Shaking Off the Dust Read online

  “Hannah, the others are coming. I need to lead them.” Tom popped up near me. “Are you all right?”

  I nodded and he was gone again. Brodie stayed right with us, so excited he skipped part of the time. I prayed that Hector was on his way to the hospital.

  We reached a clearing where two cars were parked. I recognized one of them. When we approached, Tomas Ramirez stepped out of an extra-long limousine and asked the leader something.

  As we walked up, I started talking. I pointed to Takeshi. “He needs out of these wet clothes. Do you have a blanket or other clothes for him to wear?”

  The guard laughed and I glared. “Tell your boss what I asked for.”

  Hate filled his eyes before he turned and spoke to Tomas. He turned back to me and spat. The trunk was opened and a rough gray blanket was brought out.

  I marched over to it and snatched it from his hands then came back to Takeshi. “Wrap this around you and take off your wet pants. You’re going to end up hypothermic if you don’t.”

  “Hannah, being undressed with these people is not a very good idea.”

  “Just do it,” I nearly screamed. I was worried about him.

  He sighed and wrapped the blanket around him. I watched his pants fall to the ground. “I do this only because I love you. Remember that.”

  Ramirez spoke and the guard translated. “Come join me in the car where it is warmer.”

  I got in and Takeshi followed. It was warmer and I huddled against Takeshi. There was silence. I wondered what was coming next, why we were waiting.

  Tomas sat with a pleasant smile on his face. He glanced at his watch every once in a while. Perhaps twenty minutes passed. I was curious as to why we were waiting. A noise coming from behind the trees drew my attention and I watched as six men led out Enrique and Bill at gunpoint.

  Ramirez got out of the car and motioned for us to stay inside. An extended conversation began in Spanish, after which Enrique and Bill joined Tomas in the limo. Even with them inside there was room for two or three more.

  Ramirez spoke and Enrique translated. “Now we have all the players.”

  “Please tell me that Hector is on his way to the hospital?” I rushed in to ask.

  Enrique nodded. “Jack and Mateo are taking him. They let them go once they had taken Bill and me.”

  Tomas spoke for a long time before Enrique filled us in. “He wants you to know that no one was supposed to be harmed. Hector forced his man to defend himself and his injury could not be helped. By the time they reach help for Hector, we will be done here. Cell phones won’t work.”

  Enrique accepted my outraged stare as acceptance and launched into another conversation with Ramirez. Twenty minutes of continuous conversation later, Ramirez pulled out a small box from his pocket. Inside were two baby teeth. He handed it to me.

  “These are Nina’s and Isabella’s. He wishes you to communicate with his sisters. Hannah, he gave me invaluable information and is willing to work with us now. If you can help him, he would be very grateful.”

  I was mad at Ramirez for what had happened to Hector. But I’d do what Enrique requested. I touched the baby teeth and the two young women appeared on either side of Ramirez.

  They recognized me and thanked me before I could even think about being angry again. “You saved our brother. You have pulled him from evil and his heart is now open again. Thank you, thank you.”

  “I didn’t do that. He made his choices. I hope he has changed. Tell me what you know?” I tried to keep my face neutral.

  “He questioned Vincent. We turned our backs but I was glad to hear him suffer.” Nina lowered her voice while sharing her guilty secret. “He betrayed Tomas many times. He works for the Sanchez family, who deal in drugs and who beat up shop owners demanding money for protection.”

  “What is your brother’s business?” I probed, curious to see how he differed.

  “He redirects new technology from China and other places, selling it to the highest bidder.” Isabella was quoting someone. I could guess who.

  I laughed and Ramirez demanded to know why. I repeated what Isabella had told me. He had the good grace to look embarrassed, but there was a smile underneath. I think it reinforced to him that I was the real thing, and his sisters were with him.

  “Go on,” I encouraged the girls.

  “Vincent told him that Sanchez supplied a man with technology they had bought from Tomas that caused the plane to explode. They want to take over his clients and thought to lead the police to our brother. Then he would be killed or put in jail.”

