'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. 'I—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 Rusty—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 titled 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 fiancee 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, reassured 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 assailant.'
'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 … what
'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 … or hair. Tall. Well-built. I'd say fairly young … 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, reassuring squeeze. 'Thanks, Jim. You get some rest, and I'll bring Addy in to see you later.'
Nick hated hospitals with a passion, 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. 'Hello.'
'Ms. McConnell?' The man's voice was muffled, 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.
