glanced over at Brett, who held her by the arm. "Isn't he?"

"I'll drive her home and stay with her until she calms down. I think a couple of Valium should do the trick," Brett said.

Addy felt a surge of relief once Dina had left. Her father's overwrought fiance had gotten on everyone's nerves with her moans and sighs, her constant flood of tears and her irrational babbling. Thank the Lord that Brett had been able to persuade her to go home. The FBI was doing everything possible, but Addy knew that a great deal depended on what Jim Hester would be able to tell them about the shooting and her father's kidnapping.

Nick led her back inside the waiting area, sitting down beside her on a vinyl sofa and pulling her into his arms. She rested there, rea.s.sured by his comforting strength.

Nick stood inside the ICU cubicle where Jim Hester had just regained consciousness. Ned Johnson, an RN at his side, leaned over Hester's bed and spoke his name.

"Mr. Hester, I'm Ned Johnson. I'm with the FBI. I need to ask you a few questions."

Jim tried to speak, but his voice broke in an awkward squeak when he said Addy's name. He looked up at Agent Johnson pleadingly.

"Ms. McConnell is fine. She's waiting outside, very concerned and eager to see you."

"Alton?" Jim Hester's voice was only a choked whisper.

"He didn't make it," Johnson said. "But the doctors say you're going to be all right. What we need to know in order to find the man who did this to you and kidnapped D.B. McConnell is if you can identify the a.s.sailant."

"Mask," Jim gasped. "He wore a mask."

The stocky nurse nudged Ned Johnson out of the way and checked her patient's oxygen supply. Turning back to the FBI agent, she said, "Only a few more questions."

Nick moved to the foot of the bed. Seeing Nick, Jim reached out. His hand, strapped with an IV needle, trembled. "Romero."

"Good to see you alive, Hester. Addy's been worried sick about you."

"We didn't know a what a hit us," Jim said in a weak, quivering voice. "We drove into the parking lot." He stopped talking, giving himself a much-needed respite. "Before we a knew a what was happening, he opened fire. Shot Alton first a then me. I was on the pavement a couldn'ta"couldn't get to Rusty."

"I'm afraid that's all," the nurse said. "You'll both have to leave now."

"Just one more question." Ignoring the protective RN, Nick walked around to the side of the bed, reaching down to take Jim Hester's hand. "Can you tell us anything about the man who attacked you, anything that might help us?"

"Mask and hat." Jim squeezed Nick's hand with what little strength he could muster. "Didn't see his face a or hair. Tall. Well-built. I'd say fairly young a by the way he moved."

"Was he driving or on foot? Did you see any kind of vehicle?" Ned Johnson asked.

"That's two questions," the nurse scolded.

"Didn't see a car. Sorry," Jim said.

Nick gave Jim's hand a strong, rea.s.suring squeeze. "Thanks, Jim. You get some rest, and I'll bring Addy in to see you later."

Nick hated hospitals with a pa.s.sion, especially ICU units. They were an all-too-vivid reminder of his own close call with death, of the endless days and nights he'd lain, helpless and alone. His only link with life had been the pain, which he'd used to push him forward into each new day.

He'd never be the same man he was before Ian Ryker had gunned him down with an Uzi. The doctors had told him that he was lucky to be alive, and he knew they were right. But he'd lost a lot, the proper use of his leg, his job as a DEA agent, his ability to carry his woman in his arms.

Outside the ICU, Ned Johnson gripped Nick's shoulder. "Not much to go on, is it? Whoever we're dealing with isn't taking any chances."

"He's cunning and shrewd, all right, but my bet is he isn't completely sane. He's kidnapped Rusty McConnell and is demanding that Addy withdraw the bid on the NASP contract. Obviously, he hasn't done his homework or he'd know that Addy doesn't have the authority to withdraw that bid."

"He's making mistakes then, isn't he?"

"Let's just hope he makes enough for us to catch him before somebody else gets hurt."

"Ms. Addy McConnell?" A plump, middle-aged woman in a bright-orange sweat suit held the waiting-room phone in her hand.

Standing, Addy replied. "I'm Addy McConnell."

"Telephone call for you."

Addy took the phone from the woman's meaty little hand. "h.e.l.lo."

"Ms. McConnell?" The man's voice was m.u.f.fled, sounding similar to the caller who'd threatened her at the day-care center over two weeks ago.

"Yes." Addy's heart seemed lodged in her throat. Her ears throbbed with pressure.

"I know who kidnapped your father."

"Who is this? What do you want?"

Janice rushed to Addy's side, pulling on her arm. "What's wrong? Should I get Agent Sturges?"

Addy glanced out in the hallway where the FBI agent guarding her waited patiently by the door. With a shake of her head, Addy placed her index finger over Janice's mouth.

"I can help you find your father," the caller said. Addy knew this was the same voice, the same man who'd threatened her before. "Do you have him? Is he all right?"

"I know where he is, and I'll tell you if you'll meet me."

"Meet you?"

Janice grabbed Addy's wrist, shaking her head and silently mouthing the word no. Addy jerked away from her cousin.

"If you'll come to the coffee shop right now, I'll meet you there and tell you who kidnapped your father and where you can find him."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"I'm your only chance of keeping your father alive. They're going to kill him. It's up to you whether he lives or dies."

Addy swallowed, wishing she could calm the erratic, deafening rhythm of her heart. Clutching the phone, she breathed deeply. "Ia"I have an FBI agent guarding me. He'll never let me leave the floor without him."

"If you ever want to see your father alive again, you'll find a way. If anyone, and I mean anyone, comes with you, then Rusty McConnell is a dead man."

"Howa"how will I recognize you?"

"I'll be wearing a Huntsville Stars T-shirt and cap. I'll wait ten minutes."

The dial tone hummed in Addy's ear. "No! Waita""

Janice whirled Addy around to face her, grabbing her by the shoulders. "What the h.e.l.l was that all about?"

Addy led Janice to the far side of the room, away from the curious stares of other ICU patients' family members. "The man on the phone says that he knows who kidnapped Daddy and he knows where Daddy is."

"You've got to tell the FBI and Nick," Janice said.

"I can't do that. He wants me to meet him in the coffee shop. Right now. If anyone comes with me, they'll kill Daddy."

"He's bluffing. If he's in the coffee shop, he can't kill Uncle Rusty."

"He may not be the kidnapper. I think he may just be working for them."

"It isn't safe for you to go down there and meet him alone. He could do anything. He could shoot you right there in the coffee shop." Janice nodded toward the open door. "Besides, Agent Sturges isn't going to let you go anywhere without him. If he did, Nick would kill him."

Addy's instincts warned her that Janice was right. It wasn't safe for her to meet this telephone caller, but if there was even the slightest chance that he was on the level, that he could lead them to Rusty, she had to take the chance, didn't she? If her actions meant the difference between saving her father's life and his death, then she had no choice.

"You can help me," Addy said. "I want you to distract Agent Sturges long enough for me to get to the elevators."

"No, Addy, I won't do it. I don't want anything to happen to you."

Addy took her cousin's face in her hands. Forcing a smile, she tried to sound rea.s.suring. "Look, I won't take any unnecessary chances. The coffee shop will be full of people. And, if I'm not back in a few minutes, then you can tell Agent Sturges where I went. Okay?"