Before The Fall

Chapter 10 – "Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire"

Opening her eyes slowly, Anna can see a too bright light just above her. She tries to focus her vision, the room still blurry to her.

Her mouth feels like she swallowed a glass of sand and her head is pounding like a drum. All of the memories of the damp warehouse come flooding back to her as she tries to sit up.

"Hold on beautiful. You need to set up slowly." Dale smiles back at her as he easies her up in the bed.

"Where ... am … I?" She manages to choke out the words with the feeling as if her throat is on fire.

"You're in the hospital. You were bad when I brought you in. The doctor said you were on the verge of dying from exposure." He moves her hair from her face as he kisses her forehead.

She points over to the water pitcher on the table next to her, the thirst in her mouth burning down her throat. Dale pours her a glass of water and she downs it quickly, handing the glass back for another drink.

Dale grins at her as he pours her another glass, his fingers stroking her cheek as she drinks it. "Are you alright?" Anna sees the cuts on Dale's face, his bottom lip swollen.

"You're the one in the hospital with your pretty face all smashed up and you're worried about me." He kisses her softly, his lips barely grazing hers.

Looking down at the I.V. in her arm she notices the hospital bracelet. The date of admittance was two days ago. "Holy shit … I've been in the hospital for two damn days."

"You gave me a good scare that's for sure. It was touch and go for a while but you're a fighter Red. I'm so glad to see those pretty green eyes again." Dale moves in to kiss her again when the doctor comes in.

"It's good to see you awake Ms. Shaw, I'm Dr. Browning. Your vitals have been improving for the last two days and I'm positive at this point you'll make a full recovery. As for the exposure you have to your fingers and toes, you may have a burning sensation in them for a few days but that will pass with time. I'll need to examine you before we release you. If you don't mind sir." The doctor pulls the curtain round the bed, leaving Dale waiting on the other side.

"Anna, I'm going down to the cafeteria. I'll be back in a bit." As he makes his way to the elevator he sees two men in Army uniforms heading towards Anna's room. He quickly ducks into an empty room, waiting for them to pass.

Slinking back down the hallway, Dale waits outside Anna's room. The two men from the Army ask the doctor for a moment of Ms. Shaw's time. The doctor tells them to wait and after he's examined her they can talk to her. Dale peeks into the room, seeing the two military officers waiting on the other side of the door.

"She's all yours gentlemen but I will be right over there. I stress that you don't upset her in any way. Am I clear?" Dr. Browning looks at the officers very stern.

"Ms. Shaw, I'm Sergeant Monroe, this is Corporal Watts and we need to ask you a few questions." They stand at Anna's bedside looking very intimidating.

"It would seem you have a captive audience. What can I do for you?" Giving her best calm and cool look Anna sits up in the bed.

"It would seem a woman matching your description walked into a National Guard warehouse and walked out with some sensitive material. The officer we questioned said he let Ms. Katie Dumont into the locked documents room. I've tried to talk to Mrs. Dumont and her daughters and it seems they have all gone missing. If you hear from Mrs. Dumont or her daughters you give us a call. Whether it was you or Katie Dumont that walked into that warehouse is yet to be determined. Until we can talk to the Dumont's we can't know for sure. I suggest you stay in town for a while until we get to the bottom of this. Thank you for your time Ms. Shaw." The two officers turn to go when Anna tries to get out of the bed.

Sergeant Monroe turns to help her up, his firm hands holding to her arm tightly. "I talked to Sarah Dumont three days ago and after the local police found Dr. Barrett's body in the harbor she got spooked and left for California."

"Dr. Barrett had a heart attack on his boat and fell overboard. We've checked the university and both of her daughters haven't been seen in days. Again, if you hear from them please call." They leave Anna with more questions than answers.

Dr. Browning tells Anna she's healthy enough to be released and he'll send a nurse in with the paperwork. Anna sits on the edge of the bed, her heart pounding.

Dale walks back in rubbing his scruffy chin. "Anna you alright?"

"I'm fine. Why were you hiding out there?" Her green eyes narrow as she watches Dale sit down beside her.

"You might say I need to stay clear of the military. I have my reasons Anna; can we just leave it at that?" She lays her head on his shoulder as he wraps his arm around her.

"Yeah … we can leave it at that. So, doing what you do for a living you must want to keep a low profile and answering questions to the authorities isn't on the top of your list. Just out of curiosity, how did you get around the police asking about me?" She lifts her eyes up at him, giving him a smirk.

"As far as the police know a good Samaritan found you and left as soon as he dropped you off at the E.R. and I came up to the room once they admitted you. I never left you but I didn't stay out in the open either. The police detective that's covering your case has been up to see you a few times. A Detective Jones and he gave me his card. He said to call him when you feel up to filing a police report. No rush, we can do that after we get you settled. Speaking of, do you want to go back to Chip's place or do you want me to take you home?" Kissing the top of her head Dale felt as if Anna was slipping away from him.

Anna kisses Dale softly, her fingers playing with his bearded chin. "I can go to the police station tomorrow but what about Dr. Jackson. I saw him lying dead and I know they're going to have some questions about a dead body. About going to Chip's or going home, I want to be wherever you are Barbie. I would like to go home but if you don't feel comfortable there then we can stay at Chip's."

Two cool blue eyes look back into Anna's green ones as Dale hugs her to him. "We can stay at your place. I just want to be with you Anna. I want to make sure you're safe. The police did find Dr. Jackson and assume he kidnapped you get answers about Dr. Dumont. They don't know how he ended up with a bullet between the eyes and thanks to my friend John they never will. My associates have a way of making evidence disappear. Unfortunately this means I'll owe Max one."

"I'm sorry Barbie, I never wanted to be a complication for you. You know the military will be watching me like a hawk now. If you don't want to be seen out with me I'll understand. With the police snooping around too, I'm sure you'll want to stay far away from me. I'll be glad when I can but this whole ugly ordeal behind me. I have to get some answers though." Scooting back in the bed, Anna pulls Dale to her.

He holds her to him, her head resting on his chest. "What is that old saying, out of the frying pan into the fire? I can handle the heat beautiful. You just let me worry about that. Right now I just want to get you home and back on your feet. We will get to the bottom of why all these people are going bat shit crazy and disappearing."

They lay in the bed together, the two of them cuddled up as if they'll never hold each other again. The phone on the table next to the bed begins to ring as Dale reaches over to answer it. "Hello. Yes she right her." Capping his hand over the receiver Dale hands the phone to her. "I think it's your sister and she sounds pissed."

"Time to face the firing squad I guess. Did the hospital call my family?" Anna takes the phone with a look of reservation in her eyes.

Shrugging his shoulders Dale gives her a sideways smirk. "I tried to stop them but they said it was procedure. Sorry Annie."

Anna answers the phone waiting for Julia to start. "Hello."