  Nina’s head bobbed in agreement with her sister. “Tomas had Vincent set up a meeting with old Sanchez. He is letting these men”—she gestured towards Enrique and Bill—“and you come to that meeting to catch these bad people. Our brother thinks they will be able to find the ones who placed the bomb.”

  “Why does he want me there? This is all good, but what does Tomas want in return?”

  “There is a masked ball on Halloween. He wishes for you to attend with him.” Isabella pointed to Enrique. “At dawn Tomas wants to be with us as we go to God. He says he deserves the reward posted by the Spanish government for anyone who helps find the fanatics. He wants the FBI to move him to America, where he can be safe and buy an electronics store.”

  I burst out laughing and repeated the list of demands to the others.

  “Only then will he tell you when and where the meeting is to be with Sanchez.” Isabella did not appear amused by her brother’s demands.

  “What would you have me tell your brother?” I sighed.

  “Tell him we will always love him, that we never blamed him for Vincent.”

  I repeated their words, and Enrique translated to Ramirez.

  I made my own demands. “Tomas Ramirez, if my friend Hector dies or any of my friends are hurt, I will not be at that ball. I will not be your witness to their walk into the light. You are not blameless and I’ll not let you pretend you are. Your sisters love you enough to forgive your part in their deaths. If Hector dies, I will not.”

  “Hannah,” Enrique gently scolded.

  “Repeat what I said to him. Do it, Enrique.” I refused to back down.

  He repeated the words, and Tomas looked at me and nodded. He took the teeth and placed them back into the box. Then he left us standing in the forest on a road.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  It took almost an hour to reach the car. I tried to find Bethann and the children. I looked down at my finger and realized the ring of hair was gone. Tom and Brodie were the only ghosts with us.

  “Oh my God, I lost the ring that ties the children to me.”

  Tom came up to me. “It’s all right. It ended up with Hector. I think it fell into his clothes during the CPR you gave. They are all with him. I’ve been checking in on him.”

  “Thank God. How is he?”

  “They made it to a hospital. His temperature is low. They are using warming blankets. The shoulder wound missed all the great vessels and his CT is normal. They think he’ll wake up once he warms.”

  I passed on the news and made them crank up the heat in the car, so Takeshi could warm up. They’d used the picnic blankets on Hector, so I draped myself over Takeshi. Bill and Enrique threw back their coats. Within a short while his skin did not seem so cold to the touch. Now I was shaking though.

  It wasn’t the cold, it was reaction to everything. I huddled in even closer to my man and closed my eyes.

  We reached the hospital and I yelled my relief as Dr. Santiago came out of Hector’s room. He smiled at me. “I’m so glad to see you, Doctor. How’d you get here so quickly?”

  “Mateo called as soon as they reached the hospital. The embassy sent me down on a military helicopter with Hector’s father, in case the American hostages might need me. We only arrived a short while ago and went straight to Hector. You and Dr. Shimodo saved his life. You did good CPR. You broke two ribs, but you circulated enough to get his heart going again, even at his tem
perature.”

  I turned to Takeshi and he looked pleased.

  “You need to check him out, as an official American hostage.” I pointed to Takeshi, who was still wearing the blanket and Bill’s coat. “I think he could use a liter of warm fluids and that leg can’t have benefited being in a river. He jumped in rapids to pull out Hector and has been soaked ever since.” I pushed Takeshi towards him.

  “Of course, and what of you? Are you injured?” He touched my face.

  “No, I’m fine. I want to check on Hector, maybe stay a little while to assure myself he’s recovering. Is his father with him now?”

  Dr. Santiago shook his head. “His father took over one of the offices here in the hospital. He’s already seen Hector. We’ll be in the emergency room.”

  I turned to Takeshi. “Do you mind? My nurse’s training won’t let me stay away from the most critical patient.”

  “No, I understand that instinct.” His teeth were chattering, his lips turning blue.

  “This way to the emergency department.” Dr. Santiago led him away.

