Page 29 (1/2)
“Who? You were the only one in the vehicle There was no passenger Who’s ?”
“Olivia Tellerman,” Paul bit out with frustration He felt like he was talking to a kindergartner “The woman in the car with me What happened to her? Did you see her? Is she okay?” Paul would have reached for the guy to shake the answers out of him but his wrists were still restrained He fisted his hands and glared at the attendant The guy was useless “Stop the aet out of here Can’t you see I’ time!” When the paraainst his restraints again even though he kneas pointless “Co theer, you fool!”
The attendant shook his head but he looked a little disconcerted “It’s nor emotional reaction to traumatic events I understand you feel disoriented and upset Try to breathe evenly If you want, I can give you a mild sedative to make you feel relaxed”
Paul wanted to shout with frustration but he settled for a glare instead If he let his tes and he’d be useless to Olivia – even ive me any sedatives and you can skip your textbook responses I was a cop for twelve years so I know you’re just doing your job Now tellwith”
The EMT shook his head “I told you, there was no woman There were two rolled vehicles The pickup was abandoned You were the only person found at the scene”
Paul froze at the guy’s words “The other driver was gone? And his passenger?” The para was I out? Any idea how long it took for you guys to respond to the scene?”
“There’s no way to know for sure I’d say twenty to forty-five hway, and on a day like this there’s even less traffic than usual”
The EMT’s ansasn’t what Paul needed to hear “You gathered my personal effects, my cell phone?”
“Of course”
“Then I’ to need you to break protocol just this once I have to ent calls Olivia’s life is at risk and I can’t keep her safe by sitting here and twiddling my thumbs” The paramedic started to protest but Paul held up his hand – sort of - to forestall the excuses “You’ll turn me over to the hospital staff and they’ll lock away my phone until they release me Come on, buddy, from one professional to another, it’s er I was transporting Let me make the call”
He wasn’t sure the paramedic would relent, especially when his expression reuy Paul forced himself to remain calm – as much as possible under the circumstances Seconds ticked by Finally the EMT reached for the container holding Paul’s belongings “Don’t tell anyone about this” He unfastened the straps tying Paul to the gurney
Paul nodded absently He was already dialing Dylan Beck ould then get him in touch with his FBI contact He only hoped it wasn’t too late He could i He’d sworn to keep her safe and once again he failed, just as he failed Jodee He tried to push memories of the teen from his mind Jodee refused to listen to him But this was about Olivia and she would do whatever she had to in order to survive And soon she would have the right people helping her – if he could get through to them If no one listened then he’d fly to California and release her himself – and hopefully wouldn’t be killed in the process He refused to let that bastard win
Dylan picked up on the second ring and Paul juot her, Dyl, about an hour ago fifty miles north of Cheyenne They swooped down in a helicopter She may have sustained injuries They drove us into the ditch before taking her Can you get in touch with Jeffries? Yeah, the FBI guy He’ll knohat to do And can you get me out of this ambulance? I don’t care who you have to call but I need to be released I can’t waste a day being poked and prodded by doctors while she’s in danger – I need to get to California Call it a hunch; he won’t keep her around here I know I don’t have any jurisdiction anymore! You don’t have to remind me I’m not a cop Yeah, yeah, just do it, Dylan We’ll talk about my reinstatement after she’s safe Thanks buddy, I owe you one”
Paul leaned his head back against the gurney and closed his eyes He pictured Olivia, her face pinched with fear as she faced her greatest nighter and her terror He prayed the psychopath would keep his hands off her long enough for Paul to do so He didn’t knohat he could do, but he had no intention of sitting idle while the FBI toyed with the best way to proceed It could take weeks to get approval and Paul wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the action as a civilian He illing to ith the authorities but he wouldn’t let them hold him back He’d made a promise to Olivia and he intended to keep it
“Hang in there, baby,” he er and frustration He felt helpless being here while she needed hiive in to Moore; she couldn’t let hi to find you, and then we’ll grind that bastard into the ground together He won’t get aith this”