Page 18 of Reclaiming Chaos
Chapter 8
Carlee
The EMT working paid no attention as Carlee sat off to the side. The woman Ridge had called Melony was lying on the gurney. She was answering her health questions, through gritted teeth and tears, about allergies and any medications she was on as the man continued working on getting her stabilized.
This was a cluster, but Carlee had expected it. The phone in her hands was the lifeline she needed. She’d seen it this morning—his phone, the call. The woman that was going to keep both Carlee and Melony alive. At least for now.
Carlee fiddled with the phone in her hand. She couldn’t put off making the call any longer. Ridge might be upset when he learned what she was doing, but better he be angry than lose another team member.
She pulled up the last phone number he’d dialed and hit Send.
A woman answered on the first ring. “Ridge, I was just about to call you.”
“Uh, hi. This isn’t Ridge. This is Carlee.”
“He found you?” the woman asked. “Why are you answering his phone?”
“There’s been an incident. He’s tied up with a murder, and I’m in the ambulance with his partner, Melony. There was an attempt on all of their lives.”
The woman gasped. “Is Ridge alive?”
“For now. That’s why I’m calling. I know you don’t know me and have no reason to trust me, but he needs your help. We both do.”
“That’s the second time today. What do you need Carlee with two ee’s?”
Carlee lowered her voice and turned away from the medic working. “Ridge is going to need FDG agents to guard his partner at the hospital. The attempts aren’t over.”
“How the hell do you know about FDG?”
“I know things; predictions, psychic stuff, and other things. I can’t explain it all right now. I just know things, and Iknowthis isn’t over yet.”
“Is that what’s in your book?”
“He told you about the book?” Carlee’s dry throat ached when she tried to swallow.
“No, but the warrant did. You’re in deep shit, lady. Some people in high places pulled strings and called in favors just to get that warrant signed. They want you and the book.”
“I know,” Carlee said, dropping her gaze to her lap. “They won't stop until they find me.”
“Where are you?”
Glancing at the logo on the EMT driver’s shirt, Carlee said, “We’re heading to Clearview General in Greenbriar.”
Exactly where they didn’t need to be. Carlee rubbed at the headache forming behind her eyes.
“You don’t trust anyone that doesn’t say the phrase, ‘Bennett Boy.’ You understand?”
“Yes, please hurry,” Carlee said as the ambulance skidded to a stop in front of the emergency room doors. Carlee hung up and clutched the phone tight to her chest as she hopped out and they hurried to get Melony out of the ambulance.
Melony stopped them from pushing her through the door. “She comes with me, no matter what. Make it happen.”
Melony pulled a badge out from around her neck and flashed it to the medic.
They were ushered through the ER, where a doctor and two nurses were standing by.
“We’ve got a gunshot wound to the back. It looks like a through-and-through. Vitals are stable.”
“We’ll get her into the OR,” the doctor said, taking a clipboard.