  I stepped into Hector’s room, concerned with how pale he was under a warming blanket. The fluids were all on warmers and the monitor showed a strong steady heartbeat and low blood pressure.

  Rachel sat in a corner watching his face. She still had blood on her hands and I realized I did too.

  “Hi, Rachel.” I walked to her. “Looks like we both need to wash.”

  She glanced down at her hands, then back at me and nodded.

  “Come on. What better place than a hospital sink and soap.” I pulled at her arm and she followed me to the sink. I put her hands under the faucet and poured on plenty of soap. She washed, not really paying attention.

  “All the way to the elbows,” I instructed.

  When she finished, I took my turn. She went back to the chair she’d been in and sat down, almost in a trance, watching Hector. I dried my hands and went over. I’d seen this before when family of injured patients came in.

  “You’re fond of Hector, aren’t you?” I pulled up a chair next to hers.

  She blinked. “You can’t tell anyone. He doesn’t even know.”

  “I bet he does. Hector’s pretty smart. He’s also observant.”

  “He can’t know. Nothing can happen. Our jobs won’t allow anything to happen.” She pleaded with her eyes. “His father is very high up diplomatically.”

  “He can be your friend.”

  She shook her head at me, turning her face back to Hector.

  I gave up and moved my chair closer to the bed, taking his hand in mine, when a thought occurred to me.

  “Rachel, I need to check on Takeshi. Could you move in closer to Hector? Hold his hand? They say it makes a big difference in recovery.”

  “You think it would be okay?” She came to my chair.

  “He doesn’t know how you feel about him. It will be your chance to hold his hand. When he wakes up, you can pull away. He’ll be none the wiser, although I think you are silly to hide your feelings. I keep thinking how terrible my life would be without Takeshi in it. And we came together as a couple after only days. I can honestly say that even if we separated tomorrow, I’d treasure every minute I’ve spent with him. Don’t throw away a chance at happiness because you’re afraid.”

  “I doubt Hector feels the same way. He’s too smart to want that kind of entanglement.”

  “He died today for a few moments. It can change your perspective on life,” I said as she sat down next him.

  Rachel started crying. “He’d be dead if you and Takeshi had not saved him. How can I thank you for that?”

  “You can be real with him. You can stop hiding how you feel.” I left the room.

  I reached the emergency department and found Takeshi wandering down the hall, his teeth still chattering.

  “Hannah? I was worried about you.” The look of relief on his face made my heart hurt.

  “There you are,” Dr. Santiago called from the end of the corridor. “I’ve been searching all over the emergency room for you.” He frowned at Takeshi. “You need to get back to your bed until you warm up. The nurse has your antibiotics ready to hang.”

  I took Takeshi’s hand and followed him into the room.

  Dr. Santiago watched me fuss at Takeshi until he climbed into the bed, Takeshi’s eyes oddly bright. “I gave him something to make him sleep, but it has only made him restless. He’s gotten two liters of warmed fluids and I ordered IV antibiotics for that leg. Most of his stitches were gone so we steri stripped it back, but I don’t want to resuture at this time. I don’t believe he’ll stay put unless you are with him.”

  “I’m not leaving him until he’s warm again.”

  “You need to rest, Hannah. I should be running a battery of tests on you right now, but I’ll be satisfied if you sit or lie down.”

  “There’s a chair right next to Shimodo calling my name.”

  “I’ll check back later.” Santiago left us alone after the nurse hung the antibiotics.

  Takeshi lay on his side, tired and pale. I leaned down and kissed his cheek. He stirred, reaching out for me. I kicked off my shoes and damp jeans then pulled back the covers and got into bed with him. I spooned into his back, closed my eyes and fell asleep.

  “Hannah,” Bill said. “I hate to wake you. It’s near dawn. Bethann and the kids are almost ready to go.” He was crying, not sobbing, but tears ran down his cheeks.

  I sat up and rubbed my eyes. “I’m coming.”

  Takeshi woke looking confused for a moment, then sat up too.

  “Takeshi, you stay here and rest. Bethann and the children are leaving. I need to be there.” Moving to kiss his forehead I stopped when he grabbed my hand.

  “I’m coming.” Once up, he looked around purposefully before going into the bathroom. I decided that was a good idea.

  Agitated and impatient, Bill paced but didn’t say a word. We followed him.

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “To the chapel. Enrique thought it was fitting.”

  “Is there anything you want to say to Bethann?”

  “She’s been coming to me every night and I talk to her. I’ve told her everything I want or need to say. I know this is right, but I don’t want to let her go. I got used to her with me again.” Silent tears fell down his face.

  I didn’t know how to respond to that. There were dozens of candles burning as we walked into the chapel. On a gurney lay Hector with Rachel beside him, and Dr. Santiago nearby. An older well-dressed man, short and whip thin, sat next to Santiago. I assumed it was Hector’s father. In the row behind them were Enrique and Mateo with Jack kneeling in the pew.

  “We found this in Hector’s clothes.” Rachel handed me the ring of hair.

  I took it from her, closing my eyes. When I opened them, I saw Bethann, Sharon, Nicholas and Melissa all together in front of the altar. Bethann smiled at me. “You’ll watch out for my Bill, won’t you, Hannah? Just like you watched out for Tom and Hector and the others?”

  “Yes, I’ll try,” I said. “Do the children want to say anything to anyone?”

  “No, they are glad Hector is all right. Tell him they prayed for him. They said they would tell God when they see Him how good you all are, so that you will go straight into His arms, just like they will.”

  I repeated that for everyone to hear. I heard Rachel’s choking sob.

  “I prayed for them,” Hector replied.

  “Look there’s a light!” Brodie pointed towards the other children.

  I didn’t see a light. But I watched as they all held hands and walked forward. I’m not sure what I saw. They sort of faded from my view. I described it for the others and I could hear each of them say their own prayers.

  Brodie came to me full of wonder. “Did you see the light, Hannah? Did you hear the music? They just turned into stars and followed the light. There was singing, only it wasn’t really a song. It was like the wind. ” He tried to pull me towards the
altar, but instead, was walking through me. It was unsettling.

  “No, Brodie, I didn’t hear or see it. It’s for those who go into the light to know.”

  I shared what Brodie saw and heard.

  Tom came to sit next to me, looking stunned. “It was something, Hannah. Perhaps we all see what we expect. I saw beautiful angels come down and cradle each of them. They rose up into the light, with wingspans the size of the room. There was music, like a flute on the wind, only it wasn’t a flute. The wind was singing to me. I wonder what other things await us once we walk into the light.”

  “Are you thinking it is close to the time you should go?”

  “Soon, yes, but I want to see this through. Mia and her brother were afraid to watch, but they couldn’t stop themselves. I can tell the others from the crash what I saw, what I heard. What they have to look forward to. I’ve been afraid, I’m not anymore.”

  I stood and went over to Hector’s gurney. Dr. Santiago and the man I assumed was Hector’s father were standing next to him. “It was good of you to come, Hector. The children appreciated it.”

  He nodded. “Thank you, Hannah. You and Takeshi saved my life.”

  “That’s what doctors and nurses do. Now you get well and stay in touch with us, or I’ll send a ghost to harass you.”

  Dr. Santiago looked over to me. “Enrique explained some things to me so that I would allow Hector to be here. We are taking him back to Madrid this morning.”

  Enrique joined us and bowed to the older man. “Hector, I leave you in good hands. I will see you in three days. I am taking these tired people home to rest.”

  As it ended up, Rachel, Mateo and Jack hitched a ride to Madrid. So there were few enough of us left to fit in one car. Takeshi fell asleep again during our journey home. I decided it was such a good idea that I joined him.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  I was already showered and dressed when I touched Takeshi’s shoulder. “Wake up, sleepy head.”

  He didn’t move, or open his eyes. I got scared. I rolled him on to his back and shook him. “Wake up, Shimodo. Please wake up.”